Book excerpt: New Thought proponents at the turn of the 20th century sought to use mysticism to unleash the forces of the universe in themselves. One of the most influential thinkers of this early "New Age" philosophy promises here, in this 1902 book, to reveal the secrets of using one's own innate mental powers to battle such afflictions as: . stomach troubles . constipation . "the special physical weakness of women" . "nervousness-the American disease" . and more. American writer WILLIAM WALKER ATKINSON (1862-1932) was editor of the popular magazine New Thought from 1901 to 1905, and editor of the journal Advanced Thought from 1916 to 1919. He authored dozens of New Thought books under numerous pseudonyms, some of which are likely still unknown today, including "Yogi Ramacharaka" and "Theron Q. Dumont."