Neville Goddard Word Study: Feeling

Executive Summary

In Neville Goddard's framework, feeling is the central mechanism of creation. It is not merely an emotional reaction but the specific medium through which ideas are conveyed to the subconscious mind to be made real. The creative process begins with an idea, runs its course as a feeling, and results in expression. To change one's world, one must change their feeling by consciously assuming the feeling of the wish already fulfilled, as this is the act that impresses the subconscious and alters the future.

Key Concepts

• Feeling is the one and only medium for conveying ideas to the subconscious.
• An idea cannot be impressed on the subconscious until it is felt, but once felt, it must be expressed.
• The primary creative act is to assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled.
• A sustained assumption, held as a dominant feeling, will harden into objective fact.
• Feeling is the essential "ferment" without which no creation is possible.
• The very center of consciousness, the "I AM," is described as a feeling of permanent awareness.

Detailed Explanation

The source material establishes feeling as the indispensable secret to realizing one's desires. The creative process is rooted in the subconscious, and feeling is the exclusive channel through which ideas are impressed upon it. An idea, whether good or bad, remains inert until it is felt. Once an idea is clothed in feeling, the subconscious accepts it as a fact and begins the work of expressing it in the visible world.

The core technique derived from this principle is the practice of "assuming the feeling of the wish fulfilled." This is a deliberate, psychological act where you mentally enter into your desired state and feel the way you would expect to feel if it were already true. By living in this feeling—thinking from it, not merely of it—you commit yourself to the new state. This imaginal activity, sustained until it becomes your dominant feeling, serves as a bridge of incident that leads to the physical fulfillment of your dream.

Feeling is presented as more than just a passing emotion; it is foundational to consciousness itself. The world is described as one's conditioned consciousness objectified, meaning that what you feel and believe to be true of yourself is projected outward as your reality. This concept extends to the very core of being, as the fundamental awareness of existence, the "I AM," is defined as a "feeling of permanent awareness." Therefore, a thought mixed with feeling becomes a potent imaginal act that creates the facts of your life.

Important Quotes

Man, by assuming the feeling of his wish fulfilled, alters his future in harmony with his assumption, for, assumptions though false, if sustained, will harden into fact.

— How To Manifest Your Desires

I AM is a feeling of permanent awareness.

— The Power Of Awareness

Feeling is the ferment without which no creation is possible.

— Radio Lectures

Related Concepts

• Imagination: Imagination and feeling are inextricably linked. All forms of creative imagination involve feeling, and a thought must be mixed with feeling to become a creative imaginal act that produces facts in your world.
• Law of Assumption: The practical application of this law is to assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled. This assumption, when persisted in, becomes a dominant feeling that ultimately hardens into fact.
• Consciousness / I AM: Your external world is the objectification of your state of consciousness, which is defined by what you feel to be true of yourself. The very center of consciousness is the "I AM," which is itself described as a fundamental feeling of permanent awareness.
• Desire: The purpose of assuming the feeling of the wish fulfilled is to satisfy desire on a subjective level. When you truly feel satisfied in the new state, the hunger or thirst of the desire shrinks within your consciousness.

Common Misunderstandings

• Feeling is just emotion: The teachings frame feeling as something deeper than a fleeting emotion. It is the operative power for impressing the subconscious and can be a sustained, dominant state that you consciously assume and live in. The fundamental awareness of "I AM" is itself a feeling.
• Feeling is optional: The source material is explicit that feeling is not optional but essential. An idea cannot be impressed without it, and it is the "ferment without which no creation is possible." Thought alone is insufficient; it must be mixed with feeling to be creative.

Practical Applications

To apply this teaching, a student should first identify a clear desire. The next step is to imagine the desire is already a present fact and to enter into the specific feeling that this fulfillment would bring. This is not about thinking of the state, but thinking from it. You must feel the way you would expect to feel under such circumstances.

This act of assuming the feeling of the wish fulfilled should be practiced until it becomes your dominant feeling. By persisting in this new feeling-state, you impress the subconscious mind, which then proceeds to express this new reality in your outer world. This psychological act alters your future to conform to your assumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of feeling in creation according to Neville?

Feeling is the sole medium through which an idea is impressed upon the subconscious mind. An idea must be felt before the subconscious will accept it as fact and express it in your world.

How do I use feeling to change my life?

You must assume the feeling of your wish already being fulfilled. By mentally living in this feeling and allowing it to become your dominant state, you impress this new reality upon your subconscious, which will then harden into fact.

Is feeling more important than thought?

The two are presented as partners in creation. A thought must be mixed with feeling to become a creative imaginal act. Feeling is described as the essential 'ferment' that gives life to the idea.

What does Neville mean by the 'feeling of I AM'?

He defines 'I AM' as a 'feeling of permanent awareness.' It is the fundamental, core sense of being that is the center of consciousness, independent of name, form, or circumstance.