Author Profile
Phineas Parkhurst Quimby (1802–1866) is generally regarded as the founder of the New Thought movement.
Born in New Hampshire, he began his career as a clockmaker before exploring mesmerism and mental healing.
He developed the concept that illness originates in the mind and that healing can be facilitated through mental and spiritual means.
His approach involved working directly with patients to identify and correct erroneous beliefs that he believed were the root cause of their suffering.
Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, was one of his patients, and his ideas influenced her teachings, though she later diverged significantly from his approach.
Quimby's central thesis was that many illnesses are rooted in false beliefs and that correcting these beliefs could lead to healing.
He emphasized the power of the mind to influence the body and one's overall well-being.
Quimby's method involved a combination of discussion, suggestion, and what he called "silent treatments" to help patients understand the nature of their conditions and facilitate the healing process.
His work laid the groundwork for the core principles of the New Thought movement, which emphasizes the power of the mind, the importance of positive thinking, and the potential for individuals to shape their reality.
Quimby's ideas, though not always formally published during his lifetime, were compiled in "The Quimby Manuscripts" and have continued to be studied by those interested in the history of New Thought and mind-body healing.
His emphasis on the mind's role in health and well-being remains a significant aspect of New Thought philosophy and practice.