Strange Cases Of The Power of Belief

When Claude Bristol was a soldier in World War One, there was a period in which he had no pay and couldn’t even afford cigarettes. He made up his mind that when he got back to civilian life “he would have a lot of money”. In his mind this was a decision, not a wish.

Barely a day had passed after his arrival back home when he was contacted by a banker who had seen a story on him in the local newspaper. He was offered a job, and though he started on a small salary, he constantly kept before him “a mental picture of wealth”.

In quiet moments or while on the telephone, Bristol doodled ‘$$$’ on bits of paper that crossed his desk. This definiteness of belief paved the way for a highly successful career in investment banking and business. Later, Bristol wrote the classic The Magic of Believing (1948).

Bristol discovered the truth of philosopher William James’ statement, “Belief creates its verification in fact”. Just as fearful thoughts set you up to experience a situation you can’t stop thinking about, optimism and expecting the best inevitably form favorable circumstances.

Bristol worked for a time as religion editor of a large city newspaper. He met people from every denomination and sect, and later read hundreds of books on psychology, religion, science, metaphysics and ancient magic.

Bristol learned the “golden thread” which runs through all religions and esoteric teachings: that belief itself has amazing powers. Most people go through life with vague desires…and so they get vague outcomes.

Napoleon was given a star sapphire when he was a boy, accompanied by the prophecy that it would bring him good fortune and make him Emperor of France. Napoleon accepted this as fact, and therefore to him at least, his rise was inevitable.

Bristol tells the story of Opal Whiteley, daughter to an Oregon logger, who believed herself to be the daughter of Henri d’Orleans, a Bourbon with a claim to be King of France. A diary purportedly written by her described her royal parents. Most believed it to be a hoax.

Nevertheless, when Opal was in her twenties she was spotted in India, being pulled along regally in a carriage belonging to the Maharaja of Udaipur; it turned out she was living in his royal household.

An Oregon journalist who had known Opal in her childhood remarked: “It was uncanny, almost supernatural, the manner in which circumstances suited themselves to her plans.”