According to Wallace D Wattles there is a Science of getting Rich. Early in 1912 this book by little known Wallace Wattles was published. From what is known of Wattles he struggled to make ends meet. Frustrated with his life he took to studying. It is through his studies that he found the formula which he later applied to his life. It was his daughter who testified, after Wattles' death, that Wattles had indeed been loyal to applying the formula to his life and that he did amass a large amount of wealth. He also realised his dream of becoming a bestselling author.
We have a right to be rich
In his opening chapter Wattles states that we all have the RIGHT to be RICH. “Whatever may be said in praise of poverty, the fact remains that it is not possible to live a really complete and successful life unless one is rich.” He also states that “society is so organised that man must have money in order to be the possessor of things; therefore, the basis of all advancement for man must be the science of getting rich”. In a nutshell Wallace lays the foundation for his argument that it is necessary to be rich. He tries to persuade the skeptical people that may believe that life is not all about money or those who shy away from “getting rich” because they think that wanting to be rich stems from greed. Explaining further he states that man best expresses love through giving. Man must possess things in order to give and express his love. He must have money in order to possess because money is the currency for exchange in this world. “The getting of capital is a part of the process of getting rich; and it is a part of the result which invariably follows the doing of things in the Certain Way”.
We must do things in a Certain Way
Wallace states that getting rich is not as a result of where you grew up, where you live, or your education or talent. Instead it is a result of doing things in a certain way.
As long as an individual has basic intellect and they do things in this certain way, they will certainly get rich. The confidence in Wallace’s writings seems to come from the fact that like in any scientific experiment, he applied the theories and received the exact desired result.
What is the Certain Way?
As a foundation Wattles emphasizes that we must be aware that there are enough resources in the earth for everyone in the planet to be wealthy. We must not have the mentality that only a small percentage of the population can be rich. We ought to rid ourselves of such thinking. We can create the lifestyles that we desire. We must believe that there is only abundance. In your work to apply the certain way you must rid your mind of thoughts of lack and do not entertain news about the poverty of the earth. He states that you cannot help someone who is poor if you yourself are poor. Work on making yourself rich and then go and help those who are in need. The premise is that you cannot give what you do not have.
In explaining the certain way Wattles shares principles on how to create what you desire:
1. There is a thinking stuff from which all things are made, and which in its original state, permeates, penetrates and fills the interspaces of the universe.
2. A thought, in this substance produces the thing that is imaged by the thought.
3. Man can form things in his thought, and, by impressing his thought upon formless substance, can cause the thing he thinks about to be created.
4. Do not be a competitor with others, instead create what you desire. BE A CREATOR.
In summary the certain way is as follows;
1. Think of whatever you desire. Be specific about it. Have a clear vision of what you want (Wattles warns not to impress your thought with the intention of trying to alter somebody else’s will. He warns not to involve oneself in practices of the occult when creating thoughts.)
2. Ask God for it. Believe that you have received it and that it is in your possession. With unwavering faith believe that you have your desire. Wallace explains that our possession becomes TRUTH. However, truth is not always tangible. One must become a MASTERMIND who believes truth despite appearances.
3. Thank God with devout GRATITUDE for what you have received.
4. Have the vision of what you have received ever before you and continuously offer heartfelt gratitude to God for it. At this point you have received what you desire but it is formless, meaning it is spirit. Spirit is truth but not tangible (i.e. not solid)
5. Therefore in order to bring something from spirit to tangible, physical ACTION is required on our part. “The creative energy works through established channels of natural growth and of industrial and social order….Whatever a man wants will come through the ways of established trade and commerce.”
Wallace emphasizes that in order to apply the scientific formula, the book must be read continuously in order to grasp the principles. The application of the principles must be done each day. It is advisable to read the book in order to obtain a detailed account of how to apply the certain way. This is certainly a great book to help one to focus on achieving goals in business or general life.
