The Power of Concentration

William Walker Atkinson (1862-1932) was an attorney, merchant, publisher, and author, as well as an occultist and an American pioneer of the New Thought movement. He is also known to have been the author of the pseudonymous works attributed to Theron Q. Dumont and Yogi Ramacharaka. Excerpt: "We all know that in order to accomplish a certain thing we must concentrate. It is of the utmost value to learn how to concentrate. To make a success of anything you must be able to concentrate your entire thought upon the idea you are working out. Do not become discouraged, if you are unable to hold your thought on the subject very long at first. There are very few that can. It seems a peculiar fact that it is easier to concentrate on something that is not good for us, than on something that is beneficial. This tendency is overcome when we learn to concentrate consciously. If you will just practice a few concentration exercises each day you will find you will soon develop this wonderful power."

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.