If you’re familiar with the Law of Attraction, chances are you’ve come across the Law of Assumption. Neville Goddard, often regarded as the father of the Law of Assumption, played a pivotal role in developing this concept. You may have heard about him and practiced his teachings every day, but how well do we truly understand his life and the development of his career?
By immersing ourselves in his life story, we’ll gain a real grasp of the fascinating events that unfolded during Neville’s time on Earth. It’s these very events that hold the key to unlocking the evolution of his mind-blowing ideas and teachings.
This post will offer an interesting read about Neville Goddard biography, and it won’t be as hard to swallow as some of his limited biographies available today. So, let’s dive right in and get started!
Neville Goddard Biography
The early life of Neville Goddard
Neville Goddard was born on February 19, 1905, in Barbados, he grew up in a family deeply rooted in religious beliefs and spirituality.
His family later moved to New York city, where he was exposed to a diverse range of religious and philosophical teachings. He developed a keen interest in mysticism, metaphysics, and the power of the mind from an early age.
Neville’s insatiable curiosity led him to explore various spiritual traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Eastern philosophies.
Neville initially struggled to make a living as a dancer, but he eventually found success on Broadway. He toured America and England with dance troupes and even appeared in a few films.
However, Neville was not content with his career as a dancer and actor. He began to search for a deeper meaning in life.
During this period, Neville spent a considerable amount of time studying the works of influential figures such as Thomas Troward, Emma Curtis Hopkins, and Abdullah, a mystic teacher from Ethiopia.
A life crisis and the revelation
Neville Goddard’s personal struggle that led to his transformative revelation was a period of intense financial and emotional difficulty. At the time, he faced financial instability and was burdened by feelings of despair and hopelessness.
It was during this challenging period that Neville had a vivid dream that would change the course of his life.
In the dream, Neville found himself in a state of deep contemplation, reflecting on his circumstances.
Suddenly, a profound realization washed over him. He understood that the power to shape his reality lay within his own mind and imagination. Neville grasped the significance of assuming the feeling of already having what he desired, rather than dwelling on lack and limitation.
In 1931, Neville met an Ethiopian rabbi named Abdullah. Abdullah introduced Neville to Kabbalah, a mystical tradition that teaches that the universe is created by thought.
Neville was fascinated by Kabbalah and began to study it under Abdullah’s guidance.
Neville’s studies with Abdullah led him to develop his own unique philosophy of reality. He taught that the world we see around us is a projection of our own thoughts and beliefs.
This is the recording of Neville talking about his encounter with Abdullah:
The Good, the Bad, and the Controversial
Throughout his journey, Neville encountered both admiration and skepticism. He faced criticism from those who doubted his claims and questioned the legitimacy of his manifestations.
I want to spend a part of Neville Goddard biography to talk about these controversies.
The meeting with Abdullah
One of the main controversies surrounding Neville Goddard is his claim to have met an Ethiopian rabbi named Abdullah who taught him the secrets of the universe. Some people believe that this claim is a fabrication, while others believe that it is true. There is no way to know for sure whether or not Neville Goddard met Abdullah, but his teachings have nonetheless had a profound impact on many people.
Regarding Abdullah, there is a popular story about how this esoteric teacher taught him about the Law of Assumption, specifically during the story of the trip to Barbados.
At that time, Neville Goddard was facing financial constraints and a desire to return to his native Barbados after being away for nearly twelve years. When he came to Abdullah for advice, Abdullah simply told him, “You are already in Barbados,”
Abdullah then instructed Neville to assume the feeling of already being in Barbados while drifting off to sleep (which is the SATS method). Despite Neville’s initial skepticism, he followed Abdullah’s instructions and vividly imagined himself in Barbados, feeling the tropical atmosphere and seeing the familiar sights of his homeland.
Abdullah simply never discussed it after he told Neville he was in Barbados. This demonstrates the principle of refraining from discussing the “how” of manifestation.
As the deadline for obtaining a ticket to Barbados approached, Neville received an unexpected letter from his brother, offering financial assistance and arranging for a ticket to Barbados. Despite initially being assigned a Third Class ticket, Neville was upgraded to First Class, allowing him to travel comfortably to his destination.
This story shows that if you act like you already have what you want, it can help make it happen. Neville imagined he was already in Barbados, even though he was in New York. This way of thinking led to things falling into place for him to go to Barbados.
The Law of Assumption
Another controversy surrounding Neville Goddard is his teaching on the law of assumption.
The law of assumption states that whatever you assume to be true will become your reality. This teaching has been criticized by some people who believe that it is unrealistic and can lead to disappointment.
Despite the controversies surrounding him, Neville Goddard’s teachings have had a lasting impact on the world. His books and lectures continue to inspire and empower individuals to harness the power of their imagination, assumption, and conscious creation.
One of his most well-known methods for manifesting desires is the SATS method, which helps people ingrain a new belief into their subconscious mind during the drifting phase before sleep.
Neville Goddard’s legacy lies in his ability to challenge conventional beliefs, spark transformative thought, and leave a lasting imprint on the minds and hearts of those who resonate with his teachings.
Neville Goddard biography: The big milestones in his life
- In 1932: Neville begins lecturing on his philosophy of reality.
- In 1938: Neville publishes his first book, At Your Command.
- In 1935, Neville had a mystical experience that convinced him that his thoughts create his reality.
- In 1940: Neville moves to Los Angeles.
- In 1948, Neville gave a lecture that was attended by Joseph Murphy, who went on to become a well-known author and lecturer on the law of attraction.
- In 1952, Neville met with Jiddu Krishnamurti, a spiritual teacher who was known for his emphasis on self-enquiry.
- In 1965, Neville gave a lecture that was attended by Wayne Dyer, who went on to become a well-known author and lecturer on personal development.
Neville Goddard biography: Neville Goddard’s death
Neville Goddard passed away on October 1, 1972, at the age of 67, from a brain aneurysm. He had been a resident of Los Angeles for roughly 20 years. He is buried in Westbury Cemetery, Saint Michael, Barbados.
This is the official cause of death that was given by his doctors. Brain aneurysms are bulges in blood vessels in the brain that can rupture and cause a stroke. They are a relatively common cause of death, and they can occur at any age.
There are also some spiritual theories about Neville Goddard’s death. Some people believe that he died because he had fulfilled his purpose on Earth. Others believe that he died because he was ready to move on to a higher level of consciousness.
Neville Goddard’s death was a sudden and unexpected loss. He was a powerful and influential spiritual teacher, and his teachings continue to inspire and challenge people all over the world. His legacy is one of a man who believed in the power of the mind and the ability to create our own reality.
I hope my version of Neville Goddard biography has provided you with a deeper understanding of the man behind the famous Law of Assumption.
Since 1968, Neville Goddard began recording his lectures, which you can explore on platforms like YouTube and other resources. I trust that this has been an engaging read for you.
I’ve always wondered about Mr. Goddard. I first encountered him when learning about the Law of Attraction years ago, after reading The Secret and other related materials. I had no idea he was born in Barbados, but I can certainly relate to his interest in various religious philosophies. I, too, have explored various angles of the religious question with an eye toward what they might all have in common, versus the tendency to focus on how they differ. One thing I have noticed in doing so is that most of the ones I’ve examined do have some version of the LOA incorporated into their teachings. I’m going to have to delve more deeply into this, as I spend a great deal of my spare time attempting to understand how it all ties together.
It’s wonderful to hear that you share a curiosity about Mr. Goddard and his ideas!
Like you, I find it compelling to explore different religious angles and seek common ground among them rather than focusing solely on their differences.
If you come across any fascinating revelations or have more to share about your findings, I would love to hear about them. Let’s keep this wonderful exchange of ideas going!
Wishing you all the best on your quest for understanding and enlightenment.