PDF Summary:The Science of Getting Rich, by Wallace D. Wattles

There is a science—a guaranteed method—to becoming rich. Anyone can learn this science, regardless of circumstance and talent, because it harnesses the natural tendencies of the matter of the universe.

Everything in the universe is made up of the same matter, and by nature, this matter favors the advancement of life. To advance, you need resources, and to get resources, you need money. Therefore, it’s in God’s and matter’s best interests to make you rich. All you have to do is act in harmony with the universe and harness its fundamental tendencies. Learn to use the power of your thoughts, your will, and your actions to achieve wealth.

(continued)...

Everything in the world contributes to your advancement (because everything is formed from Original Substance and Original Substance favors your advancement), so you should be grateful for everything, even for things that seem negative. For example, be grateful for corrupt politicians. They have flaws, but ultimately, they contribute to your and others’ advancement—politicians create order, which creates new opportunities.

The Certain Way

In this section, we’ll discuss the three facets of the “Certain Way,” Wattles’ method for getting rich. The three facets are: think, will, and act.

Facet 1: Think

The first facet of the Certain Way is to think. Original Substance is influenced by thoughts, so whatever you hold in your mind, it will send your way. Wattles gives the following tips:

• Have a precise vision of what you want. For example, if you want a house, consider how many windows it might have, what color it would be painted, and so on. Imagine yourself living in the house.
• Have conviction that you’ll achieve what you want. You should have so much purpose and faith that you act as though you already have what you want. For example, don’t dream about having a new car—believe you already own it.
• Constantly think about what you want. The specific mental picture should always be present in your mind, the same way a pilot always keeps their eye on their instruments.
• Avoid negative thoughts. Original Substance will send whatever you’re thinking about in your direction, so don’t get distracted by negative things. Poverty is a particularly dangerous thing to think about.

Wattles writes that your thoughts most likely won’t cause the Original Substance to form what you want out of its own substance. Instead, it works through existing methods of creation, spurred into action by your thoughts. For example, if you want gold, gold won’t spontaneously come into being in your living room, or pull itself out of a mine and zoom into your hands. Instead, it’ll come your way via the usual channels: Someone will mine it, transport it, and you’ll have the opportunity to access it.

Facet 2: Will

The second facet of the Certain Way is to use your will to maintain the vision you came up with in the first step. It will take some effort to maintain the force of thought necessary to connect with the Original Substance.

However, make sure you only ever direct your will at yourself. It’s wrong to use your will on others, as wrong as physically forcing someone to do something would be. If you apply your will only to yourself, forcing yourself to concentrate on your vision, the Original Substance will push things and people toward you.

Facet 3: Act

The final facet of the Certain Way is to act in a way that sets you up to receive your vision. You can never know exactly how the Original Substance is working its ways. Therefore, do your best at everything you do every day to remain open to every opportunity Original Substance may use to manifest your vision. Wattles says that doing your best means:

Doing all your individual actions efficiently. Efficient actions are successful actions. The Original Substance is always working in your favor, so if you use your purpose and faith while doing tasks, you can’t help but be efficient and successful.

Acting with others in mind. Whenever you interact with others, be so strong in your convictions about Original Substance that anyone who encounters you can feel your purpose. Know that riches are coming your way, and lead by example. People are naturally attracted to those who follow the Certain Way, and many of your visions will manifest via other people.

Additionally, whenever you make a transaction, don’t drive hard bargains, compete, or take advantage of people. Other people will be involved in realizing your vision, and you may be involved in realizing theirs. Give more than you take.

Improving your circumstances. You can succeed in any environment or business. You can start acting in the Certain Way, right now, wherever you are, and the process of following the Certain Way will change your circumstances. If you’re always doing your best, you’ll advance by outgrowing your current state. Success is cumulative—because the inherent goal of life is to advance, each step toward advancement creates momentum toward the next step.

If you’re not currently in the business you dream of, following the Certain Way will help you change your situation—improving your current business enough will open up new opportunities.

You’ll typically do well in a business that matches your talent or interest, but it’s more important to do what you want to do, rather than do something you have a lot of natural talent in. You’ll be most satisfied with your life if you’re doing what you want to do. While there’s no hurry to change your situation, don’t wait for the perfect opportunity. Take opportunities that move you forward one step at a time.

Why Do People Lose Their Way?

Wattles cites several reasons people fall off the path of the Certain Way. First, some people don’t follow the Certain Way for long enough. If anything stops working toward advancement, it dissolves or dies.

Second, some people are tempted away from the Certain Way by other apparent methods of getting rich. For example, Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller got rich by being competitive or shrewd, or by only accidentally using Original Substance. Wattles argues that people who get rich in a way other than the Certain Way aren’t truly rich. They’ll only stay rich for as long as it's useful to the Original Substance, for example, as long as it takes them to invent something that is related to the success of someone else’s vision. This kind of rich person is simply part of the evolutionary process, and God will do away with him when he’s no longer needed.

Universal Enrichment

The final element of the science of getting rich is to understand its application on a global scale. There are two concepts:

• Dispense with myth. Wattles says that the only reason people are poor is that they’re not following the Certain Way. There are no other reasons.
• Become rich yourself. If you follow the Certain Way, you’ll improve the lives of others as part of the “Act” step, and you’ll lead by example. Once others see that the Certain Way is the one path to riches, they’ll follow it too.