How to Read Human Nature: Its Inner States and Outer Forms (eBook)

William Walker Atkinson (1862–1932) was a pioneering figure in the early 20th century's New Thought movement, a system of beliefs that emphasized the power of thought in shaping one's reality. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Atkinson pursued a career in law before a mental and physical breakdown redirected his interests towards matters of the mind, spirituality, and psychic phenomena. He is credited with helping to lay the foundations for the self-help genre through his prolific writing, adopting numerous pseudonyms such as Yogi Ramacharaka and Theron Q. Dumont to pen more than 100 books. Atkinson's focus on the practical aspects of mental power, psychology, and personal development is evident in titles like 'How to Read Human Nature: Its Inner States and Outer Forms', which continues to be a reference for those interested in understanding human behavior and the subconscious mind. His comprehensive approach combines Western psychological thought with Eastern philosophies and esoteric traditions, which was innovative for his time. Atkinson's literary style was direct and instructive, aimed at empowering individuals to improve their lives through self-awareness and conscious thought control. His influence can still be seen today in the fields of motivational psychology and the study of the human mind.