The Science of getting Rich by Wallace Wattles - Book Review

Main lesson of the book: 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.

This was nothing if not an interesting read. I loved the fact that this book equated the process of getting rich to something as fact based as math. It stated in several paragraphs that the process of getting rich can be broken down into very simple steps. These steps are then all based on the following principles.

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.

These 3 main points are repeated throughout the book in several chapters as the author wants to make sure that they stick. The beauty of this book is that it seemed to be the perfect follow up to Think and Grow Rich. By itself the book would have also been a valid read mind you, but in combination with the extensive research and effort that went into Think and Grow Rich this book really shines. Because it goes into depth about a specific point mentioned in Think and Grow Rich and that is the connection to “Intelligence”.

This book focuses on the concept that people have within them the power to define and construct their reality however they deem fit. The point it stresses however is that to reach your goal you will have to act and behave a certain way to achieve or get it. This may sound simple and according to the book … it is. There are of course several factors that the book requires me to follow to make sure that I attain my goal and stay upon the right path. One of the biggest points is that I shouldn’t focus on being competitive but rather I should focus on making sure my actions benefits all of mankind or at least all those who deal with me. By doing so, the law of nature, who the author of this book calls Formless Intelligence, will see that I am sincere in my transactions and will reward me justly. Another main point the book stresses is that I should be grateful. I should be grateful for being able to be given the chance to receive what it is that I want, and once I receive it I should be even more grateful. This will make sure that the connection between me and Formless Intelligence will remain intact.

Those two points are the corner stones for what he would call “acting a certain way”. Now acting a certain way means that you behave and speak in a manner that works towards your goal at all times. Put all your effort into whatever it is you do and grow beyond your station in life, only then will Formless Intelligence allow you to grow past where you are now. This sounds simple but in truth its actually really hard. Because to me, what he is saying regardless of what it is you’re doing, do your best everyday and look for chances to excel. I don’t know what your job is like, but my job has limited chances for promotion, limited options for growth as an individual and the tasks I perform are so basic and set in stone that changing isn’t appreciated let alone improve them.

But The Science of Getting Rich is adamant that one should grow beyond where they are and they will be rewarded for their hard work. Which doesn’t mean that you should just do your job to the best of your capabilities, because that would make your employer value you for that exact position and nothing more. So grow beyond that position and show your employer your potential. I have to admit that I haven’t been doing that, I was just happy getting by and receiving my paycheck with the most minimal amount of effort I could put forth. If I want to get rich, I will have to make sure that I do all my duties to the best of my capabilities and look for chances in corners I haven’t looked before.

The chapter that really got to me in this book was Chapter 3. In this chapter the author went into depth about why one doesn’t have to be competitive when it comes to attaining riches. One only has to be grateful and understand that there is enough for everyone. When I accept the fact that my thoughts can become reality, I accept the fact that I have within me the power to make something out of nothing. And thus there shouldn’t be a fear of there not being enough, because Formless Intelligence is an infinite source of energy and matter. If I were to tap into Formless Intelligence I can bring forth everything I desire because it wants me to grow and wants to give me everything I want. What’s interesting is that The Science of Getting Rich truly linked the concept of Formless Intelligence to the laws of nature. Because the book states that Nature wants life to grow so that it can sustain itself. Which makes total sense no matter how I look at it. And if I then apply the concept of “Nature wants life to grow” to me wanting to be rich, I only need to change my perspective on becoming rich as me “Growing in life”. For me to grow in life I will need nature’s help and Nature wants to help me because it wants, no NEEDS growth. If it didn’t provide it, it would be going against its own laws. Now I don’t know about you, but to me it feels really reassuring that even Nature wants me to get rich.

All it needs me to do is focus my thoughts, be clear in what I want, imagine me already owning it, and act accordingly.

What was interesting about this book is that it says in several chapters that it is the only book you will ever need to read on the subject. And you shouldn’t listen to other religions that disagree with what is in the book for it will only cloud your judgement. You shouldn’t listen to naysayers or watch news that will create a negative view of the world for it too will cloud your judgement. Just believe in this book and follow the steps within it and you will reach the riches you so crave.

I was rather impressed with how bold and confident the author was in this book in telling me it’s the only book I need. But I made a promise to myself to read at least 40 books so I can’t just stop because one book told me so. But this is without a doubt a great follow up on the books I’ve read so far.