The Mystical and Artistic Legacy of 30 West 72nd Street, New York City

The Mystical and Artistic Legacy of 30 West 72nd Street, New York City

Nestled between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, 30 West 72nd Street has long stood as more than just an elegant Beaux-Arts residence on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Built in 1905 for Josephine Morgenthau, wife of diplomat Henry Morgenthau Sr., the limestone-clad building has been a quiet but powerful witness to profound cultural, artistic, and spiritual developments.

Abdullah the Black Mystic: A Spiritual Beacon

One of the building's most notable residents was Abdullah, the Ethiopian mystic whose teachings on metaphysics, the Kabbalah, Hebrew traditions, and the "Law of Assumption" deeply influenced New Thought movements in America. During the 1930s, Abdullah lived at 30 West 72nd Street, providing spiritual guidance to many, including the now-celebrated author and lecturer Neville Goddard.

Goddard often spoke of Abdullah's transformative teachings, recounting how the mystic instructed him in the art of manifestation and inner vision. One of the most well-known stories involves Abdullah advising Neville to "live in the end" and to "assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled," guiding him through a powerful mental and emotional process that ultimately led to Neville's journey to Barbados. Abdullah insisted, "You are in Barbados," encouraging Neville to claim his desired reality before it physically manifested. This teaching became foundational to Neville Goddard's later work and lectures.

Remarkably, Abdullah lived in the prestigious Morgenthau mansion at a time when it was almost unthinkable for a Black man to reside in such an elite neighborhood, symbolizing his exceptional stature and profound influence. His apartment served not only as his residence but also as a classroom where private students gathered to study esoteric wisdom.

A Home for the Vocal Arts

The building also nurtured the arts in more tangible forms. Voice coach William Henri Zay, author of The Practical Psychology of Voice, operated from this address. Zay instructed many students in the fine art of vocal performance, including the Romanian soprano Beatrice Kottlar. His methods emphasized the psychological aspects of voice training, blending the technical with the emotional and mental disciplines required for true mastery. His presence reinforced the building's reputation as a space where both spiritual and artistic talents were carefully cultivated.

The Anthroposophical Society: A Spiritual and Intellectual Hub

Before Abdullah's residency, 30 West 72nd Street served as the headquarters of the Anthroposophical Society in America during the 1920s. Inspired by Rudolf Steiner's spiritual philosophy, the society organized lectures, discussions, and publications exploring human consciousness, education, the arts, and the interconnectedness of science and spirit. Visitors to the building would attend lectures on subjects ranging from Goethean science to spiritual anthropology, adding to the building's aura of deep intellectual and spiritual inquiry.

A Continuing Legacy

Today, while 30 West 72nd Street functions as a residential building with rental apartments, its legacy persists. The building's walls once echoed with lectures on the Bhagavad-Gita, New Thought philosophies, operatic rehearsals, and metaphysical teachings, weaving together a rich tapestry of New York's spiritual and artistic history.

For those who know its story, 30 West 72nd Street remains a quietly majestic landmark—a place where spirit, voice, and mind converged to leave an indelible mark on the city's cultural landscape. As one reflects on its legacy, the words of Abdullah to Neville Goddard still resonate: "You must persist in the assumption that you are already what you want to be."