Law of Attraction for Skeptics

Whether you think it's 'the bomb' or complete and utter BS, there's no doubt the 'Law of Attraction' has hit mainstream consciousness.

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.

It's a shame that this potentially useful tool has become so maligned, particularly when probably all of us make use of its principles under other names.

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.

The foundation of the law of attraction, and really of anything we set out to do, is the setting of an intention. On a conscious level, this determines where we want our path to lead. On a subconscious level, a clear stated intention sends a message to the brain to adjust the criteria of the filter... allowing our subconscious to bring our attention to those things happening in the external world that will help us reach our goal that we might otherwise have missed. I think we grossly underestimate the feedback loop.. how our belief systems shape not only shape what we pay attention to, and how we interpret those things, but affect the subtleties in our words, tone, and actions that reinforce those beliefs. And then, of course, how the world around us responds in kind. People who 'magically' or synchronistically appear in our lives at the right moment may have actually been there all along, but through the power of intention (or expectation), we just happened to more receptive at that moment.

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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Carnival of Healing #155 - Perfect As We Are

Welcome to my very first hosting of the Carnival of Healing!

I am thrilled to include the carnival today as part of my Grace in Gravity Open House month, as well as this being my birthday week .... so, let's keep the party going!

In looking over the submitted offerings this week, I noticed a theme emerging in a few of them that, in my philosophy, speaks to the first truth of real healing.. that is, the recognition of our perfection, and the appropriateness of whatever point we may be in our journey. To set aside self-defeating thoughts of 'how I SHOULD look, feel, weigh, eat, etc." is to disarm the power of resistance, and begin to illuminate the truth of what we really need to heal.

And so, with that, let's begin with a limerick, entitled "Gray Matters" from Madeleine Begun Kane of Mad Kane's Humor Blog about turning gray (lest we forget that humor is a HUGE component of our healing journeys!).

Robin, of Let's Live Forever, wrote a simply beautiful post entitled, "Feelings Are There to Be Felt"... reminding us that by ignoring and suppressing our 'negative' painful emotions, they can become harmful, and too powerful -- and that by acknowledging and embracing these emotions ... giving them space and a name, we can free ourselves of their power over us.

Phylameana lila Desy, in her post, "Join Me in the 29 Day Gift Giving Challenge" invites us to give away something of yourself for 29 days, shifting the focus of our own personal struggles to that of how we can help others, and then opening up to the miraculous possibilities that follow.

Kristen McCarthy, in her provocative piece, "Menstrual Suppression is the New White", addresses a topic dear to my heart. The continued negative campaign by doctors and pharmaceutical companies, geared toward eliminating a woman's monthly cycles 'for her own good', are not only skewed, but potentially very dangerous. I hope to see (and will contribute to) more writings about this scary trend.

Stories of survival and spiritual triumph under extreme and inhumane conditions can inspire us to rise above what we perceive to be the harshness of our own lives. Victor Frankl's account comes to mind. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's is another. Glowing Face Man offers how his life was touched by this political prisoner under Stalin's regime in "Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: A Man of Courage, Passion and Freedom"

Chris Edgar, of Purpose Power Coaching, in Part Two of "Are You Really Trapped?" challenges our stories that we are stuck in our: career, relationship, financial situation, 'fill-in-the-blank'  by suggesting that we're paralyzed by too many possibilities open to us. It is easier to stay within the discomfort of the known, than to take the leap onto a path that might be perceived as "wrong", Compelling question, indeed.

Pain Relief 

Good sound advice for using heat in the relief of neck pain comes from The Back Pain Blog.. in a piece entitled "Neck Pain Goes Back to Class".

Sierra Koester of "Pain Relief 101", shares a few insights she has gained as a sufferer of fibromyalgia in "The Do's and Dont's of Natural Pain Relief for Fibromyalgia".

Skin Care

With "organic" and "natural" being the new hot marketing terms, it's important, as a consumer, to educate oneself about the mythology surrounding these terms to be assured that what you are buying is indeed, 'organic'. Julena of "Organic Makeup and Skin Care" helps you sift through the facts and fiction in "Organic Skin Care Myths".

Dealing with less than perfect skin? Laura Milligan, of  RNCentral.com, offers "101 Ways to Rid Yourself of Acne".

Food and Health

Can food choices be a form of activism? Leslie Hatfield, author of the e-book, "Cultivating the Web", believes so. Check out her interview on Victoria Everman's blog. From this post: "Featuring intelligent essays by noted moved and shakers in the sustainable food movement, Cultivating the Web includes lists of eco-food focused blogs, networks websites, consumers resources and more."

Drawing from the diets of two cultures known for their health and longevity, Trudy Thelander and Ric Watson created a food and health website, called MediterrAsian.com. Lovelyn, author of The Art of Balanced Living blog, interviews Trudy about their site and their book, The MediterrAsian Way.

BrainBlogger offers a perspective on the nagging question of whether vegetarians get enough protein, in "Are You Vegetarian? How Do You Get Enough Protein?"

Curious about what a (raw) vegan is and what on earth they eat? Check out the blog we overstep and get an insight.

Exercise and Movement

B.M. Garrett offers encouraging advice about incorporating the healthy exercise and movement we need just within our daily lives. Forget the bowflex! Grab the kids! (Or a mop!)

Whether you're involved in an active exercise regimen, or your activities are limited to work and/or home, Grace R Young OT offers sound advice to avoid fatigue and injury in "Rest, Pacing and Timing".

Have you sustained an injury and have concerns about falling behind in your fitness goals? Weight Loss Journal help you keep up with this article entitled, "How to Keep Fit When You Are Injured".

Meditation

And last, but not least. From The Change Blog... ""How to Meditate (& Why it May Help You Overcome Depression)

I hope you enjoyed this week's carnival. If you liked a particular post, let them know, and spread the word about the carnival! Feedback is a good thing..

**Last week's Carnival (#154) was brought to you by Phylameana's Holistic Healing Blog.
**Next week (Sept 20th), be sure to visit Pearl at Fresh Perspectives for the Carnival of Healing #156.

For more info about submitting to or hosting a carnival of your own, visit here...!

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Your Inner Captive

Looks harmless enough..I recently became involved in an on-line discussion regarding 'comfort zones', aptly re-named by one of the participants as 'hostage zones'. Many of us are familiar with the idea of a "comfort zone"... that soft, Lay-Zee Boy Recliner of Life we settle into, at first, for a little peace and stability. It's comfortable, to be sure, but eventually we become resistant to the thought of evacuating that space, until the idea of even getting up for the remote feels like a Herculean task.

Katherine Reschke, coiner of the 'hostage zone' phrase, revealed her distaste for the word 'comfort' in regards to this state, as it belies its utter insidiousness.

So, what's wrong with wanting to be comfortable?

Well, nothing, at first. But what our biology is wired for is challenge. And movement. We know that with the introduction of new information, new neural pathways are created in the brain.  Strength training cultivates bone density. Movement keeps us flexible, and produces endorphins, which elevates our mood. Facing our fears brings us closer to our true expression. Everything that we know about challenge (and, more importantly, our attitude toward it) is that it makes us stronger.. mind, body and soul.

Stillness and rest  are natural parts of the overall rhythm. We need these lulls in the music to regain our stability, make adjustments, process information, and rejuvenate before we go back out onto the dance floor.

It's when we settle back into our chair, pull our security blanket up around us and look on at the world going by that we get stuck.

Movement and growth is life. Lack of movement is atrophy, rigor mortis, and quite frankly, my friends, death. To live in captivity of our own inner critics, fears, doubts, inflexibility and so on, is to live a half-life.

Katherine Reschke, whom I mentioned above, and Jenn Givler, are offering their joint coaching project: "Coaching the Brain: How to Go From Stuck to Success", based on the idea that the beliefs and limitations we have that contribute to holding us captive in our hostage zones can be changed through 'rewiring'. Jenn and Katherine are offering a free informational teleseminar on their program on September 17th at 1 pm EST, so you can see if this is a match for you. Just sign up on Katherine's website, and she'll send you more details and the call-in number.

I will also be continuing to address this very powerful topic here on my site, with shiatsu-based tips and strategies for releasing yourself from your inner captive.

Thinking Outside the Box

Such an oft-used term, isn't it? Almost a cliche'.

'Thinking outside of the box' is a metaphor intended to be descriptive of the creative process... to discover new solutions for familiar  problems by tossing out the 'same ol' same ol', and abandoning unproductive paradigms.

And what is a paradigm? A perspective and way of thinking so overarching as to be invisible and unquestioned. The idea of challenging paradigms can feel as scary as taking oneself off life-support.

Continuing with the box metaphor, paradigms can come in many sizes. They be giant freight containers.. encompassing entire cultures, or shoe boxes small enough to contain a family, a couple or an individual. What's most remarkable about these boxes is the flimsy material from which they're fabricated, but our experience of them is that of plexiglass. Invisible, yet unbreakable. They are stories (and often assumptions) about "the way things are". We may not even notice a paradigm until it is challenged.

What does this have to do with bodywork? (Always the question, isn't it? Where is she GOING with this?" Bear with me..)

I see a parallel between limited paradigms that don't serve us, and a limited range of physical expression. Paradigms are the stories about "the way things are". And our bodies are the storytellers. We come into this world with full range of motion and expression... and over time, the stories, with their accompanying limitations, pile onto us, like layers of clothing. Some asked-for, many not. Life goes on and there may come a time (if we're lucky) when we wonder, who am I? under this cumbersome wardrobe. Our bodies have taken the shape of what we've molded ourselves to be.. to find happiness, to maintain a relationship, to self-protect, to feel worthy, to care for others... and often, we start to buckle under all that weight.

Again, if we're lucky, the inkling of a suspicion comes forth about a potential key to our happiness. This inkling glows and grows, makes us giddy with joy.. begins to take on a life of its own, and then.. WHAM!...comes smack up against the constraints of the box. Paradigms of the Way Things Are, or Should Be, or Have Always Been (often labeled as 'reality') fill us with feelings of doubt and shame, and guilt... and 'what the hell was I thinking?'  -- and back into the cramped box goes that little spark of joy (otherwise known as 'who you really are').. to either die a sad and lonely death, or to continue to find a way to express itself, in ways that may not always be very healthy to self and others.

I've seen it, and I've felt it, in my clients and in myself.

Like I said, challenging paradigms can feel life-threatening. Challenging a limited range of motion can feel painful and destabilizing. We get very, very used to stuff. Even if we're miserable.

But here's the thing. What if, even for the briefest of moments, we were to stop ourselves in the process of stuffing our deepest desires underneath the layers of our beliefs about 'How We Should Be", and in that moment asked, "Whose story is this? Why do I believe what I believe about this? And is it really true? Whose clothes ARE these?" It is in that moment of questioning that utter miracles happen.  Even if we choose to keep those clothes on.. keep our beliefs and our paradigms (because we gotta have something to go on!).. even still, just the recognition of a CHOICE creates space, room to breathe...room to move and get unstuck from a very cramped and uncomfortable position. Energy, momentum, and possibility flow in. Being able to touch one's toes after years of experiencing pain in the attempt is motivating and encouraging.

So, what is it? What is that 'reality' that boxes you in, and keeps you from stepping into your joy? Here's another thing. Paradigms aren't real. They exist only in our perception. Does that make it a little easier?

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