Abdullah: The Ethiopian Mystic Mentor – “No Half-Pregnancy” on the Path of Manifestation

The Universe Unveiled is a mystical education platform for spiritual seekers, conscious creators, and modern mystics ready to master manifestation, reprogram the subconscious mind, and align with universal laws. In this post, we explore how Abdullah—Neville Goddard's legendary mentor—modeled the Law of Assumption through bold embodiment, radical faith, and unwavering conviction. This is not just a story about going to Barbados—this is about the metaphysical mechanics behind it.

In the quiet hush of a New York evening in 1931, a young seeker named Neville Goddard walked into a lecture hall—and destiny. There, an imposing figure with a turbaned head and eyes alight with ancient wisdom greeted him as if an old friend. “Neville, you are six months late,” the man smiled mysteriously. Neville stood astonished—for he had never met this man. Thus began one of the great mystical mentorships of the modern age. The teacher was Abdullah, an Ethiopian mystic shrouded in legend. Over the next five years, Abdullah would unveil to Neville the “Law of Assumption”, the secret that imagination creates reality. Their time together would become the cornerstone of Neville’s teachings on manifestation, the law of attraction, the subconscious mind, and the conviction that one must live in the end to see desires fulfilled. In this spiritually immersive tale, we journey through Abdullah’s biography—as much as can be known—and the famous lesson of the “half pregnancy” that he imparted to Neville. We will explore the esoteric metaphor “you can’t have a half pregnancy” through the lens of manifestation and the law of assumption, seeing how Abdullah’s unwavering faith trained Neville to maintain total belief in his wish fulfilled. We will also trace how Abdullah’s influence echoes in the works of Joseph Murphy, forming a golden chain of mystical wisdom emphasizing inner belief and subconscious planting. Finally, we conclude with a comprehensive FAQ that gathers every known detail and mystery about Abdullah’s life, teachings, and legacy. Step into this story, and feel the universe unveil its secrets in poetic whispers and practical lessons.

Real Talk on the Wisdom of Abdullah
In this powerful podcast episode, we dive deep into what Abdullah really meant by “no half pregnancy” — and how you can apply it to manifest with unshakable faith

The Enigma of Abdullah: Mystic Mentor from Ethiopia

Abdullah enters history much like a figure from a myth—known primarily through the stories of his students, yet undeniably magnetic and real. He was often called “the Ethiopian rabbi,” hinting at his origins in North Africa. Born to Jewish parents and raised in an Orthodox Jewish tradition, Abdullah was a polymath of spiritual lore. He spoke Hebrew fluently and delved into the arcane wisdom of the Kabbalah, the mystical branch of Judaism. By the time he arrived in New York City in the late 1920s, Abdullah was an elder sage (some accounts say he was born in the 1840s and lived over a century) with a formidable presence—Neville described him as “black as the ace of spades” and immensely proud of his African heritage. In an era of harsh segregation, Abdullah moved through society on his own terms. He would attend opera performances and sit in seats reserved for whites, unbothered by the prejudices of the day. He never let anyone address him as “colored” or make him feel lesser; in his eyes, he was a manifestation of the divine, and no social law could convince him otherwise. This aura of sovereignty was one of his first lessons: know who you are beyond the physical, and the world cannot confine you.

When Neville first met Abdullah, the United States was in the throes of the Great Depression. Neville, a young Barbados-born dancer, found himself jobless and hungry in New York—a city with thousands sleeping in bread lines and tunnels. Amid this despair, Neville was seeking meaning and spiritual insight. A Catholic priest friend had urged him to seek out Abdullah’s lectures, praising the man’s mystical knowledge. Skeptical but curious, Neville finally attended one of Abdullah’s talks in 1931. It was there that the fateful meeting occurred. After the lecture, Abdullah approached Neville with an otherworldly familiarity. He extended his hand and said the improbable words: “Neville, you are six months late.” Startled, Neville asked how this stranger knew him. Abdullah replied calmly that “the brothers told me you were coming and you are six months late.”

Thus, before teaching Neville a single technique, Abdullah cloaked their relationship in mystery. He later claimed that he and Neville had known each other in distant past lives: “We were together in China thousands of years ago, but you promised to completely forget in order to play the part you must play now,” Abdullah told him. Neville, having entered this life with no memory of such a pact, was bewildered. Yet years later, a curious vision from one of Neville’s own students seemed to confirm Abdullah’s claim—she saw Neville while lecturing transform into an ancient Chinese sage, matching the very persona Abdullah had described. Whether taken as poetic allegory or literal truth, these mystical flourishes set the tone. In Abdullah, Neville found not just a mentor of techniques, but a guardian of ageless wisdom whose very existence felt ordained by cosmic design.

Little is documented about Abdullah’s personal life apart from his teachings. He lived in a stately brownstone at 30 West 72nd Street, a home owned by a wealthy financier (the Morgenthau family). There he held intimate gatherings—“no more than a dozen or twenty of us,” Neville recalled—where he taught Hebrew, Biblical symbolism, and esoteric Christianity. By all accounts, Abdullah was strict yet compassionate, eccentric yet deeply wise. He could convey complex metaphysical ideas in simple, earthy ways: for example, legend says he once gave a hearty belch to demonstrate the proper pronunciation of an ancient Hebrew name of God. He demanded devotion, discipline, and dedication from his students. And yet, he was no ascetic hermit—far from it. Neville recounted dining with Abdullah and being shocked as the old teacher cheerfully enjoyed cigars, hearty meat dishes, glasses of whisky and ale, even a large bowl of ice cream for dessert. Neville, a vegetarian teetotaler at the time, challenged him: “How can you do that?” Abdullah laughed and chided Neville for his “quibbles”. “God made everything. You think God made some things and not others? You have quibbles, Neville – with those quibbles it’d poison you. But not me.” In this colorful way, Abdullah taught Neville a profound lesson: all is one, all is God, and only our personal beliefs make things appear divided into “clean” or “unclean.” His holiness was not a performance of piety, but an inner realization of unity that allowed him the freedom to enjoy life without fear.

For five intense years, Neville apprenticed under Abdullah. “If I were called upon to name a man that I would consider my teacher, I would name Abdullah. I studied with that gentleman for five years,” Neville later affirmed. Under Abdullah’s tutelage, he learned that “there was no cause outside of the arrangement of [his] own mind.” External events, Abdullah insisted, were only reflections of one’s inner state. In Abdullah’s view, the Bible was not mere history but a psychological drama happening within each individual. Every character, every story in Scripture symbolized aspects of one’s own consciousness. Neville absorbed these radical ideas eagerly. They would form the bedrock of his own teachings: that imagination is the only reality, and that by controlling one’s inner imaginal activity, one can determine the experiences of life. But Neville’s lessons with Abdullah were not just intellectual or theoretical—they were vividly experiential. The most celebrated of those experiences was the Barbados story, in which Abdullah taught Neville what it truly means to live in the end. To this we now turn, stepping into the winter of 1933 and a lesson in faith so absolute that it would forever illustrate Abdullah’s favorite maxim: you can’t be a little bit pregnant.

Abdullah Unveiled: The Hidden Master Behind Neville Goddard & the Law of Assumption

Who was the mysterious mentor behind Neville Goddard’s legendary teachings?

Abdullah Unveiled reveals the hidden mystic who shaped the Law of Assumption long before it became mainstream. Known for his commanding presence, radical faith, and timeless wisdom, Abdullah didn’t just teach Neville—he initiated him into a new dimension of reality.

In this book, you’ll explore:

• The untold story of Abdullah’s life and impact
• How his teachings influenced every major concept Neville shared
• Powerful lessons on imagination, assumption, and divine identity
• Why his legacy matters now more than ever

Whether you're a devoted student of manifestation or newly awakening to your power, this is your invitation to meet the teacher behind the teaching—and claim your own authority.

You were never separate from the source. This book helps you remember.

🌀 Abdullah Unveiled — Available now.

Read the Revelation

“You Are In Barbados”: A Lesson in Living the Wish Fulfilled

In late 1933, with Christmas approaching, Neville Goddard found himself yearning to return home to Barbados for a visit. It had been twelve years since he left the little Caribbean island. Now the longing to see his family was “a hungry desire, a haunting desire,” Neville said. But he was broke. “Not a thing stops me but a lack of money. I have no money,” he confessed to Abdullah. Outside, New York’s winter winds were howling, and the Great Depression spared no one—certainly not an out-of-work dancer. To Neville’s plea, Abdullah gave a seemingly absurd instruction that would change Neville’s life: “You are in Barbados,” he declared calmly.

Neville blinked in disbelief. “I am in Barbados?” he replied, thinking perhaps his teacher hadn’t understood. But Abdullah meant exactly what he said. “Yes. You are now in Barbados,” he affirmed. “See Barbados – feel the warm breeze, smell the tropical land. See America as if it is 2,000 miles north of you, across the ocean. You sleep this night in Barbados.” Abdullah was asking Neville to assume the feeling of his wish fulfilled so completely that, in imagination, he transported himself to his childhood home.

It sounded like madness. Neville later admitted, “I thought him insane, really… at the moment it seemed so stupid,” because everything in Neville’s physical world screamed the opposite. How could he ignore the fact he was standing in cold, concrete New York City, with not a penny to his name, and pretend he was 2,000 miles away on a sun-soaked island? Yet Abdullah’s face bore no trace of humor or doubt. He was serious. That night, Neville followed his teacher’s instructions as best he could. He stretched out on his bed in the dark and imagined he lay in his family home on Barbados. He conjured the humid tropical air, the sound of palm trees rustling, the familiar homey details. He envisioned the island so vividly that he felt the Atlantic Ocean to the north of him, separating him from America.

Listen to Neville explain the powerful lesson he received from Abdullah, 'You Are in Barbados,' and how this life-changing experience shaped his understanding of manifestation.

Falling asleep in that assumption, for a moment Neville mentally dwelt in Barbados despite his body being in New York.

The next day came, cold and ordinary as ever. A week passed, then two, and still no sign of change. Neville grew restless. Perhaps, he thought, he should discuss it again with Abdullah—maybe he had done the exercise wrong, or needed further guidance. Tentatively, Neville approached his mentor and started to say that nothing had happened yet. But Abdullah would not even entertain the conversation. He turned his back on Neville and slammed the door of his study, cutting off the doubt mid-sentence. The message was clear: Abdullah refused to discuss “how” one goes to Barbados when Neville was already in Barbados. To his teacher, Neville’s questioning was nonsensical—Neville had conceived the trip in imagination, so the seed was planted. There was nothing else to do but faithfully carry it until it manifested.

Weeks turned into a month. November waned into early December with Neville doggedly trying to “sleep in Barbados” each night, yet waking to the same meager circumstances. His human nature craved reassurance. “We are all human enough to want a little encouragement, another little push,” Neville admitted. But each time he broached the topic, Abdullah’s response was the same unwavering mantra: “You are in Barbados.” No further advice, no pity, no discussion. Neville would leave Abdullah’s apartment frustrated but also oddly challenged—he had to muster the faith to persist on his own. Abdullah’s discipline may have seemed rude or unfeeling, but it carried a deep wisdom. As Neville realized later, Abdullah was training him through silence and absolute certainty. By denying Neville any chance to doubt or scheme about how it would happen, Abdullah forced him to live from the end and leave the bridge of incidents to the Divine.

On the morning of December 4, 1933, with Christmas nearly upon him, Neville awoke to find a letter under his door. It was from his brother Victor in Barbados. Tearing it open, Neville’s heart leapt: inside was $50 and a steamship ticket reservation. Victor wrote that the family dearly wished Neville to come home for the holidays, noting that “we have never all been around the table at Christmas together,” and assuring him there was no financial obstacle now. In disbelief and joy, Neville dashed down to the shipping line’s office. Indeed, a ticket to Barbados awaited him—booked on the last ship leaving New York that would reach Barbados by Christmas. There was one catch: all the First Class berths were sold out. Neville was slated to travel Third Class, with permission to use First Class facilities once on board. It didn’t bother him; he was thrilled simply to be going. Clutching the ticket, Neville raced back to Abdullah’s home to share the good news.

“Ab! It worked – I’m going to Barbados! I have my ticket,” Neville exclaimed, “but… I have to go Third Class.” He was almost apologetic, as if conceding a minor flaw in the miracle. Abdullah was unmoved. Fixing Neville with a gaze as steely as it was loving, he asked, “Who told you that you are going to Barbados? You went to Barbados. And who told you that you went Third Class?” Neville stammered in confusion—what was Abdullah saying now? Abdullah repeated the truth as he saw it: “You went to Barbados, and you went First Class.” Then, likely with a satisfied grin, he simply would say no more. Even on the cusp of obvious success, Abdullah refused to compromise the vision. Neville was already in Barbados in imagination, and in that imaginal act he had gone First Class all the way. Why accept less in the 3D world?

December 6 arrived, and Neville boarded the ship with a Third Class ticket in hand. But destiny (or rather, Neville’s assumption, propelled by Abdullah’s unwavering vision) had one final flourish in store. As the ship prepared to sail, an agent approached Neville: “Good news, Mr. Goddard. Someone cancelled last minute – you’ve been upgraded to First Class.” Neville smiled, hardly surprised. He enjoyed a luxurious voyage to Barbados, ten days at sea, and a joyous family reunion, followed by a First Class return passage. Exactly as Abdullah had imagined, Neville “went First Class.” The outer world had rearranged itself to match an inner certainty.

Neville returned to New York a transformed man. The Barbados triumph was more than just a fulfilled wish—it was a vivid demonstration of the Law of Assumption. Abdullah had proved the power of imagining “from the end,” and this became Neville’s gospel. Years later, Neville would frequently recount this story to illustrate that consciousness is the only reality. He summarized the lesson to his audiences in a single striking maxim: “It is not what you want that you attract; you attract what you believe to be true.” By believing in the fulfilled desire (even when external facts denied it), Neville attracted its equivalent into his life. And behind Neville’s newfound faith stood the towering figure of Abdullah, the mentor who would not let him settle for half-measures. Abdullah’s reaction to Neville’s every doubt was like a spiritual drill sergeant’s: absolute and uncompromising. In Neville’s words, “Abdullah taught me the importance of remaining faithful to an idea and not compromising.” This commitment to the end goal with unwavering conviction was Abdullah’s hallmark. And he drove it home with an unforgettable metaphor—one that Neville would never forget and that encapsulates the essence of manifesting desires.

“No Such Thing as a Little Pregnancy”: Abdullah’s Ultimate Lesson in Faith

When Neville sought encouragement during those anxious weeks, Abdullah didn’t coddle him or explain further. Instead, he delivered a blunt yet profound analogy: “There is no such thing as a little pregnancy. No such thing,” he said. “If you did it, then you’re pregnant. Let the child grow. And interference with it is going to be a miscarriage.” In that vivid image, Neville suddenly grasped what his teacher was conveying. Just as a woman who has conceived a child either is fully pregnant or not at all, one who has imagined a desire either fully assumes it or has not truly assumed it. There is no halfway. Abdullah continued, explaining that Neville’s imaginal act of sleeping in Barbados was conception: “You assumed that you are in Barbados. Now you are pregnant. The idea is you are going to give birth to a journey which will land you right in Barbados… So you’ve assumed it—that is conception. Now, don’t try to argue… You have conceived. All you have to do is be a faithful mother, and bear that child.” His voice brooked no argument: “Don’t discuss it with me anymore.” The matter was settled in the unseen reality, and any further doubtful talk would only disturb the natural gestation of Neville’s wish.

This half‑pregnancy metaphor is both humorous and profound. Abdullah, in his earthy wisdom, knew that a mind pregnant with a new state of being must be kept free of doubt—just as an expectant mother avoids anything that might harm her unborn child. If Neville started second-guessing (“Am I doing this right? Where’s my passage? What if it doesn’t work?”), those thoughts were akin to psychic toxins that could induce a “miscarriage” of the manifested desire. So Abdullah shut Neville’s doubts down decisively, much as a doctor might firmly warn a pregnant woman against harmful behavior. He expected Neville to be a “faithful mother” to his idea—nurturing it silently in the womb of consciousness until it was born into the world.

The brilliance of the metaphor lies in its simplicity: you cannot be a little pregnant. You either believe you have your desire, or you do not. You either occupy the state of fulfillment, or you don’t. There is no in-between, no partial acceptance. Manifestation requires total commitment to the imagined end state. The moment you sincerely assume the feeling of your wish fulfilled, conception has taken place in the depths of the mind. After that, just as nature takes over in the womb, an invisible process is underway to bring the event to pass. In Neville’s case, once he slept in Barbados in consciousness, a series of events he could never have plotted (his brother’s unexpected letter, a last-minute cancellation on the ship) unfolded to deliver the outcome. Abdullah wanted Neville to see that, after the imaginal seed is planted, worrying, fretting, or trying to “make it happen” is unnecessary and even counterproductive. “Do that and you are pregnant. And what do you do after pregnancy? Nothing! You simply wait for its birth to appear in its own appointed hour,” Neville explained of Abdullah’s lesson. Just as an expectant mother doesn’t constantly dig up the seed to check if it’s growing, the manifestor must not keep revisiting doubts or “how” questions about his desire.

For Neville, this was a revelatory teaching. It meant that even the slightest wavering—any attempt to live half-in, half-out of the assumption—would delay or derail the manifestation. Abdullah exemplified absolute faith and wanted Neville to do the same. Once Neville declared “I am in Barbados” in imagination, it was a sacred done deal. Abdullah’s closed-door policy on the subject was actually a shield around Neville’s nascent creation, protecting it from Neville’s own uncertainty. This is why Abdullah often appeared insolent or rude during this process. In truth, his unwavering stance was an act of love and mastery. He saw Neville’s wish as already real and refused to let Neville diminish it with logical arguments. This is the level of inner conviction he sought to impart.

Abdullah’s “no half-pregnancy” admonition has echoed down through the decades as one of the clearest illustrations of the law of assumption in practice. Generations of Neville’s students—and countless practitioners of the law of attraction and mind science—repeat this phrase to remind themselves to fully believe or not bother at all. The metaphor speaks to a core principle of manifestation: total acceptance of the desired reality, without contradiction. It is a vivid reminder that one’s subconscious mind, much like a fertile womb, only responds to clear, unambiguous impress. You cannot impregnate the subconscious with a new belief if you keep retracting it with doubt the next moment. In the silence of unwavering faith, the seed of desire grows until the appointed hour of birth. Abdullah’s genius was to give this abstract truth a concrete life analogy that anyone can grasp. Neville got the message loud and clear. From that point on, whenever he taught others to “assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled,” he underscored the importance of persisting in the assumption and not “trying” or “wishing” intermittently. You either live it, or you are not living it—period. Just as a pregnancy is all-or-nothing, so is belief.

The Deeper Meaning: Manifestation, the Law of Assumption, and the Subconscious Mind

What exactly happens when one follows Abdullah’s instruction to live “as though it were true”? Why is it so vital not to entertain contradictory thoughts? To answer this, we delve into the mechanics of manifestation as understood in Abdullah and Neville’s teachings, which align closely with the broader law of attraction and subconscious mind principles.

At its heart, Abdullah’s teaching was that imagination creates reality. This is essentially the Law of Assumption: the concept that assuming the feeling of the wish fulfilled makes it objectify in the physical world. When Abdullah told Neville to see and smell Barbados around him, he was guiding him to a specific state of consciousness—one that completely embodied the end result Neville desired. In modern terms, we might say Neville was practicing creative visualization or using a mental rehearsal of the goal. But Abdullah’s approach was more total than a simple visualization exercise. It demanded a shift in identity: Neville had to be a man in Barbados in his inner experience, not merely think of Barbados as a distant goal. Abdullah was teaching Neville to live from the end, to think from his wish fulfilled rather than of his wish.

This practice has deep implications for the subconscious mind. Neville (inspired by Abdullah) and contemporaries like Joseph Murphy both likened the subconscious to a fertile garden or womb that brings forth whatever is planted in it. When you consciously assume a state—such as “I am in Barbados” or “I am happily married” or “I am successful and prosperous”—you impress that idea upon the subconscious. The subconscious does not distinguish between reality and imagination; it accepts what it is given feelingly as true. It is, as Murphy loved to say, “like a garden; you are the gardener. You plant the seeds (thoughts) in your subconscious mind and it will grow whatever you plant”. In this analogy, the seed must be undisturbed to take root. If you plant an acorn but each day dig it up to check for growth, you sabotage the process. In the same way, if you plant the idea “I have my desire now” but then uproot it with worries (“Where is it? Why isn’t it here yet? Maybe this doesn’t work...”), you hinder the subconscious from doing its creative work.

The law of attraction, popularly understood, states that like attracts like—our thoughts and feelings emit a vibration that draws similar experiences. Abdullah’s twist on this law was intensely practical: rather than trying to “attract” something by wishing for it, assume it’s already yours. Embody the state and let the world mirror it. In Neville’s recounting, Abdullah explicitly told him, “There’s no right or wrong way to manifest; all you have to do is think from the end of already having your desire right now. Creation is finished. It is done.” This aligns perfectly with the idea that the subconscious mind only needs a clear signal of completion. By acting as if the goal is achieved, you generate the feelings you would have if it were true. Those feelings, impressed upon the subconscious, become the program it executes.

To Abdullah, the how of manifestation was never the concern of the conscious mind. He urged Neville to “close the reasoning mind”—to slam the door on any logical questions or doubts. Reason would only say, “But you have no money! But it’s impossible!” Abdullah taught that imagination is senior to logic, and that faith is “loyalty to the unseen reality”. Indeed, when Neville wanted to debate or figure out the process, Abdullah bluntly retorted, “How can we discuss how you are going to Barbados when you are already in Barbados?”. In other words, don’t second-guess the creative power once you’ve unleashed it. This is a cornerstone of manifesting: let the subconscious mind orchestrate the events. Your job as a creator is to define the end result and feel its truth. The Infinite Intelligence within (be it called God, the Higher Self, or the subconscious) will take care of the means, often in startling and ingenious ways that the limited conscious mind could never devise.

Abdullah’s pregnancy metaphor encapsulates this hands-off approach after assumption. Once conception happens, the gestation period begins. In manifestation, this is often referred to as the bridge of incidents—a series of natural events that lead to the fruition of the desire. Neville’s bridge involved his brother’s letter and a cruise line cancellation, but these came about without Neville’s interference. They seemed like strokes of luck, but as Abdullah would say, nothing happens by accident when you imagine deliberately. By persisting in the Barbados assumption nightly, Neville set the causation in motion on an unseen plane; everything else followed.

It’s important to note that Abdullah’s teaching does not encourage idleness or wishful thinking in the derogatory sense. It requires a very active and disciplined mental and emotional movement into the wish fulfilled. Abdullah didn’t tell Neville, “Sit back and daydream and maybe it’ll come.” He effectively said, “Be the man who already has what you want. Think, feel, act from that position.” Neville indeed had to act in alignment—he had to be ready to sail at a moment’s notice when the letter arrived. He even joyfully accepted the third-class ticket, not as a defeat but as part of the process, trusting in the end he had imagined (which included going first-class). Thus, Abdullah’s philosophy combines the mystical with the practical: assume the feeling internally, and be prepared to play your part externally when opportunities emerge, but never fall into desperation or doubt. It’s a dance between inner conviction and the outer response.

Through Abdullah’s mentorship, Neville came to articulate the law of assumption in memorable ways. One of Neville’s famous lines, surely inspired by Abdullah, is: “Prayer is not so much what we ask for, as how we prepare for its reception.” To pray successfully is to align oneself with the fulfilled state to such a degree that one’s mindset and actions are congruent with having received the answer. Abdullah had done exactly that with Neville: he made him prepare for Barbados by sleeping in Barbados nightly (mental alignment) and even admonished him to carry himself as someone who already had the trip. For instance, had Neville truly accepted he was in Barbados, he wouldn’t keep bugging Abdullah about “going” – that would be as silly as a pregnant woman asking repeatedly if she’s really pregnant. Abdullah’s dramatic door slamming was essentially telling Neville: “Stop asking—start being.”

From a psychological perspective, Abdullah’s teachings strongly anticipated what we now know about the subconscious mind’s role in behavior. Modern neuroscience tells us that our subconscious beliefs influence our micro-actions and decisions continuously. A person who fully believes in their success will unconsciously make choices that lead to success; one who half-believes and half-doubts sends mixed signals and often sabotages themselves. The law of attraction, in its simplest form, can be seen as the outcome of these belief-driven actions compounded over time, appearing as though “the universe” brought you what you focused on. Abdullah cut straight to the chase: eliminate the inner conflict and assume the feeling of already having it, and you set into motion all the forces—within and without—toward that end.

Finally, Abdullah’s approach highlights the intimate connection between imagination and the subconscious. Neville would later say “Imagination is the language of the subconscious.” By vividly imagining the end result (with sensory detail and emotion, as Abdullah instructed: see it, smell it, feel it), Neville was speaking to his deeper mind in the language it understands: images and feelings. This is far more potent than mere words or fleeting wishes. Abdullah essentially taught Neville a powerful form of spiritual psychotherapy long before the term existed—reprogramming the subconscious through assumed experience. This, as both he and Neville would insist, is the key to unlocking one’s limitless possibilities and creative power.

Faith Beyond Sight: How Abdullah Embodied Unwavering Conviction

Abdullah did not only preach these principles; he embodied them fully. His life was his loudest sermon. Through Neville’s recollections and others’, we get a picture of a man of immovable faith and regal self-assurance, which left an indelible impression on all who met him.

One striking aspect of Abdullah’s character was his refusal to settle for mediocrity or compromise. He encouraged his students never to accept half-measures in life. This was illustrated dramatically when he rebuked Neville for accepting a Third Class passage. Even after the Barbados manifestation had practically succeeded, Abdullah pushed the envelope further: First Class or nothing. This wasn’t because of snobbery or materialism on Abdullah’s part—it was a test and a demonstration. He wanted Neville to see that the power of assumption has no limit except the limits one accepts. If Neville’s imagination had put him in Barbados First Class, then reality had to conform down to the smallest detail. Abdullah wasn’t personally upset about the notion of Third Class; rather, he was jealous for the integrity of the vision they had planted. To him, accepting less would be like aborting a healthy pregnancy in the final trimester—unthinkable when fulfillment was so near. By holding Neville to the highest outcome, Abdullah showed him that the universe yields exactly to what we expect (no more, no less).

Another facet of Abdullah’s unwavering conviction was his personal comportment in a society that often tried to belittle him. In the racially segregated 1930s, a black man was expected to “know his place.” Abdullah would have none of that. He moved through upscale venues with total confidence, never asking permission to be where he felt he belonged. Neville recalled how Abdullah simply bought his own opera tickets and sat upfront among white patrons, indifferent to any stares. When Neville once naïvely offered to get tickets for them, Abdullah refused, handling it himself. This was living proof of his philosophy: external rules bent around his inner assumption of dignity and equality. He saw himself as a child of the Almighty, and so he behaved like one—and the world, remarkably, treated him accordingly. People who might have objected either found themselves oddly not noticing him or ended up respecting him. It was as if some invisible hand parted the waters for Abdullah wherever he went. By not mentally consenting to inferiority, he manifested experiences of respect in a blatantly unfair era. This taught Neville (and us) a powerful lesson about self-concept: the world mirrors our belief about ourselves. Abdullah’s self-concept was exalted and unshakeable; thus, in his presence, worldly prejudice often fell flat.

Abdullah also lived abundantly in spirit, even when outwardly he had little. When Neville met him, Abdullah was not wealthy by conventional standards—he rented a single floor of a mansion and lived simply—but he carried himself with the ease of a king. Neville was constantly amazed by Abdullah’s generosity of spirit and carefree trust. For instance, Neville brought back fine brandy and rum from Barbados as gifts for his mentor. Abdullah enjoyed them merrily and within a week asked, “How long did you expect those things to last?”—they were already gone!. Neville had assumed Abdullah would sip them prudently for a year. But Abdullah had no sense of lack or fearful hoarding. He lived in the flow of infinite supply, trusting that more of whatever he truly needed would come. This anecdote, though humorous, shows Abdullah’s lack of attachment and worry. He did not live in the consciousness of “there’s not enough; I must conserve.” His faith in the infinite allowed him to enjoy the moment fully, another example of living in the end—in this case, the end state where there is always enough.

One might think a man of such spiritual attainment would be solemn or ethereal, but Abdullah was delightfully earthy and direct. He could shock students out of complacency with a sharp quip or action (like the famous door slam). At the same time, he was deeply versed in scriptures and could elucidate sublime truths with intellectual rigor. Neville said of his teacher, “He understood the Bible as few men that I ever met understood it.” Night after night, Abdullah led Neville through symbolic interpretations of Biblical stories, unveiling how Moses, or Christ, or any character was a state of consciousness one could occupy. For example, when they watched a popular film The Count of Monte Cristo, Abdullah later asked Neville to interpret it esoterically as if it were a dream or scripture, thereby training him to find universal truths in everyday narratives. Abdullah’s approach blended the mystical with the practical seamlessly.

Above all, Abdullah’s gift to Neville was an example of faith in action. He demonstrated how a person rooted in the absolute conviction of unseen reality can live fearlessly and freely. Neville often reminisced how different Abdullah was from the stereotypical “holy man.” Here was a mystic who drank, feasted, laughed, and showed zero outward asceticism—yet he radiated sanctity and wisdom. That paradox in itself taught Neville not to judge by appearances. Abdullah didn’t conform to society’s notion of a pious sage, and yet by his fruits one knew him: he transformed lives. “Here was a man truly of the spirit,” Neville said, “and if I judged from appearances, I would be wrong”. Abdullah’s very being was a lesson: the inner reality is what matters, not the outer form. He could drink three shots of whiskey and still impart pearls of eternal truth. He could dress in a turban and traditional garb, yet articulate modern metaphysical principles with ease. He transcended categories.

When Neville finally returned from Barbados after that pivotal trip, Abdullah greeted him with another cryptic pronouncement: “You will have died before you come back.” He was referring to the death of Neville’s old self—the anxious, doubting self. Indeed, Neville came back a changed man. During the voyage he had shed many of his former rigidities (even breaking his vegetarian diet with gusto). The “old Neville” had died, and a new Neville, armed with experiential knowledge of the law, was born. Abdullah often spoke in such prophetic riddles, letting the meaning unfold in Neville’s understanding later. It was his way of pointing to the profound inner transformations that occur when one truly grasps these laws.

In summary, Abdullah exemplified total conviction in every aspect of life. Whether it was manifesting a journey, standing up to social norms, or interpreting holy texts, he operated from a place of inner certainty and divine authority. Those around him could not help but be moved and inspired by this. Neville absorbed not only Abdullah’s teachings in words, but also the vibration of his faith. Decades after Abdullah left the scene, Neville would say that whenever he needed guidance, he would imagine what Abdullah would tell him, and invariably the answer came. Such was the enduring mentorship that transcended even Abdullah’s physical life. (Some sources say Abdullah lived to be over 100 and eventually returned to Ethiopia to pass away around 1957. Others, like Dr. Joseph Murphy, heard he was from Israel. The details of his later years remain hazy, adding to the mystique. But by then, his work was done—his legacy lived on in the students he illuminated.)

A Chain of Inspiration: From Abdullah to Neville to Joseph Murphy

Abdullah’s influence did not stop with Neville Goddard. Dr. Joseph Murphy, a contemporary of Neville and author of The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, was also touched by Abdullah’s teachings. In fact, Joseph Murphy studied with Abdullah in New York, absorbing the same esoteric wisdom that Neville did. Murphy, an Irish-born New Thought teacher, later became world-famous for simplifying the ideas of subconscious belief and mental healing for the masses. It’s fascinating to note that two of the 20th century’s most influential metaphysical teachers—Neville Goddard and Joseph Murphy—both traced their lineage back to this one enigmatic Ethiopian mystic.

The spiritual chain linking them is evident in their writings. Joseph Murphy’s core message was that the subconscious mind is a mighty force that brings forth whatever you impress upon it with belief, much like a garden that grows the seeds you plant. He taught techniques of affirmation, visualization, and prayer to program the subconscious positively. This emphasis on the power of inner belief is remarkably similar to Abdullah’s lesson that “there is no cause outside of the mind’s arrangement”. Murphy may have used different terminology—speaking of the subconscious, whereas Neville spoke of imagination—but both are essentially describing the same mechanism: the creative power within us that responds to our assumptions and feelings.

Murphy’s and Neville’s teachings diverged somewhat in style and emphasis. Neville, guided by Abdullah, put a dramatic focus on “living in the end” and the imaginative act as a spiritual experience of union with God. Murphy, on the other hand, often framed his advice in more psychological or religious terms, emphasizing prayer, repetition of positive statements, and faith in God/the subconscious to do the work. Yet, Murphy’s instruction that one must avoid doubt and worry after praying is directly parallel to Abdullah’s “no little pregnancy” rule. Murphy frequently warned that digging up your seed with negativity would nullify your prayers—almost exactly Abdullah’s point about interference causing a “miscarriage”.

It’s also documented that Murphy personally met Abdullah, referring to him as “Professor Abdullah, a black Jew from Israel, who knew all the intricate symbolic details of the Old and New Testaments”. In an interview late in life, Murphy recounted learning from Abdullah and others in New York’s metaphysical circles. He was deeply impressed by Abdullah’s knowledge of Hebrew symbolism and scripture. We can imagine Murphy as a young seeker, sitting in Abdullah’s living room alongside Neville and perhaps a few others, soaking up lessons on the inner meaning of the Bible and the creative power of thought. It was a fertile time—Harlem and New York in the 1920s-30s had a vibrant undercurrent of mystical study, where teachers like Abdullah quietly trained those who would go on to spread New Thought philosophy globally.

In the grand tapestry of the New Thought and self-help movement, Abdullah stands as a somewhat hidden but pivotal figure. Neville Goddard carried Abdullah’s flame forward in his lectures from the 1940s to the 1970s, directly reaching thousands of students and eventually millions through books and recordings. Joseph Murphy took similar principles into a more mainstream, church-friendly context (he was ordained in the Church of Divine Science) and his 1963 book The Power of Your Subconscious Mind became an international bestseller, influencing millions more. Through Neville and Murphy, one can trace a clear philosophical lineage: Abdullah’s core teaching of absolute faith in the unseen and the creative potency of the mind took root in two different branches of the New Thought tree. Neville’s branch emphasized mystical experience and imaginative acts; Murphy’s branch emphasized affirmations, affirmative prayer, and subconscious reconditioning. But both branches bore the fruit of manifestation, law of attraction/assumption, and empowering people to change their lives by changing their beliefs.

It is poignant that neither Neville nor Murphy ever portrayed themselves as the ultimate originators of their ideas—they both acknowledged their teacher. Neville openly praised Abdullah in his lectures, recounting his debt to “that old, and as I affectionately call him, black mystic”. Murphy, while not speaking of Abdullah as frequently, did mention him with respect and clearly incorporated what he learned into his own works. This hints at Abdullah’s humility as well; he did not seek fame, and was content to let his students take the spotlight. In fact, outside the circles of Neville and Murphy readers, Abdullah remained virtually unknown for decades. Only in recent years has there been a resurgence of interest in uncovering who Abdullah was, where he came from, and how he influenced these luminaries. Some researchers have dug through historical records to find traces of Abdullah’s identity—one theory even suggests he might have been associated with a Harlem rabbi or a figure named Arnold Josiah Ford who led an Ethiopian Hebrew congregation. However, conclusive evidence remains elusive. Abdullah seems to have preferred it that way: to remain an eternal enigma, a wise presence that worked through others rather than demanding recognition for himself.

In linking Abdullah to Joseph Murphy, we also see a commonality in their emphasis on practical methods. Abdullah gave Neville a concrete practice (sleep in Barbados each night). Similarly, Murphy’s teachings are full of specific techniques (the mirror technique, the writing of desires, the sleep technique, etc.). Both understood that it’s not enough to tell someone “just be positive” or “just have faith”—people need a ritual or practice to help them focus their mind. Abdullah’s gift was perhaps the most elegant ritual of all: “Assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled and sleep in that state.” Neville would later call this the state akin to sleep (SATS) method for manifesting: impress the subconscious at the border of sleep with your desired reality. This method is now widespread in manifestation communities, taught in countless books and videos, usually with credit to Neville Goddard. But savvy students know the credit truly belongs further back—to Abdullah, the shadowy architect behind the scenes.

The chain of inspiration can even be extended beyond Murphy. Abdullah’s influence can be felt in the works of Wayne Dyer, who praised Neville; in the methods of modern law of attraction coaches who echo “live in the end” without perhaps knowing its origin; and in the general cultural shift towards understanding that our thoughts shape our reality. We might say Abdullah was like a pebble dropped in a pond, the ripples of which have reached far and wide.

Abdullah’s Mystical Legacy

To this day, Abdullah remains a figure of fascination and inspiration. He represents the timeless sage archetype—part wizard, part teacher, part rebel—who appears at the right moment to initiate seekers into higher truth. Through Neville’s anecdotes, Abdullah has attained a kind of legendary status in metaphysical circles. His teachings continue to be discussed, applied, and verified by new generations discovering the power of imagination to manifest.

What makes Abdullah’s legacy so compelling is the fusion of mystery and practicality. On one hand, we have these tantalizing hints of an extraordinary soul: a man who claimed to remember past lives, who was versed in ancient traditions, who lived over a century and finally vanished into the mists of Ethiopia. On the other hand, his advice was grounded and actionable: “Don’t accept appearances. Assume the feeling of your wish fulfilled. Do not waver.” There is poetry in his persona and pragmatism in his method. In a sense, Abdullah himself is like a bridge between the mystical and the modern. He brought Eastern mystical concepts (reincarnation, oneness, inner cause) into a Western context and language that everyday people like Neville (and later Neville’s audience) could grasp and use. He took the lofty idea that faith can move mountains and showed concretely how to apply it—by mentally moving oneself to where one wants to be, and letting the mountain come to Mohammed, so to speak.

The measure of Abdullah’s legacy is not in any books or lectures he left behind (he published none that we know of), but in the transformation of those he taught. Neville went from an impoverished dancer to one of the most influential metaphysical teachers of his era, lecturing to packed audiences in New York, Los Angeles, and beyond. Joseph Murphy likewise became a best-selling author and minister, helping people harness the subconscious for healing and prosperity. Countless success stories from Neville’s followers—manifesting dream homes, careers, health recoveries, and more by using imagination—can be indirectly attributed to Abdullah’s initial work with Neville. In recent times, as Neville’s work enjoys a renaissance on the internet, Abdullah’s fame has grown too. He has been the subject of books, blog posts, and even fictionalized accounts. Many see him as a symbol of the hidden contributions of Black mystics and spiritual teachers in a field where they have often been overlooked.

Yet for all we “know” about Abdullah, much remains unknown. And perhaps that is fitting. He wanted Neville to ultimately realize that the true teacher is within—that God is one’s own wonderful human imagination, as Neville later taught. In one lecture Neville admitted, “I learned so many things from that old fellow,” but the greatest was that the self has no limit except self-imposed ones. Abdullah lit the lamp in Neville’s mind, and Neville in turn became a light for others. Abdullah’s spirit thus lives on in each act of creative assumption, each moment someone chooses faith over fear, each time we remind ourselves not to “accept a little pregnancy” in manifesting our dreams.

In the next section, we provide a comprehensive FAQ, gathering all that is known, speculated, and frequently asked about the mysterious Abdullah. This FAQ serves as a repository of Abdullah’s lore—fact and myth—so that seekers may glean whatever guidance they need and appreciate the full scope of this remarkable teacher’s impact.

Abdullah FAQ: Unveiling the Mysteries of Neville Goddard’s Mentor

Who was Abdullah?

Abdullah was an Ethiopian-born mystic and spiritual teacher who lived in New York City in the early 20th century. He is best known as the mentor of Neville Goddard (1905–1972), a prominent teacher of manifestation and New Thought philosophy. Abdullah was often called an “Ethiopian rabbi” because he was of Ethiopian (or North African) origin and Jewish heritage. He was deeply learned in Hebrew scripture, Kabbalah, and mystical interpretation of the Bible. Described as a charismatic, older man with dark skin (“black as the ace of spades,” Neville said), Abdullah taught Neville for about five years (circa 1931–1936) in New York. Little is known about Abdullah’s early life or real name (some sources simply refer to him as “Abdullah” which may have been a surname or a spiritual title). He had a profound understanding of metaphysics and the power of imagination, and he influenced not only Neville Goddard but also other New Thought figures like Joseph Murphy. Abdullah did not write books or leave behind organized teachings of his own; what we know of him comes primarily from Neville’s lectures and a few accounts by others who met him.

Is it true that Abdullah was Ethiopian?

Yes, according to Neville and other accounts, Abdullah was of Ethiopian or North African origin. Neville explicitly states that Abdullah “was born in North Africa, of Jewish parents, and raised in a strict Orthodox Jewish home.” “Ethiopian” is often used to describe him, possibly indicating he was from Ethiopia or that he was part of the Ethiopian-Hebrew community. In early 20th-century New York, there were indeed Ethiopian Jews and black Jewish rabbis active in spiritual circles. Abdullah’s heritage is a point of pride in Neville’s stories—Neville notes that Abdullah was very proud of being Black and never allowed anyone to refer to him with derogatory terms. He embraced his identity fully at a time when racism was rampant, which in itself was a powerful statement of self-affirmation. There is an interesting note in a recent book excerpt that Abdullah might have been born in the 1840s and lived over a century, returning to Ethiopia in 1957 to spend his final days. This came from a claim by someone identified as his secretary. If true, it places Abdullah’s birth around 1856 or earlier, making him exceptionally long-lived. However, the exact dates are hard to verify and should be taken with caution. Regardless, “Abdullah the Ethiopian mystic” has become his enduring epithet.

How did Abdullah and Neville Goddard meet?

Neville Goddard first met Abdullah in New York City, in the year 1931. The meeting came about because a mutual acquaintance—a Catholic priest—had been impressed by Abdullah and urged Neville to attend one of his lectures. Neville admittedly dragged his feet, as he did not take the priest’s recommendation seriously at first (the priest had a reputation for poor judgment in Neville’s eyes after losing a fortune in the stock market). Eventually, Neville ran out of excuses and went to hear Abdullah speak at a gathering (reportedly in a room in Harlem or near where Abdullah lived on West 72nd Street). After the lecture, Abdullah approached Neville and greeted him by name, even though they had never met. He said, “Neville, you are six months late,” astounding Neville. When Neville asked how Abdullah knew him, Abdullah replied, “The brothers told me you were coming and you are six months late.” This enigmatic statement suggested that Abdullah had some foreknowledge of Neville’s arrival, possibly through a psychic impression or communication with spiritual “brothers” (which Neville later interpreted as higher beings or the Divine). This first meeting set a mystical tone for their relationship. It was as if Abdullah had been waiting for Neville to show up. Neville was intrigued and decided to learn more from this man. He soon became Abdullah’s student, visiting him frequently for private study and discussion.

What did Abdullah teach Neville Goddard?

Abdullah’s teachings to Neville can be summarized in a few key principles:

• Imagination creates reality: Abdullah taught that the human imagination is God and that whatever we vividly imagine and assume as true will manifest in our experience. He drilled into Neville that there is no external cause; everything in the outer world is a reflection of one’s own consciousness.
• The Law of Assumption: Although it wasn’t called that in the 1930s, essentially Abdullah taught Neville the Law of Assumption – the practice of assuming the feeling of the wish fulfilled. The famous instruction “You are in Barbados” exemplifies this. Instead of wishing or longing, one must claim and feel that the desired state is already achieved.
• Living in the End: Abdullah emphasized that one should live from the end state in imagination. For example, if one desires to be successful, they must internally feel successful now, think and act as if the goal is already realized. This eliminates the sense of separation between you and your goal.
• Faith and persistence: Abdullah taught total faith, famously using the metaphor that you can’t be “a little bit pregnant” with a desire. Once you have imagined the end result (conception), you must persist and not doubt – remain faithful to the unseen reality until it manifests. He would not allow Neville to discuss doubts or “how will it happen” – teaching him to trust the process completely.
• Scriptural interpretation: Abdullah was a master of Biblical symbolism. He taught Neville to interpret the Bible psychologically, not literally. Neville learned that stories like the Exodus, or characters like Jesus, symbolized states of consciousness and spiritual truths within the individual. This laid the foundation for Neville’s later lectures, where he would decode scripture to reveal the laws of mind.
• Self-knowledge and inner divinity: Abdullah imparted a sense of who we really are beyond the physical. He wanted Neville to realize that at the core, every individual is one with God (or the “I AM”), and that recognizing this divinity within gives one authority over their reality. This is why Abdullah was so confident and unapologetic in life – he knew his true identity was not limited to societal labels or circumstances.
• Closing the reasoning mind: Abdullah taught Neville to shut out the evidence of the senses and the doubts of rationality when manifesting a desire. This was symbolized by him literally slamming the door on Neville when Neville tried to talk about the lack of evidence. It means one should enter a state of inner conviction where logical “how to” thinking is silenced, because the rational mind can’t comprehend the miraculous ways of the subconscious.

In addition to these philosophical teachings, Abdullah gave Neville practical exercises – most notably, the nightly routine of “feeling as though in Barbados” to manifest that trip. He likely gave Neville other exercises related to meditation, visualization, or prayer, although specific details are mostly known from the Barbados example. Abdullah also oversaw Neville’s study of Hebrew and Kabbalah, greatly expanding Neville’s intellectual and spiritual horizons. All in all, Abdullah’s mentorship turned Neville from a curious seeker into a confident mystic who truly understood the law of creation.

Can you tell the story of Neville’s Barbados trip and how Abdullah was involved?

Certainly. The Barbados story is the most famous demonstration of Abdullah’s teaching in action, often recounted by Neville as a pivotal experience. Here’s a summary:

• In late 1933, Neville felt a strong desire to return to his hometown of Barbados for Christmas. He had been living in New York and hadn’t been home in 12 years. The problem was he was completely broke – it was the Depression era and he had no savings for a ticket.
• Neville went to Abdullah for help or guidance. Upon hearing Neville’s wish, Abdullah confidently declared, “You are in Barbados.” Neville was confused, because clearly he was in New York! Abdullah instructed him to go to sleep each night imagining he was in Barbados, in his mother’s home, and to feel it as real.
• Neville did as told, though he initially thought the exercise was a bit crazy. After some weeks with no outward progress, Neville tried bringing up the topic again. Each time, Abdullah refused to discuss any “lack” or the fact that Neville was still in New York. If Neville said “nothing’s happening,” Abdullah would respond only with “You are in Barbados” and then literally turn away or shut the door on him. Abdullah gave no room for doubt or discussion.
• As the last ship before Christmas was about to leave, things suddenly fell into place. Neville received an unexpected letter from his brother in Barbados containing $50 and a ticket (or an instruction to pick up a ticket) for a steamship journey home. The brother insisted Neville come for the holidays and generously covered his fare.
• Neville went to claim the ticket and discovered he was booked Third Class, since First Class was full. Excited, he rushed to tell Abdullah that the manifestation had worked and he was going – albeit Third Class. Abdullah’s reaction: he was not impressed by the partial fulfillment. He asked Neville who told him he was going to Barbados (implying it was already a done deal) and who told him he went Third Class. Then Abdullah stated emphatically, “You went to Barbados and you went First Class.” After that, he dismissed the subject again.
• When Neville boarded the ship on December 6th, ticket in hand, he was informed by the shipping line that there had been a last-minute cancellation and he was upgraded to First Class. Neville sailed in luxury, exactly as Abdullah had envisioned. He spent a wonderful three months in Barbados with family and returned to New York in the new year.
• The story didn’t end there. Upon Neville’s return, Abdullah cryptically told Neville that he would have “died” before coming back. Neville later realized this meant the old version of Neville had died during that trip – the Neville who doubted and felt poor was gone, replaced by a Neville who knew the law from experience. In fact, on the return voyage Neville felt so transformed that he let go of the strict diet and rigid habits he had before, symbolizing a rebirth of his mindset. Abdullah’s prediction was thus accurate in a mystical sense.

This Barbados episode encapsulates how Abdullah taught through experience. Neville not only got his physical trip, but also a profound lesson in faith, imagination, and not compromising. It solidified Neville’s trust in the principles Abdullah taught, and Neville would go on to reference this story countless times as proof that imagining creates reality.

What does Abdullah mean by “you can’t have a half‑pregnancy”?

This phrase is one of Abdullah’s signature metaphors. When Neville was wavering or seeking reassurance during the Barbados experiment, Abdullah gave him a blunt lesson: “There is no such thing as a little pregnancy… If you did it, then you’re pregnant. Let the child grow. Interference with it is going to be a miscarriage.” In plain terms, you either fully assume a state or you do not – you can’t assume it only partially or occasionally and expect results. Just as a woman cannot be 50% pregnant (she either is or isn’t), you cannot “sort of” believe in your desire’s fulfillment. It’s all or nothing.

In the context of manifestation, the “half pregnancy” analogy means that the moment you imagine your wish as fulfilled, the creation is conceived on the unseen plane. After that, you must regard it as done and persist in that belief. Doubting it, or oscillating back and forth between belief and disbelief, is like harming the growing fetus of your manifestation – it could “miscarry,” i.e., not manifest at all. Abdullah’s counsel was to be a “faithful mother” to your idea: protect it from negativity, nourish it with continued assumption, and patiently await its birth into reality.

For Neville, this meant once he imagined being in Barbados, he needed to stop checking the 3D world for signs or discussing the lack of evidence. He had to trust that the seed was planted and would grow in its own time. Abdullah would not even allow talk of “nothing’s happening” – because to him, everything necessary was happening in the depths of creation, just invisible to Neville’s physical eyes.

So, “no half-pregnancy” has become a mantra among students of Neville and the Law of Assumption. It’s a reminder to commit fully to your vision. If you catch yourself saying, “I’m trying to believe, but I keep wondering if it’ll happen” – that’s a half-hearted assumption (a “little bit pregnant” state) that likely won’t yield fruit. Abdullah’s teaching encourages you to instead say, “It has happened, in the only place that matters (consciousness), and I will see it in the outer world soon.” That is full pregnancy – full assumption.

How does Abdullah’s teaching relate to the Law of Attraction and Law of Assumption? Are they the same?

The terminology can be confusing, but essentially Abdullah’s teaching is a direct precursor to what’s now called the Law of Assumption, and it closely parallels the core idea of the Law of Attraction as well. Let’s clarify:

• The Law of Assumption (a term popularized by Neville Goddard) states that whatever you assume to be true (believe and feel to be true) will harden into fact. This was exactly what Abdullah taught Neville: assume the state of the wish fulfilled and persist, and your assumption will manifest. Abdullah might not have used the phrase “law of assumption,” but he taught its practice to Neville.
• The Law of Attraction, as commonly taught, says that your thoughts and feelings attract corresponding experiences (often phrased as “like attracts like”). This is essentially another way of describing the mechanism of manifestation. If you constantly think and feel from a state of lack, you attract more lack; if you maintain thoughts and feelings of fulfillment, you attract fulfillment. Abdullah’s approach is entirely in line with LOA, though he put emphasis on already being in the fulfilled state (which is a more concrete directive than simply “think positive”). In practice, living in the end (Law of Assumption) causes you to emit the vibration of already having your desire, which according to Law of Attraction, will draw that reality to you.
• Both laws deal with the subconscious mind’s creative power. Abdullah’s explanation was essentially that the world is yourself pushed out – nothing comes to you that you don’t first conceive in imagination or accept in belief. Law of Attraction proponents might word it as “the universe mirrors your frequency.” Different words, same meaning: inner state -> outer experience.

In summary, Abdullah’s teachings form a bridge between mystical tradition and modern metaphysical concepts. He taught what would later be framed as LOA/LoAssumption. Neville often used the term “Law” or “Law of consciousness” to describe these principles, and credited Abdullah with first demonstrating the Law to him in such living color. If one were to be precise:

• Law of Assumption is the method (assume the wish fulfilled),
• Law of Attraction can be seen as the outcome (that assumption attracts/creates the corresponding reality).

Abdullah gave Neville the master key to both: imagine and feel it real, do not waver, and the world will conform.

Did Abdullah influence Joseph Murphy and other teachers?

Yes, Joseph Murphy (1898–1981), who wrote The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, is explicitly said to have studied with Abdullah. According to accounts (including an interview Murphy gave and other research), Murphy met “Professor Abdullah, a black Jew from Israel” during his time in New York and learned from him the symbolic meaning of scriptures and the mental science of belief. The law-of-attraction-haven site notes that Murphy also studied with Abdullah, and a Medium article mentions “Murphy learned the secrets of mental power from Abdullah and others like him”. So Murphy was a direct student, just like Neville.

In Joseph Murphy’s lectures and writings, one can see Abdullah’s influence. Murphy’s focus on the subconscious mind being like a garden that will grow whatever you plant in it is essentially a restatement of Abdullah’s teaching using different imagery. Murphy emphasized unwavering faith in prayer and the importance of not “taking back” your prayer with subsequent doubt, which mirrors Abdullah’s pregnancy analogy and Neville’s teachings on persistence. Murphy even recounted the story of a man who was taught by an old New York mystic to imagine a “happy ending” for his problem and let it be – likely a nod to techniques from Abdullah’s circle.

Beyond Murphy, there were possibly other students. Some names have been suggested by historians and authors: Winifred MacCandlish (MacCardell) Flood, who was a mystic and author in New Thought, Israel Regardie (famous occult writer, who once referred to an “eccentric Ethiopian rabbi” influencing Neville), and even Norman Vincent Peale (though that one is more speculative). It’s documented that Abdullah’s classes drew people from all walks of life – scientists, doctors, lawyers, artists – all seeking knowledge. Neville mentioned that many came to Abdullah for counsel and considered it an honor to sit with him.

In a broader sense, Abdullah’s legacy flows into the entire New Thought movement. Neville Goddard’s teachings have influenced later teachers like Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay, and many modern Law of Attraction coaches (even if indirectly). Joseph Murphy’s teachings have reached millions and influenced fields like self-help hypnosis and affirmations. So, while Abdullah’s name might not be widely known in the public, his ideas certainly are, through the work of his illustrious students.

What was Abdullah’s personal life like?

The details are sparse, but here’s what is pieced together:

• Residence: Abdullah lived in Manhattan at 72nd Street, renting the first floor of a mansion owned by the Morgenthau family (a prominent family; Henry Morgenthau Jr. was FDR’s Treasury Secretary). This indicates Abdullah was living in a good area, likely supported by his work as a teacher/counselor.
• Lifestyle: Abdullah seemed to have lived simply but comfortably. He held gatherings at his home for teaching. Neville’s stories show that Abdullah enjoyed life’s pleasures – good food, drink, music (going to the opera), etc. He wasn’t married as far as we know, nor is there mention of children. Neville doesn’t mention any romantic partner of Abdullah; it seems he was dedicated to spiritual work and community.
• Age: Neville encountered him as an older man. If the note about him being born in the 1840s is accurate, Abdullah would have been in his 80s or 90s when teaching Neville in the 1930s. Neville called him “old Abdullah” affectionately. Despite age, he was active in mind and spirit.
• Community and influence: Abdullah associated with various spiritual communities. He was part of or at least adjacent to the circle of black mystics and rabbis in Harlem. Some have speculated that Abdullah might have been connected to Rabbi Wentworth Arthur Matthew’s Commandment Keepers (an Ethiopian Hebrew congregation in Harlem) or other mystic orders. The fact that rabbis came to study with him suggests he was respected in esoteric Jewish circles. Abdullah also attracted intellectuals and even ordinary folks who needed guidance.
• Teaching style: He was strict and no-nonsense in teaching. He expected students to be serious (“devotion, discipline, dedication” as one author described). But he also had a flair for drama and humor in teaching – slamming doors, using earthy metaphors, even burping for a lesson! This combination made him memorable.
• Travels and death: According to one source, Abdullah had traveled to places like Oxford (England) and possibly the Middle East, and in his final years he went back to Ethiopia to die around 1957. Joseph Murphy, however, thought Abdullah was from Israel (perhaps because Abdullah had spent time there or Murphy conflated his heritage). It’s not confirmed if Abdullah died in 1957 or earlier – Neville never specifies when Abdullah passed away or even if he was still alive during Neville’s later career. Given Neville began teaching publicly around 1938-1940, and he references Abdullah mostly in past tense by the 1940s, it’s possible Abdullah passed in the late 30s or 40s. But if the account of 1957 is correct, Abdullah would have been extremely old (over 110!). It’s also possible that Abdullah “retired” from public life and went home to Ethiopia later on.
• No known photos: It’s noted that no photograph of Abdullah is known to exist. This adds to his mystique. In an age when not everyone had cameras, especially in smaller circles, this isn’t shocking. But it means we only have verbal descriptions to imagine him by: dignified, dark-skinned, often wearing a turban, with a presence that could fill a room.

Abdullah claimed he knew Neville in a past life (in China). What’s that about?

In their first encounter, when Neville was perplexed at Abdullah knowing him, Abdullah said, “Oh yes you do [know me], but you have forgotten. We were together in China thousands of years ago.”. This implies that Abdullah recognized Neville from a past incarnation or a spiritual association predating their current lives. He also said Neville had promised to forget all past knowledge in order to fulfill his present life role. This is a mystical concept suggesting souls agreeing to incarnate with amnesia of their true nature, to play certain parts on earth.

Neville himself did not have conscious recollection of this alleged past life, and he remained somewhat agnostic about it, saying “to this day I have no knowledge of it, because I swore to completely wipe out memory and take on the form of a slave” – meaning he lived as an ordinary man with no memory of any previous exalted state. However, a validation came years later when one of Neville’s own students wrote him a letter describing a vision: she saw Neville during a lecture transform into an ancient Chinese philosopher figure who led her to a mystical experience. This vision matched what Abdullah had said, giving Neville goosebumps. It’s a very esoteric aspect of Abdullah’s story, touching on ideas of reincarnation and soul groups.

For those inclined to believe such things, it paints Abdullah as possibly an advanced soul who retained past knowledge and recognized a fellow soul (Neville) who had chosen to be “in disguise” for his mission. For those less literal, it can be seen symbolically – perhaps meaning Neville and Abdullah were connected through the ancient wisdom of the East (hence “China”) and that Neville’s rational mind had to be empty (forgetful) so he could learn anew.

Either way, Abdullah introduced a spiritual dimension to their relationship from the start, suggesting their meeting was “ordained beyond this lifetime”. It certainly added to Neville’s respect and awe for Abdullah, seeing him as not just a teacher of techniques but a guardian of deep mysteries.

Q: Some people doubt Abdullah existed. Is there evidence he was real?
A: This question does come up because Abdullah never wrote anything himself and is known mainly through Neville’s storytelling. However, there is corroborating evidence that Abdullah was a real person:

• Joseph Murphy’s testimony: As mentioned, Murphy spoke of learning from a “Professor Abdullah” in New York. Murphy had no reason to fabricate this, and it aligns with the timeline that he and Neville (who were close in age) were both in New York in the 30s.
• Other students and witnesses: The excerpt by Abiola Abrams quotes that Abdullah’s known students included Neville, Murphy, Winifred MacCardell, possibly others like John McDonald and Walter Lanyon. If multiple people in that era mention studying with an Ethiopian mystic named Abdullah, that’s strong evidence of his existence. Israel Regardie (noted occult author) referred to Neville’s teacher as a “giant Ethiopian rabbi”, which indicates Regardie, who knew Neville, believed in Abdullah’s existence.
• Historical context: The idea of a learned black Jewish mystic in Harlem in the 1920s-30s is quite plausible. Harlem was a center for black intellectual and spiritual movements (e.g., Marcus Garvey’s movement, black Judaism, etc.). There were figures like Rabbi Arnold Josiah Ford and others who were Ethiopian Hebrew leaders. Some researchers speculate Abdullah might have been part of that milieu or even an alias for one of those figures.
• Neville’s consistency: Neville mentioned Abdullah in numerous lectures over decades, always consistently and with specific anecdotes. If Abdullah were a fictional device, Neville would be engaging in a long-term deception for no clear gain. Instead, Neville gave details (address, year, other people present) that check out (for example, 1933 Depression conditions, Morgenthau mansion on 72nd St. is real, etc.). Such specificity lends credibility.

So, while we don’t have a photo or biography of Abdullah outside these accounts, it’s reasonable to conclude he did exist. The doubters likely struggle to imagine a black mystic defying the norms of that era so boldly, but that might just be a testament to Abdullah’s exceptional character. In any case, whether one views Abdullah as literal or somewhat embellished, the teachings remain effective. As Neville himself might say, “by their fruits ye shall know them” – the fruits being the successes of those who apply what Abdullah taught.

Did Abdullah have any famous quotes or sayings?

Since we only know Abdullah’s words through Neville, the “quotes” often overlap with Neville’s lectures. But a few notable ones attributed to Abdullah:

• “You are in Barbados.” – Simple but powerful, this instruction encapsulated his method of assumption.
• “No such thing as a little pregnancy.” – As discussed, meaning you either believe or you don’t; you can’t be halfway.
• “Who told you that you went third class? You went first class.” – His refusal to accept even a minor deviation from the fulfilled end.
• “You have quibbles.” – Said to Neville when Neville questioned his diet; meaning Neville had self-imposed taboos that Abdullah did not share.
• “God made everything. You assume he made some things and not others?” – Abdullah’s rebuttal to Neville’s vegetarian scruples, pointing out the unity of all creation.
• “Neville, you are six months late.” – His greeting at their first meeting, indicating his psychic knowing.
• There’s also a quote mentioned in a recent book: “I willed it so to be, I still will it so to be, and I will will it so to be until that which I have willed is perfectly expressed.” – purportedly an Abdullah affirmation, illustrating his iron will to persist. This sounds a lot like something Abdullah would say (though it might be stylized by the author).

Neville often paraphrased Abdullah’s teachings, so some statements Neville makes might essentially be Abdullah’s wisdom shining through. For example, Neville’s line “There is no fiction” (meaning all imagined things become reality if persisted in) echoes Abdullah’s stance on imagination. And Neville’s famous summary “Assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled” is the distilled slogan of Abdullah’s method.

How did Abdullah view religion? Was he Christian, Jewish, or something else?

Abdullah’s upbringing was Jewish (Orthodox). However, he clearly had an expansive, mystical view of religion. He was as fluent in the New Testament as in the Old, and taught Neville esoteric Christianity that few conventional Christians understood. In Neville’s words, “he knew more Christianity than anyone I’ve ever met, because he spoke the Hebrew tongue… and Rabbis would come to study with him”. So Abdullah was an interfaith mystic in many ways. He saw the Bible as a psychological textbook for enlightenment rather than a history or dogma.

He likely practiced aspects of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) – Neville’s five-year study with him included learning Hebrew letters and their mystical meanings. Abdullah also referenced the Book of Acts in context of telling Neville to drop dietary “quibbles” (citing Peter’s vision where God declares all foods clean). This shows Abdullah used scripture to illustrate points about freedom and oneness.

If one were to label Abdullah, perhaps “New Thought mystic” or “Hermetic Kabbalist” might fit. He believed in God but as an indwelling presence (hence teaching Neville that God is imagination, I AM). He likely saw truth in all religions. His mention of “the brothers” and reincarnation indicates he was conversant in occult or Theosophical ideas too. So Abdullah’s spirituality was eclectic and universal. He did not promote a specific organized religion; he promoted personal spiritual awakening and creative power.

What happened to Abdullah after Neville’s training?

The historical record is unclear after mid-1930s. Neville went on to travel and begin his own teaching career by the late 30s. It seems Abdullah stepped back into obscurity or passed away:

• Some say Abdullah died before WWII. Neville in his later talks (1940s onwards) speaks of Abdullah in the past tense and never implies he’s still around. Had Abdullah been alive and in New York, Neville surely would have remained in contact. So it’s likely Abdullah died in the late 1930s.
• However, the account in Abiola Abrams’ book suggests Abdullah was alive longer and eventually went back to Ethiopia in the 1950s to transition (die) there. This claim comes from someone identified as his secretary. If that’s true, perhaps Abdullah left New York in the late 30s or 40s and spent his last years elsewhere (Oxford was mentioned as a place he lived too – possibly he had connections in England).
• Without more evidence, we can’t be sure. Either way, by the time Neville was teaching widely (1940s-50s), Abdullah was no longer publicly active. Neville carried on the torch.

It’s also worth noting that Neville named his first son “Joseph Neville Goddard” (born 1939) and sometimes people wonder if that middle name Neville gave (“Neville”) was in honor of Abdullah somehow (since Abdullah often called him “Neville” emphatically). But more likely Neville just gave his son his own first name as the child’s middle name. There’s no known direct tribute Neville made to Abdullah except constantly acknowledging him in lectures.

Q: Are there any books or writings specifically about Abdullah?
A: In recent years, yes, a few authors have tried to compile what’s known:

• “Abdullah, the Mystery Man” – Some articles and PDFs circulate online (like on Neville Goddard forums or blogs) summarizing Abdullah’s story and teachings. For instance, the “Neville Goddard and Abdullah: Compelling Story” webpage.
• Books by metaphysical authors: The excerpt we discussed from Abiola Abrams’ Imagination to Reality (2023) heavily features Abdullah’s story. There may be e-books or booklets specifically titled about Abdullah as well (e.g., “Abdullah, The Teacher of Neville Goddard” etc.).
• The Universe Unveiled blog (from which this Q&A draws inspiration) published an extensive article on Abdullah. It combines historical research and Neville’s anecdotes, and is one of the most comprehensive accounts currently available.
• Neville’s lecture transcripts: While not about Abdullah exclusively, many lectures include segments about him. Notably, a Q&A lecture often titled “Abdullah – How We Met” or similar (from which the Barbados story and pregnancy quote come), and lectures like “The Law and the Promise” (Neville’s book) which recounts the Barbados incident. Also “A Lesson in Scripture” where Neville describes their first meeting in 1931.

There is no first-hand diary or writing by Abdullah himself that we know of. If he corresponded or left notes, they haven’t been made public. So our knowledge is essentially second-hand but thankfully quite rich thanks to Neville’s detailed storytelling.

What is the most important thing to learn from Abdullah today?

Different people may take different inspiration, but a few central lessons stand out:

1. Imagination is Power: We are creating our realities from the inside out. Abdullah’s life and teachings hammer home that we must take responsibility for our own consciousness. Our assumptions, beliefs, and persistent thoughts are the blueprints of our world. Change those, and you change your world.
2. Total Conviction: The phrase “no half-pregnancy” says it all – commit wholeheartedly to your vision. Whether it’s a goal like a new job, healing, a relationship, or any manifestation, you must embrace it in imagination without doubting. That kind of faith yields results, partial faith does not.
3. Ignore the Odds: Abdullah worked his magic in the middle of the Depression, as a Black man in a racist society, with students who were broke or down on their luck. None of that mattered to him. He believed circumstances can and will change if you align your mind with what you want. He didn’t let “facts” like no money, no tickets, societal barriers, etc. dictate what was possible. This encourages us to not be discouraged by current conditions—however bad they seem, the Higher Law can overcome them.
4. Live from the End: Rather than constantly yearning or asking, act as if you already have received. Abdullah taught Neville to carry himself as the person he desired to be. This not only accelerates manifestation but also makes you happier and calmer in the present, because you’re not in a state of lack.
5. Spiritual Understanding of Life: Abdullah showed that spiritual wisdom isn’t about outer appearances of holiness but about inner realization. He combined worldly enjoyment with deep faith—showing a path of balanced living. We can enjoy life, partake in the world, yet remain rooted in the awareness of our true nature as creators.
6. Persistence and Patience: Just as pregnancy takes time, manifestations have a gestation period. Abdullah’s lesson is to not get anxious if you don’t see immediate results. Keep nourishing your desire with belief. Trust the timing. The results often come in the most natural, logical way—but only after you’ve let go of the anxiety and maintained belief.

In essence, Abdullah exemplifies mastery of the mind and spirit. Even if one doesn’t adopt all of his mystic worldview, applying his core teaching—to assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled and sustain it with unyielding faith—can be life-changing. It puts into your hands the creative pen of your destiny. Abdullah would say that each of us is writing our story with God (imagination) every day, whether we know it or not. His challenge to us is to do it knowingly, lovingly, and without doubting the power that lies within.

In the final analysis, Abdullah remains a shining but elusive figure—a sage who stepped out of the shadows to illuminate a few receptive souls, and then stepped back, leaving us with transformative principles cloaked in simple stories. His voice echoes in Neville’s lectures: firm, wise, and at times delightfully brash, urging us to wake up to our creative potential. Whether we picture him slamming a door to banish doubt, or smiling as he says “You are in Barbados,” Abdullah invites us to experience the truth that the Kingdom of Heaven is within. In the grand tapestry of mystical lore, he is a reminder that faith is reality unseen, and when nurtured, it becomes reality seen. May Abdullah’s lesson of the “half pregnancy” inspire you to step over the threshold from wishful thinking into the living embodiment of your dreams. In the spirit of The Universe Unveiled, the story of Abdullah shows that when the universe’s secrets are unveiled, we discover ourselves – as powerful, creative, and one with the Divine.