Tuesday, January 27, 2009

John Randolph Price


One of the more colourful figures in the self-help movement is John Randolph Price. I am currently reading his Nothing is Too Good to be True, an ambiguous title if ever there was one. It is his usual eccentric and often inspiring collection of affirmations, prayers and madcap techniques to guarantee prosperity and success. The author makes some spurious claims as to the antiquity of the information presented in this book, making the usual assertions that his is merely a re-interpretation of a more ancient wisdom. Remember, The Secret claimed the same thing. In most cases the information is no more ancient than the forefathers of the self-help movement and the tenets of New Thought, Religious Science and Theosophy.
Mr. Price's great classic is The Abundance Book, normally coupled with is audio feature The 40 Day Prosperity Plan. Now, the significance of a 40 day plan will not be lost on some, and Price's method - which seems to me to be indebted to the work of Godfre Ray King - is based on the repetition of affirmations and attempting to imbue those affirmations with some kind of positive energy.
These are two area that I am beginning to realise will need some discussion in my thesis - the advocacy of affirmations and the wording of suggested affirmative phrases, and this idea of 'positive energy'.
Mr. Price is a charming, old-world figure, though in truth I find the books a little too rambling and hastily prepared to enjoy completely. They are released through Hay House, which should point toward a more spiritual emphasis in their teaching. Price was an advertising man who retired into the business of Metaphysics, setting up the obligatory spiritual organisation called The Quartus Foundation. He must be quite an age by now.

No comments: