What Is This Teaching?
The Law of Assumption teaches that your assumptions - the beliefs and inner convictions you live by - shape your outer reality. By deliberately assuming the feeling and mental state of an already fulfilled desire, you align consciousness so events conform to that inner state.
Core Principles
- Consciousness is creative: your inner state (assumptions) is the seed that manifests outwardly
- Live in the end: act and feel from the outcome as if it is already true
- Persistent revision & mental discipline: repetition and guarding your inner conversation reinforces the new assumption
- Feeling is the engine: vivid, embodied feeling gives assumptions power to impress the subconscious
Quick Techniques to Start Today
- The Imaginal Scene (2-5 minutes): Close your eyes, construct a short, specific scene that implies your wish fulfilled, enter it, feel it as real, then let it go. Repeat once or twice daily
- State Akin to Sleep (SATS): At drowsy twilight or just before sleep, replay your imaginal scene once more with strong feeling; allow it to be the last impression before sleep
- Mental Diet & Revision: Catch and replace contradictory thoughts all day with brief affirmations or mini-scenes; each evening revise one negative moment from the day by imagining it unfolding the way you wish
Key Insights
- The Law is not wishful thinking: it requires a felt inner assumption, not just positive words.
- Small, consistent assumptions beat occasional intensity; make the new state the default.
- Don't argue with current facts; assume the end and let facts rearrange.
- Feelings of certainty and inner acceptance are more important than timelines.
- If things resist, revise the assumption (not the method); examine hidden contradictory beliefs.
Biblical Foundation
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
Mark 11:24
Neville's interpretation:
Prayer is the assumption of the wish fulfilled. "Believe that you receive" means live and feel the state of already having. Prayer is not petitioning an external God but assuming the inner state that corresponds to the fulfilled desire; belief = sustained inner assumption.
“(God) who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”
Romans 4:17
Neville's interpretation:
"Calling" is the imaginative act. The Bible language is metaphorical: God (the I AM, the human imagination) names into being by imagining. To "call" what is not as though it were is to assume and feel the reality, thereby bringing it into manifestation.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1
Neville's interpretation:
Faith is the inner conviction produced by an imaginal act. "Substance" and "evidence" describe the felt imagination - a living, sensory assumption that functions as inner proof. Neville taught that this living assumption must be sustained until it hardens into the outer fact.
(Note on Neville's hermeneutic: He reads Scripture as a psychological allegory where "God" signifies the human imagination (I AM). These verses, in his view, are instructions for using imagination to create your experience.)
Step-by-Step Practice Method
- Choose one clear desire. Make it specific, present-tense, and emotionally evocative. Example wording: "I am receiving $5,000 for my needs this month" or "I am in a loving, steady relationship with Anna."
- Commit to one scene that implies the wish fulfilled. A scene is a short 20-60 second imaginal vignette that could only be true if your desire were already real
- Schedule dedicated practice times: just before sleep (SATS) and one 5-10 minute midday check-in. Keep a short journal for revision and evidence. SATS (State Akin To Sleep) - core nightly method:
- Time and posture: Lie down in bed at your normal bedtime. Become comfortable and relax progressively (progressive muscle relaxation or deep breathing)
- Enter the state: Allow drowsiness to come; let the body fall asleep while the mind remains awake. This hypnagogic state increases imaginative power
- The scene: Replay your single chosen scene as a first-person experience, present tense, with sensory detail. Keep it simple: one short scene that lasts 20-60 seconds. Do not try to create a full explanation - just a single proof-scene that implies the fulfilled desire
- Feeling: Embed the dominant feeling of fulfillment - peace, gratitude, warmth, relief. "Feeling is the secret": hold the emotional end-state, not thoughts of how it will happen
- Repeat passively: Repeat the scene 3-6 times until sleep takes you. If the mind wanders, gently return to the scene. Do not force intensity; maintain quiet conviction
- Let go: Fall asleep in the assumption. Trust the imagination to act. Mental Diet - daytime practice to protect assumption: (Neville recommends constant vigilance)
- Avoid contrary thinking: Immediately stop and revise any thought that contradicts your assumption (gossip, complaining, fear-based predictions)
- Replace with small, believable affirmations or one-line mental rehearsals of your scene. Use short reminders: "I am already..." or replay the chosen scene briefly
- Monitor language: Speak as if the wish were already true (present tense). This aligns inner speech with the inner state
- Limit exposure to triggers: Reduce time on social media or news if they arouse doubt or scarcity; replace with constructive content that supports the new state. Revision - correcting past impressions: (Neville's powerful tool for changing memory impressions)
- At the end of each day, revisit any unpleasant events. Imagine the evening rewritten so the outcome is aligned with your desired state. Make the revision vivid, short, and conclusive
- Feel the new ending as if it had happened that way. This erases the negative impression and prevents it from becoming a future cause. Imaginal Acts by Day - practical daytime applications:
- Short sensory exercises: When waiting in line or during transitions, run the short scene in present-tense for 20-30 seconds
- Inner conversation: If someone questions you or a fear arises, respond internally from the assumed state ("Yes, it's done; I'm grateful"). Neville stressed the power of inner dialogue to shape outer events. Practical checklist for each week: - Daily SATS at bedtime (10-30 minutes of focused imaginal practice). - Mental diet pauses (3-6 times/day) to check and replace thoughts. - Weekly revision session for any negative memories. - Journal quick notes on evidence: small coincidences, new feelings, doors opening. Measuring intensity and duration: - Beginners: 2-4 weeks of daily practice to notice small shifts. - Intermediate: Continue practice for 1-3 months for larger changes. - Maintain consistent feeling and avoid obsession. Neville warns: persistent doubting or alternating states negates the assumption. Notes on practical variables: - Single-mindedness is essential: pick one desire at a time to avoid divided assumption. - Keep scenes plausible to your current emotional capacity; escalate detail as conviction grows. - Avoid analytical strategizing ("how" it will occur). Focus on the inner reality. Safety & ethical note: Use for lawful, ethical aims. For health issues, combine with professional care; Law of Assumption can complement but not replace medical treatment
Real-World Applications
Example:
❌ Wrong way:
Worrying, checking bank balance obsessively, affirming contradictory statements ("I need money but I don't have it"), or visualizing bills with anxiety. Practicing constant planning from lack.
✅ Right way:
Choose a simple scene that implies money has arrived - e.g., "I open my email and see a message: 'Payment sent. $2,500 deposited'" - imagined in first-person with the feeling of relief and gratitude. Nightly SATS: replay the scene, feel the relief, fall asleep in that state. Mental diet: whenever fear about bills arises, quietly replay the scene or silently say "It's done". Look for small evidence (a chance gig, unexpected refund) and record it. Result: financial opportunities, unexpected deposits, or the right steps appear while anxiety decreases.
Example:
❌ Wrong way:
Obsessive messaging, trying to control the other person, imagining worst-case scenarios, or praying for the other person to change. Making the outside person the cause of your happiness.
✅ Right way:
Create a short scene that implies the relationship as you want it: for reconciliation, imagine a quiet, specific two-minute meeting where the other person says something that proves the relationship is restored (e.g., "I'm glad we're together again"). Feel warmth, relief, and love. Use SATS nightly and perform daytime inner conversations where you speak from the identity of being loved and secure. Avoid focusing on the other's motives or exact methods - assume the state of being in the loving relationship. Result: Conversations, changes in behavior, or opportunities that mirror the inner assumption; or a graceful detachment if the external person does not align.
Example:
❌ Wrong way:
Rehearsing symptoms, checking medical reports obsessively, diagnosing yourself online, or imagining relapse. Saying "I hope I get better" keeps you in the future tense of lack.
✅ Right way:
Select a scene that demonstrates restored vitality: e.g., yourself walking in a park, feeling strong, smiling, noticing the breeze and your steady breath. Make the scene sensory-rich: warmth in legs, ease of breathing, lightness. Use SATS to feel the new healthy state and use brief daytime affirmations like "I am full of energy" while performing small, safe activity to reinforce the state. Maintain medical guidance. Result: measurable improvements in energy, small increases in capacity, and better compliance with health routines because of internal motivation. For each example note: timeline varies. Small shifts (moods, coincidences) can appear within days; visible outer changes may take weeks to months depending on complexity and prior assumptions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Doubting and alternating states (lack of single-mindedness) Why: Fluctuating between the assumption and the reality you want to change sends mixed signals to the subconscious. How to avoid: Commit to one clear scene. When doubt arises, immediately return to the imaginal scene and the feeling. Use short mental diet pauses to catch divergent thoughts. Keep practice light but consistent
- Trying to force details or 'how' it will happen Why: Analytical planning engages the conscious mind and can contradict the assumption; it often springs from fear. How to avoid: Keep scenes simple and sensory; avoid scripts about logistics. Assume the end and let imagination supply the routes. Trust the process
- Holding contradictory inner language and habits Why: Saying present-tense affirmations but acting in ways that imply lack (overspending, avoidance, complaining) creates inner conflict. How to avoid: Align speech, action, and imagination. Use small behavioral changes that correspond to the assumed state (e.g., if assuming abundance, practice responsible financial choices that reflect abundance, not recklessness)
- Overdoing intensity or forcing (trying too hard in SATS) Why: Straining for emotion can create tension and resistance; the unconscious resists forced states. How to avoid: Aim for calm conviction rather than theatrical intensity. Quiet, sustained feeling wins over loud, anxious effort. End practice with relaxed trust
- Expecting instant results and quitting early Why: Impatience leads people to abandon practice when outer results aren't immediate. Complex shifts often require time as inner impressions harden into outer facts. How to avoid: Track small evidence and subjective changes (mood, synchronicities) as progress markers. Keep practicing daily; reduce obsessing over timelines. Re-evaluate and refine your scene rather than abandoning the method. General note: Failure usually comes from divided attention, inconsistent practice, and failure to police the mental diet. The remedy is disciplined, gentle repetition of the chosen inner state
Advanced Techniques
- Revision as proactive reality editing (advanced use) - Technique: At any later time (daily or weekly), deliberately 'rewrite' any past scene that produced pain or limitation. Replay the scene as you wish it had happened, vividly and emotionally, and feel it completed in the desired manner. - Use: Clear karmic loops, remove limiting reminiscences, and change future causes. Neville taught that only memory impresses the subconscious; changing the memory changes future outcomes
- Inner Conversations and the 'Living in the End' Dialogue - Technique: Practice full inner conversations from the standpoint of the fulfilled identity. Speak and answer internally from the end-state. For example, if you are assuming "I am successful," talk to your inner self as already successful and respond as that person would. Create dialogues that reinforce status, choices, and decisions of the fulfilled self. - Use: This method restructures personality; it conditions automatic responses and decision-making to match the assumed reality. Useful for public speaking, interviews, or decisive life changes
- The Prayer of Faith & Imaginal Sacrament (Neville's more esoteric methods) - Technique: Combine a short, reverent imaginal act with a sacramental habit (e.g., symbolic gesture, a short prayer phrase like "I am that I am," or a physical token). Perform the imaginal act with complete faith, then symbolically 'offer' it (let go) while trusting the result. - Use: Deepens conviction, especially for long-standing or emotionally loaded desires. The symbolic element helps anchor the assumption into habitual awareness. Practical tips for advanced practice: - Intensify sensory detail gradually; avoid overwhelming the mind. - Maintain a weekly 'evidence audit' to map subtle changes. - Combine revision with SATS: begin SATS by revising a negative scene, then transition to your primary wish-fulfilled scene. This clears obstruction before planting the new seed. Caveat: Advanced techniques require consistency and a degree of emotional maturity. If intense emotions surface, use gentle self-care or seek supportive counseling
Signs of Progress
- Shift in feeling: You experience increased calm, confidence, or inner certainty about the desire. The dominant mood aligns with the wish fulfilled.
- Reduced emotional charge: Past anxieties and obsessions about the desire decrease; you think of it with acceptance rather than desperation.
- Daydreams change: Your spontaneous imagination begins to picture the fulfilled state more often and with ease.
- Synchronicities: Small coincidences that confirm the inner state (a helpful message, a timely phone call, an unexpected lead).
- Micro-opportunities: Doors begin to appear that you can use (e.g., conversations that go in a helpful direction, a new contact).
- Better decisions: Your behavior shifts to match the new identity (different choices about time, money, or relationships).
- An actual event or series of events align with the scene you have been assuming (job offer, payment, reconciliation, health improvement).
- A measurable change: bank balance change, relationship status change, doctor's report improvement, or other objective evidence.
- Timeline variability: Small shifts can appear within days; significant life changes may take weeks or months. Complexity of the desire and depth of old conditioning influence timing.
- Temporary resistance: Old habits or contradictory people can create friction; persistence and mental diet reduce resistance.
- Gradual unfolding: Often your inner assumption produces a sequence: mood change → synchronicities → small outer openings → major manifestation.
- Reassess single-mindedness: Are you divided between multiple desires? Narrow your focus.
- Check for hidden contradictions: Journal your beliefs and language for covert negativity.
- Strengthen SATS and mental diet: Increase repetition gently and ensure feeling quality is present.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Law of Assumption in simple terms?
In simple terms the Law of Assumption says: your outer world always matches the state of your inner consciousness - whatever you assume to be true and live from, you will experience. Neville Goddard taught that imagination is the creative power (often phrased 'Imagination is God') and that you must 'assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled.' Practically this means choosing an inner scene that implies your desire is already accomplished, entering it with sensory detail and feeling, and continuing to inhabit that state until it hardens into fact in your experience.
Biblical references Neville often used include Mark 11:24 ('believe that you have received it'), Hebrews 11:1 ('faith is the substance of things hoped for'), and Exodus 3:14 ('I AM'), which he interpreted to mean our 'I AM' statements shape reality. Common blocks: disbelief, inner contradictory conversations (talking yourself out of the assumption), and identifying with present facts rather than the imagined end.
Practical tip: instead of trying to force outer circumstances, work on the one thing you always control - your inner scene and the feeling that accompanies it. When the feeling is real and habitual, the world will follow.
What common mistakes make assumptions backfire?
- Assuming the 'want' rather than the 'end state' - imagining the process of getting instead of already having it. Fix: build a short scene that implies the wish fulfilled and feel it as now
- Lack of emotional conviction - images with intellectual assent but no feeling. Fix: pause and cultivate the specific emotion (relief, joy, peace) tied to fulfillment
- Double-mindedness / inner contradiction - you assume one thing while secretly talking yourself into the opposite. Fix: practice mental dieting; notice inner conversations and correct them immediately. Use short present-tense 'I am' statements
- Impatience and checking reality - constantly looking for proof reinforces the present facts. Fix: reduce checking, trust the process, and continue the inner act until it becomes habitual
- Forcing or frantic effort - trying to manipulate outcomes from the outside without changing inner state. Fix: focus on changing consciousness first; inspired action will follow naturally
- Conditional or tentative assumptions - 'I will be' or 'I hope to be' instead of 'I am.' Fix: always assume in the present tense
- Poor revision practices - ignoring emotional residue from past events that contradict your assumption. Fix: use Neville's revision technique to rewrite unpleasant memories so they support your new assumption
- Trying to control other people's imagined responses without changing your own state. Fix: change your own consciousness about the relationship; do not attempt to coerce or obsess over others' free will
- Confusing fantasy with the end state - creating unrealistic fantasies that contradict inner belief. Fix: start with believable, small scenes and let conviction grow
- Not persisting long enough - giving up too soon. Fix: understand that persistence is required until the assumption hardens within you; see the next answer for guidance on duration. Addressing blocks: for deep blocks (childhood conditioning, trauma), combine the imaginal work with counseling or inner-child healing and a consistent mental diet. Small, incremental assumptions and the practice of self-compassion speed integration
How do I apply the Law of Assumption step by step?
- Clarify the desire in one sentence. Keep it specific and present-tense: 'I am happily employed as X' or 'I live in Y apartment.'
- Create a single short scene that implies the desire fulfilled. Keep it simple - one small, believable moment (someone congratulating you, you signing keys, receiving an email). Neville taught to avoid long stories; a single end-state scene is stronger
- Relax and enter a receptive state. Use a quiet moment (lying down, just before sleep, or during meditation). Many practitioners use the 'sleep technique' (imagining the scene as you drift off)
- Vividly imagine the scene with sensory detail and - most important - assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled. How does it feel to be that person? Joy, relief, peace. Feel it now
- Dwell in that state until it becomes believable. Repeat nightly or in short sessions during the day. The feeling is the work; the images are the vehicles
- Live 'from the end' in small practical ways: speak and act in alignment with your new identity (for example, use present-tense 'I am' statements and small consistent behaviors that support it)
- Maintain a strict mental diet. Catch and correct contradictory assumptions (inner complaints, worries, doubt). Use Neville's 'revision' technique to rewrite unpleasant events to match your assumption
- Release attachment to the how and timeframe. Persist in the inner assumption, then let it go emotionally - trust the creative process. If you meet resistance: start smaller (assume a tiny, believable improvement first), use revision on past defeats, and reinforce the state with small, frequent sessions. Example: to get a job, imagine opening an email that begins 'We are pleased to offer...' feel the relief and gratitude, repeat nightly, then act as someone already employed (update CV subtly, look confident in interviews)
How long should I persist in an assumption before changing it?
- Minimum practice: nightly sessions for 1-4 weeks for small to moderate desires often produce shifts; deeper identity changes can take longer (months).
- Work by results, not time: keep the assumption until you notice a qualitative change - inner peace about the desire, reduction of doubt, recurring confirmation in outer events, or a clear intuition that the assumption is now true.
- Signs you should continue: frequent doubt, emotional agitation, or persistent contrary inner conversations. Keep rehearsing the state and tighten your mental diet.
- Signs you may need to change the assumption: if, after honest and sustained practice, new information or inner guidance shows the desire is not aligned with your highest good, adjust the scene - not from worry, but from clarity. Or if the assumption was unrealistic for you to accept, step down to a smaller, believable assumption and build from there.
- When to stop repeating: once the assumption is habitual and you no longer need to rehearse it several times daily, reduce conscious repetitions. Continue to maintain the state naturally through your mental habits and 'I am' identity.
How is the Law of Assumption different from the Law of Attraction?
- Primary mechanism: The Law of Attraction talks about 'like attracts like' and often emphasizes thought, vibration, or sending out frequency. The Law of Assumption (Neville) states that your state of consciousness - specifically the assumption you live in - is the creative power. Imagination is the cause; outer events are the effect.
- Role of imagination: Neville puts imagination at the center and instructs you to 'live in the end' (act and feel as if). Law of Attraction techniques can prioritize visualization boards, affirmations, and 'raising your vibration' but sometimes miss the sustained inner conviction Neville requires.
- Identity vs. wish: Neville focuses on changing your identity ('I am' statements) - becoming the person who already has what you want - rather than trying to attract an object or event from the outside. The shift is from wanting to being.
- Methods of application: LoA practices often combine visualization with gratitude and inspired action. Law of Assumption prescribes a precise inner technique: a specific end-state imaginal act + persistent feeling until it is 'realized.'
- Biblical metaphysical view: Neville interprets scripture as showing inner creative power (Mark 11:24, Hebrews 11:1, Exodus 3:14). This theological framing is less common in mainstream Law of Attraction teachings.
The Bible Through Neville
Joshua 1:1
Ephesians 5:28
1 Peter 1:5
2 Thessalonians 3:13
Esther 8:7
1 Timothy 3:14
Hosea 5:10
2 Chronicles 31:16
Amos 5:19
Philippians 2:23
Neville Bible Sparks
Jeremiah 44:22
Ecclesiastes 1:10
Exodus 2:4
Ezekiel 45:19
Matthew 6:24
Ezekiel 14:21
Joel 3:15
1 Samuel 3:17
Isaiah 63:17
Exodus 32:8
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