Joseph Murphy was born into a large Catholic family in Ireland in 1898. After briefly considering the priesthood, he studied chemistry and later moved to America to work as a pharmacist. While serving as a pharmacist for the US Army in World War II, he studied mystical ideas, particularly creative-mind philosophies and world religions. He became an ordained minister and founded the Church of Divine Science in Los Angeles, which attracted thousands of followers for its focus on New Thought. This movement combined positive thinking with a belief in God as an infinite intelligence that dwells within everyone. After marrying in the 1950s, he earned a PhD in psychology. In addition to his ministry, he was a radio personality and an international lecturer.

All these combined interests led him to begin writing; in all, he authored over 30 books that were written both before and after his most influential work, The Power of Your Subconscious Mind. Published in 1963, this book has sold millions of copies, has been translated into 17 languages, and has never been out of print. His other works include How to Use Your Healing Power: The Meaning of the Healings of Jesus (1957), How to Attract Money (1955), The Miracle of Mind Dynamics (1964), Telepsychics (1973), and How to Use the Laws of Mind (1980).