Table of ContentsJoel S. Goldsmith
Joel S. Goldsmith
Last updated: July 7, 2026
The mystic who stripped New Thought down to its spiritual essence, teaching presence over technique.
Lived
1892 – 1964
Nationality
American
Tradition
Mystical Christianity
Known For
The Infinite Way (1947), Practicing the Presence (1958), The Art of Spiritual Healing (1959)
Tone
Light-Leaning2 / 6
Contemplative devotional mysticism. Austere but luminous.
Why Goldsmith Matters
Goldsmith rescued New Thought from its drift toward magical thinking and mental manipulation by returning it to pure mysticism. While his contemporaries were perfecting techniques and formulas, he insisted that true healing and demonstration come only through direct spiritual realization. His 'Infinite Way' teaching represents the most contemplative and Christ-centered branch of the movement, emphasizing being over doing. He bridged the gap between metaphysical Christianity and Eastern mysticism, creating a path that was both practical and transcendent.
Start Here: The Reading Path
- The Infinite Way1947Begin here to understand Goldsmith's core teaching that God is the only presence and power. This foundational text establishes his non-dualistic approach and explains why techniques fail where realization succeeds.Read slowly and contemplatively - this isn't about learning concepts but about shifting consciousness.
- Practicing the Presence1958After grasping the principles, this book shows how to live in continuous awareness of divine presence. It's the practical application of Infinite Way teachings to daily life.Use this as a meditation manual rather than reading it straight through.
- The Art of Spiritual Healing1959The culmination of his teaching on healing through consciousness rather than mental treatment. Essential for understanding his departure from traditional New Thought healing methods.
Core Ideas in 60 Seconds
- God is the only presence and the only powerThis absolute non-dualism means that evil, disease, and lack have no real existence or power, eliminating the need to fight or overcome anything.Oneness
- Healing comes through realization, not through mental treatment or techniqueUnlike other New Thought teachers, Goldsmith rejected affirmations and mental work in favor of pure spiritual awareness and contemplation.Realization
- The mystical consciousness transcends both positive and negative thinkingTrue spiritual awareness moves beyond the duality of good and evil thoughts to rest in the unchanging reality of divine being.Christ Consciousness
- Living by Grace means depending entirely on divine supply rather than human effortThis teaching emphasizes receptivity to divine action rather than using will or visualization to create desired outcomes.Divine Principle
Major Works
| Title | Year | What It Teaches | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Infinite Way | 1947 | The fundamental principle that God is the only presence and power, eliminating all sense of duality and opposition. | Beginners seeking the foundation of mystical New Thought |
| Practicing the Presence | 1958 | How to maintain continuous awareness of divine presence in all activities of daily life. | Practitioners ready to deepen their contemplative practice |
| The Art of Spiritual Healing | 1959 | Healing through pure consciousness and spiritual realization rather than mental treatment or positive thinking. | Advanced readers and healing practitioners |
| Leave Your Nets | 1964 | The transition from human dependency to complete reliance on divine grace and supply. | Mature students ready for radical trust in divine provision |
Lineage & Influence
Influenced By
Goldsmith drew from Christian mysticism and was particularly influenced by the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, though he rejected her emphasis on mental argument. He also studied Eastern philosophy and found resonance with Advaitic teachings on non-duality.
Influenced
His work deeply influenced Neville Goddard's later mystical phase and inspired countless spiritual teachers who emphasized consciousness over technique. The Infinite Way became a bridge between traditional Christianity and metaphysical spirituality.
Parallel Thinkers
Like Emmet Fox, Goldsmith emphasized Christ consciousness, but Fox remained more oriented toward mental treatment. Unlike Ernest Holmes, who developed systematic techniques, Goldsmith consistently pointed away from method toward pure being.
The Story
Joel Goldsmith began as a successful businessman in New York before a profound spiritual awakening led him to leave commerce for contemplation. After years of study with various metaphysical teachers and deep personal practice, he discovered what he called 'the Infinite Way' - a teaching that emphasized direct mystical experience over mental techniques. His approach was revolutionary within New Thought because it rejected the movement's increasing emphasis on positive thinking and visualization in favor of pure spiritual realization.
Spending his later years traveling the world giving lectures and conducting 'tape groups' - intimate gatherings where he shared his contemplative insights - Goldsmith developed a global following of students seeking a more mystical approach to practical spirituality. His teaching that 'God is the only presence and power' became the cornerstone of a movement that continues to influence spiritual seekers who prefer contemplation to technique and being to doing.
In Their Own Words
The secret of healing is that there is nothing to heal.
The Art of Spiritual Healing
God is the only presence and the only power. If this is true, what is there to demonstrate, what is there to heal, what is there to overcome?
The Infinite Way
In the spiritual life, we do not use thought: thought uses us.
Practicing the Presence
Prayer is not telling God what we need or want. Prayer is the recognition that God already is all that we can ever need or want.
The Art of Meditation
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Joel Goldsmith different from other New Thought teachers?
Unlike most New Thought teachers who emphasize techniques like affirmations and visualization, Goldsmith taught that true healing and demonstration come only through pure spiritual realization and the recognition that God is the only presence and power. He rejected mental treatment in favor of mystical contemplation.
What is the Infinite Way teaching method?
The Infinite Way is based on the principle that since God is the only presence and power, there is nothing to heal, overcome, or demonstrate. Students learn to rest in this truth through contemplation and meditation rather than using mental techniques or positive thinking.
Is Joel Goldsmith considered a Christian teacher?
Yes, Goldsmith taught mystical Christianity, emphasizing Christ consciousness and the teachings of Jesus, but he interpreted Christianity metaphysically rather than doctrinally. His approach bridges traditional Christian mysticism with New Thought metaphysics.
Can beginners understand Joel Goldsmith's teachings?
While Goldsmith's approach is ultimately simple, it requires a willingness to move beyond conventional religious thinking and New Thought techniques. Beginners should start with 'The Infinite Way' and be prepared for a more contemplative, less method-oriented approach than other metaphysical teachings.