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Thought Vibration · Annotated Edition
Chapter I
The Law of Attraction in the Thought World
The Universe is governed by Law—one great Law. Its manifestations are multiform, but viewed from the Ultimate there is but one Law. We are familiar with some of its manifestations, but are almost totally ignorant of certain others. Still we are learning a little more every day—the veil is being gradually lifted.
◆ Insight
Atkinson opens with the foundational premise of New Thought philosophy: a single, universal Law governs all existence. This Law operates in the mental realm exactly as it does in the physical. By framing “attraction” as a law—like gravity—he elevates thought from subjective experience to objective force.
We speak learnedly of the Law of Gravitation, but ignore that equally wonderful manifestation, The Law of Attraction in the Thought World. We are familiar with that wonderful manifestation of Law which draws and holds together the atoms of which matter is composed—we recognize the power of the law that attracts bodies to the earth, that holds the circling worlds in their places, but we close our eyes to the mighty law that draws to us the things we desire or fear, that makes or mars our lives.
◇ Compare
Wallace Wattles expressed the same monistic worldview: “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. A thought in this substance produces the thing that is imaged by the thought.”
— Wallace Wattles, The Science of Getting Rich (1910)
◆ Historical
By 1906, Newton’s law of gravitation had been established science for over 200 years. Atkinson strategically invokes this respected physical law to lend credibility to his mental equivalent. The rhetorical move—extending known physical principles into the mental realm—was a signature New Thought technique.
When we come to see that Thought is a force—a manifestation of energy—having a magnet-like power of attraction, we will begin to understand the why and wherefore of many things that have heretofore seemed dark to us. There is no study that will so well repay the student for his time and trouble as the study of the workings of this mighty law of the world of Thought—the Law of Attraction.
◆ Insight
“Thought is a force” is the central thesis of Atkinson’s philosophy. This is not merely metaphorical—he means it quite literally. Thought, in his framework, is a form of energy that obeys discoverable laws, just as electricity or magnetism does. The practical consequence: if thought is governed by law, then mastering the law gives mastery over thought’s effects.
When we think we send out vibrations of a fine ethereal substance, which are as real as the vibrations manifesting light, heat, electricity, magnetism. That these vibrations are not evident to our five senses is no proof that they do not exist. A powerful magnet will send out vibrations and exert a force sufficient to attract to itself a piece of steel weighing a hundred pounds, but we can neither see, taste, smell, hear nor feel the mighty force.
These thought vibrations, likewise, cannot be seen, tasted, smelled, heard nor felt in the ordinary way; although it is true there are on record cases of persons peculiarly sensitive to psychic impressions who have perceived powerful thought-waves, and very many of us can testify that we have distinctly felt the thought vibrations of others, both whilst in the presence of the sender and at a distance. Telepathy and its kindred phenomena are not idle dreams.
○ Modern
While Atkinson’s “thought vibrations” lack scientific validation in the way he imagined, modern neuroscience has confirmed that thinking involves measurable electrical activity. EEG technology detects brain waves ranging from 0.5 to 100+ Hz. The concept of “mirror neurons” (Rizzolatti, 1990s) shows that observing another’s actions activates similar neural patterns in the observer—a biological echo of Atkinson’s “thought waves.”
Light and heat are manifested by vibrations of a far lower intensity than those of Thought, but the difference is solely in the rate of vibration. The annals of science throw an interesting light upon this question. Prof. Elisha Gray, an eminent scientist, says in his little book, “The Miracles of Nature”:
“There is much food for speculation in the thought that there exist sound-waves that no human ear can hear, and color-waves of light that no eye can see. The long, dark, soundless space between 40,000 and 400,000,000,000,000 vibrations per second, and the infinity of range beyond 700,000,000,000,000 vibrations per second, where light ceases, in the universe of motion, makes it possible to indulge in speculation.”
— Prof. Elisha Gray, The Miracles of Nature
◆ Historical
Elisha Gray (1835–1901) was a legitimate American electrical engineer, famous for his dispute with Alexander Graham Bell over the invention of the telephone. His book The Miracles of Nature was a popular science work. Atkinson’s citation of a respected scientist was strategic—lending scientific authority to metaphysical claims about unseen vibrations.
I cite the above authorities merely to give you food for thought, not to attempt to demonstrate to you the fact that thought vibrations exist. The last-named fact has been fully established to the satisfaction of numerous investigators of the subject, and a little reflection will show you that it coincides with your own experiences.
We often hear repeated the well-known Mental Science statement, “Thoughts are Things,” and we say these words over without consciously realizing just what is the meaning of the statement. If we fully comprehended the truth of the statement and the natural consequences of the truth back of it, we should understand many things which have appeared dark to us, and would be able to use the wonderful power, Thought Force, just as we do the better known forms of energy.
◆ Insight
“Thoughts are Things” is perhaps the most famous slogan of the New Thought movement. It was popularized by Prentice Mulford’s 1889 book of the same title. Atkinson’s point here is that most people recite this phrase as a platitude without grasping its radical implication: if thoughts are literally things, then thinking is an act of creation.
Continue Reading
In the remaining 8 paragraphs, Atkinson explores how Love attracts Love and Hate attracts Hate,
introduces the metaphor of “wireless telegraphy of the Mind,” and traces humanity’s evolution
from the age of physical force to the dawning era of psychic power.
introduces the metaphor of “wireless telegraphy of the Mind,” and traces humanity’s evolution
from the age of physical force to the dawning era of psychic power.
Remaining: 8 paragraphs + 7 annotations + Key Quotes + Chapter Summary
Chapter Summary
Key Principles
Core ideas from Chapter I
Key Principles:
- One Universal Law governs all existence, operating identically in physical and mental realms.
- Thought is a force—a real form of energy that emits vibrations into the world.
- Like attracts like: the character of our thoughts determines what we draw into our lives.
- We create our own circumstances through our habitual thinking—understanding this Law grants mastery over life.
Key Quotes
Sentences to Remember
Five essential passages from Chapter I
“The Universe is governed by Law—one great Law.”
The book’s opening declaration—the foundational axiom upon which the entire work rests. One Law, one universe, one principle operating at every scale.
“When we come to see that Thought is a force—a manifestation of energy—having a magnet-like power of attraction, we will begin to understand the why and wherefore of many things that have heretofore seemed dark to us.”
The chapter’s central thesis compressed into a single sentence. Thought is not passive reflection—it is active energy with the power to attract.
“Thoughts are Things.”
The most famous slogan of the entire New Thought movement, originally popularized by Prentice Mulford in 1889. Atkinson insists we take this literally, not as metaphor.
“Like attracts like in the Thought World—as ye sow so shall ye reap.”
The Law of Attraction in its simplest formulation. Atkinson freely mixes scripture, folk wisdom, and science—his eclecticism was characteristic of the movement.
“One is not at the mercy of the fitful storms of Thought after he has learned the workings of the Law.”
The chapter’s practical conclusion: understanding the law of mental attraction provides a concrete technique for maintaining inner calm amid external chaos.
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The complete 16 chapters with modern annotations, comparative voices,
and 270+ key quotes are available as an e-book from major retailers.
and 270+ key quotes are available as an e-book from major retailers.