The Game of Life and How to Play It
Unedited by Larry Chiang
Florence Scovel Shinn (1871–1940) was an American artist, book illustrator, and New Thought spiritual teacher. She is best known for her 1925 self-published book The Game of Life and How to Play It, a classic in metaphysical and positive-thinking literature that predates many modern Law of Attraction teachings. en.wikipedia.org
Her work draws heavily from the Bible (especially the teachings of Jesus), viewing life as a spiritual “game” governed by universal laws rather than a random battle or struggle. Success comes from understanding and applying these laws through thoughts, words, faith, and imagination. The book is in the public domain and available as free PDFs online.
Core Idea: Life Is a Game
Shinn teaches that most people treat life as a battle, but it is actually a game of giving and receiving (“Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”). You cannot win without knowing the spiritual rules, found clearly in the Old and New Testaments. cslasheville.org
The goal is the “Square of Life” — perfect happiness through balance in four areas:
• Health
• Wealth (prosperity/abundance)
• Love (relationships, harmony)
• Perfect self-expression (your unique divine purpose or destiny)
There is a “Divine Design” or perfect plan for each person in the superconscious mind (God Mind within). Your job is to recognize it, claim it, and let it unfold without forcing wrong desires. cslasheville.org
Key Principles and How to “Play” (Apply Them)
Shinn uses real-life anecdotes (often her clients or herself) to illustrate practical metaphysics. Here are the main ones:
1. Power of Thought, Imagination, and the Subconscious
Your imagination is the “scissors of the mind” — it cuts out pictures that manifest in your outer world. Whatever you feel deeply or image clearly impresses the subconscious (which acts like neutral power/electricity and carries it out in detail).
Train it to see only good. Fear or negative mental movies (e.g., picturing disease or failure) can manifest them. Replace fear with faith: “Why worry — it will probably never happen.” cslasheville.org
2. Power of the Spoken Word (Your Word Is Your Wand)
Words are creative. Jesus taught: “By your words ye are justified and by your words ye are condemned.” Idle complaints, jokes about lack, or negative statements (e.g., “I’m sick and tired of this” or “I’ll end up in the poorhouse”) program the subconscious.
How to play: Use positive affirmations and “speak the word” with conviction. Bless what you have (e.g., multiply your $8 like the loaves and fishes). Demand from Infinite Intelligence: “Infinite Spirit, open the way for my highest good.” Repeat with faith. en.wikipedia.org
3. Law of Expectancy / Faith
You receive what you deeply expect. Nothing stands between you and your desires except doubt and fear (inverted faith). “Wish without worrying” and act on intuition (“hunches”). Make the first move: Ask, seek, knock. blog.12min.com
4. Law of Nonresistance
Do not fight or resent obstacles — that gives them power. “Resist not evil” means turn the other cheek spiritually by focusing on good. Nonresistance + faith dissolves problems.
5. Law of Karma (Cause and Effect) and Forgiveness (Grace)
What you send out returns (hate gets hate, love gets love). But forgiveness and grace transcend karma — you can erase past mistakes. “Under grace and not under law.” Cast burdens on the divine and forgive yourself/others. youtube.com
6. Law of Substitution / Divine Selection
Release wrong desires (e.g., a specific person or outcome that isn’t right for you). Ask for the “divine equivalent” or right idea instead. The perfect will come without loss.
7. Love, Intuition, and Letting Go
Love is the greatest harmonizer. Follow inner guidance (intuition = “in-tuition” from within). Impress the subconscious by “casting the burden” — affirm, then release worry and trust the outcome.
8. Denials and Affirmations
Deny (erase) false beliefs of lack/limitation. Affirm truth: health, wealth, love, and perfect self-expression are yours by divine right. Example affirmation style: “I am an irresistible magnet for all that belongs to me by divine right.”
Practical Tips from Shinn to Start Playing
• Monitor thoughts/words — they are constantly impressing your subconscious.
• Visualize and affirm your “square of life” clearly.
• Act on intuitive nudges, even if they seem illogical.
• Bless current circumstances and expect miracles.
• Erase fear by focusing on: “God is my supply” or similar truths.
Her other books (Your Word Is Your Wand, The Secret Door to Success, The Power of the Spoken Word) expand on these ideas with more affirmations and stories. goodreads.com
Shinn’s message is optimistic and empowering: You are not a victim — with spiritual understanding, right thinking, and spoken faith, you can manifest your highest good. Many readers find her simple, anecdote-filled style very practical even today. The full book is short and worth reading directly for the examples.
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