What is Formless Substance?

The ultimate stuff from which all forms are created; universally present in an unformed state, awaiting the action of conscious intelligence.

Formless Substance is the foundational metaphysical concept in Wallace D. Wattles' The Science of Getting Rich, referring to an infinite, intelligent, living material that permeates, penetrates, and fills the interspaces of the universe. According to Wattles, every visible form in the physical world originates from this primal substance, which responds to the impressions of human thought by manifesting corresponding material realities. It is not merely inert matter waiting to be shaped, but a thinking, responsive medium that actively participates in the creative process. Understanding Formless Substance is essential for grasping how Wattles constructs his entire philosophy of deliberate wealth creation through mental causation.

The concept draws from a long lineage of metaphysical thought. In the Hermetic tradition, the idea of a prima materia, an original substance from which all things emerge, dates back to ancient Egypt and Greece. Hindu philosophy speaks of Prakriti, the undifferentiated material nature from which all manifest forms arise. Wattles, writing in 1910, synthesized these ancient ideas with the American New Thought movement's emphasis on the creative power of mind, producing a remarkably practical framework. He was also influenced by the monistic idealism of Hegel and the transcendentalism of Emerson, both of whom posited that a single intelligent principle underlies all of reality.

In The Science of Getting Rich, Formless Substance operates through a precise mechanism. A person must form a clear and definite mental image of what they desire, hold that image with unwavering faith and purpose, and then impress that image upon the Formless Substance through the sustained power of thought. Wattles emphasizes in Chapter 8 that vague or contradictory thinking fails to produce results because the Substance responds only to coherent, purposeful impressions. This is why he insists on what he calls the Certain Way, a disciplined approach to thinking, acting, and relating to this universal medium that distinguishes successful creators from those who struggle.

Formless Substance is closely related to other metaphysical concepts across wisdom traditions. It parallels the Creative Mind described by Ernest Holmes, the Spirit that Troward identifies as the universal living principle, and the broader New Thought understanding of Consciousness as the ground of all manifestation. Wattles' framework also connects to the Law of Thought, which holds that mental states produce corresponding external conditions. The concept of Increasing Life, another key Wattles idea, describes the natural tendency of this Substance to express itself in ever greater fullness through all living things. Gratitude, in Wattles' system, serves as the emotional bridge that harmonizes the individual mind with the Formless Substance, keeping one in a receptive and creative relationship with it.

For the modern seeker, understanding Formless Substance offers a powerful reframe of one's relationship to material reality. Rather than viewing the physical world as fixed, resistant, or separate from consciousness, Wattles invites us to see it as fundamentally responsive to thought. This is not wishful thinking or passive daydreaming. It is a disciplined practice of clear visualization, sustained faith, and purposeful action, all grounded in the conviction that the universe is not indifferent but intelligently cooperative. Engaging seriously with this concept can transform how one approaches goals, creativity, and the very nature of abundance.

The term Formless Substance is a compound phrase chosen by Wattles for its precise philosophical connotations. "Formless" derives from the Old English formleas, meaning "without shape or structure," pointing to a state that precedes all differentiation and particular manifestation. "Substance" comes from the Latin substantia, literally meaning "that which stands beneath" (from sub, under, and stare, to stand). In classical philosophy, substantia referred to the essential underlying reality of a thing, as opposed to its accidental or changeable qualities. Together, the phrase denotes that which fundamentally exists beneath all visible forms yet possesses no fixed form of its own.

Wattles' use of the term reflects a deliberate synthesis of Western metaphysical vocabulary with the practical orientation of the New Thought movement. While ancient and medieval philosophers spoke of prima materia or "first matter" in similar terms, Wattles democratized the concept by stripping it of esoteric obscurity and presenting it as a universal principle accessible to anyone willing to think in a disciplined manner. Over time, the phrase has become closely associated with The Science of Getting Rich specifically, though its meaning resonates with analogous terms across traditions: the Akasha of Vedantic philosophy, the Aether of Hermetic thought, and the "Universal Mind Substance" found in the writings of Charles Fillmore and other New Thought authors.

To work with the principle of Formless Substance, begin by cultivating the habit of clear, definite mental imagery. Set aside time daily to sit in stillness and construct a vivid, detailed picture of what you wish to create or receive. Wattles is emphatic that vagueness defeats the process. Your mental image should be as precise as a blueprint: see the thing, feel its reality, and dwell upon it with gratitude as though it already exists. Pair this visualization with purposeful action in your daily life, ensuring that every act, however small, is directed toward the realization of your vision rather than scattered across competing aims.

Equally important is the cultivation of gratitude and faith as ongoing mental states, not occasional emotions. Wattles teaches that gratitude keeps you in harmonious connection with the Formless Substance, while doubt and fear sever that connection. Practically, this means monitoring your inner dialogue throughout the day and deliberately replacing thoughts of scarcity, competition, or complaint with affirmations of abundance and trust. When you encounter obstacles, treat them not as evidence that the process has failed but as part of the creative unfolding. Consistent practice of this kind gradually shifts your habitual consciousness from one of limitation to one of creative expectancy, which Wattles identifies as the essential condition for the Formless Substance to respond.