Geneviève Behrend (1881 in Paris – 1960 in United States) was a French-born author and teacher of Mental Science, a New Thought discipline taught by Thomas Troward.[1]

There is little known about her early life except that one of her parents was Scottish.[1] After her husband died she traveled extensively. She studied Christian Science and met its founder Mary Baker Eddy, but ultimately left that faith. She met Abdul Baha, whose father had founded Baháʼí Faith, and he told her that she would “travel the world over seeking the truth, and when [she] had found it, would speak it out”.[2] She later wrote in her book Your Invisible Power that she found a book of Thomas Troward's lectures.[2]

Inspired by this, she wanted to study with Troward, but lacked the money to travel to Cornwall, England where he lived, as she was then living in New York.[2] So every night and morning she visualized counting out twenty $1,000 bills, buying her ticket to London, travelling on the ship, and being accepted as Troward’s pupil. She also constantly affirmed to herself, “My mind is a center of Divine operations”.[2] Then, to quote her in Your Invisible Power, "While these reflections were going on in my mind, there seemed to come up from within me the thought: 'I am all the substance there is.' Then, from another channel in my brain the answer seemed to come, 'Of course, that's it; everything must have its beginning in mind. The 'I', the Idea, must be the only one and primary substance there is, and this means money as well as everything else.' My mind accepted this idea, and immediately all the tension of mind and body was relaxed".[3] In about six weeks, she received the money.[2]

From 1912 until 1914 she studied with Thomas Troward; Behrend was the only personal student he had throughout his life.[4][5][6]

After her studies with Troward she founded a New Thought school called The School of the Builders in approximately 1915 in New York City, running it herself until 1925.[1][4][6] She then founded another New Thought school in Los Angeles, after which she traveled throughout North America lecturing on mental science and New Thought for 35 years, as well as giving radio broadcasts.[1][4]

She is quoted as an expert in the best-selling self-help book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.[1]

Bibliography

  • Your Invisible Power (1921).
  • How to Live Life and Love it (1922)
  • Attaining Your Heart's Desire (1929).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Tom Butler-Bowden (2004). 50 self-help classics: 50 Inspirational Books to Transform Your Life. London: Nicholas Brealey Publishing. ISBN 1-85788-400-0.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Your Invisible Power". PROSPERITY CLASSICS. Tom Butler Bowdon. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  3. ↑ "9 HOW I ATTRACTED TO MYSELF TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS". Your Invisible Power by Genevieve Behrend online. selfhelpsanctum.com. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Kelly, Karen (2007). The secret of the secret: unlocking the mysteries of the runaway bestseller. New York: Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press. ISBN 978-0-312-37790-8.
  5. ↑ Capelouto, Nina. "Metaphysical Teacher Genevieve Behrend Born 1881". Bios of Metaphysical Teachers, Metaphysics, Thoughts Are Things. Metaphysical Teachers. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  6. 1 2 BEHREND, GENEVIEVE. "Your Invisible Power". THE ELIZABETH TOWNE CO. INC. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
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