The Power of Concentration (eBook)

William Walker Atkinson (1862–1932) was a pioneer of the New Thought movement, which believed in the fundamental power of thought and its potential to influence the material world. With a legal background, having practiced as an attorney in the state of Pennsylvania, Atkinson underwent a period of personal hardship that led him to explore the principles of mind-power and self-help. In his pursuit of knowledge, he became an ardent student of the occult, yoga, and Hindu philosophy, which heavily influenced his writing and philosophical outlook. Atkinson wrote numerous books under various pseudonyms, perhaps the most famous of which is 'The Power of Concentration' (1918), a guide to improving mental focus and harnessing one's personal willpower for success. His work in this book is seen as a precursor to much of the self-help literature that followed, emphasizing the importance of disciplined thought and concentration in the achievement of personal goals. Atkinson's literary style is straightforward and didactic, often imbued with practical exercises. His contributions have been significant in the field of personal development literature, predating and setting the stage for later authors in the genre. Atkinson's emphasis on the esoteric and the power of the subconscious mind has left a durable imprint on the fabric of motivational and self-improvement literature.