I’ve got a secret: the Law Of Attraction is a lie
by Jonathan Fields | 01/29/08
It was at the center of the biggest self-help phenomenon of the last few decades.
Now, everyone knows the secret was…The Law Of Attraction. The notion that, through cosmic law, whatever you focus on necessarily grows, so, rather than focusing on what you don’t want, hold what you do want in your mind…and watch it blossom.
But, what if the fundamental basis for the law of attraction was made-up?
What if it wasn’t a law at all, but really just a theory or hypothesis? What if it wasn’t as provable, self-evident or sacrosanct as Newton’s law or any of the other laws of physics that have been proven through verifiable, scientific study and replication?
What if it’s effectiveness, if any, was really much more about basic human nature and failing to acknowledge this dramatically limited, rather than strengthened it’s effect?
As proof of the law of attraction’s “law-ness,” a parade of visionaries appeared…
Each one was mesmerizing. Captivating speakers, from Joe Vitale to Jack Canfield and Neale Donald Walsch to John Assaraf. Fascinating to watch. They spoke to the impact the law of attraction has had on their lives and the lives of thousands of others. Then, explanations based in “science” were proffered. Because, for us to accept something as law, we need proof. It needs to work all the time, regardless of belief, for all the people.
It’s all about quantum physics…
Every thought, we learned, creates a measurable electromagnetic wave that is “perceivable” on a subtle level, by others. At least the first part of this is verifiably true, by modern methodology. And, the latter claim, that others perceive and have the ability to respond to these vibrations, I cannot prove…but, for the sake of optimism, I am open to.
We were then told that, in nature, like attracts like. So, if you constantly focus your thoughts on what you want to manifest, rather that what you want to avoid, those around you whose thoughts are also resonating at the frequency associated with that same positive intention will be attracted to you. And, the net-effect will be the manifestation of all you desire.
Interesting…though, I don’t quite buy it
- First, in nature, as a general rule, like does not attract like, like repels like. Magnetism and polarity is one of the purest examples of this. The same poles of magnets fight to get away from each other, while opposite poles desperately seek to connect. Same thing with electricity, like charges repel each other, while differing charges attract. So, if our thoughts emit electro-magnetic waves all day and other beings can, in fact detect and respond to them, the far more “natural” assumption is that others with “like” thoughts and similar electromagnetic waves will be repelled, not drawn to us.
- Second, harmonic resonance doesn’t explain the law of attraction. Harmonic resonance says when an object vibrating at one frequency is placed close enough to a similar object that vibrates at the same frequency, the vibrations from the first object slowly entrain the objects around it to vibrate, too. A tuning fork is the simplest example. Strike it an place it next to another tuning fork of the same note and they both begin to vibrate at a similar frequency. Problem is, we are not tuning forks. Harmonic resonance assumes that those other objects (a) are at rest, before being exposed to the original object, making them “free” to adopt the other object’s vibrations, (b) vibrate at the identical frequency, and (c) do not actively generate their own conflicting vibrations of equal or greater strength. Human beings satisfy none of these conditions. We are not “empty” of our own electromagnetic vibrations or waves, we are not identically structured to resonate at identical frequencies and, in fact, we create a non-stop stream of very strong vibrations all day long.
While these explanations seemed less than convincing, there was something that still nagged at me…
While I didn’t find universal truth in the explanations offered to explain the law of attraction, I’d actually experienced the effect of focusing on constructive outcomes. It worked. But, not because of electromagnetic waves or harmonic resonance.
The answer, in my mind, is so much simpler, so much more practical.
We are so much closer to dogs than we know. Subject to conditioning much the same way Pavlov’s pooches salivated at the ring of a bell. For us to take action, especially sustained and repeated action toward the attainment of any goal, we need to believe the outcome, no matter how remote, is on some level attainable. Without that belief, there is no action. And, without action, there is no accomplishment. And…
Repetition fuels belief!
Take the smartest people in the world and begin to repeat to them a conclusion that they know to be false. In the beginning they outright reject it. Over time, though, they not only become open to the idea, but, through, relentless repetition, it becomes incontrovertible gospel.
Repetition creates belief. This is the basis of all thought-conditioning…also known as brainwashing. It’s the fundamental tool of every cult. But, as much as it can be used for destructive ends, it can also be harnessed to form the basis of great achievement.
Repeatedly visualizing a deeply sought after goal, seeing, feeling , hearing yourself accomplish this goal, over and over, has a profound effect. It conditions you slowly away from self-doubt and disbelief and moves you increasingly toward belief.
And, the more you believe, the more likely you are to act…
Not just big, life-altering actions, though. When you believe something, even marginally, you begin to do a thousand little things differently. You talk to people you’d normally avoid. You ask questions you’d have been to shy to ask. You help people you’d normally ignore. You dress a little better. You interact with more confidence. You carry yourself differently.
You invest time, energy, hours and funds in yourself and others without really noticing how differently you are presenting yourself to the world. To those who come in contact with you, you are different.
And the net result of those dozens of microscopic changes in your behavior, in a daily basis is two-fold:
- People perceive you differently - they become responsive because they read in you a sense of confidence, commitment and raw-energy that they want to participate in.
- All the little actions begin to add up - the thousands of nearly imperceptible changes in behavior and modest actions taken on a consistent, daily basis, begin to yield results to take you a step closer to your visualized goal.
And, each positive interaction and baby step, begins to further fuel the belief that was set in motion by your initial conditioning. This sets in motion a belief, action, attainment cycle that becomes increasingly unstoppable.
So, in the end, you really don’t need to leap down the quantum physics rabbit hole and buy into the existence of some Law of Attraction.
If you want to, that’s fine. But, it’s really so much simpler than that.
Repeatedly visualizing a goal as if you had already attained it conditions you to believe it’s possible. Over time, as that conditioning takes root through repetition, your belief in success leads you to act differently on many levels and take actions you’d never have taken.
Those actions increasingly deliver results and inspire you to believe your vision is attainable on a deeper level. Which inspires even more action. And, as people around you see you not only succeeding, but becoming more confident, they will respond to that confidence, too.
It’s all very concrete.
And, it also explains why even the most dogged focus on the attainment of a goal will bring you nothing without an equal commitment to action.
So, what do you think?
Is the law of attraction real? Is it bunk? Are the quantum physics validations behind it valid? Or, is something far simpler, yet equally impactful going on?
The lines are open…
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51 comments
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Comments
January 29th, 2008 | 2:42 pm
The law of attraction, if construed as an actual law, is ridiculous. If, however, it is construed as a psychological game which motivates people to take action and/or see the opportunities which have been around them all along, it is useful.
The old saying, “When the student is ready the master appears,” shouldn’t be understood to mean that the universe magically flings teachers at students who are ready, but rather that being ready as a student gives you the ability to recognize someone worth learning from.
January 29th, 2008 | 3:09 pm
I think the Law of Attraction is absolute crap, too. The Secret? Oh come on. Positive thinking is the basis of that, and that’s all psychology, like your post outlined. Repetition is the reason people maintain fears or lower their own self-esteem.
Like one emotionally abused woman I know says, “If someone tells you something long enough, you start to believe it.”
Here’s another one: Opposites attract - why do you think so many people get divorces? Because like doesn’t attract like.
Great post and great points. Just before you hit the magnets, I was thinking, hey wait a minute… like doesn’t- YES!) Now that’s positive thinking.
January 29th, 2008 | 4:32 pm
just look at the questionable people in that film. I watched a copy (mercifully I didn’t pay for it) all the signs of classic hucksters- “dr” joe vitale’s ‘degree’ is from an online mill, and he’s a former amway distributor….the financial guy is being investigated in Australia for stealing client money…
Some of them got hold of a little knowledge of and started dropping buzzwords like quantum which makes real physicists cringe.
I once heard Wayne Dyer speak on some show - he was trying to convince a woman who was unemployed that ‘one day she’ll make it to one of his ($900) seminars) and he kept egging her on to scrape up the money to make it..it just made me wince…
I do believe that visualization helps -its been proven with athletes - and being optimistic, but I don’t need pseudo science and pseudo spiritual hustlers like the new age crowd to tell me that.
January 29th, 2008 | 4:35 pm
According to Dr. David R. Hawkins what you hold in mind does naturally tend to manifest into actuality. This isn’t ’caused’ by anything, it’s merely a consequence of our level of awareness in the field of consciousness.
Like iron filings tend to align themselves when in an magnetic field we to can create the same realities in our lives. We just have to provide the suitable conditions from which actuality can arise from potentiality.
So I have to agree and disagree. Yes there are practical applications but the impact of these are minor, ultimately you just have to align yourselves with the necessary field from which your desired outcome can occur. (An attachment to this outcome must be surrendered anyway)
This is way more comprehensively explained in the books and audio programmes of Dr. Hawkins, ‘Power vs Force’ has completely changed my life. Much for the better
Oh and ‘A Course in Miracles’ as well
Peace,
Ash
January 29th, 2008 | 4:41 pm
The secret is utter bullshit, yes indeed. Thank you for saying so. All it is, is a “blame the victim” mentality in reverse and gussied up in pseudoscience and stolen mystic references. The SNL skit in which the oppressed and dying people of Darfur were chastised for not having happy thoughts pretty much said it all. Every person associated with it should be ashamed of themselves.
The only thing the secret proves is that there’s still a sucker born every minute and that there will never fail to be ways to separate him from his money.
January 29th, 2008 | 5:08 pm
Well, sure if ya want to fight it, fight away. Look for the color blue, you’ll see it everywhere… even places you have never noticed before. Look for bad things in your life, you’ll find them. However, if you look for positive signs, positive actions, opportunities, they all start to appear. IS it a “Law of Attraction” ? or , is it a tuned awareness ?
Personally, I like seeing the glass half full.
Perhaps, your negative thoughts are leading you to believe its…” utter bullshit “
January 29th, 2008 | 5:15 pm
I think the Law of Attraction works for all the reasons that you have stated above. When you set an objective and concentrate on it, it changes you.
I am a Life Coach and I have many clients who come in and complain that they have followed the drill - seeing it - concentrating on it - having it be true now. And it has not worked for them. The dream partner has not arrived. Neither has the job. NADA.
The problem seems to be that the idea is - that is all you have to do. Just visualize.
I tell them all. YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. Not just think about it. Nothing happens without some action.
January 29th, 2008 | 5:23 pm
The Secret and your explanation that belief leads to action are two different paths to the same result. Many people were put off by The Secret’s mention of quantum physics, historical tie-ins and the Hollywoodish presentation that made change seem instant.
Your explanation, however, hits on the crux of positive change in a way that everyone can grasp: “When you believe something is something, even marginally, you begin to do a thousand little things differently. You talk to people you’d normally avoid. You ask questions you’d have been to shy to ask. You help people you’d normally ignore. You dress a little better. You interact with more confidence. You carry yourself differently.”
Once a major goal is reached, like when a seasoned actor wins an Oscar, onlookers like to think they’ve witnessed an overnight success. It only seems that way because they never saw the tiny actions along the way.
Congrats on another topic that gets folks fired up enough to comment.
January 29th, 2008 | 5:24 pm
What ?? Do something ? Cmon, I thought about making two million dollars… isnt that enough ?? lol…
LAW OF A ttra CTION
January 29th, 2008 | 5:36 pm
“All thought is creative”
Neale Donald Walsch/God
January 29th, 2008 | 5:47 pm
“Dr. David R. Hawkins ”
“Dr” Hawkins got his degree from a diploma mill and his ‘power vs. force book is complete quackery and nonsense..check out the negative reviews on amazon -there are mathematicians that tear his ‘equations’ to shreds -and demonstrate he has no idea what he’s talking about.
January 29th, 2008 | 5:57 pm
Great article! I feel exactly the same way. I wrote a similar article about The Secret and the so-called Law of Attraction back in September called What to Do When The Secret Doesn’t Work”, partly because I was frustrated by how many people were spending hours sitting around doing nothing but thinking about the things they wished they had, and partly due to an ongoing annoyance at the self-help industry’s misuse of words like “quantum” and “vibration” to make their pseudoscience seem legitimate. What’s even more frustrating is how many people buy those claims without ever questioning them.
January 29th, 2008 | 6:03 pm
@ everyone - wow, looks like I might have trouble keeping up with this one. I know this concept definitely inspires strong opinion on both sides of the aisle.
Interesting thing me is that, as both a business person who considers himself very practical and a yoga student and teacher, I look at myself as a bit of a skeptical spritualist.
I am very open to a lot of things that defy modern scientific explanation…but, if it appears to me that there is a very valid, rational, physical explanation, I have to admit to leaning toward that basis.
I am also an avid physics and quantum physics enthusiast, which seems to make me a bit defensive about a potential twisting of these well- established and emerging fields in an attempt to add credibility to a claim.
January 29th, 2008 | 6:53 pm
Surely calling oneself a ’skeptical spiritualist’ is an oxymoron.
Essentially it’s saying on one hand one believes in divinity and yet on the other one does not.
Science can’t explain the non-linear like that which the ‘LoA’ stems from.
Regarding the concern over Hawkins diploma. He only got his Phd in the early 90s when he was already an old man, and he admits, it just gives him added credence in the publication market.
If you’d like his to test his credibility as a world renowed Psychiatrist with one of the largest practices in NYC in the last century and actually make an effort to hear his audio work, lectures and read his other books such as ‘Devotional Nonduality’ perhaps you’d see past such minor criticisms and the real impact the truth he delivers holds.
Peace,
Ash
January 29th, 2008 | 7:06 pm
@ Ashley - Can’t speak to Dawkins, that was somebody else’s comment. But, with regard to my comment about being a skeptical spiritualist, there’s actually no conflict at all. I may not have been clear.
It’s probably one of the reasons I am drawn to Buddhism, because the teachings encourage you not to accept what’s being offered as the absolute truth, but to test it, explore it, test it, verify it, kick its wheels and and make up your own mind, rather than follow blindly.
I am very open to spiritual explanations and experiences. Indeed, I earn a solid chunk of living doing so. But I still feel a strong need to ask where, why, how and when…and I encourage those I play with to do the same.
Thanks so much for really engaging in the conversation!
January 29th, 2008 | 7:11 pm
“Surely calling oneself a ’skeptical spiritualist’ is an oxymoron.”
Why? A skeptic is someone who tends to “question or doubt accepted opinions.” This tendency could manifest itself in (among other things) a spirituality which rejects traditional notions of what spirituality entails. That doesn’t describe me, but it is certainly a reasonable possibility.
“Essentially it’s saying on one hand one believes in divinity and yet on the other one does not.”
Why? “Skeptical” doesn’t imply the rejection of divinity, and “spiritual” doesn’t imply acceptance of divinity.
*sigh* I hate terminological illiteracy.
January 29th, 2008 | 7:17 pm
Apologies. That should have read “terminological confusion,” not “illiteracy.”
January 29th, 2008 | 7:35 pm
Yes, having read and studies work from the likes of Hawkins & Walsch my frame of references are obviously different.
For a further discussion concerning the LoA, I can’t recommend the work of both enough. Then maybe we’d put across our points without such fundamental differences.
I too, used to believe in the practical understanding of how LoA works until recently. Now not so much.
But anyway, congrats on post that actually compelled me (and my as yet unextinguished ego) to come out and play. I enjoy your blog Jonathan, especially such link-and-comment-bait articles such as this one.
Namaste,
Ash
January 29th, 2008 | 8:09 pm
Thank You for anothewr great post.In keeping with your post there is one more law which is a proven scientific law. That is the law of second thermodynamics. Which basically states that our universe is a closed system, that started in perfect order in is slowly decaying. If this law be true LOA cannot possibly be true, as this law alo effects our body. At what point did a ninety year old man, say I think I shall get old. Whether we like it or not, we will all grow old and die.
Those who find true success are those who refuse to believe the odds are true, refuse to give up and refuse to give in. Fifteen years ago I was told I had a genetic kidney disease, as well as Menieres Disease, also Genetic, and was told I would never work again. Removed the kidney and disease died down, went on and built a million dollar business. Since I was out of work for over a year and half I had lost everything, even my credit. I started with nothing no money, no credit, to achieve my first paper gross of one million in five years. It had a lot more to do with what I did during that time I couldn’t work, and your post last night than any pshyco babble.
I now am dealing with Meniere’s severly that it cost me my first business. I am now legally deaf, on SSI and have no balance left. As my Doctors tell me I am a walking invalid, I get around by eyesight only. Yet I have already put in thousand sof hours studying and building my second business.
When I read how others credit some kinda of psycho babble it makes me angry, and I laugh. I laugh because I know the one crediting it has had to overcome no tremondous hurdle of which was not their own making. Secondly I get angry because I try to come up with what insanity I must be cursed with to have brought this on myself.
I live by two sayings that push me onward and have more to do with your post last night.
” The uncommon man doing the uncommon thing shall meet with uncommon success at the uncommon hour”
” Everday and in everyway you must surround yourself with people and things, and place yourself in places that radically challenge the way you think, act, and believe everyday and in everyway”
Thank you again for another great post
January 29th, 2008 | 9:24 pm
Amazing - this post got my attention and I have several friends that I want to send it to and generate a deeper conversation. I think The Secret has validity, but also it doesn’t work for everyone for several reasons. First: We aren’t all wired the same way - some people work intuitively and some work straight from intellect - neither right or wrong, just different wiring. Second: Our expectations in different phases of our lives are different. When we’re young, we’d love a “quick fix to get rich” and as we age - it’s just not as important because we begin to understand the price we pay for everything - whether it’s “free” or not. As Thoreau said “Everything we own, owns a piece of us” or thereby paraphrased. Third: As Ghandi said, there are seven things that wil corrupt us - one of which is “Wealth without work.” This notion of riches from the Internet or elsewhere without earning it is the Secrte gone South. The intent is to be pure of heart and yet, the focus is on money. Fourth: There is nothing wrong with earning a lot of money and also giving it back to your community, your church, your work associates, yourself - it’s just that money, in and of itself, is not the end all. Money gives you choices and that’s its beauty.
Kae Wagner
“Do what matters every day and every day will matter.”
January 30th, 2008 | 4:03 am
I read the Law of Attraction by the Hicks and thought the general idea was positive, but it was pretty hokey. I think they just recycled ideas from Napolean Hill and are trying to use this Abraham thing as the source instead. I haven’t seen the Secret yet and don’t have any desire to.
The main thing that bugged me about it is the blaming the victim attitude. As if kids deserve to suffer because the people around them are attracting negativity. That doesn’t sit right with me.
I think what makes success in general is a little bit of attraction and mostly attitude. I do think that life gives you opportunities in subtle ways like syncronicities, but later it’s up to you to take advantage of them. However, I also think that if something is really not meant to be, no matter how much you want it, it won’t come or it’ll come in the wrong form.
So, I agree with many of the comments above. It’s about having a positive attitude, working towards your goals in a direct way, and keeping your eyes open for opportunities. Above all though, you have to actually move, you can’t just be sitting around all day visualizing and thinking things are going to magically come to you.
January 30th, 2008 | 4:26 am
All this you-can-be-rich-and-pretty-and-healthy things reminds me of those exercising machines
they sell on TV.
They start telling you that your are about to buy a miraculous machine which will allow you to get thinner with just using it ten minutes a day. Wow! That would be great.
Yeah, right… Of course when you buy the machine, the user manual states clearly that you won’t get any result unless you engage in a
low carb-low fat-low calories diet among some other things.
Maybe, if you are a bit lucky you realize that if you follow that diet, you will get skinner EVEN IF YOU DON’T USE THAT MACHINE.
The problem here is that people are convinced that good things could happen naturally, just applying a revolutionary new knowledge which -of course- requires almost no effort. Then, when people fail to achieve their goals, the light turns on: they didn’t tried hard enough, they didn’t put as much effort as required, or they didn’t “think correctly”.
It will NEVER be the revolutionary theory’s fault. If you succeed it’s because we are great, if you fail it’s because you suck.
Anyway, maybe you can get away with it. You can always become rich by giving seminars about that theory and charge like you’re a genius (Damn! Now that’s a good idea).
Very nice post.
DM
January 30th, 2008 | 6:53 am
Good article & an interesting read. Worrying about my thought patterns and how this event will impact my chances of success is something I just don’t need - to hell with ‘the secret’.
Visualization, action, commitment seem much more realistic plans of attack than just hoping for the best.
Yes for sure, positive thinking has its role but you gotta get up off your patoot to get the loot!
Chris
January 30th, 2008 | 9:55 am
I like the secret and find it to work well. It seems to bring perfectly timed coincidences rather then merely psychological positive thinking.
I don’t buy the use of magnets for the analogy of opposites attract. Magnets attract other magnets and the magnetic flux flows in the same direction. It’s when the flux is in the opposite direction that repulsion occurs. Magnets attract magnets not wood.
The rest of the article brings some valid points.
January 30th, 2008 | 10:09 am
Those that would trust a principle like the secret are the same ones that when faced with an insurmountable obstacle will be the first to whether with the heat of the moment.
Try telling Lance Armstrong that he just was thinking propely when he battled and defeated brain cancer not once but three times
Talk to Stevie Wonder about what it is to be served up a constant reminder of his diability.
Talk to Ali and Michael J. Fox about forgetting about their phyiscal defect.
It is impossible for anyone that must deal daily with a crippling disease to not be constantly reminded of the effects. Consquently there would never be a time that their energies as defined in the secret would be 100% positive. Then according to the secret their chances of uncommon success at the uncommon hour would be slim to none. I think Lance missed that part.
“Luck favors the prepared mind”
January 30th, 2008 | 1:37 pm
finally, someone speaks up about the law of attraction. hey i have a secret, law of attration is bullshit.
January 30th, 2008 | 2:55 pm
[Wow, Jonathan, way to tap into the backlash. Your comments are off the hizzay!]
Scientists have not been able to reconcile quantum physics with (Newtonian) physics. Most of the fun New Age style science is coming out of quantum physics.
Since what most people believe and what they believe they believe is different, I have never really been upset by the Law of Attraction.
January 30th, 2008 | 4:40 pm
@ Everyone - okay, so this article has generated so much gritty substantive commentary in less than a day, I’ve clearly had trouble keeping up. Plus, you all seem to be having a great time “conversationalizing” with each other, I figured I’d wait a bit before jumping in!
It seems a lot of people have been waiting for someone to offer up a platform to explore the law of attraction in a bit more of an objective way.
So, at the risk of kicking up even more dust, let me add in something interesting. While I don’t so much buy the law of attraction as a basis for many of the exercises recommended in the movie The Secret, I do believe that many of the “exercises, activities and practices” are valid and will help serve as a catalyst for achieving what you want out of life.
My discontent lies in the interjection of a mystical basis for these exercises working, followed by the heaping on of quasi-scientific bases that, from my understanding, are not all that defensible.
In fact, had the movie provided a much more graspable and believable basis in simple human nature, I believe so many more people would’ve not only been willing to explore putting the daily practices into action, but also moving beyond visualizing and thinking to “doing.”
Of course, stripping away the mysticism and quantum physics would left the producers with a similar batch of personal development tools that have been around for decades. And, we all know…old doesn’t sell.
I think I’m going to come out with a new movie called…The Truth. Hmmmmm. Nah. Nobody’d ever buy that!
Thanks to everyone for keeping this conversation going.
So, who else has something to say?
January 31st, 2008 | 12:06 am
I believe it works - but I don’t know why. And I’m guessing that anyone who did would be able to solve far greater mysteries than the law of attraction.
January 31st, 2008 | 12:42 am
[...] one of my favorite blog’s, http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog , I read post calling The Secret a lie . His readers then posted comments calling the Law of Attration ridiculous, crap, bullsh–t. [...]
January 31st, 2008 | 11:42 am
And it even fooled Oprah! [joke]
Seriously, the first time I heard of The Secret was on Oprah: After The Show. (Hey, I was flipping through the channels while eating dinner.) The Secret Guy was answering questions and a feeble looking man asked, “but how do you explain or deal with, for example, the war going on right now?” And The Secret Guy said, “That is just it- There is NO war in MY world.” Feeble Man started nodding his head and grinning saying, “Oh, I get it! I get it now!”
I turned the channel in disgust. If this Secret tunes you out to fellow feeling and being conscious of human suffering then it’s only an excuse to not care unless you are personally being affected by something.
I also found it interesting that MLM companies (my brother is involved with one) have hired The Secret Guy to speak at their “pump you up” seminars where they could then sell books.
I then connected a magazine article I read about a movie titled ,”What the bleep do we know?” , which was about quantum physics, and sounded “scientific”. I then checked the movie and one of the people interviewed was Ramtha- the guy that channels from Atlantis! So the point being is that there is some shady side to all of this interrelated stuff, at least in my opinion.
So, anyhow, I LOVE how you write with such clarity and are able to explain why this is really just mass marketing of emotional/spiritual/psychological snake oil.
January 31st, 2008 | 3:35 pm
Great article Jonathan!
I’m a pragmatic - the law of attraction might not be an actual law, but if it pays to believe it, why not “believe” it (or at least act as you do).
February 1st, 2008 | 7:51 pm
Jonathan, I agree with your assessment. I don’t agree with the spiritual aspect of LOA. It’s a matter of programming and habits.
I will never do what I am convinced is impossible, because logic tells me it is futility and wasteful to try. I will always do what I KNOW I can do, because it would be stupid not to achieve something I know I can achieve.
The rest is about setting the programming in my brain to make it happen, coupled with the observation of opportunity.
As one commenter mentioned, the student recognizes the master when he is ready. When he is not ready, he does not seek counsel from the master, but the master is there either way. What changes is the desire.
Now, I didn’t read through all the comments here, but I would like to respond to the comment that said, “but how do you explain or deal with, for example, the war going on right now?” And The Secret Guy said, “That is just it- There is NO war in MY world.”
First, I will agree with your contempt for such a disgustingly self-absorbed response. Second, I don’t subscribe to LOA. See above.
However, it seems to me, if I did subscribe to LOA as truth, my response would have been that I I experience great struggles with myself, reconciling who I am, and fighting to not accept parts of myself that I don’t like. I would claim that the war is a reflection of the internal battle that I wage.
Then again, I don’t actually believe that explanation. But it’s how I would have responded to that, or any similar question if I did believe it.
February 1st, 2008 | 9:26 pm
Hi Jonathan,
I “stumbled” onto your site, and found this post quite fascinating. You display the skills of a critical thinker in dissecting the LOA (not surprising, seeing as you were a lawyer).
Your discontent with the use of science to “back it up” really says to me you’re against the “pseudo-science” that they use to make people believe it.
Carl Sagan’s The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark discusses the popularity of pseudo-science in depth.
Your post also prompted me to do some more research on the LOA, and I came across another blog review:
http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/book-review-the-36.php
The reviewer pointed out other flaws in logic of the so-called LOA.
All very interesting.
Thanks for taking the time to write such an enlightening post.
February 2nd, 2008 | 4:07 pm
Dr. Judith Orloff nailed it when she wrote, “positive energy is the first prescription’s formula for success. When you generate positive energy you attract positive things in your life.”
February 7th, 2008 | 5:04 am
[...] I’ve got a secret: the Law Of Attraction is a lie [...]
February 12th, 2008 | 6:25 pm
It’s like the old story about the guy in the projects who prayed to God every day to win the Lottery. He got on his knees every morning an every night and prayed. Yet nothing happened. Then one day, the man got on his knees, thoroughly depressed and disheartened, feeling betrayed. He put his hands up in prayer, and said, “Lord, I have been a good and loyal servant to you. I pray every day, but still I haven’t won the lottery. Why???” And God said, “My son, it would help if you bought a ticket!”
February 15th, 2008 | 5:07 pm
The Law of Attraction is just a movie with a concept that made (for) its authors some millions in addition to the millions they had already made from the books and audios that they published with similar ideas. Those people have “attracted” the money from DUMP people’s pockets. That simple!!
What you, Jonathan, have said about “And, the more you believe, the more likely you are to act…” is correct if you DO act, but that’s not what they mentioned in the movie; they said all you have to do is ‘visualize’ and the universe will take care of the rest!! And the funny thing is that people who believed that nonsense are much more that the unbelievers!!
I sometimes feel sad to be in the same category with such DUMB people!! Are you asking what category?? Unfortunately, we are both human beings!!
February 15th, 2008 | 7:04 pm
Thank you for this. My friend, Tim Brownson led me to your blog. There really are a number of people out there who are being, and will be, harmed by The Secret. This is not an alarmist point of view. Rather, it is the view of a psychotherapist and author who has heard from many people about how The Secret has reinforced their self-blame for such things as disease (M.S., cancer), for childhood sexual abuse, for rape, for the death of a child, etc. It is important that we speak out about this. Please consider my perspective at http://www.thesecretantidote.com. And please help me distribute “The Antidote.” (The Secret will cost you, but The Antidote is free — on line and free.) Thanks. Thom Rutledge
February 16th, 2008 | 7:40 am
I’m going to follow Thom up on this one. The most annoying thing about all this to me is that the ‘believers’ often tend to look don’t the nose at those people that question the LOA. It’s as though we just don’t get it and there is often a sad shake of the head.
I loved the movie initially as it allowed me to talk about all sorts of important stuff like meditation and visualization with clients for the first time. Then the backlash, with people giving up because they say The Seceret and just knew that bad luck was heading their way. As JA said, there is NO LAW, it’s a hypothesis or a theory, and should be tretaed as such.
Thinking positively is a great thing and can help make great things happen, but even positive thinkers get hit by trucks from time to time.
Good work fella!
February 18th, 2008 | 8:43 am
The ‘Law of Attraction’ comes from Abraham-Hicks. It’s okay as a metaphor but that’s about it.
You might be interested in this from the International Society of Neuro-Semantics:
The Missing Secrets in The Secret
http://www.neurosemantics.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=479&Itemid=199
February 18th, 2008 | 10:10 am
It seems strange, but when I imagine a vacant parking spot close to the entrance to a store I plan to shop at, more often than not, one is there. It almost makes me a believer in the “law” of attraction.
http://www.oysterloversparadise.blogspot.com/
February 28th, 2008 | 2:46 pm
I love that I’ve found you….. I think we can move mountains, and miracles can happen and what you believe you can achieve.
That said, a few missing pieces of the secret include:
Do a reality check. Figure out where you are, and be ok with it. When we are ok with everything exactly how it is, we can move forward at quantum speeds. If we try to ‘push away’ or deny what is in fact a reality, (I don’t have money, I wish I had a big house) then we are in a fantasy land - and that won’t attract anything except more fantasies in our head!..
Next Step. Do things you love. Even if you have a job you hate, start with finding something that you can love about it. Be nice to your co-worker. Laugh at the funny carpet. Whatever it is, find joy today. Find the joy within.
Agreeing with Corinne above, then take some action steps to move toward where you want to go, but only after you accomplish the first two. Hold your vision with clarity, excitement, desire and passion. Live in the moment. Be present. Laugh a lot.
Not secrets - actually teachings from many great spiritual leaders.
February 29th, 2008 | 9:34 pm
[...] no magic in dreaming of making more money, regardless of what The Secret tells you (”Secret” lovers, please refrain from flame wars in the comments). Dreaming [...]
March 6th, 2008 | 6:32 am
[...] Communicate 63. Diversify: your friends, money and interests 64. Talk about ideas, not people 65. Don’t fall into marketable New Age hype 66. There are 400 billion stars in our galaxy, so yes, the world does not revolve around you 67. [...]
April 6th, 2008 | 11:51 am
Your argument does not negate the law of attraction in fact it supports it from a different perspective…here is my initiation experience way back in the 97s…here i was in deep financial s..t no money..married to a man who held the strings to my life…and was forcebly trying to get me deported from his country…i escaped that reality daily within my inner world where all was good and possible..along the way i read people like schati dwayne..one day i saw an add in a magazine a contest to win a brand new toshiba computer..but alas it was only available to us residents…which i was not..my desire kicked in..i really wanted it a brand new computer..i put down the magazine and closed my eyes and visualized myself flowing upward to a place where this computer floated around the ethers and immagined myself grasping it and bringing it back to me…that was it this whole excersise i am describing as i remember it because it was not a conciouse event just a day dream and then it was gone..forgotten..exept for the reality that three months later my son came to visit and brought some newly found friends…whom as a gift for mom brought a brand new toshiba computer…flash back to my day dream…so dont know if that was working according to the law of attraction or the power of visualization…what ever it was it made a believer an practioner out of me…that toshiba gave birth to a multimillion dollar domain name business…thank you for allowing me to share my story.
April 12th, 2008 | 3:55 pm
I planned on writing some long drawn out post defending my position, and I realized it doesn’t really matter, I know what I have experienced in my life, and interestingly enough, it didn’t always require action, it just came to me.
Interesting article, and I thoroughly enjoyed the comments, you stirred up great conversation, and discussion, and for that I am grateful.
April 12th, 2008 | 8:23 pm
[...] these little things add up to help you achieve your goal. Essentially, he is saying that you can brainwash yourself, or be brainwashed, either in a good way or a bad [...]
April 13th, 2008 | 3:33 am
[...] these little things add up to help you achieve your goal. Essentially, he is saying that you can brainwash yourself, or be brainwashed, either in a good way or a bad [...]
April 16th, 2008 | 9:40 pm
[...] no magic in dreaming of making more money, regardless of what The Secret tells you (”Secret” lovers, please refrain from flame wars in the comments). Dreaming [...]
April 29th, 2008 | 8:05 am
[...] Fields has written an excellent article, giving us a common sense approach to the law of attraction, without the need to invoke ‘pseudo [...]