The law of attraction is a LIE

[hkalchemy]

There is a growing body of opinion that the law of attraction, at least as it is popularly understood, is a dangerous lie which can lead you to psychological self harm. A Google search will reveal many pages on this topic. What do you think?

[Ninja]

I think that if you don't believe the LoA works, then it won't. Because that's exactely how it works.

...

Yeah, try to wrap your mind around that one for a moment

I used to believe it was nonsense, because I'm stubborn like that . But I did some experimenting and found out that it does work. And I'm still not sure if I feel excited, frightened, or both somehow. So many possibilities, but so many responsibilities! Does one outweigh the other? For me, the jury is still not out on that one.

[Gordon]

I think people want to believe it is truly a magic formula,...what they have missed is the point that LOA teaching is really about personal development changes that when applied to your life, make a difference

I personally think "The Secret" should be taken down and thrown in the bin...it sell the wrong message out to folk, I believe its dangerous too.

Better reading "The Master Key System" by Charles Haanel about changing your mindset and improving what you need to focus on to get improved results in your life.

G

[Vee]

I honestly don't know. I absolutely love the idea of it - but haven't achieved the things i really, really want yet....

[wolfgang]

Originally Posted by hkalchemy

There is a growing body of opinion that the law of attraction, at least as it is popularly understood, is a dangerous lie which can lead you to psychological self harm. A Google search will reveal many pages on this topic. What do you think?

How is it popularly understood (or that should be mis-understood)?
What is the best google result you found about this being a lie?

At some level the exposure has helped people get out of ruts.

On another level people have tried "using" the law only to think themselves into disappointments.

People want to get better and people want to make money and the two together have caused lots of people to jump on the bandwagon to try to supply to the demand. If people couldn't make money off of the ideas - it would be more pure still. Instead we have to discern a lot of the LoA material ourselves.

[Akashic_Librarian]

Every few days this topic comes up. Its a simple answer really. Believe it, or don't. It will work whether you pay attention to it or not. MAny people succeed without conscious awareness of it, and many succeed when they are consciously aware of it.

It doesn't impose itself like other thought systems, it doesn't demand suicide bombings, or sunday schools, or female beating, or any of the other things advocated in various religions.

Its a lifestyle choice. I am not psychologically harmed. If you want to see real psychological harm you should go to a "Hell House" Jeee-sus...crazies telling us all if we have gay marriages we will go to hell, if we take drugs, if we drink, if do silly things (Damnable offence to go to the toilet, anyone?)

Besides...Who cares what you think, its my reality, you all just live in it *Muhahahahaha*

[wolfgang]

Originally Posted by Akashic_Librarian

Every few days this topic comes up. Its a simple answer really. Believe it, or don't. It will work whether you pay attention to it or not. MAny people succeed without conscious awareness of it, and many succeed when they are consciously aware of it.

It doesn't impose itself like other thought systems, it doesn't demand suicide bombings, or sunday schools, or female beating, or any of the other things advocated in various religions.

Its a lifestyle choice. I am not psychologically harmed. If you want to see real psychological harm you should go to a "Hell House" Jeee-sus...crazies telling us all if we have gay marriages we will go to hell, if we take drugs, if we drink, if do silly things (Damnable offence to go to the toilet, anyone?)

Besides...Who cares what you think, its my reality, you all just live in it *Muhahahahaha*

Wasn't the OP starting a discussion about how the LoA is misunderstood? And possibly harmful with the popular misunderstanding? I think that is different than that old debate of "the law doesn't/does work".

[JMononoetoe]

Originally Posted by hkalchemy

There is a growing body of opinion that the law of attraction, at least as it is popularly understood, is a dangerous lie which can lead you to psychological self harm. A Google search will reveal many pages on this topic. What do you think?

The Law Of Attraction can lead to psychological self harm?
Sure, it can. Self harm is indeed what you can choose to attract, although it's not a very good thing to attract. Unless you're into that sort of thing, I guess.

Most people will have heard of the Law Of Attraction through The Secret. This is where the problem lies. By watching the Secret, you become aware of this thing called the Law Of Attraction. It doesn't give you understanding that is needed to attract in 'a proper way'.

With 'a proper way' I mean that you shouldn't try to manifest good things from bad things, for example. You will never become truly happy if you're feeling unhappy or unworthy from the inside. I'm not referring to visualization methods, autosuggestion and that sort of things.

To call the Law Of Attraction a lie is too exaggerated. In fact, it is not true at all. It are the lies that we create and live by that are dangerous and will lead to self-destruction.

After watching The Secret, it is important to read more about it. Read a lot. And not only read, but also learn about it.

[RT Wolf]

Originally Posted by Gordon

I think people want to believe it is truly a magic formula,...what they have missed is the point that LOA teaching is really about personal development changes that when applied to your life, make a difference

Agreed.

Pavlina's recently talked about intentions nto manifesting becuase we don't embrace the personality shifts required of us. To make x amount of money is not just to have that money, but it is to change in such a way that having x amount of money is a part of that idntity ((which you don't wnat to be too attached to anyway).

StevePavlina.com Podcast #018 - Faster Goal Achievement

It's not easy. and its certainly no silver bullet. It is interesting, thoguh.

[Ninja]

Originally Posted by RT Wolf

Agreed.

Pavlina's recently talked about intentions nto manifesting becuase we don't embrace the personality shifts required of us. To make x amount of money is not just to have that money, but it is to change in such a way that having x amount of money is a part of that idntity ((which you don't wnat to be too attached to anyway).

And you need to manifest it for the right reasons. If you want to have money to buy a house, then you don't want money: you want a house, and the latter is what you should try to manifest.

... or so I've been told

[Alpha Prime]

Greetings,

The principle on which "The Secret" is based is that your subconscious mind will give you, what you emotionally desire. This principle is true, and is hardwired into our minds.

If the law of attraction does not work for, then the mindset is wrong ( = pessimistic person).

[DreamAndProsper]

There is nothing wrong with having a dream and thinking about what you want or where you want to be. However, it is critical to take action on those dreams. Therefore, the action will attract success. The movie, The Secret, left out a major key in achieving all you want.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by DreamAndProsper

There is nothing wrong with having a dream and thinking about what you want or where you want to be. However, it is critical to take action on those dreams. Therefore, the action will attract success.

Bah, nonsense.

[hkalchemy]

This has thrown up some interesting views. People seem to be getting polarized on this and, I feel, both sides are somewhat missing the point.

I have tried to put together a few ideas at my blog. Please visit if you have time and let me know what you think.

Effortless Wealth and Abundance: The law of attraction is a lie!

[oberlee]

I hate claims like this. I must say, while writing this, the Journey song "Don't Stop Believing" came on, and then Dane Cook's section from his routine "Dream House" ("It can be anything you want. Dream it, dreamers.")

It seems silly to me to say that LOA is a lie. Because whatever platform you believe it to be true on, it works. A practical person who doesn't believe in any "mumbo-jumbo" could benefit from this law.

At it's most basic, LOA is just saying, have passion, and go for what you want and don't look back. You can't go wrong there. You don't have to believe in mystical substances; it's just plain determination.

I believe it's more than that, personally, but to say that determination and passion don't work is nothing more than a jaded, unhappy, cynical individual trying to ruin dreams of others. Like it or not, it works every day for many people, and it's not EASY, by any means, but if you've experienced its power, you know. It's harnessing that power that's difficult.

[hkalchemy]

Well thanks to the many responses to this thread. I have tried to write an article on the subject. Please stop by and tell me what you think.

[David365]

I had never heard of the LoA until a year ago when I started blogging. I feel the way it is presented makes me very sceptical and I gave up on "the Secret" after about 20 minutes. But its like getting your first religious education from some wacky TV evangelist!

I'm a strong propnent of positive thinking. At its heart LoA is about the way you think and what your believe. Whether or not we can alter the mindset/behaviour of others through our thinking? I remain sceptical, but lets say I'm now an agnostic rather than an atheist! The techniques I use for goal setting and positive thinking are similar to those used within LoA, so if it gets people into good thinking habits, so much the better.

And even if there was cast iron evidence that you could get a car park space by "thinking" I still wouldn't - there are more important things to put your thinking and energy towards.

[Ninja]

Originally Posted by David365

And even if there was cast iron evidence that you could get a car park space by "thinking" I still wouldn't - there are more important things to put your thinking and energy towards.

But to get that important thing, you might need that parkingspace...

Anyway, I agree that The Secret is too 'cult-like'. There are better works on the LoA out there that beat The Secret hands down. One of them, The Science of Getting Rich, is even free to read online, because it was written in 1910. Here's a link: The Science of Getting Rich - Wikisource

The language is a bit confusing with a few WTF? moments (it was written almost 100 years ago, what do you expect? ) and you might need to reread it a few times, but give it a chance. It's worth it

[Jennihul]

There is nothing wrong with The Secret. It's perfect for it's purpose which is:


1) mainly to introduce an idea to humanity, en masse, so important and so profound we need to take baby steps to grasp it. It is literally reintroducing us to our God-power which we gave up eons ago for the chance to 'give' instead of just 'take' or receive. (If you don't know what the heck I am talking about, that's why LOA isn't working for you.)

2) separating the men from the boys with regard to the LOA. Those that "get" what this is about are succeeding. Those that still think it's to fill one's life with stuff, are failing. (I just glow with delight over this part because it means indeed, the universal source has a sense of humor disguised as 'justice.' )

The Law of Attraction is one of a dozen or so "laws" of life and the universe that all work together. Concentrating on just one, LOA, is like trying to build a house with just a hammer and nothing else. Here's your biggest hint: It's a quest. QUEST. Get seeking.

Jennifer

[wolfgang]

Originally Posted by hkalchemy

This has thrown up some interesting views. People seem to be getting polarized on this and, I feel, both sides are somewhat missing the point.

I think your links are broken. Why not write stuff here instead of saying go read this other blog?

I still don't see you answering what is the way the LoA is being misunderstood and then being dangerous?


Because I'm thinking the only way the LoA is bad for someone is if they didn't get the message correctly. So it would be interesting to hear what that interpretation is that is making people go down a bad path?

[hkalchemy]

It seems to me that the way that the Secret has presented the so called 'law of attraction' is rather superficial. Even the name (law of attraction or 'LOA') is a kind of jingoistic slogan, and the title 'Secret' is a blatant marketing ploy.

I firmly believe that, as Earl Nightingale and Napoleon Hill would have said, 'you become what you think about,' and I am convinced that our beliefs shape our experience of life in a profound and all-encompassing way, but 'the Secret' is all a bit glitzy and superficial for my taste.

And the most worrying thing is the way that people have started to identify with it and defend it. I have seen some quite heated debates about this. A quick Google search will reveal many Sites and blogs offering skeptics' views. I am not a skeptic but I think 'the Secret' has rather trivialized something very fundamental and it has certainly enabled us to see, once again, that human nature never changes - people are often ready to abdicate responsibility and look for a solution to their problems outside themselves.

[Jennihul]

The term "the law of attraction" was not invented by the makers of The Secret. It's a concept thousands of years old.

Even Napolean Hill and Wallace Wattles called it "a great secret" in their writings which is why The Secret is called what it is called, since it's based on Wallace Wattles' work. Secondly, to the author, it was a secret to her until she uncovered it.

Negative people always find negative meanings. Trivial crap, IMHO.

The law of attraction is the complete opposite of "abdicating responsibility." It is the penultimate accepting of responsibility of everything that happens in your life and looking for solutions to one's problems within oneself. Not sure what books you have been reading.

Jennifer

[MidasGirl]

Of course the Law of Attraction is a secret. Look at how many people still "don't get it".

[nightdiamond]

My opinion?...........

I pretty much agree with most of the opinions posted here... I feel much more comfortable with knowing something is true or real than just believing in it or relying on what another person (gurus, teacher, testimonies) says about it. I think without the comfort and foundation of knowing something is real, belief can become shaky and unstable, and the person eventually tires of the idea and may look elsewhere.


I've seen self help programs like these that have no "troubleshooting" sections if the method doesn't work..the assumption seemed to be it's going to work, no need for a troubleshooting page.... and no one to really contact either to ask questions if it doesn't....

On the other hand, if there is a troubleshooting or help page, the solutions or tips seem too "fluffy"... such as 'you pushed it away by wanting it too much', or 'you have blockages preventing it from happening'. How do they (and you) confirm, prove or observe that you're blocking it, or are pushing it away by wanting it too much?

By using a microscope and seeing your thought blockage stop the energy from forming and manifesting? By journeying to the metaphysical world and observing this? With a camera too maybe?

I think the way L.O.A is presented by some makes other people feel like they can magically make things happen, like certain examples we may have read, and when it doesn't happen, the person feels disappointed and disallusioned.....

And yet I have observed and experienced techniques that seem to have worked (or manifested) precisely or semi-exactly like I or the person intended- but not consistantly.....so my attitude toward this is that I don't know about all of this and how the mind and energy works and I'm still researching, investigating this..practicing and discarding techniques, ect... And I consider myself a skeptic...

And finally I learned a long time ago to not disappoint other people's beliefs systems even if I am a skeptic, beliefs are very important to people aren't they? So now I respect other people's ideals and beliefs because I finf them interesting... man, this is a long opinion, lol.....

Take care everyone, nice blog and posts.....

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by nightdiamond

On the other hand, if there is a troubleshooting or help page, the solutions or tips seem too "fluffy"... ...

Essentially you'll have the same problem if you are looking for something along the lines of:

"How To Become A Quantum Physicist in Seven Days"

or

"The Idiot's Guide to Knowing God"

or

"Seven Habits of Highly Effective Realities (in Bullet Point Form!)".

I guess the logical point i am making here is that perhaps you shouldn't expect something as all-encompassing as LOA (for it purports to encompass all of reality) to be simplifiable into a convenient, quick list of clear, concrete instructions .... It's not the same as assembling a cupboard, or cooking pasta, or solving a Sudoku puzzle. Your mind is much more complex than a cupboard, or pasta, or Sudoku.

[mercuryrising]

I think the problem with the way LOA is being presented (as in The Secret) is that it degenerates into spiritual materialism rather quickly.

"What you think so shall you become" is different than "What you think will come to you."

The first statement leads a person to seek self-actualization. The second statement leads a person to seek objects that will please them.

People get frustrated I think because they are missing the realization that in order to get what you want, you must change you. By changing you, you change your relationship to the world.

People don't want to hear that. It sounds like work. They want instant gratification, something for nothing. The Secret played to this desire.

[moonrambler]

Originally Posted by nightdiamond

I think the way L.O.A is presented by some makes other people feel like they can magically make things happen, like certain examples we may have read, and when it doesn't happen, the person feels disappointed and disallusioned.....

Like we see in the thread "my very easy intention didn't manifest." Disappointment and frustration might be a natural reaction, and then maybe it's a natural reaction to go "It's not true!" rather than "I can get better at this." I know I've had that first reaction myself.

And yet I have observed and experienced techniques that seem to have worked (or manifested) precisely or semi-exactly like I or the person intended- but not consistantly.....so my attitude toward this is that I don't know about all of this and how the mind and energy works and I'm still researching, investigating this..practicing and discarding techniques, ect... And I consider myself a skeptic...

I was thinking about how skeptics here typically toss in the law of gravity as a contrast to law of attraction, because law of gravity is an obvious LAW that always works. But I got to thinking that to people with little knowledge of gravity, it would seem inconsistent. There are times it doesn't work. For instance, put a straw in a can of soda, and gravity doesn't work on the straw. The other day I got a box of boxes from the post office, turned the box upside down, and the boxes didn't fall out. Gravity didn't work there either. In both cases there are other forces working against the law of gravity.

[RT Wolf]

^ Funny you should mention that, here's another example of gravity being against intuition:

Mental Models!? | Mind-Manual

1. A brick and feather are both dropped from the top of a roof. Which will hit the ground first?

2. Another brick and feather are both dropped from the top of a roof, but in a vacuum. Which will hit the ground first?

Come up with an answer (guess if you’d like) for both, but do come up with an answer. Its a lot more fun when you play along.

For the first question, the answer is obvious: The brick will hit the ground first. But what about the second question? Its actually a trick question; they will both hit the ground at the same time.

I agree with nightdiamond, if people have seen teh secret, there's high expectations setup and when they're not met, frustration and anxiety result. It's best to have lslightly lower expectations than that it's easy and whil some people can pick it up instantly, others need to take time to learn it properly. Really a skill, as ALG is fond of saying.

[Jennihul]

Originally Posted by MidasGirl

Of course the Law of Attraction is a secret. Look at how many people still "don't get it".

Girl! You crack me up. True.

Originally Posted by ALG

Essentially you'll have the same problem if you are looking for something along the lines of:
"How To Become A Quantum Physicist in Seven Days"
or
"The Idiot's Guide to Knowing God"
or
"Seven Habits of Highly Effective Realities (in Bullet Point Form!)".
I guess the logical point i am making here is that perhaps you shouldn't expect something as all-encompassing as LOA (for it purports to encompass all of reality) to be simplifiable into a convenient, quick list of clear, concrete instructions .... It's not the same as assembling a cupboard, or cooking pasta, or solving a Sudoku puzzle. Your mind is much more complex than a cupboard, or pasta, or Sudoku.

That's the problem in a nutshell. Think about modern man's arrogance which is so eloquently revealed in every one of these anti-LOA threads: We have been re-introduced to a massively complex, millennias old concept that has survived the test of time, been hidden away to protect it at the cost of lives from people that would seek to supress it. These vast concepts have even been hidden in tomes like the Bible, games like Tarot and fairy tales told to children, just to keep it alive because it's one of the most meaningful pieces of knowledge a human can possess. A movie (brochure) comes out to re-awaken this ideal in the average schmo and people take a glance at it and decide it sucks.

Well, there ya go. Joe Schmo says it sucks. Millions of people, thousands of years, Bibles, sages, gurus, carvings in stone, massive monuments, evidence of it's use by nearly every ancient culture on the planet, some of the most brilliant men and women that walked the Earth have used it but Joe Schmo says it sucks. Therefore it must suck.

I am sometimes a tad embarassed for us....

Jennifer

[nightdiamond]

Hi Everyone thanks for the replies....

If I want to be a quantum physicist in 7 days and a bought a book that says it will show me how, I want good help page and customer service phone number darn it! lol

This is my opinion and just my opinion on this subject; One problem with concepts like these is that even if it's honest, well meaning and true, the cult mentality somehow always finds a way in and then exaggerates, distorts, and twists the ideas around and innocent people unfortunately get exploited.

For example, psychics and the afterlife; when promoting themselves, many self proclaimed psychics or mediums confidently claim they can talk or communicate with the deceased; Not receiving vague letters, but communicate, like direct 2 way communication.

And yet on stage in front of a camera the best they seem to do is this; "I'm getting an.. "A" ....does your Aunt's name start with an A? Yes, She's telling me it Ab-- is that right? Ok, yes it Abby she says her name is Abby...." If this medium is really communicating with the dead, then why he or she are only getting letters? And even then the medium must first confirm it with the audience member or person in the session before moving to the next letter... and then comes the investigation by Dateline or 20/20 and the expose......

Does this sound convincing to someone who is really seeking answers to the mystery of life and death?

On the other hand you have psychics who have helped police investigators, remote viewers who have hit the target dead on....

For the first example, what happens if the medium writes a book on how to communicate with your spirit guide for happiness and prosperity? Will it waste the reader's time, disappoint him or her eventually? Or if they believe in the psychic, will they get something out of it?

And then what happens if a FAN of the medium writes a book based on the medium's work and promotes it to people?

And remember Transcendental Meditation, and the claim that some of its followers could learn to fly? The claim seem to imply that these people could do something like levitate or glide through the air. If I were just learning about yoga and meditation and believed the claims about yoga, I might be interested in this idea with images of being able to float around using the power of meditation...

But once I see how it really looks, and see only people seeming to just up and come down again while sitting crossed legged, you might not blame me for feeling disappointed.

Are we still talking about manifesting?

I'll be back soon with some more replies if you're interested, take care everyone....