What do you Feel about The Law of Attraction?

[aceofcups]

Hope I don't offend anyone.

But I have never been a big fan of the new-agey concept of "The Law of Attraction".... not that its foundations doesn't come from ancient teaching persay.. but more where it has led to in present time in last few years.

I remember watching "the Secret" movie when that book was big best-seller in new agey circles a few years ago, with a number of long time travelers on the spiritual path. This was at the retreat center I lived at at the time. Most of us realized it was really regurgitating the concept of "SELFISH EGO GREED" into a more new age palpable light and wording.

Maybe people see it differently now, hopefully?. But Never been able to get past that initial reaction I had back then.

I know many who feel strongly about it, forget it quickly when it doesn't produce the results they wanted instantaneously.

Would love to hear others viewpoint on the "Law of Attraction" - positive or negative.

[sparklekaz]

Hi Ace,

I tend to view the concept of the 'law of attraction' in spiritual and psychological terms. Rather then just for personal gratification. That manifesting good things in our lives requires us to be 'pro-active'. Rather then just 'sitting' thinking, wishing, hoping intensely that what we want, will come to pass. I believe that being positive, envisioning oneself living a prosperous and good life, is the energy, the motivation people 'need' to propel them forward. Whilst 'sitting' thinking, ruminating, brooding on perceived lack, only cultivates negative feelings of reasentment, envy/jealousy, which blocks progress.

I believe positive thinking raises our vibration. So that we exude an energy force that acts as a magnet; pulling, attracting, to us more of the same. So in that sense I believe in the law of attraction. I can see where some people would try to use it solely in a materialistic way. I somehow think though it doesn't quite work like that. That for it to work properly, it has to be aligned with our highest good. So if someone's motives are greedy and purely selfish, it will contaminate the intent. And create a block. If that makes sense. For me, I believe for the Law of attraction to work properly, mind, body and spirit need to be of one purpose. This includes higher purpose and karma.

Just my thoughts on it Ace.

Love and light
Kaz

[tribunalofmercy]

Karen, I really like what you said, “That for it to work properly, it has to be aligned with our highest good. So if someone's motives are greedy and purely selfish, it will contaminate the intent.” To me, everything I think, every action, every step I take, becomes positive or negative based on my Intent, which is the secret of the Heart…sometimes I think there is Much to be said for “Ignorance is bliss”, simply because the ignorant man, while perhaps failing to see the higher meaning in things, does not necessarily do the same damage by Intent as someone (um, me) who Knows better, and chooses something other than Right Thinking/Action. You and I have both talked about this before, in other threads.


But about the Law of Attraction - Perhaps I see it as a Means to an End, Charlie – though I understand what you say, and I do feel it might be looked on as a “knock-off brand”, you know, a new (cheaper) version of an older teaching…and yes, like so many Other things, I see those who would gain material wealth or popularity, etc by encouraging others to understand they might get Everything they want, if they just think Positively about it…lol, like Karen said. Buddhism, Taoism, even astrology teach this principle a bit differently, for greater understanding and spiritual gain 


Truly, I’ve been all about an Agenda, which involves getting people Thinking, no matter where they Are at any given moment; I don’t have to tell all I know or believe, but in my opinion, thinking creates an opening for Truth to tiptoe in, you know? The thinking Itself may attract thoughts that lead to spiritual growth. (I know there are those who believe the same, and those who believe the affairs of others are none of our Business, but as we learn discretion I still think there are Opportunities worth considering).


There is a passage in the Christian bible (book of Philippians) where the apostle Paul is preaching about Jesus, and some Others who are envious of all the attention he seems to be getting, as he preaches, decide that They will do the same – not because they truly believe, but to gain fame for themselves. When Paul was told about this, he said, “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me… But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”


What I get out of this, that I share, is not that everyone should preach about Christ, but that sometimes things have a way of being seen to bring Good results to those who “hear”, you know, even when they are done for the wrong reasons.
…and, I understand initial feelings about something, due to a less-than-positive experience, that just will Not go away, Charlie – I don’t mind that you think LOA is unpleasant (I feel that way about Rod Stewart and I Cannot make that feeling go away. LOL)

[sparklekaz]

Dear Mary Anne,

I really liked it when you said "What I get out of this, that I share, is not that everyone should preach about Christ, but that sometimes things have a way of being seen to bring Good results to those who “hear”, you know, even when they are done for the wrong reasons." I hadn't thought of it in that way. But it's true. If something has a beneficial effect, that is what is important.

For someone who has been depressed and felt crushed by life, who believes that they are a victim of circumstance, with no power to change things. To be inspired by an idea, or a book might be just what they need to turn their life around. I know what it is like to feel powerless to feel as if I have no control. One of the most life changing moments for me, was through studying the buddhist teachings about self awareness, self responsibility and mindfulness. Maybe out of all the gimmicky 'get rich' fads out there, this one will do more good then harm, instead of the other way round. What will be will be!!

Love and light
Kaz

[donq]

Hi Ace,

The new age concept of The Law of Attraction? I think positive thinking/self hypnosis/auto hypnosis are good on psychological level anyway. Except a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy (illusion) which can mislead someone and it might never come true.
Yes, agree about “selfish ego greed.” This seems to be a paradox. To success in the worldly level, people need their self confidence which are against their spiritual level. The more self confidence, the more ego. A venerable famous old Buddhist monk once said, he still had to keep his anger, for controlling his disciples (he had thousands of them).
Or a simple example. A man who has self-confidence that he’s charming and handsome, somehow attracts more women. At least, comparing to a man who lacks that kind of self-confidence, who never had a chance to get laid.
So, yes, I think that the Law of Attraction works on psychological level.
As for spiritual level, it also works, but, as Karen already pointed out, it’s a lot more complicated. We have to look over our ego first and foremost. And that hardly makes us attracting anything worldly (for example, I hardly attracted any woman on that dating sites I used to hang out. hahaha.) Or if someone has less greed, how could he has enough motivation to make much more money?
However, the Law of Attraction on spiritual level works differently, but more powerfully. I think of Zen’s teacup (about full cup of the tea that could not get new more knowledge) but in a different meaning. If a spiritual person makes himself/herself voids (from his ego), it will be like an emptied cup of tea which is waiting for new thing to fill in it. He/she becomes an open huge space to get any possibility, (Lorraine explained this state so well on another thread), even a so called miracle!

P.S. I haven't read the second post of Karen, and Mary Anne yet.  So, sorry if I repeat something. Ok, I'm going to read those posts after post this. 

[mojomojo]

Law of attraction,
I have always found, if I ask spirit for anything, I'am always answered in the spiritual.
In the past, I used to do this, to see if they were listening, it's the outcome I've tried to describe in a previous post, "the shiny lady."
I believe we are better operating from a positive mindset, whether that attracts positive things into our life, I do not know.
I believe we get what we need to grow spiritually, I have yet to meet a wealthy man who was spiritual.
I don't see anything wrong, with positive thoughts or visualisation, but we are trying to change the outcome, and if it's out of alignment.
I believe, to align ourselves and intentions with our higher self, is the better path.
My only problem with the new age thing it does seem to be totally materialistic, and if you can get that to work for you, well every thing costs, doesn't it,
Plus my biggest grievance, I AM GOD, is that a new age thing, or have I got it completely wrong,
While I agree with it in the context of, we might be a drop of the ocean, with the same characteristics of the ocean, but we are no way near as powerful as the ocean,
To say we are a spark of the divine, fine, but that doesn't make us the divine, sorry, gone slightly off topic.
Yes, for me positive thoughts, followed up with the action to make it happen.

Robert.

[aceofcups]

Thank you all for your insightful comments on the subject:

Kaz , your such a great clear writer.... it really helped ... I certainly agree at certain psychological and spiritual stages we do need to learn to have a more positive focused mind set, which unfortunately some don't seem to have - and others dwell on the negative aspects of life and living -- especially those new to spiritual process. It's a bit like learning to drive a car or ride a bike to me,, in the beginning you have to work hard a bit at learning the skills but after a while it seems "to work" and you learn to do it naturally. I think to some degree spiritual tools like being positive about life, being compassionate towards others and such just become part of one's being. Probably if more were able to read peoples auric fields and such they could see it's happening energetically also.

How much "pro-active" is useful and how much of it can also be counter-productive at certain stages? That was question for myself -- It's fine-line issue. I was thinking about the process of energy Healing,  How being "pro-active" ( besides just the non-attached intention to help) can be counter-productive because it can engage one's ego's into process. Even if they are positive thoughts.. so learning to let go, quiet the mental chatter - disengage the ego the best we can is also a useful tool. It all depends where one is in consciousness I guess.

For myself, being a long term meditator, I know I reached a point where I realized that one has to "trust" more the whole process, that our Higher Self knows exactly what we need and the best way for it to come to pass. For myself I know at that point there was some type of shift within and I really didn't need to work as hard,,, just stay more centered and at times quiet. But I had to reach that stage, whatever it was for that to be true. And as you say that takes place within the mind-set of "for the greatest good" stage. That knowing trust ( not just a belief but a real knowing of it) had something to do with attracting the best for all concerned in my life and still is. thankfully