For many years the author of this work has been prominently identified with the New Thought movement as writer, teacher, and practitioner. Her clientele has steadily grown, owing largely to her success as a healer. In the present work Mrs. Gestefeld has in the course of forty-four chapters sought to present a comprehensive outline of what to her is the truth touching the philosophy of life, or being. The author became a student of Mrs. Mary B. G. Eddy about eighteen years ago. She states that she found in these teachings much that was bread to her hungry soul; and yet, while gratefully acknowledging the benefit of the instruction received from the author of “Science and Health,” she did not find in the philosophy enunciated a full measure of satisfaction.
Mrs. Gestefeld and Helen Wilmans are the most radical thinkers among the leaders of the modern Mental Science movement. Both were at one time students of Christian Science, and each found its philosophy incomplete. Their views are divergent, but each has been remarkably successful as a healer, and their work appeals especially to those who are strongly individualistic and who have broken away from the Christian Church, or over whom the teachings of Christianity, as such, have ceased to exert a binding influence.
