The Game of Life and How to Play it (1925) by Florence Scovel Shinn

Master Key Society・2 minutes read

Life is a game guided by spiritual laws and biblical teachings like giving and receiving, with faith, positive visualization, and the power of words crucial for success, healing, and abundance. Overcoming fear, embracing love, forgiveness, and selflessness, and aligning with divine will through faith and intuition can lead to miracles, prosperity, and perfect self-expression.

Insights

  • Life is portrayed as a game in "The Game of Life and How to Play It," emphasizing spiritual laws and teachings from the Old and New Testaments.
  • The subconscious mind's influence on reality is highlighted, showcasing how deeply felt emotions and clear images can manifest in one's life.
  • Faith, positive visualization, and affirmations play crucial roles in attracting desired outcomes and overcoming fear to achieve success.
  • Love, forgiveness, and selflessness are emphasized as powerful forces that can transform relationships, attract abundance, and neutralize negative situations.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • How does "The Game of Life and How to Play It" view life?

    "The Game of Life and How to Play It" views life as a game rather than a battle, emphasizing the importance of understanding spiritual laws and teachings from the Old and New Testaments. It highlights the principle of giving and receiving, where individuals reap what they sow based on their thoughts and actions, whether positive or negative. The book underscores the significance of the imaging faculty, stating that what one imagines eventually manifests in reality. Understanding the mind's three departments - subconscious, conscious, and super conscious - is crucial for successful living, as illustrated through various examples in the text.

  • How can one manifest desired outcomes according to the book?

    According to "The Game of Life and How to Play It," manifesting desired outcomes involves utilizing the power of faith over fear. The book emphasizes the need to replace fear with faith in order to attract one's desires and eliminate mental images of evil. Preparation, positive visualization, and active faith are highlighted as essential practices for success. Overcoming doubts and fears, holding onto a clear vision, and seeking support and agreement from others can strengthen one's ability to manifest goals successfully. The text also stresses the importance of using affirmations tailored to individual beliefs and needs to bring about desired outcomes.

  • How does the book suggest overcoming negative situations?

    "The Game of Life and How to Play It" suggests overcoming negative situations through the power of love, faith, and forgiveness. The book explains that all illness has a mental origin and can be eradicated through the spoken word and clear vision. Love and goodwill are deemed essential, as sickness and unhappiness stem from a lack of love. Criticism, jealousy, and unforgiveness are highlighted as significant causes of disease and negative outcomes. The text emphasizes the importance of blessing situations and enemies to transmute negativity into positivity, ultimately disarming them.

  • What role does faith play in attracting abundance?

    Faith plays a crucial role in attracting abundance according to "The Game of Life and How to Play It." The book stresses that faith and trust are essential for unlocking an abundant supply, with the belief that man's supply is limitless and dependable when fully trusted. Active faith is emphasized in impressing the subconscious mind, as examples in the text demonstrate how faith and persistent belief can lead to desired manifestations. Music and motion are mentioned as tools to impress the subconscious positively, aiding in releasing fears and attracting desired outcomes.

  • How does the book address the concept of selfless love?

    "The Game of Life and How to Play It" addresses the concept of selfless love as a cosmic phenomenon that opens the fourth-dimensional world to man. Real love is described as pouring out without expecting anything in return, finding joy in giving. The book highlights the detrimental effects of jealousy and the importance of transforming resentment into love for positive outcomes in relationships. Selfless love is emphasized as a powerful force that can positively impact interactions and attract desired outcomes, showcasing various stories and examples to illustrate its significance.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"The Game of Life: Faith Over Fear"

  • "The Game of Life and How to Play It" by Florence Scovel Shinn, read by Sarah Partridge, originally self-published in 1925, is a production of the Master Key Society, copyrighted in 2021.
  • Chapter one, "The Game," emphasizes that life is a game, not a battle, requiring knowledge of spiritual law and teachings from the Old and New Testaments.
  • Jesus Christ taught the principle of giving and receiving, where one reaps what they sow, whether love, hate, criticism, or lies.
  • The imaging faculty is crucial in life's game, as what one imagines eventually manifests in reality.
  • Understanding the mind's three departments - subconscious, conscious, and super conscious - is vital for successful living.
  • The subconscious mind acts on deeply felt emotions and clear images, manifesting them in reality, as seen in a woman who imagined herself as a widow and later became one.
  • The conscious mind perceives life negatively, while the super-conscious mind holds perfect ideas and divine patterns for each individual.
  • The law of substitution is illustrated through a woman who shifted her focus from one man to another, finding fulfillment.
  • Man's words play a significant role in life, with idle words leading to negative outcomes, as seen in a woman who spoke herself into poverty.
  • The power of faith over fear is highlighted, emphasizing the need to replace fear with faith to manifest desires and obliterate mental images of evil.

15:50

"Faith and Visualization Lead to Success"

  • The woman initially declined to stay with a friend, assuring her of divine protection.
  • Later, her cousin unexpectedly offered her $3,000, resolving her financial crisis.
  • The woman maintained faith in receiving the money promptly, despite impending legal issues.
  • The cousin surprisingly called the next day, providing the money immediately.
  • Preparation and positive visualization are emphasized for success, as illustrated by biblical stories.
  • A woman's unwavering belief led her to find a rare apartment during a housing shortage.
  • Active faith, like buying blankets in anticipation of an apartment, is highlighted.
  • Overcoming doubts and fears is crucial for achieving success, often preceding significant accomplishments.
  • Holding onto a clear vision and faith is essential for manifesting desired outcomes.
  • Seeking support and agreement from others can strengthen one's ability to manifest goals successfully.

31:04

Healing Power of Words and Love

  • Words have power to heal, bless, or prosper, reflecting back on the speaker.
  • Disease can be eradicated through the spoken word and clear vision, as all illness has a mental origin.
  • The subconscious mind must be saved from negative thoughts to heal the body.
  • Love and goodwill are essential, as all sickness and unhappiness stem from a lack of love.
  • Criticism leads to physical ailments like rheumatism, while jealousy and hatred cause false growths.
  • Unforgiveness is a significant cause of disease, hardening arteries and affecting health.
  • Inharmony externally reflects mental inharmony, with man's only enemies being within himself.
  • Non-resistance is powerful, as resisting evil only strengthens it, while love and goodwill destroy internal enemies.
  • Blessing situations and enemies transmutes negativity into positivity, disarming them.
  • Man's work is primarily with himself, as changing oneself leads to changes in others.

46:39

"Transforming mindset for spiritual growth and prosperity"

  • Witnessing someone else's lies can help cure one's own dishonesty.
  • Living in the present is emphasized as crucial for spiritual growth.
  • Jesus Christ's teachings on seizing the present moment are highlighted.
  • Financial fears and living in the past hinder prosperity.
  • A woman's shift in mindset from lack to abundance leads to unexpected financial gain.
  • Starting the day with positive affirmations is recommended for attracting miracles.
  • Affirmations tailored to individual beliefs and needs can bring about desired outcomes.
  • Specific affirmations can lead to significant financial success.
  • The law of karma is explained as the principle of reaping what one sows.
  • The importance of directing desires positively and in alignment with divine will is emphasized for successful manifestations.

01:01:58

"Faith and Trust: Keys to Abundance"

  • The coat symbolized success and prosperity, leading to a commission and was considered an investment with significant returns.
  • Ignoring impulses to spend or give money can result in it being taken away in unexpected ways, as illustrated by a woman who saved money for Thanksgiving dinner but had it stolen later.
  • Spending fearlessly and wisely is supported by a universal law, exemplified by a student who, after buying a toy she initially thought she couldn't afford, found the exact amount of money she spent on it.
  • Faith and trust are essential for unlocking an abundant supply, with the belief that man's supply is limitless and dependable when fully trusted.
  • Jesus Christ introduced a higher law of grace and forgiveness, transcending the law of karma, offering abundance and freedom from the world's negative thoughts.
  • Casting burdens onto the super-conscious mind or Christ within is a powerful practice to overcome challenges and attract desired outcomes, as demonstrated by various examples.
  • Active faith is crucial in impressing the subconscious mind, with examples showing how faith and persistent belief can lead to desired manifestations.
  • Music and motion can impress the subconscious positively, aiding in releasing fears and attracting desired outcomes.
  • Recognizing signs of progress before a manifestation is key, as illustrated by examples of mistaking initial signs for the final outcome.
  • Overcoming fear through faith is emphasized, with the importance of redirecting fear into faith highlighted to attract abundance and peace.

01:17:51

Transformative Power of Selfless Love and Forgiveness

  • Love is a cosmic phenomenon that opens the fourth-dimensional world to man, characterized by selflessness and freedom from fear.
  • Real love is described as pouring out without expecting anything in return, finding joy in giving.
  • Jealousy is highlighted as a significant obstacle to love, leading to negative outcomes when not neutralized.
  • A story is shared about a woman who transformed her resentment into love, leading to a positive outcome in her relationship.
  • The importance of selfless love is emphasized, with examples of how it can positively impact relationships.
  • The significance of love in attracting positive outcomes is illustrated through various stories and examples.
  • The detrimental effects of hoarding money and the importance of using it wisely are discussed.
  • The role of love in attracting abundance and the consequences of greed are explained.
  • The impact of love and goodwill in business relationships is highlighted, showing how it can transform interactions.
  • The power of forgiveness and kindness in neutralizing past wrongs and fostering positive relationships is discussed.

01:33:14

"Speaking Words of Supply and Guidance"

  • Man believes in God as his supply for every demand, with spoken words releasing this supply.
  • Making a demonstration involves speaking the word and waiting for a definite lead, often through intuition or hunches.
  • A woman's example showcases asking for a lead, receiving a clear answer to give $100, leading to a significant financial gain.
  • Giving, like tithing, is emphasized as a way to open pathways for receiving and increase in finances.
  • The story of a woman seeking a job highlights the importance of asking for the right position and waiting for a clear lead.
  • Intuition plays a crucial role in guiding actions, as seen in a bakery visit leading to helping someone in need.
  • Disease and unhappiness are linked to mental inharmony, with condemnation of others attracting similar negative situations.
  • Overcoming indecision involves affirming quick, right decisions through direct inspiration.
  • Seeking guidance from the psychic plane is discouraged, as it may attract destructive forces.
  • Embracing the divine plan for one's life, including health, wealth, love, and self-expression, leads to happiness and fulfillment.

01:48:49

Divine guidance leads to abundant self-expression.

  • Perfect self-expression is not laborious but engaging, akin to play, with divine supply readily available for one's needs.
  • Faith and spoken word can swiftly unlock necessary funds and opportunities, leading to success and prosperity.
  • A person's ideal self-expression may not always align with a career but could manifest in various roles like a spouse, parent, or homemaker.
  • Seeking divine guidance and inspiration can lead to significant accomplishments without forcing mental images.
  • Parents should allow children to follow their divine plan early on, fostering spiritual truths for lifelong fulfillment.
  • Overcoming fear and self-doubt is crucial for achieving perfect self-expression, with poise being a source of power and clarity.
  • Fear, worry, and anger hinder progress and success, requiring a shift towards faith, positivity, and fearless action.
  • Completion and faith in divine abundance are essential for manifesting one's desires, with gratitude and active preparation being key.
  • Giving and receiving graciously, without thoughts of lack, is vital for maintaining a balanced flow of abundance.
  • Reincarnation and subconscious beliefs play a role in one's circumstances, with the power of spoken word and divine selection shaping reality.

02:05:00

Manifesting Miracles Through Faith and Alignment

  • A student demanded $600 by a specific date and received it, but could have received $1,000 if he hadn't limited himself.
  • Wealth is linked to consciousness, illustrated by a legend of a poor man who thought a brass nugget was gold, leading to prosperity.
  • Man's demands should start with the belief of already receiving, affirming in the subconscious to establish faith.
  • Prayer involves commanding, demanding, praising, and giving thanks, with the Lord's Prayer exemplifying this.
  • Demonstrations require unwavering faith, as seen in a woman manifesting money after buying a paper-cutter she felt drawn to.
  • Letting go of problems and casting burdens to God can lead to instant manifestations, like a woman's umbrella being mended miraculously.
  • Visualizing is a conscious mental process, while visioning is a spiritual intuition-based process, guiding divine manifestations.
  • Man should align desires with God's plan, avoiding forcing demonstrations through reasoning but acting on intuition.
  • The power of the name Jesus Christ can bring forth miracles, elevating man to the fourth dimension and freeing him from limitations.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.