Thursday
18Sep2008
Law of Attraction for Skeptics
Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 06:44PM 
This 'theory' that we humans are able to create our own realities by fleshing out a vision of what we want to that reality to be: prosperity, vibrant health, fulfilling relationships, and then positioning one's mindset in an expectation that these experiences are already coming to us, making it irresistible to the ever-responsive Universe to 'make it so', has understandably attracted many, many followers, and of course, many critics and detractors.
I have been intrigued by the idea of "deliberate creation' for some time, say around 12 years. I can understand, from a naysayers perspective, how the idea of 'attracting' wealth, and success, and all good things, runs counter to the noble and traditional Protestant work ethic, leaving itself open to criticism, especially when these ideas always seem to be presented by spokespeople of the fringe, and with an air of total self-gratification, and just a little greed.
I'm not so well-equipped with the scientific understanding or vocabulary of how this all works, and while I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me could fill in most gaps, I also believe there is still a realm of as-yet-undiscovered capabilities of the human nervous system that would account for the seemingly mystical workings of the law of attraction.
But here's what I think.
For one, we got a heck of a lot more going on in our brains than we are aware of. I'm sure there's some scientifically-established number given to the particular bits of sensory information that bombard our brain in every moment. But suffice it to say that it's a lot more than we could process and still be able to function throughout the day. As a necessity, our conscious mind acts as a filter, and the parameters of that filter are determined by past experiences, beliefs, paradigms, expectations, etc. We are not, nor can we ever really be totally objective observers.Life is undoubtedly full of endless variations and possibilities. Stuff going on all the time, with quite possibly no real rhyme or reason, or meaning, except we what we humans ascribe to it, once again, based on the parameters mentioned above. It's what we pay attention to and the meanings we overlay onto the events we notice that shape our unique experiences.
Believe me, I'm not discounting the wonder and miraculous nature of this process... on the contrary, I am in continual awe as I discover how much more capability we have in the human form that we've believed up until recently. A certain prominent voice in the "Law of Attraction" field has likened the human form to a radio antenna, and setting our intentions is like adjusting our radio frequency. My Shin tai teacher, Saul Goodman, also believes in the resonant and vibratory nature of our central nervous systems, affirming the power of the mind/body connection, and radio frequency-like nature of our physical forms. This is the aspect that I will refrain from going into here, but it offers continued support of the idea that our attitudes, beliefs, life experiences, expectations and moods shape and are shaped by our physical posture... we project out into the world our particular paradigm, and we are receptive only to that sensory stimulus which supports those paradigms.
The 'L of A' folks, in my opinion, are really only encouraging a challenge of those paradigms.
But we can talk about that in other ways as well.
When we hear about 'putting yourself in vibratory alignment with your desires' what does that mean? It means that no matter how much you may want the object of your desire, if your entrenched underlying beliefs systems run counter to attaining that goal, and your subconscious filters are keeping potential opportunities from entering your field of conscious awareness, the status quo will hold firm. I believe most of us have experience with self-sabotage.. the underlying need to keep things as they are, without threatening the dominant paradigm. "Vibratory alignment" also suggests that your actions, and your mind/body posturing have to reflect the belief and environment within which the outcome of your desire can exist.
I think too many people, both supporters and critics of the "L of A" have come to equate it with 'positive (or even, 'wishful') thinking". Sonia Simone, in her awesome post, "Are You Ready for Your Audition?" says:
"You’re getting more chances than you realize to strut your stuff for someone who could help you. (I’m convinced that this is how the “Law of Attraction” really works. Great stuff doesn’t show up because you focus on it. You’re just able to suddenly perceive all the great stuff that’s always been right in front of you, because you focus on it. )"
Which I guess I could have said just as simply.
So, the question is: Do you want to know what signal you are projecting? Start by listening to your own story about what you're receiving.
Feel free to email me your insights, or share them here.
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Reader Comments (5)
After nearly being taken off the planet this year from head and neck cancer, there is a lot to be said for LOA even in my healing process. A lot has happened to bring the right people in place at the right time so that you could read these words. Nothing 'done' or performed by me personally, the events just happened. From the family circling around with care and love to the oncologists, surgeons and health professionals appearing at the right time to heal and give their gifts. Never would have even considered LOA before, but the evidence in this instance is irrefutable.
Keep in mind there are a lot of bogus online claims by idiots claiming to provide a secret for LOA- just ignore, the real LOA comes from grace and nowhere else.
HI Gina!
Embodygrace.com is a wonderful blog. I love the subject up for discussion this month. " I have been intrigued by the idea of "deliberate creation' for some time, say around 12 years" ..wow, for me its been about 8 years. I remember when someone told me money=energy and I thought they were from another planet.
When you totally the concept of energy for the first time it completely changes your perspective on life. I love the question you ask toward the end "Do you want to know what signal you are projecting?" this so perfectly sums up how important it is for people to start to observe there thoughts, actions and emotions as the learn how to guide themselves toward there dreams.
Live Abundantly....Alex
ps. Keep the posts coming... I love www.embodygrace.com
Thank you Alex!! Very cool of you to drop by and share the love!
I have always believed in LOA, but more so as a rule and not as a hard and fast law with no exceptions. Those individuals "manifesting" tons of wealth through their sales of many books, CD's, and very expensive seminars are just too much to take. For once I'd like to see all of this manifested wealth come from something other than selling this idea to others. I feel incredible when I offer help to those in need, but LOA says it's their own fault and they should manifest their own good fortune. LOA says that it is impossible to feel good about something and it turn out badly and that it's impossible to feel bad about something and it turn out well. That's absolutely false and we all have a life time of examples if we're really honest with ourselves. I naturally live by LOA because I do beleive that we are magnets to some degree and I can clearly see how negative people bring about negative events in their lives just as positive people seem to attract positive events. But my soul tells me that I am not here for the sole purpose of accumlating all the material items I want and my soul tells me that it is divine to help those in need. God courses through my soul and the angels do sing when I humbly attempt to help others that the univers has brought my way. Although I don't ask for it, I am often gievn blessings shortly after. LOA in it's mass marketing form just doesn't seem to allow for any of that. I cannot beleive in any divine law that does not teach of compassion or charity. Many LOA people say those in need of compassion or charity desreve what they get because they're asking for it. That is very sadenning.
Hi Z Man.. thank you for commenting.
I think that with any idea, philosophy, concept, there will always be exploitation, oversimplification, or what I like to think of as experimentation as it goes through the filters of humans. These things are more of a reflection of where we are in our development and understanding rather than the concept itself. There is SO much to be said about L of A, and what amazes me is how it has shown up as a teaching throughout history... this is nothing new.
Whether L of A is a law or a guideline, I don't know, but I do think that what appears to be 'exceptions' to what we're trying to attract may in fact just be illuminating that there is more going on within us abut what we think we want or need than we are usually conscious of.