Neville Goddard
Influential New Thought Teacher
Neville Goddar (1905-1972), better known as just Neville, was one of the quietly dramatic and supremely influential teachers in the New Thought field for many years...In a simple, yet somehow elegant one-hour lecture, Neville was able to clarify the nature of God and God's relationship to every person. He spoke of God in intimate terms as though he knew God very well, which he did.
Joseph Murphy, a writer and lecturer, who studied with Neville in New York City, said of him: "Neville may eventually be recognized as one of the world’s great mystics,"
In his lectures and books, Neville dealt solely with The Law until the year 1959, "For I did not know of The Promise until I began to experience it and have it unfold within me beginning that summer and continuing during the next three-and-one-half years. And this is Scriptural," he would say, "read it in the of Book of Daniel where it is referred to as ‘a time, times, and a half.' It comes to 1260 days in your experience of it."
In the latter part of the 1960's and early ‘70's Neville gave more emphasis to The Promise after he had experienced it. The use of imaginal power can change circumstances, but it is all temporary, “– and will vanish like smoke,” he asserted with another sweep of his hand. "Oh. – you can use it to make a fortune, to become known in the world – all these things are done – but your true purpose here is to fulfill Scripture," so he subordinated it and became as eager to hear accounts by those who had experienced The Promise, and sharing such accounts, as he had of those with The Law.
Neville spoke without notes and followed his lectures with questions and answers. When he was asked if he had tapes of his lectures for sale, he replied, "I have no tapes. Others here are making tapes for their own use, Perfectly all right. But I have no tapes."
There are many tapes of his lectures In Los Angeles and San Francisco circulating, thanks to the loyalty and dedication of many of Neville's students and friends who have preserved much of What he said. His books are also in print.
Although Neville’s career peaked in the late 1950’s and early 60’s, his message continues to find a place in the hearts of spiritual readers throughout the world today.