Over 100 years ago, there was a wave of new theory about thought. In summary, the new theory of thought could be described as 'Thoughts are Things'. This was the book title Prentice Mulford used when he first wrote about it in 1889.
This ‘Thoughts are Things’ theory was often linked to what is now well-known as the 'Law of Attraction'....which has gained widespread popularity during recent years as a result of people like Esther Hicks [and Abraham], numerous self-help books, and other mass-market presentations like 'The Secret'.
Late-19th Century ‘Thoughts are Things’
In the last half of the 19th Century several authors claimed that thoughts are things...more specifically, thoughts are physical waves, like light and sound. Thought waves are not limited to a person's brain/mind (where the thoughts originate). In fact, under the theory, thought waves are 'Universal': they emanate from the originator's brain/mind in all directions...over great distances, throughout the Universe. Unlike light and sound, thought waves are not bounded by space or time or speed limits. So, they defy the current laws of physics. The theory is: our thoughts form part of 'Universal Intelligence' and are available to every other human being. In addition, in accordance with the Law of Attraction...our thoughts attract 'like' and so they bring about the physical manifestation of 'like'.
That’s the way new wave authors described thoughts 100 years ago.
As one example, here is a quote from Prentice Mulford’s ‘Thoughts Are Things’, (1889):
"Our thought is the unseen magnet, ever attracting its correspondence in things seen and tangible."
Wind the clock ahead to the New Millennium…
Thought is a hot topic. Brains and minds and how they use their key ingredient – thought – is a hot topic.
Spiritual authors are writing about physics: Deepak Chopra is one example.
Physics authors are writing about psychology: Leonard Mlodinow is one example.
We are living through the era where physics, psychology, and metaphysics are converging. Bold folks are speculating: perhaps, when we determine the true nature of thought we will discover it is the root of the elusive universal theory Albert Einstein chased to the very last day of his life.