What is Mind?
Last updated: February 25, 2026
In New Thought, Mind is both conscious and subconscious. There is one Mind, God, and within this One Mind are many mentalities.
Understanding Mind in New Thought
In New Thought, Mind is both conscious and subconscious. There is one Mind, God, and within this One Mind are many mentalities. In Haanel, "Mind is the creative centre from which all activities proceed".
In New Thought, the concept of Mind transcends a mere individual faculty, positing a singular, universal Mind, often equated with God or Divine Intelligence. This Universal Mind is considered the creative matrix from which all reality emanates, with individual minds being localized expressions or aspects of this greater whole. This perspective emphasizes the inherent power of thought and consciousness in shaping one's experience and the material world, a core tenet that distinguishes New Thought from more traditional philosophical or religious views. Understanding Mind in this context is crucial for grasping the mechanisms of manifestation and personal transformation within the tradition, highlighting its foundational importance for spiritual and material success.
What the Teachers Say
Mind vs. Matter
New Thought philosophy presents Mind and Matter as two aspects of one reality, with Mind being primary and creative, while Matter represents the objective manifestation of mental activity. Understanding this relationship is crucial for grasping how consciousness shapes physical experience.
| Aspect | Mind | Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Subjective, creative principle | Objective, manifested form |
| Function | Causes and directs experience | Reflects and expresses mental states |
| Reality | Primary, fundamental substance | Secondary, dependent manifestation |
| Power | Unlimited creative potential | Shaped by mental direction |
| Control | Directed through thought and belief | Changes through mental transformation |
Etymology
The English word 'mind' originates from the Old English 'gemynd,' meaning 'memory, remembrance, thought, intention.' This, in turn, derives from the Proto-Germanic 'ga-mundiz' and the Proto-Indo-European root 'men-,' signifying 'to think, to have a mind, to remember.' The evolution of the term reflects a long-standing human inquiry into the faculties of thought, memory, and consciousness, culminating in its broad philosophical and spiritual applications, particularly within traditions like New Thought.
How to Practice This
Practitioners of New Thought apply the understanding of Mind through techniques like affirmative prayer and visualization. By consciously directing their thoughts and beliefs toward desired outcomes, they aim to align their individual mentality with the Universal Mind's creative power. This involves regular periods of meditation and focused intention, where one vividly imagines their goals as already achieved, thereby impressing these desires upon the subconscious and the Universal Mind for manifestation. The consistent practice of 'holding the thought' or 'affirming the good' is central to utilizing the creative potential of Mind.
Connection to Manifestation
Mind serves as the primary instrument of manifestation in New Thought philosophy, operating through the law of mental correspondence. The conscious mind sets intentions and forms mental images, while the subconscious mind accepts these patterns and works to externalize them as physical conditions and experiences. By aligning individual mentality with Universal Mind through positive thinking, visualization, and spiritual realization, practitioners can consciously direct the creative process. This mental mastery enables the demonstration of health, prosperity, and harmonious relationships through the scientific application of spiritual law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Universal Mind is the infinite, divine intelligence that encompasses all existence, while individual mind is a localized expression or focal point of this greater consciousness. Individual minds operate within and draw from the Universal Mind, maintaining their uniqueness while sharing the same essential creative nature and spiritual potential.
The conscious mind acts as the director, choosing thoughts, forming mental images, and setting intentions based on reasoning and will. The subconscious mind serves as the creative executor, accepting these mental patterns without question and working to manifest them as objective experiences through its connection with Universal Mind and natural law.
Yes, New Thought teaches that mind is the primary creative force, and physical conditions are manifestations of mental states and beliefs. By changing thought patterns, beliefs, and mental imagery, individuals can influence their health, circumstances, and environment through the law of mental causation operating within Universal Mind.
New Thought mind training involves systematic development of both conscious direction and subconscious receptivity, combined with spiritual realization of unity with Divine Mind. While positive thinking focuses on optimistic attitudes, New Thought emphasizes scientific understanding of mental law, spiritual principle, and practical techniques like meditation, visualization, and affirmative prayer.
Belief serves as the bridge between conscious intention and subconscious manifestation, determining what the creative mind accepts as true and works to externalize. Strong, positive beliefs aligned with spiritual truth enable the mind to demonstrate greater harmony and success, while limiting beliefs create corresponding limitations in experience.
In the Source Texts (12)
…world is coming into, instead of the poverty it is growing out of; and bear in mind that the only way in which you can assist the world in growing rich is by growing rich yourself through the creative method—not the competi…
…out the matter until we became better acquainted, lest she should think that my mind was not quite balanced.…
…regarding the inner nature of ~THE ALL~, as but the childish efforts of mortal minds to grasp the secret of the Infinite. Such efforts have always failed and will always fail, from the very nature of the task. One pursuing…
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Used by: Haanel