Book Review: The Game of Life by Florence Shinn

I will open with a video (19:35 minutes) without discussion. Following the video I will give my remarks about the book based on reading it. The title of the video is an expression of hyperbole.

The Game of Life and How to Play It⁽¹⁾

Florence opens with a discussion of imagination as the property that precedes all creation of the aspects of our real world. To train the imagination which is essential, we must understand our mind. The mind has three components:

1. The subconscious which is the source of power behind what the imagination creates;
2. the super-conscious or perfect part of our being where our true purpose is stored; and
3. the conscious mind that receives all that the subconscious has created.

Florence gives a number of laws of power:

1. The Law of Prosperity (p. 11). Man can have all that is due to him if he has perfect faith. Action in line with what is expected is necessary. This is the Law of Abundance. It is important to visualize the desired end as being received. Do not try and visualize the means.
2. The Power of the Word (p. 21). The vibratory power of words is effective in accomplishing things. Words attract the their good or bad back to the speaker. Words can attract healing but the healing must begin in the soul.
3. The Law of Nonresistance (p. 31). Best stated as love your enemies. Do not oppose forces acting against you but positively affirm what you want that is under attack.
4. The Law of Karma and The Law of Forgiveness (grace) (p. 43).
5. Casting the Burden (Impressing the Subconscious) (p.53). Burdens can be adverse thoughts or conditions. Make your desires clear to help success. Faith requires an expression of a successful outcome or works.
6. Love (p. 63). Perfect love casts out fear and love is the fulfilling of the law.
7. Intuition or Guidance (p. 75). When seeking, ask for a lead. An answer may come through your intuition – a hunch.
8. Perfect Self-Expression or The Divine Design (p. 87). The divine design for your life is unique. Seek to understand what it is.
9. Denials and Affirmations (p. 99). Act in faith in some manner to create a bridge to your real desire.Never turn back or compromise. Success is a state of mind.

Use positive affirmations and repeat them many, many times throughout a period of a week or month. Begin each day with a positive affirmation. Salute the divinity of each person thet yu meet.

Desire is a very powerful force for good or bad.

What Are the Negative States

These are causes of disease and unhappiness.

• unforgiveness is the greatest cause of disease
• hatred
• jealousy
• fear and worry are the opposite of faith
• doubt and indecision
• procrastination

Comments

It is notable that all of her references are to the bible and not work in other metaphysical genres. The following are key points:

1. She uses the 3-part description of the entity as the conscious, subconscious (the source of power in our life) and superconscious.
2. She cites the Law of Abundance as available to all. Faith is the means of using it.
3. Words have power. A strong desire and faith expressed in action is necessary to achieve what is desired. This is the fundamental approach to abundance that Christian evangelists use.

The real dynamics operating behind the law of abundance are explained better elsewhere.

I came to understand that there is a difference between abundance and affluence. If you are practising abundance you only need enough in the bank to fulfill normal needs with a cushion. Your needs will be supplied when needed. In this sense, you may have a billion dollars but it will be supplied if and when needed. It won’t be sitting unused in your bank account. That is affluence. Abundance then is like possessing a blank cheque on a virtual account to an unlimited fortune.

Resources

1. The Complete Game of Life and How to Play It. Internet Archive (PDF).
2. The Game of Life and How to Play It. (PDF).

Articles in This Series

Refer to the series index in Gnostic Wisdom.

***

If you liked this post, consider subscribing – in right-hand sidebar – if you are not a subscriber already. Please forward it to anyone else you might think will benefit from it. We are at a critical point in time where we need to disseminate truth to those who have ears to hear, and be forming communities of like-minded individuals. If you want to discuss an idea or issue, contact me – see Contacts.