The Power of Awareness by Neville Goddard

In this episode of Mind Set in Stone Podcasts, Dave and Poppy take you on a transformative journey through Neville Goddard’s groundbreaking book, The Power of Awareness. 
They explore the profound connection between your consciousness and the reality you create, breaking down how your thoughts and beliefs shape every aspect of your life. Packed with eye-opening insights and actionable tips, this episode empowers you to tap into the limitless potential of your mind to manifest your dreams and rewrite your story. 
Whether you're curious about unlocking your inner power or looking to deepen your understanding of self-awareness, this conversation will leave you inspired and ready to take control of your destiny. Don’t miss this deep dive into the power of your mind!

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Mind Set in Stone Podcasts. If you enjoyed our deep dive, be sure to subscribe and leave us a review! Share your thoughts with us on social media, and let us know which book you’d like us to explore next. Until next time, keep your mind set in stone and your curiosity open.

This has been a Big L Riz Media Podcast—where big ideas meet lasting impressions.

Transcript

Welcome to Mind Set in Stone Podcasts where we dive deep into the most compelling books on the shelf. Join hosts Dave and Poppy as they uncover the stories, themes and ideas that shape our understanding and inspire curiosity. Get ready to explore the big ideas that leave a lasting impact.

Let's get started.

Welcome to another deep dive. This time we're going to be exploring Neville Goddard's The Power of Awareness and I'm really excited about this one because it's all about how our consciousness can really actually shape the reality around us.

It's definitely a mind-bending concept, isn't it? Like it really flips the script on how we usually think about, you know, the world works.

Totally. And I think one of the most fascinating things about Goddard's approach is how he ties it all back to this really simple but profound idea. Yeah, the concept of I am right.

He talks about how I am isn't just, you know, our name or our identity. It's that that fundamental awareness at the core of our being.

And he even connects it to like the very essence of God.

Exactly. He's not really talking about God in, you know, a traditional religious sense. It's more about the source of all creation, that infinite creative power that we're all connected to.

OK, so we all have this I am at our core. But how does that actually translate into shaping our reality?

Well, that's where our assumptions come in, according to Goddard. He says that what we believe to be true about ourselves and the world around us, what we consistently affirm with our IMM like literally hardens into our reality.

So, if I'm always saying to myself, I am terrible at public speaking, I'm actually reinforcing that reality.

Yeah, pretty much. It's almost like we're constantly projecting this internal blueprint outwards and creating our experiences based on that blueprint. It's like he gives this analogy of the moth drawn to the flame.

It doesn't fight it or resist it, it's totally captivated and will transform itself to know the flame intimately. He's saying we're like that with our assumptions, even the negative ones.

It's like we're drawn to what's familiar, even if it's not serving us.

Exactly.

So, if we want to change our reality, we need to do a little mental makeover. We need to shift those deeply ingrained IMM statements.

Yeah, that's really what Goddard is saying. Like, it's not about denying the current reality, but rather consciously choosing to embody a new one.

It's interesting because Goddard places a lot of emphasis on the power of imagination, too. He even does as far as to say that imagination is God.

It is a bold statement, right? But it's not just like daydreaming or fantasizing. He's talking about this really powerful force that can actually shape our reality regardless of what our current circumstances look like.

He talks about it as this subjective control, like mastering our imagination is the key to mastering our fate.

Yeah, exactly.

So, if I can vividly imagine myself, let's say, living in my dream home, feeling that joy, that sense of accomplishment, that's not just wishful thinking. It's actually a step towards making it real.

Exactly. That's where the power of focused attention comes in. Like Goddard has this great quote.

He says, attention is forceful in proportion to the narrowness of its focus.

He even gives this really specific technique for cultivating that kind of laser focus. I think it was mentally retracing your day in reverse order.

Yeah, it's like a mental exercise to train your attention. And I think it's a lot harder than it sounds.

I can imagine. It would take some serious practice. But it really makes you realize how much of our mental energy we just kind of waste on distractions throughout the day.

Absolutely. And that's kind of where we give our power away, you know, because Goddard's whole point is that where our attention goes, our energy flows, and ultimately that shapes our reality.

This makes me think about our attitude, too. I think Goddard views attitude as a reflection of those inner assumptions that we were talking about.

Definitely. He says it's like a mirror of our beliefs.

Even tells this story, I don't know if you remember, about it was the costume designer, I think.

Oh, yeah, yeah, right.

Who totally transformed her relationship with her boss.

Yeah, it was interesting, right? He was known for being super difficult, but she just decided to shift her assumptions about him.

She chose to focus on his positive qualities, and it completely changed their dynamic.

Right. Her perception of him totally shifted, and then the relationship itself became more harmonious.

Yeah, it's powerful, right? It really underscores how much power we have in shaping our experiences.

Absolutely. Even in challenging situations.

Exactly. What if we could consciously choose to shift our assumptions about someone, or even just approach them with a more compassionate lens?

Yeah, that's a big part of it, right? Taking responsibility for the energy we bring to interactions.

Instead of resisting negativity, Goddard talks about renouncing it.

Exactly. Shifting our focus away from what we don't want, and consciously embracing what we do want. Even if it's just a subtle shift in perspective, it can make a big difference.

Reminds me of that saying, what you resist persists.

Exactly. It's almost like we're giving it more power by focusing on it, right?

Totally. I think this leads us to another really important concept that Goddard talks about, which is the idea of preparing your place.

Yeah, that's a good one.

It's about mentally and emotionally inhabiting the reality you desire. Feeling it is real now, not waiting for external circumstances to validate it.

The feeling is key. It's like really getting into that state of already having what you want, even if it hasn't manifested physically yet.

Can you give an example of what that might look like in practice?

Yeah, sure. Let's say you're dreaming of a new career, something that really lights you up. Instead of just vaguely thinking about it, you would spend time each day vividly imagining yourself working in that role, really feeling the satisfaction, the fulfillment that comes with it.

Like seeing yourself actually doing the work, interacting with colleagues, maybe even celebrating those achievements.

Exactly. It's not just about visualizing the end goal, it's about embodying the experience, feeling the emotions as if it's already happening.

Goddard definitely doesn't sugarcoat the importance of persistence. He uses all these great biblical parables like the one about the persistent friend asking for bread and even Jacob wrestling with the angel.

Oh, yeah. He really emphasizes that point.

Like you have to be relentless in the pursuit of your desires.

Yeah. He poses this powerful question. Are you willing to commit to consistently focusing on your desired outcome, even when you're faced with setbacks or delays?

That's a good question to reflect on. Of course, there's always the possibility of failure. How does Goddard address that?

Well, he doesn't shy away from it. He acknowledges that sometimes our desires don't manifest as quickly or as easily as we'd like. But he offers this really insightful perspective.

He believes that if we're struggling to manifest something, it's often because it doesn't yet feel natural to us.

So, if I'm trying to manifest something that feels completely out of reach right now, like a massive career change, for example, it might take longer because I haven't fully convinced myself that it's actually possible.

Right. It's like trying to force a square peg into a round hole. The energy doesn't flow smoothly.

But the good news is, according to Goddard, we can actually use our imagination to bridge that gap. The more we use it to cultivate that feeling of naturalness, to truly experience the desired outcome in our minds, the more we align ourselves with that reality and make it more likely to manifest in the physical world.

So even if something seems impossible now, the key is to persist in imagining it until it feels natural, until it feels like something we already possess.

Exactly. It's about using our imagination to kind of bridge the gap between our current reality and our desired reality.

It's powerful stuff and it makes me think about past experiences where maybe I gaze up too soon because I couldn't quite envision the outcome. Like what if I had persisted in cultivating that feeling of naturalness? Things might have turned out differently.

That's a really insightful observation and I think Goddard would encourage us to look at those past experiences, not with regret, but with curiosity. Like what can we learn from them to move forward with more power and intentionality?

What assumptions might we need to shift to create a reality that's more aligned with our deepest desires? Exactly. Those are some really thought-provoking questions and I think they lead us perfectly into the next part of our deep dive into the power of awareness.

Yeah, I'm excited to keep exploring. It really boils down to like the depth of our belief, right? Like how much we actually believe in the reality of our assumption.

Yeah. Because if it doesn't feel natural yet, if there's still that like doubt or disbelief creeping in.

Exactly. It's like when you're trying to swim upstream and the currents just like really strong, you're putting in all this effort, but you're barely making any progress.

Right. But I think what's interesting is Goddard doesn't frame failure as this ultimate defeat.

No, he doesn't. There's a lot more nuance to it.

It's more like even when things don't unfold exactly as we planned or envisioned, there's still something to be learned from those experiences.

Yeah, for sure. Every experience, whether we see it as a success or a setback, it offers these valuable insights.

It's more about reframing those setbacks as like opportunities for growth or refinement.

Exactly. Asking ourselves, okay, what can I learn from this? How can I adjust my approach moving forward?

It takes the sting out of it a bit. It makes it the stepping stone instead of this.

Totally. I think that that kind of ties into another really fascinating part of Goddard's work, which is how he seamlessly weaves together all these different fields, like psychology, spirituality, even like physics.

Oh, for sure. I remember when he talks about that principle of least action. Yeah.

It governs everything from the path of a planet to the path of light, the shortest path, the most efficient way.

Yeah. He even connects that to manifestation. Like we should aim to use the minimal amount of energy, and take the shortest possible time in moving from our current state to our desired state.

Right. So, it's not about brute force or striving really hard. It's more about aligning yourself with the natural flow of the universe.

Which in a way is such a beautiful metaphor for the power of assumption. Because when we truly assume something, when we fully embody that feeling of already having it, it's like we're aligning ourselves with that reality.

You're no longer pushing or forcing. We're more surrendering to the natural unfolding of events.

Yeah. I think that's where Goddard's emphasis on surrendering to a higher power comes in.

Yes. Just to clarify, he's not talking about surrendering to some external deity or anything. He's talking about the infinite power that exists within each of us, that power of consciousness, the I am that we were talking about earlier.

So, it's about surrendering to like our own inherent power.

Yes.

And wisdom and intelligence is already there.

Exactly. It's about recognizing that like creation is already finished. You know, like everything exists in this eternal now.

And our task is simply to like align ourselves with that which we desire.

It's beautiful and it's powerful. And it makes me think about acceptance too.

Oh, for sure.

Because Goddard calls acceptance the channel of God's action. Right. Like when we truly accept something as true for us, we open ourselves up to receiving it.

We create a space for it. It's not about like passively resigning ourselves to what is. Right.

But rather actively embracing what we desire, as if it's already ours in a sense.

Yeah. It's interesting because Goddard uses a lot of language around like effortlessness, right?

Yes.

He talks about hurrying without haste and reaching our goal without effort. Do you remember that?

Yeah. Yeah. It's all about aligning our intentions with like the natural flow of the universe, trusting that like everything is already working out for our highest good.

So, it's not about like striving or forcing or, you know, white knuckling our way through it. It's more about like surrendering and allowing things to unfold.

Yeah. You know what that reminds me of? There's this really intriguing concept that he introduces.

He calls it the crown of the mysteries.

Oh, yeah. And he links that to the idea of the assumption.

Yes. And like this is where it gets really deep. Right.

He explains that like from a psychological perspective, the immaculate conception represents the birth of an idea in our consciousness.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

It's that moment where like a desire or a longing just like arises within us unplanned.

Right. It's like it hasn't been like planted by any external source or anything.

Exactly. It's like the seed of inspiration that just like gets dropped into our hearts.

Love it.

And then the assumption, according to Goddard, is like the highest use of consciousness. It's that act of like mentally lifting ourselves up to a higher level by assuming the feeling of the wish fulfilled.

So, it's not just about like wishing or hoping.

Yeah.

It's about actively embodying that new reality.

Exactly.

That takes like a deep level of self-awareness, I think.

It does. And mental discipline.

Yeah.

And that's why, you know, he encourages us to like learn the art of assumption. Because it's through this art that we truly become the creators of, like our own happiness.

Right. It's empowering.

Yeah. And, you know, this mastery of assumption, it requires us to like really understand our own power. And to be willing to step into the role of like conscious creator.

It's about recognizing that we're not just like these puppets of fate.

Exactly. We're active participants in shaping our reality.

Yeah. Goddard also talks about the importance of self-surrender.

Yes.

Which he defines as the confession of personal impotence. Right. Which at first sounds a little bit paradoxical.

Yeah.

It's a bit counterintuitive.

But he's not suggesting that we're powerless. He's actually pointing to the need to surrender to that greater power within us.

Exactly. That power of consciousness that's orchestrating the whole symphony of our lives.

It's beautiful. So, it's about letting go of our limited egoic will and aligning with that universal will.

Yeah. He uses this really brilliant analogy of magnetism. We can't make magnetism.

It just is. We can only align ourselves with its laws. In doing so, allow it to work through us.

It's a great analogy. I think similarly with the Law of Assumption, it's not about creating or forcing anything. It's about aligning ourselves with that inherent power of consciousness.

It's already there.

It leads to this really empowering realization, which is that all things are possible.

It's so powerful, that statement.

It is.

It speaks to that limitless potential that we all have within us.

Exactly. Goddard believes that when we align ourselves with our infinite being, with that I am consciousness, we tap into this realm of unlimited possibilities. Yes.

It's like stepping into this universe of abundance, where anything we can conceive of is within our reach.

Exactly. He encourages us to live our lives in this sublime spirit of confidence and determination, to like disregard appearances and sensory evidence. That might contradict our desires.

Yeah, like holding fast to that vision, even when the external world is telling us something different.

Exactly. And to like rest in that assumption that we already are what we want to be, knowing that in that state of being, anything is possible.

And it's so beautiful because like, God, that infinite power within us never fails, right? It's about surrendering to the mystery, embracing the unknown, trusting that the journey itself is part of the unfolding.

It is.

Goddard reminds us that like the real purpose of life is to, you know, surrender to our ideals, to embody them so fully that like we're no longer living our old lives, but rather those lives that are waiting to be born through us.

Beautiful.

And he encourages us to be doers of the word, not just hearers.

Exactly. You know, to put these principles into practice, to experiment with, like the law of assumption and to like witness its power firsthand.

Right. It's about moving beyond like intellectual understanding and like embodied experience.

Exactly. And he even says, you know, without application, the most profound understanding will not produce any desired result.

It's true. Knowledge is only power when it's actually applied.

Exactly. So, it's about, you know, taking action, making choices that are aligned with, you know, with our desires and trusting that like the universe will meet us there.

This makes me think about like all the biblical stories and parables that Goddard uses to like illustrate these points, right?

Oh yeah.

He talks about Jacob wrestling with the angel, refusing to let go until he received his blessing.

Yeah.

And the story of the persistent widow who like kept pleading her case to the judge until he finally like granted her request.

Exactly. It's the squeaky wheel gets the grease kind of principle.

Yeah. And I think those stories really emphasize like the power of unwavering faith, right? And determination.

Goddard says, desire springs from the awareness of ultimate attainment.

Wow. I like that. Yeah.

It's like this deep inner knowing that like what we desire is actually possible, that it's already ours.

In the realm of infinite potential.

Exactly. And when we like persist in holding that awareness, feeling the reality of the wish fulfilled.

Yes.

Like we inevitably draw it into our experience.

And you know what else is so cool about Goddard's work? He doesn't just present these ideas as abstract concepts, right?

Right.

He actually shares like tons of case histories in his book.

Oh, I love those.

Real life examples of people who have like, successfully used the law of assumption to manifest their desires.

They're so inspiring.

Yeah.

And they really bring these principles to life, you know?

They do. Because it shows that like, this isn't just some theoretical framework. It's like, a powerful tool that anyone can use.

Like, they're so inspiring and they really demonstrate like, the practical application of these ideas, proving that the law of assumption is not just like, some esoteric concept, right? But a tangible force that like, we can all tap into.

Yeah, absolutely. I remember one that really stood out to me was the one about, it was a soldier, I think, who was stationed in an army camp during World War II.

Oh, yeah, yeah, right.

And he was like, desperately longing to be honorably discharged. But his application had been denied.

Okay.

And so, he was feeling like really trapped and disillusioned.

Right.

But he decided to use like the power of his imagination to like change his circumstances.

Okay. So, what did he do?

So, every night before falling asleep, he would vividly imagine himself back home.

Okay.

In his apartment in New York City. Wow. Like he would just immerse himself in those sensory details.

You know, like feeling himself lying in his own bed, walking from room to room, touching familiar objects, even like looking out the window at the street below.

Wow. That's so detailed.

Yeah. And he did this consistently for eight nights.

Okay.

Just like really immersing himself in that feeling of being home.

Wow.

And then on the ninth day, he got orders to fill out a new application for his discharge.

No way.

Yeah. And he was called into the Colonel's office.

Okay.

And even though the Colonel like initially objected, he ultimately approved the discharge and the soldier was on a train back to New York City shortly after.

Oh my gosh. I love that story.

It's powerful, right? It's like a testament to the power of persistence and really like the abilities our imagination to shape our reality.

It is.

Another one that's like really fascinated is the one about the young man who had this like grand vision of his family owning like the largest business of its kind in the country.

Wow.

And he would like walk past this building that housed this really successful business every day. Okay. And he would imagine his family's name on like the sign above the entrance.

Wow.

That's bold. Yeah. And he held that vision for two years.

Wow. Even though like his mother was you know kind of concerned like you're setting yourself up for disappointment. But he just like held on to that belief and then this crazy thing happened where the company actually went bankrupt and the building was put up for sale.

And then a stranger approached the young man and his father and offered to finance their purchase of the property.

No way. It's like the universe like literally conspired to make his vision a reality.

Yeah. It's amazing.

It is. It really shows like the power of unwavering belief, you know, of seeing our desires as are already accomplished. Even when like the external circumstances seem to contradict them.

Totally. And I think it's a reminder for all of us to not like limit ourselves with our doubts and fears.

Yeah.

Like to really dare to dream big and hold fast to that vision, even when it seems impossible

Because what we perceive as impossible might just be like waiting for us to align ourselves with this possibility.

Yeah, I love that. And then there's that heartwarming story about the young boy who like desperately wanted a puppy.

Oh, yeah, yeah, right.

The little boy, his grandmother had taken him to see Goddard.

Okay.

And while she was being consulted, he overheard this explanation of the law of assumption. Oh, and he was like completely captivated by this idea that he could like use this knowledge to manifest a dog.

Wow.

Even though his parents were like totally against it.

Okay.

So, every night he would like imagine himself cuddling with this puppy, feeling its soft fur, taking it for walks, just experiencing the joy of having a furry companion.

So sweet.

And then this crazy thing happened where there was this local newspaper and they announced this essay contest for school children. Yeah.

Okay.

And the prompt was like, why would you like to own a dog? And this little boy, he poured his heart into his essay, expressing his deep longing for a puppy. And guess what?

He won the contest.

No way.

And he was awarded a beautiful Collie puppy as his prize.

Oh my gosh. That's amazing.

I know. And his parents, they were so touched by his joy and the heartwarming publicity that surrounded his win, that they allowed him to keep the dog.

That's so sweet. It shows that even children can tap into this power of their imagination to manifest their desires.

It's a beautiful reminder that the law of assumption is not limited by age or experience or any of that.

It's universal. It's available to everyone.

Yeah. It's so cool because Goddard's case histories are just so diverse.

They are.

He talks about people using this law to manifest everything from romantic relationships to financial abundance, like career success, healing, all kinds of things.

Yeah. One that really stands out is, I think it was a businessman who was feeling stuck in his job.

Oh, yeah. Right.

He was yearning for a more fulfilling position, and one that was more financially rewarding. He just started following Goddard's advice and imagining himself working in this ideal role feeling the satisfaction and the success that came with it.

He wasn't just visualizing it, he was really embodying it.

Exactly. Within a few months, he received this job offer that totally exceeded his expectations.

That's no way.

Yeah. He ended up in this position that provided him with the financial security and the sense of purpose that he had been seeking.

That's amazing. Another example of aligning our desires with the feeling of already having them, right?

Exactly. Embodying that reality that we wish to experience.

Yeah. There's another one too about a couple that was dreaming of living in this luxurious penthouse apartment in New York City.

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

And they'd been searching for months, but nothing was meeting their criteria or their budget.

Right.

And so, they were starting to get discouraged, but they decided to use the power of their imagination, and they each spent time visualizing themselves, like living in that penthouse, feeling that joy and contentment of being at home there.

So, they didn't let their current circumstances limit their vision?

No, they didn't.

They really held fast to that dream.

They did. And they continued to cultivate that feeling of already having it.

Okay.

And then this amazing thing happened where a penthouse in their current building unexpectedly became available.

No way! What are the chances?

Right. And even though there was, like, a long waiting list and, you know, other people who are interested, the management agreed to rent it to them.

Oh my gosh.

Yeah. They literally manifested their dream apartment at a price they could afford.

It's incredible. Another inspiring example, right? Like, just surrendering to our desires and aligning ourselves with that feeling of, you know, already having them.

It opens doors we never even thought were possible.

It's powerful stuff. And I think, like, all of these case histories that Goddard shares offer, like, such a compelling testament to the transformative power of the law of assumption, right? It's like, no matter who you are or where you're at in life, you can tap into this power.

Exactly. It's about recognizing that, like, we all have this creative power within us.

And they're learning how to, like, consciously use it.

Yeah.

You know, I think Goddard, he leaves us with this, like, really powerful question at the end of the book.

Oh, yeah. I remember that one.

He asks, um, what we are that only can we see, all that Adam had, all that Caesar could, you have and can do. So, like, what world are you building with your assumptions?

It's such a beautiful invitation to, like, step into our power as conscious creators.

To realize that our lives aren't just happening to us.

Right.

But that we're actively shaping them with our thoughts, beliefs, and, you know, those assumptions that we keep talking about.

Yeah. I mean, even if someone doesn't, like, fully agree with every single thing that Goddard says, I think the power of awareness really challenges us to, like, rethink our relationship with reality in a really profound way.

To consider the possibility that, you know, our thoughts and beliefs have a much bigger impact than we realize.

Oh, yeah, for sure.

And to, like, experiment, right?

Yeah.

To kind of playfully explore the power of our imagination and see what we can create when we, like, truly align with our deepest desires.

It's like becoming the artists of our own lives.

Yeah. Painting our reality with the colors of our imagination. I love that.

And ultimately, I think Goddard's message is one of empowerment, right?

Absolutely.

He's reminding us that we are not victims of circumstance, but powerful creators with the ability to shape our reality according to our highest vision.

He's inviting us to step into a world of limitless possibilities.

Where our dreams aren't just fantasies, but blueprints for the lives we're meant to live.

Beautiful.

Well, thank you so much for joining us on this deep dive into the power of awareness.

Yeah.

We hope it sparks some curiosity.

And maybe even inspired you to like explore the incredible power of your own mind.

Remember, the world is your canvas, your consciousness is the brush, and your imagination is the paint.

So, what masterpiece will you create?

We hope you're leaving with fresh insights and a spark of inspiration. Remember to subscribe, leave a review, and check back for more episodes as we dive into new worlds of thought, one book at a time. Until then, keep your mind set in stone and your curiosity open.

This has been a Big L Riz Media Podcast, where big ideas meet lasting impressions.