Why the Law of Attraction is Wrong, But Why It Still Works

Mike Says:

June 8th, 2008, 5:56 am

Good post Leo, I bought a copy of The Secret when I was last in Amsterdam airport thinking it was a mystery novel or something - I should really pay more attention to what I buy!
I found it fairly interesting, but don’t believe it personally.

Clay Collins | The Growing Life Says:

June 8th, 2008, 6:03 am

Yeah, whenever I hear crazy claims made and then backed up with quantum physics and stated as “law” my B.S. detector goes off. I feel sorry for *real* quantum physicists who must be pissed at all the misuse of their branch of science.

And then there’s all the egoistic megalomania. Blah. :-)

Allison Says:

June 8th, 2008, 6:10 am

I completely agree with Clay - any time someone mentions quantum mechanics outside of the context of actual physics, I automatically assume it’s BS.

Along those same lines, I’m taking a quantum mechanics class and after our final the prof plans to show “What The Bleep Do We Know” so he can explain to us all what complete and utter crap it is. :D

Ben Says:

June 8th, 2008, 6:27 am

I agree, Leo. The LOA seems to me to nothing more than unscientific balderdash. Its only validity lies in that it may encourage you to get off your butt and do what you want done yourself. Thanks for the debunking.

Ben

Scott Says:

June 8th, 2008, 6:28 am

Personally, I’m not a fan of theories which take away from the belief that we, as individuals, are directly able to influence our own lives.

Acknowledging that we can actually do things to acheive our goals, is the very first step in being empowered. When people feel disempowered, they seek to “blame” outside forces and lose the motivation/ drive/ spirit to go on as they believe that nothing they do will make any difference.

On the other hand, what does work is the explicit planning & setting of goals, and then working towards achieving them.

Any other approach- no matter how much in vogue it is- takes away our sense that we can do great things through our own efforts.

Hanna Says:

June 8th, 2008, 6:37 am

I won’t comment on whole LOA issue since I don’t know anything about physics and such.

But I have to say I do appreciate the fact that the Secret people and others have started to talk that we can do things for ourselves and we can change our lives. You have your GTD people who are much more goal oriented people in core so stuff like GTD resonates with them.

But the people who mostly just sit back and play the victim card are finally getting the idea that you can do something about it. For me personally the cause is more important than the yadda yadda - as long as it gets people to think for themselves :)

Shanel Yang Says:

June 8th, 2008, 6:40 am

So true that LOA is mostly pseudo-scientific mumbo jumbo! I especially take offense that they basically repackaged the original great-granddaddy of self help book on this subject, Think and Grow Rich (which is now free to everyone as part of the public domain), in such a smoke and mirrors medium that is quite pricey in comparison.

I downloaded a free eBook of the entire Think and Grow Rich book and summarized it on my blog to make it more accessible to modern day readers. But, the content is much more honest in that Napoleon Hill admits that he does not know why if we create a burning desire for a specific written goal and think about actually having it as much as possible that our body will follow our mind and lead us to that desired result. Instead, Hill sets forth 13 clear steps on how to develop the habits that will get you there from here. I saw nothing like that in The Secret DVD. I haven’t bothered to read the book.

Thanks for your candid thoughts, Leo!

Ben Says:

June 8th, 2008, 6:54 am

I think the Pareto Principle (80/20 Principle), whereby 20% of the effort creates 80% of the outcome, is a far more important concept to grasp than the LOA, since it requires that you find out what is most important and focus on that, i.e. find out what actions will be most productive and eliminate what is not. If you can identify what truly needs to be done and how to do it in the most efficient way possible, then you’ve already accomplished 80% of your goal, so to speak–a number which I’m sure would put the results of LOAers to shame.

Mark - Creative Journey Cafe Says:

June 8th, 2008, 6:59 am

My biggest problem with the law of “attraction” is the word “attraction”. Who can prove this? My issue is the guilt and paranoia that has to come along with this belief that we “attract” everything that happens to us.

It’s impossible to monitor and control every negative thought. And if this theory is true, how come the majority of people who get on an airplane don’t make it crash because of their fearful thoughts?

Who are these so-called “experts” in The Secret who can prove this theory? That must be considered as well. Who are those guys?

All this said, I do believe in the good things about it - the power of focused attention to manifest from the invisible.

Hanna Says:

June 8th, 2008, 7:13 am

Re: based on Think and Grow Rich book. I actually thought it (Secret) was heavily based on The Power of Your Subconscious Mind.

Gustav Says:

June 8th, 2008, 7:22 am

Great post!

I just wanted to say that I do completely agree with the next to last part in your post. Having conscious goals and acting to achieve them (and constantly reviewing them) is a big step in accomplishing things!

Caroline Says:

June 8th, 2008, 7:26 am

I have read The Secret and it used a lot of pages to repeat one idea over and over. Having said that: it is somewhat praise-worthy for suggesting that you can change your own life by thinking about how you want it to be (visualization as mentioned in GTD also, in Project Planning), it is clearly not a scientific ‘law’ for all the reasons already given AND it has a healthy dose of the ‘if you don’t get what you want it’s because you don’t believe strongly enough’ guilt-inducement. Not explicitly stated perhaps but it’s there.

Jeff Lilly Says:

June 8th, 2008, 7:28 am

Just to show the other viewpoint here: I am a Druid; I perform magical spells frequently, to great effect; my wife is a witch, and is very good at magic, especially weather magic. (We haven’t been rained out of a picnic or school function in years. :-) ) In my worldview, and in my experience, the LOA is just a very simple kind of magic.

Everyone here is quite correct in saying that the LOA is completely unscientific, cannot be tested, cannot be proven, etc. etc. But just because something isn’t scientific doesn’t mean it isn’t true. I’m willing to bet there are many people commenting here who believe in God, even though God is also unscientific and unprovable.

You can an article of my thoughts on this matter here, and and a whole collection of them gathered here.

Liara Covert Says:

June 8th, 2008, 7:31 am

Some people believe that success can be defined by giving reasons for new kinds of communiation.

Roman Says:

June 8th, 2008, 7:32 am

The Secret. Just think you want a cheque of USD 100.000 instead of a bill and the miracle happens - dangerous stuff for a lot of people out there. Think, work, have goals and folow through - no miracles needed.

Tim Brownson Says:

June 8th, 2008, 7:44 am

I’m grateful The Secret was made in two respects. It has definitely created a shift and opened some peoples minds and allows me to discuss stuff with clients that would have been taboo a couple of years ago. I can now bring up topics like meditation and visualization where previously I’d have been laughed out of my own office. I think it’s also helped with getting people to think positively and take more personal responsibility.

OTOH, on several occasions I have had people come to me and say something along the lines of “My life is a complete **** up and I know it’s all my fault because I’ve seen The Secret” Trust me, that’s not helpful and not a great starting place.

Secondly, there are so many holes in both that and the Abraham Hicks stuff that you could spray it yellow and call it a lump of cheese. I have found SOME of the LOA devotees really patronizing when I’ve asked tricky questions in different forums and I’ve often had the response that I just don’t get it. Well yeh maybe, but I just don’t get herpes either and I’m quite relieved about that.

So tell me again exactly how a 2 year old that contracted meningitis manifested it? Or how the 8 year old boy that died after swimming in a local lake and contracting a brain infection manifested that? Then let me know why people that truly do get it and KNOW it’s true can’t manifest themselves off a tall building or a sack of cash out of thin air?

I was asked to leave one forum because I demanded they manifest Pluto into my back yard (the planet not the dog btw). It never happened in case you’re wondering although I’ve not had chance to look this morning, so fingers crossed.

Adam Sicinski - Study Matrix Art Says:

June 8th, 2008, 7:45 am

I agree with you Leo.

I think the Law of Attraction is something that must not only have intention behind it, but must also contain the seeds of proactive action that will help bring that intention into fruition within the physical world.

I use to read many books on the law of attraction, and I actually religiously applied those rules into my life, however I lacked the ingredient of proactive action.

My belief is that The Law of Attraction is brought forward into the physical world through a combined process of:

- Setting clear and effective goals.

- Letting go of limiting beliefs.

- Making sure your values are perfectly aligned with your major life purpose and objectives.

- Asking the right set of questions that will expand possibilities and awareness, while keeping you focused on the things you want, and on the solutions to the obstacles that are confronting your life.

- An optimistic approach to life, meaning that all our thoughts are aligned with the outcomes that we desire to bring forth into our lives.

- And finally through consistent proactive action that is perfectly aligned with your life’s purpose, goals, beliefs, values, thoughts, questions and habits of behavior.

I believe that these principles will allow us to stay aligned within the Universal Laws of Attraction, and will in the long-term bring WHAT WE WANT into fruition.

Abduljalil Says:

June 8th, 2008, 7:46 am

I’ve watched the Secret movie, I didn’t like it much as I thought it was a cheap way of playing with peoples’ dreams and showing as it can be easily achieved. It was to dreamy and lake practicality. I think the LOA work because you know what you want when you keep thinking about it. But it won’t get achieved just because you thought about it. Hard work, positive attitude is what get things done.

The Zen Dad Says:

June 8th, 2008, 7:47 am

I think the LOA is also hit and miss and will work for a few people because of the simple fact that thoughts=action. If you think about something long enough you are going to act on those thoughts to come to a resolution. It’s human nature to “check off” things on our mental checklist. I got about halfway through the audiobook myself and thought “nahhh, not for me”, I’m just not buying what she was selling.
http://www.zendad.net

Daniel Richard | WE Says:

June 8th, 2008, 7:49 am

Cool. The good thing that came from LOA is that it gives us something else to talk about, be it bee-ess or not. Creates this new topic that has the word “law” added on to it and you have a controversial item to discuss on.

Leo Says:

June 8th, 2008, 7:54 am

I’m really enjoying hearing your thoughts, guys! I’d love to hear from opposing viewpoints as well … maybe people who believe in the LOA and have used it to some success? People who have tested it more scientifically? I think it would be interesting.

Improve Your Mind Says:

June 8th, 2008, 8:10 am

I think it’s not a LOA’s fault that it cannot be scientifically proven or disproven. Today’s science is still rather limited and far away from truly understand the universe and life - at least that’s my perception.

I think the issue is, that LOA works only in limited circumstances. There were example when people believing in LOA had unfortunate accidents or even died - and that’s certainly not something they attracted themselves. In my opinion, sometimes life brings you something, either good or bad, regardless of what you intentionally attracted with your mind.

Joel Falconer Says:

June 8th, 2008, 8:15 am

@Shanel: I always thought it was based on fluff-piece, “The Science of Getting Rich” - which advocates similar measures and no real action.

You’re spot on Leo. I don’t know this kind of dribble actually gets traction.

Joel Falconer Says:

June 8th, 2008, 8:16 am

*don’t know how

Honza Says:

June 8th, 2008, 8:19 am

Leo,
great post. That’s exactly what I think.
Anyway I think we know absolutely nothing about how the universe works so……. maybe.. :-)
As you say - we can’t prove it wrong.

Leo Says:

June 8th, 2008, 8:31 am

@Improve your mind … you wrote:

“I think it’s not a LOA’s fault that it cannot be scientifically proven or disproven. Today’s science is still rather limited and far away from truly understand the universe and life - at least that’s my perception.”

Well, the problem is, if you can’t prove something is wrong — if it’s absolutely impossible to prove it wrong — how can you test it out? How do you know if it’s right?

I can tell you, for example, that if you think happy thoughts, then someone, somewhere in the world, will be happy as a result of your thoughts. But how can this be tested? You can always point to someone who was happy at any given moment, so there’s no way to prove the theory wrong.

This simplistic example is just to show that, whether science is limited or not, the logic behind science is simply that you should be able to test it out to see if it’s right. If you can’t test it, how will you know?

Heidi Says:

June 8th, 2008, 8:38 am

I am one of the fans of LOA and I will say that I began a complete transformation of my way of thinking thanks, in part, to The Secret.

I have manifested some pretty remarkable opportunities in my life since I changed my perspective, none of which would have happened while I was complaining about what others had and I didn’t have.

All that is around me exists simply because I am there to experience it. That doesn’t mean those experiences aren’t there for others. How it impacts me, however, is uniquely my own, making it my own reality! By seeing all circumstances as opportunities instead of tragedies, I open myself up to personal growth.

The Secret, to me, is a starting platform for us “Westerners” who are accustomed to seeing our reality being thrust upon us from some outside influence. Eastern Cultures have known for 1000’s of years that their mind creates their own reality. LOA and the Secret are superficial introductions to the power of our mind and creation.

So little of our mind power has been tapped into, but I’ve seen enough to know that everything comes from a “thought”. Having faith that there is no ‘fail’ when we take action gives us the courage to take action! If something doesn’t quite work the first time, doesn’t mean that it isn’t going to work… just that we have to maybe do something different until it does (perseverance can be part of our growth opportunity as well)

How to explain the horrific circumstances that plague us? I’m no expert in the mind, but collectively our minds have power to manifest realities as well. I’ve experienced enough pessimists and “negative” thinkers to know that they can make the world pretty miserable for anyone to live in (we do tend to notice more the things we think about)… yes, I used to be one of them (I can say, life wasn’t too fun).

Anyway, I did do a little experiment on this mind manifestation on the LOA with a pretty impressive outcome. I envisioned in my mind a red balloon. Then I thought BIG and made it a hot air balloon. Sure enough, as I drove to school a few days later, a red hot air balloon floated across the road.

Want to see Pluto in your backyard? You may have to get a telescope and look into the sky from your backyard, but even that could show up unexpectedly, but then I am kind of an “out of the box” thinker and see that sometimes how things manifest is often left up to interpretation!

Leo Says:

June 8th, 2008, 8:52 am

@Heidi: Thanks for sharing your fascinating perspective on this! I’d like to hear how others respond to your comment … though I only ask that they treat you civilly! Sometimes people can be a bit unkind in blog comments, and I hope that doesn’t happen here, but if it does, just keep a thick skin. :)

My take on a part of your comment:

“I have manifested some pretty remarkable opportunities in my life since I changed my perspective, none of which would have happened while I was complaining about what others had and I didn’t have.”

This is exactly what I meant in my post — if you used to complain about what you didn’t have, and then you changed your behavior to actually doing something about it (and visualizing what you wanted in the first place), I absolutely believe that your life will improve. Because of the reasons I stated in my post.

If the LOA helps people to change their lives, from being complainers to being people who take action to get what they want, then I am all for it, no matter if I agree with the explanation behind it or not.

So congratulations on making these positive changes!

I agree with you, that our mind creates our reality. Totally agree. I don’t agree that there is some mystic or cosmic explanation, but if you think about something enough, you will likely take the action necessary to make it happen. The action you take is what makes it happen, though, not some unexplained connection with the universe.

On this point, it would be very difficult for either of us to be proven right, but that was my point in the post as well — there’s no way to scientifically test it. Especially if you are able to interpret the results any way you like.

However, let’s agree on the reality: know what you want. Focus on this desire. Then take the steps necessary to make it reality.

Thanks for sharing! :)

James Says:

June 8th, 2008, 8:52 am

Well put Leo. I couldn’t agree with you more.

James Says:

June 8th, 2008, 8:59 am

@ Hanna
“… I do appreciate the fact that the Secret people and others have started to talk that we can do things for ourselves and we can change our lives”

This isn’t a new or unique thing - people doing things for themselves and that we can change our lives. Quite the contrary. They have found a new and unique way to capitalize on it.

Elissa Says:

June 8th, 2008, 9:00 am

If there’s any basis to the so-called “Law of Attraction,” it’s in human psychology. As you’ve noted, articulating your goals clearly makes you more likely to take action to achieve them. In addition, thinking about the world as if the things you desire may have already have happened makes you more likely to notice opportunities that previously you may have ignored. And social psychology is full of studies about the self-fulfilling prophecy, whereby having an expectation (particularly, but not necessarily, about another person) makes you act in a way that makes it more likely that your expectation will be confirmed. The metaphysical explanations are unnecessary and unprovable–simple social psychology is sufficient.

Eddy Says:

June 8th, 2008, 9:09 am

Another excellent post Leo — I think you’ve summed up the LOA very nicely.

There’s a section of the brain, called the Reticular Activating System, which is a kind of spam filter. It blocks information received from your eyes, ears, etc. which is not relevant, so that you don’t get overwhelmed by sensory overload.

When you’re focused on a specific idea or concept, things related to that are much more likely to make it through your spam filter — everything from newspaper stories, magazine ads, a chance remark in conversation, a new book covering the subject, a possible social connection, etc, which otherwise would have slipped under your radar. There’s nothing other-worldly about this, it’s just how our brain works.

(After I bought a new Toyota Avensis a few years ago, it seemed like every other car on the roads was the same model — previously, I’d barely noticed them. Right now, I’m interested in attic conversions, and I can hardly leave the house without discovering someone else doing the same thing.)

There’s some more discussion of this at The Write Event from last year. The BBC also recently ran a news article about some new research in this area.

Benny Greenberg Says:

June 8th, 2008, 9:21 am

The Secret does not work - on itself - just sitting back and waiting for IT to happen gets you nothing!
The Secret can work, when you apply your plan, the desire and the everyday work effot that is needed to make it happen… I guess thats not the secret

Benny
http://www.ya-ttitude.com

dave a Says:

June 8th, 2008, 9:22 am

there are no right or wrongs

Amanda Says:

June 8th, 2008, 9:24 am

Thank you Leo! I was waiting for someone to state this. It is exactly how I feel too. I go through the same steps you are supposed to for the “law” but for different reasons. I feel thinking if I actually have something and keeping positive puts me in the mindset I need to be to reach my goals. Someone should write a book on this concept. Or maybe you know of one?

Open Minded Says:

June 8th, 2008, 9:37 am

Well put Heidi, and Leo! I have seen the Secret, and read the book. While I couldn’t subscribe to the theory of LOA, I could see how this could positively impact many people in exactly the way you stated. And at the end of the day, what matters is that a thought, an idea, a theory, (THE SECRET) became the tool you and so many others used to change their way of thinking about their world around them and see things and feel things positively which resulted in improvements to your life. While the whole package of LOA doesn’t “work” for me, there are many elements that I think apply to everyone. If we want something badly enough, and we think positive thoughts and make a goal for ourselves, we often attain it. Many people today have lost sight of their goals or where they are headed and are wandering through life aimlessly. I think the LOA/The Secret gives folks a tool to get back onto some sort of road toward a destination without bringing a lot of religion into it or introducing a get rich quick scheme that tries to tell you money is the answer to solve lifes problems. Therefore its a little easier for many people to apply to their own lives comfortably.

Robert Williamson Says:

June 8th, 2008, 9:43 am

Its very simple really and totally true it has always worked my whole life and suprized me at times to all educated
scientific people who do not understand this, Stay in school!

Kelly Says:

June 8th, 2008, 9:48 am

One danger of books like The Secret is they give insensitive people one more way to blame those victimized by uncontrollable circumstances. For example, I’ve heard peopel tell a cancer patient and a widower that had they lived more positive lives they would not be suffering. The Secret invites lack of compassion.

Want to know what I think “The Secret” of The Secret really is? The Secret to how to market regurgitated pseudo-science and make millions of dollars.

JERRY Says:

June 8th, 2008, 9:53 am

Good article…
The LOA attracts money alright–it attracts money to the folks peddling the books, cds , seminars, etc.

OutsideMyBrain Says:

June 8th, 2008, 9:55 am

Leo,

I agree and disagree. First off, let me say that I am not a fan of “The Secret”, as I believe they have thrown in way too much “mumbo-jumbo” that isn’t necessary. But, I also believe that you might be throwing out the baby with the bath water, if you completely toss out the LOA with it.

There are two points I would like to make here, and then if you are interested, head to my blog and read, “What Does Your Internal Music Sound Like?”, for a better understanding of what I am portraying here.

First, people tend to like people who are like themselves, who have their same interests, likes, etc. This concept is what is driving the social network phenonmenon.

So, based on that, I say the LOA is bringing like-minded individuals into your sphere or network and perhaps, even as close friends. Now, in order for a person to attract a certain “type” of person, they have to become like that person, if they are not that type already. The process of becoming “like” the person you want to be, or “emulating” is done by putting the GTD principles to work.

Our dominant thougths, increase or decrease our chances of “connecting” with those we are trying to reach. No one want to be around the slothful, complaining, woe-is-me, party pooper type individual. Misery loves company and those are the types of people the whiners will attract.

My second point is this, as in my article, our “internal” music is being broadcast to the world. Now, before you all toss me out, hear me out. Radio Waves can not be seen. Does that mean they don’t exist? The same with microwaves, x-rays, gamma-rays, etc.

Though you may not be able to scientifically prove, nor disprove this, there are well documented cases where siblings (especially twins) have felt strong emotions at the exact same moment the other sibling was in an accident or died. How do you explain that? Many times, the siblings were seperated by some great distance.

Something, whether you want to say it was spriritual, or meta-physical, happened. Something allowed them to communicate over great distances with each other. Some people might call this intuition, or that gut-feeling, but I think it is deeper than that.

Can I prove the theory, no way. But, I believe that our thoughts have a certain amount of energy attached to them which causes a “wave” of some sort to emit from our brains. Since energy can be converted into matter and vise versa, than thoughts can become matter, however small and minute that matter is that creates a thought-wave if you will, that eminates from within us to those around us.

I use the analogy of “internal music” in my post. It’s worth the read, if your willing. For example, have you ever felt someone walk into a room before you even saw them? Have you ever been around someone that just gave you the creeps? Have you ever felt an electric spark between you and someone you were attracted to? And I’m not talking about static electricity. All these examples point to something eminating from that other person that either sits well with you, or it doesn’t. People constantly have their sensors up (woman more in particular than men) when they are meeting people, to “feel them out”.

Again going back to my first point, this music that we constantly play in our heads is what attracts or repels others from us. If we want to “attract” a higher level of indiviual into our lives, we must be able to “attract’ those types of people by speaking like them, dressing like them, going to social gathterings where these poeple “hang out”, etc. People like to be around other poeople that are like them… it’s that simple!

I guess I threw a little more than my 2-cents in there, but I would be interested in reading your response.

Kelly Says:

June 8th, 2008, 9:56 am

PS - The Secret also misdirects justice. Rather than blame war criminals, The Secret blames their victims for collectively not being more positive - this was something I heard during a discussion of those advocating the book. So rather than blame the war criminals for their actions, focus was directed toward blaming the victims.

No, you couldn’t pay me to put a copy of this farce of a book on my shelf. Would those who believe in the LOA explain how New Orleans attracted Katrina? Or other such situations? Quit ascribing all this oomy goomy stuff to some pseudo-science and take responsibility for your own strengths and use your success compassionately.

Tim Brownson Says:

June 8th, 2008, 9:59 am

@ Heidi - You know what? I don’t even not believe in the LOA, I just don’t believe in the way it’s explained and I think too many people are jumping on the bandwagon and treating it almost as a pseudo-religion because it’s an easy option.

I agree 100% that everything starts in the mind with a single thought, but that can have everything or nothing to do with the LOA imho.

Do the red balloon thing again tomorrow and the next day and the next day and then make it blue with yellow spots because there are NO exceptions to the LOA it ALWAYS works because The Secret said so. To be fair, one example is meaningless unless you can replicate it.

BTW, my introduction to manifesting was The 28 Laws of Attraction by Thomas Leonard that originally came out (I think) about 6 or 7 years ago. Thomas Leonard then died at the age of 48, so his manifesting ability as an expert seems questionable at best ;-)

Kelly Says:

June 8th, 2008, 10:01 am

As I read through some of the posts above, the danger of The Secret is evident - victim-blaming and lack of compassion and done so self-righteously. Not every person suffering in this life created their circumstances. Many good, positive, assertive people suffer.

‘nough said!

Kelly Says:

June 8th, 2008, 10:06 am

“What’s easy?”

1 - blaming those suffering for their own suffering instead of considering they might be as assertive, if not more assertive, than we are and bad things can still happen.

2 - not learning about physics - if one learns about physics one quickly sees how silly The Secret is.

Again, The true Secret is how to mass-market old junk.

Zenplease Says:

June 8th, 2008, 10:07 am

Great point.

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http://zenplease.com/zen-please-announcement/

Chris Says:

June 8th, 2008, 10:10 am

I agree and dissagree with you. “The Secret” fails to fully explain all aspects of the LOA. It makes it seem like a mystical, magical force that wishful thinking will bring what you want.

The LOA is extremely powerful, if applied correctly. There is an awesome book/cd set called “The Secret of Deliberate Creation” by Dr. Robert Anthony. He takes the LOA and breaks it down scietifically and gives you ways to actually IMPLEMENT the LOA. I’m not in any way affiliated with or compensated by his company, I just beleive in what he teaches.

The LOA starts in your mind with what you’re thinking and is carried out by your feelings and ACTIONS. When you’re thinking and feeling the right things, your actions will lead you to your desire. It’s not magic; it’s science.

Bev Says:

June 8th, 2008, 10:11 am

such great thoughts!! I found the book itself rather boring. But the concept…well, I’ve read it in many places before. I do think if it helps someoen change their perspective in life, then there is some value to the book. But overall, I agree, to make a real change, does require some action, not just thought. Has anyone read the book White Banners ? Some similarities although more about being a pacifist. Interesting ideas if not taken to an extreme. I think too often people read a book like these and take the idea to the fullest extreme without totally understanding. Then it doesn;t quite work as the author intended and others begin to denigrate the entire concept.

Vered Says:

June 8th, 2008, 10:11 am

Tim said: “Thomas Leonard then died at the age of 48, so his manifesting ability as an expert seems questionable at best”. Funny as always Tim - AND you are making a very good point.

I don’t believe that our thoughts can directly influence the physical world as in “I picture a bag of gold coins - viola! it manifested itself and now I’m rich”.

I do believe that thinking positive and believing in yourself will get you further in life and make you happier than being a whiny pessimist.

So I guess I agree with most people here.

Liz Says:

June 8th, 2008, 10:36 am

Thank you Heidi, and I agree very much with your response.

Personally, for the past ten years I’ve learned that for me the Law of Attraction works ! However, “The Secret” is not at the top of my list of teachers.

For me, a combination of teachers and ideas are continuing to help me manifest positive results in my own life. It’s work. There is a lot of forgiving, releasing and learning to do.

What is the definition of “works” when I use it above? What can I do to prove this to people through science or on a blog post? Those and other questions aren’t ones I can help with.

But I do feel anyone interested enough in “The Secret” to have an opinion about it, and to continue to read, think and comment about it, will find other sources of information about the Law of Attraction to further inform their point of view.

I have a group of friends interested in all this. We share information, and we all respond to different teachers and ways of thinking. It’s a process.

Ultimately, for me this is about a personal inner knowing, and it could be called spirituality. I’m not sure how you could do this without having a “religious” aspect to it, though for me that’s not the word to use. But going “spiritual” as opposed to “scientific” has been a big key to my personal progress with this path.

That’s because to me, being thankful and having “feelings” are what allow what you are attracting. This goes beyond the define-focus-work steps you mention Leo. Those are also important. But emotionally aligning yourself is key, and at this time I can’t give you the science.

GREGG BRADEN - is an author who may be able to do so.

I also like Louise Hay, Lynn Grabhorn, Caroline Myss. There are many others, and for each one of us a different group of teachers will be best! I like that Abraham Hicks and others call it “The Art of Allowing” instead of a law. But hey, maybe what it’s called isn’t so important either!

For me, its a thrill to have this joy and appreciation for all the moments, rewards, and yes, parking spaces I receive, without needing scientific evidence. If and when that shows up — yippee — but I’m not waiting around for it.

And when bad things happen, my advice is forgive, forgive, forgive — instead of looking for someone to blame - whether thats blaming myself, my teachers, a book like The Secret, one of the two dorks making my current freelance job so irritating … … Ooops! See, I’m not claiming perfection as a manifester. I’m just recommending that by learning much more about the “law of attraction” than what’s offered by The Secret, by not looking for ways to doubt, including application of scientific theory … instead, doing the opposite and appreciating all the reasons to believe and trust and then letting ‘em flow, I do have and am having much much more better life than before I started on this path - and recommend further exploration for anyone. (It’s work tho, it’s just figuring out what kind of “work” it really is …)

Love reading all these posts - so glad this topic is out there. Thanks Leo !!!

Barry Morris Says:

June 8th, 2008, 10:39 am

Some things work whether or not you believe in them or can explain them.

One the original works on LOA (as it’s come to be known) was Wallace Wattles’ 1910 work, The Science of Getting Rich (he also penned two other works based on the same principles as related to health and attracting love).

Interestingly Leo, ACTION plays a huge role in his version of LOA. Also of note, The Secret is based on this original work.

I’ve had some pretty amazing things happen in my life that could only be explained in reference to implementing the LOA (forming a vision, focusing intently everyday on what it would feel like, feeling and expressing gratitude for its ultimate realization, ACTING on what seems the right course of action, and knowing that all things are working for me in this endeavor.)

Also of noteworthy comment is the Abraham-Hicks audios on LOA. Granted they are very woo-woo, but then I’ve always found if I close my mind to things I don’t understand initially, I invite ignorance around the topic.

Recall that Socrates said:
“The unexamined life is not worth living.”

I’ve found that in all areas of life there are those who will jump on the “anti-xxxx” bandwagon without really taking to time to examine the issue. I’m assuming everyone here who’s taken an alternate view has done that.

Barry Morris Says:

June 8th, 2008, 10:42 am

CLARIFICATION: What I meant to say in closing my comment above (before my trigger happy finger hit the Enter button) was I assume everyone expressing alternate views HAS taken to time to examine the issue.
BWM

SpaceAgeSage Says:

June 8th, 2008, 10:57 am

Questions — which will create a better life?:

A life belief that the world is out to get me, or that the world has many wonderful things in store for me?

A life belief that blames others for my problems, or a life belief that with unbending will and the ability to “lean into” a problem, things will work out for the best?

A life belief that says I must overwork myself in the corporate world to succeed, or a life belief that says building relationships and improving the world and myself will generate more meaningful successes in my life?

A life belief that all illnesses are just happenstance and not my fault in any way, or a life belief that I can change my health and well-being for the better?

A life of judgment and shaming, or a life of appreciation and gratitude?

A life of self doubt and feelings of unworthiness, or a life of building inner strength, inner peace, and taking risks to find improvement and betterment?

A life where my personal example is filled with anger, hate, and tearing down others; or a life where my personal example is filled with supporting, encouraging, and nurturing others?

It’s not science. It’s wisdom and common sense, yes?

Thomas Herold Says:

June 8th, 2008, 11:02 am

In order for the Law of Attraction to work for someone you simple can start believing in it. Believing in something is a very strong force.

However you can digg deeper and you will end up in the realms of consciousness and how consciousness unfolds into energy and matter.

The Secret movie scratched that topic only and left many people hanging there. I actually wrote a free ebook that explains in details how it works.

Cheers

Thomas Herold
CEO Dream Manifesto

Michael Moniz Says:

June 8th, 2008, 11:09 am

Great article. Many of my clients come to be because of this book. It is hard to explain to them that they can not just wish but it requires action as well.

It is a great idea and it works but action is what makes it happen. Without the action, you are only wishing.

We need to dream, make goals and make them a reality.

derek Says:

June 8th, 2008, 11:19 am

I think the biggest thing that the Secret has done is to open people`s minds to the fact that they do have control over their lives. The “easy money” systems are making easy money from selling repackaged public domain works to desperate people. However, to change your life, you still need to change your mind…noone can do it for you, regardless of how much you pay for the “system”.

Linda Foor Says:

June 8th, 2008, 11:28 am

I have always thought that the secret of The Secret was that it was a great way for the person who wrote that book to make tons of money!

But your response makes me think of it in a different way…

Years ago, when one of the early abdominal exerciser gizmos came out — I can’t remember the name of it but it was a frame you used that you kind of put around your upper body and you held on to it and rolled up into a crunch and rocked back — I read an article in a fitness magazine about whether or not the gizmo worked. The response of the fitness expert was that it didn’t do anything a normal crunch wouldn’t do BUT if it would make you do crunches on a more regular basis, why not go ahead and use it.

I think you raise a really good point that I never thought about — as an option; as a focusing tool for goal setting and goal attainment.

That’s right, Dorothy, no matter the path or the journey, you knew the way home all along….

Hanna Says:

June 8th, 2008, 11:43 am

What’s with this “don’t make money” illusion people keep having? Who cares if they make money with it? People keep writing about it like they are the mob or something. They have chosen that life path and better other peoples lives that way - and pay the bills as well. Just like Leo has that donate button and ads - bad, bad Leo! (just kidding - I almost always agree with you on things). It really is just the same thing, people thinking they have something to offer to the world. Some people agree, some don’t.

Mike Says:

June 8th, 2008, 11:45 am

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.” - Buddha

Sheila Says:

June 8th, 2008, 11:51 am

Put it this way–The Secret is to the Law of Attraction what those late night infomercials about Getting Rich Quick In Real Estate are to the actual practice of real estate investment. If you don’t dig any deeper than that, you’re not going to get very far and you frankly run the risk of severely screwing things up.

I’m surprised no one else has brought up The Game of Life and How to Play It by Florence Scovel Shinn, another early book (now in the public domain) on the concept.

First off, I think Leo has definitely got a point–it’s entirely possible that it works simply because focusing on something in a positive manner leads you to take steps to make that thing happen. And, face it, detailed goal setting always helps because how will you know if you’ve found what you’re looking for if you haven’t even figured out what it’ll be like when you find it?

But there’s an aspect to it that gets glossed over in a lot of discussion about it, which is the part that intuition plays. It’s not just about taking action, it’s about listening to that still, small voice that tells you what action to take next. This allows things to flow much more easily and indeed may seem magical to people who are used to drilling ahead and doing things the hard way because that’s what they’re supposed to do.

Novices at the Law of Attraction tend to rattle off that the Law of Attraction is like the Law of Gravity–it works whether or not you believe in it. However, they seem to ignore the fact that gravity is not so inevitable that it cannot be defied by other forces like friction and aerodynamics. It’s entirely possible that there are other ‘Laws’ that prevent the Law of Attraction from working in a perfectly predictable matter.

Scientific types don’t seem to condemn meteorology as pseudoscience even though it can’t predict the exact temperature at three o’clock on Tuesday, yet if a manifestation is close-but-not-quite, it’s clearly nonsense and mere coincidence. I don’t quite follow that.

Jen Says:

June 8th, 2008, 12:43 pm

There is something to be said about what happens when we believe something. One good example is a person who believes their co-workers are out to get him or hates him.. He is going to reflect that belief in small ways through his actions, “It doesn’t matter if I get this report to Jerry on time, he hates me anyway.” And he will looking for evidence that he is correct, “Bill didn’t stay and talk to me at the water cooler. He doesn’t like me.” (When in fact, Bill was just busy that day.) And pretty soon everyone at the office does hate him. The same person could believe that everyone likes him and notice all the little things that could be interpreted as kind actions towards him. Then he might react kindly to people because he believes they like him. And tada, he is well liked.

So in the end we get what we believe and think. Because of some meta-physical properties in the universe? No, because it is human nature to find evidence for what we want and to react in ways based upon our beliefs.

Carl Says:

June 8th, 2008, 12:52 pm

I do not have the capability to prove, but I believe that thoughts have a certain type of energy to them. Real energy. I have also found that prayer as a way of channeling thoughts is extremely powerful, but I cannot understand that power.

One are where The Secret turns me off is that most of the manifestation it encourages for people to do is for them to accumulate great wealth in material things. I think it works with emotional happiness but it is not a positive tool for “wealth accumulation.”

I don’t understand it, but my prayer for others is often very effective, but selfish prayer is rarely positive.

I also think that I have a lot of destructive unconscious “thinking,” and if practicing tricks in The Secret removes some of that, that is a very good thing. Selling the thing is quite an admirable commercial enterprise, and a lot of people are buying…

CindySense Says:

June 8th, 2008, 13:02 pm

Great post! I think one of the latest crazes in self-improvement, is the law of this or the law of that. Even though they arent’ really laws. I

I believe that we do create our lifes due to our thoughts. But thoughts with actions are nothing. In watching “The Secret” I really didn’t see anything about taking action. I think that the movie/book may give people the wrong impression - that ALL they need to do is think and visualize. Such as in the movie where the little boy is thinking about a new bike and viola it appears on his front porch.

parkingstones Says:

June 8th, 2008, 13:07 pm

You could burn every copy of the Secret and we would lose nothing. There is no reason for it’s continued existence. It is the opposite of useful.

Charles Says:

June 8th, 2008, 13:09 pm

Wow, I didn’t expect my tiny little post to hit the ZH front page, I’m touched! :)

Thanks for your opinion. I believe in LOA because all of us feel attracted or rejected by others, and there are reasons behind it (positive or negative feelings among others). However, I’m not convinced by most scientific explanations that are exposed on the web.

But there are charismatic and positive people who attract to themselves many smart, wealthy, creative and hardworking people, while bad-tempored people attract only problems to themselves.

We all know kids raised in unstructured and problematic families, who then forecast a bright future to themselves and who become successful thereafter. We also know kids raised in wealthy and good families who then do drugs, waste the money they inherit and who have a pretty bad end. Your destiny is largely connected to your mindset and stance.

This is something we can experience in real life.

Marelisa Says:

June 8th, 2008, 13:14 pm

“The Secret” is sort of cafeteria spiritualism. It describes the process by which we create our lives in very rudimentary terms. That is, there’s a lot more to manifesting the life that you want than what “The Secret” explains. That being said, I think that there’s basically 6 steps to getting what you want in life:

Basically, you first have to be very clear on what you want. It’s amazing how many people don’t know what they want or are constantly changing their minds. That’s like being in a restaurant and not telling the waiter what you want or constantly changing your order.

Second, your belief system has to be congruent with the things you want to manifest. For example, if you want to become wealthy but you hold the belief that it takes enormous sacrifices to become wealthy–spending little time with your loved ones, no time for leisure activities, no time to take care of your health, and so on–you probably won’t allow yourself to become wealthy.

Third, you should visualize the things that you want to manifest in your life, often. If you don’t believe in a spiritual energy going forth and attracting the things that you’re thinking about to come into your life, then just think of visualization as a focusing exercise. The more you focus on something the more you’re likely to get it, right?

Fourth, your emotions have to be aligned with the things you want to manifest in your life. Emotions such as fear, resentment, worry, and anger are repellents to good things coming into your life.

Fifth, you have to act, and you have to act in a way that creates value for others.

Sixth, be grateful for what you have in your life right now. Gratitude is one of the most powerful emotions that there is.

That’s my take on it.

Sean FitzGerald Says:

June 8th, 2008, 13:16 pm

Hi Leo. I have a question for you.

I haven’t read The Secret, so I don’t know the specifics of how they think the LOA works, but I do know that from my reading about LOA over the years that many describe the process differently from what you have laid out, in particular Step 2 - the idea of staying focused on what you want.

Many authors say that once we have identified a clearly defined goal (Step 1 in your schema) we “hand it over” and “let it go” and let God, the Unconscious, the Universe or whoever your Higher Power is to “worry” about the specifics. You take action wherever it’s suggested (your Step 3), but basically you just trust that your HP will deliver what you want (it’s often suggested that you “act as if” you already have your goal as well).

In this view constant focus on your goal (your Step 2) is considered counter-productive, as your conscious mind/ego is getting in the way and you are sending the message that you don’t have faith in your HP delivering your goal. I’m also thinking the Taoist’s Wu Wei here.

How would you account for this view?

On the importance of the process of setting goals and taking action towards achieving them… several years ago I investigated Life Coaching - I even considered becoming one myself - and successfully used the assistance of a Life Coach to achieve a goal of taking a trip to the US (I live in Australia). I was struck by how simple and practical the basic process of Life Coaching was (which is evidenced by the fact you can become a Life Coach after only a 12 week part time course).

My understanding is that Life Coaching is based on the type of process you lay out, namely: clearly identifying your goals, keeping your goals in focus, and taking consistent concrete actions towards achieving them. I think the benefit of using a Life Coach is that you have someone to encourage you and keep you accountable. Without that support it’s easy to slide back into inertia. I found this simple arrangement worked for me.

As for the Secret, any philosophy that holds the victims of the Holocaust or children starving in Africa responsible for their own predicament falls at the first ethical hurdle as far as I’m concerned. From what I’ve read and seen it’s just repackaged new age egomaniacal spiritual materialism, and an excuse for some really selfish behaviour and an excuse to not lift a finger to help others, since they brought it on themselves.

In response to Heidi’s post - the problem is that we often mean different things when we talk about “creating our reality”.

There is a big difference between saying that we create our own reality in the sense that our thoughts create reality “out there” (manifest) in the objective world, and saying that we create our own reality in the sense that we are responsible for how we react to and interpret reality that is already “out there”. This is, as you suggest, what Buddhists and cognitive therapists have been saying for years.

The whole goal setting and going for it thing is not about our thoughts creating our reality “out there” but a simple, logical psychological process whereby we use our mind effectively to practically achieve our goals. And, as others have pointed out, by focusing on what we want we become more attuned to opportunities as they arise. Nothing really that mystical about it.

As for whether we can collectively influence objectively reality, I think there may be some truth in that, but note that this belief is inconsistent with the idea that we can get what we want as individuals as the populace may be unconsciously creating something different than what we want. What we are talking about is collectively creating the world through consensus reality, but that’s a whole other argument for another time.

Sean FitzGerald Says:

June 8th, 2008, 13:18 pm

Whoops! To be clear I meant to say: “The latter is, as you suggest, what Buddhists and cognitive therapists have been saying for years.”

Laurie Says:

June 8th, 2008, 13:37 pm

@ dave a - You are right, there is not right nor wrong….but then how can you be right to say the is no right nor wrong? You must be wrong then…oh S**T you must be wrong and I must be right, or is it I must be right and you must be wrong? OMG! Can you see that your statement is nonsense? Of course there is a right and a wrong!

@ Tim- You misguided Pluto. I found it in my back yard. What do I do with it now?

There is a book out there by Dr. Henry Cloud “The Secret Things of God”. He discusses how there are things out there that cannot be scienctifically explained but it is not a ramdon force but the hand of God. I’ll stick with Henry.

Jonathan Mead Says:

June 8th, 2008, 13:48 pm

Leo, you say if a theory cannot be proven wrong it is not scientific. That doesn’t make any sense at all, sorry.

The theory of evolution has never been proven wrong, scientifically. Does that make it unscientific?

Christopher Says:

June 8th, 2008, 13:53 pm

I watched this movie recently.

I think that the law of attraction is real, but not so much in the sense of the superficial way this movie shows it.
I don’t think our minds can connect with another person in a parking lot somewhere coaxing them to move their car just as I pull up.

Another really great book is A New Earth. It speaks about the law of attraction but not in the sense of the physical realm. I think our belief systems can draw similar energies. Positivity gets positive energy and negativity gets negative energy. Even when negativity is brought to a positive person in their perceptions, many can take a negative and make it a positive (learn the lesson of life). In the end our perceptions are our reality. In that manner I feel we have another plane to ourselves, a depth plane. Its when a musician, creative, writer, artist, athlete gets into the zone. Time ceases to exist when we become engulfed into what we do. Ask them to reproduce the thing they just did consciously and many can’t. Why? I think its in this zone we touch God. The living divinity that resides in us. We become united with this divine energy we become channels to the small sliver of God that resides in each of us. When we do this more and more I believe we then open a pathway between us and the divine. Its through this constant zoning, things we want arise. Some may call it our life’s purpose, to do what we were put on this planet to do, is aligning ourselves with the 1 true power in this world. Through that the world opens up to us, doors open, networks grow, you glow with an aura that people and things gravitate to. I think in this sense the law of attraction works. Buts its less about wishful thinking and more about just BEing who you are supposed to be doing what you supposed to do in life and loving each moment for each moment is all we have. If we do that coupled with hard work and perspiration, we may get our dreams to become reality or we may not, but even if we don’t we learn lessons through the journey, we find peace inside us.

Eve Says:

June 8th, 2008, 13:55 pm

As a scientist, I’m actually kind of offended by the LOA. I also find it hard to follow the advice of a former drug dealer, but maybe that’s unfair. The whole thing reeks of exploitation.

Owen Says:

June 8th, 2008, 14:03 pm

The Secret = Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The LOA is just a ripoff of the tenets of CGT.

Sean FitzGerald Says:

June 8th, 2008, 14:08 pm

@ Christopher - beautifully said, and not inconsistent with what was saying - you just said it more poetically!

Whether we talk about identifying and following “God’s will” or “following the Tao” or “going with the flow” it all amounts to the same thing. The language we use isn’t important.

One of the problems I see with the “mind power” industry is that people are often not encouraged to distinguish between the desires of the ego and the desires of the authentic self. So we end up with a bevy of useful techniques, like visualisation, but no guidance on how best to use them. The result is that people use them to achieve what they believe society says will bring happiness. Hence we get people visualising a Porsche!

Joel Says:

June 8th, 2008, 14:17 pm

I have posted this to the forum but I will leave it here too: Considering that the law of attraction can be equated to the act of intention, there are double blind scientific studies that indicate that intention or directed thought is an energetic force that can and does have a measurable effect on the world around us. I don’t know that I have an interest in the mind power industry as a bogeyman, but if there is anything or anyone that can stress that one meditate or have a positive attitude toward life then gogogo!

Sara Says:

June 8th, 2008, 14:29 pm

I’m very much in agreement. And good call on providing a simple, non-inflammatory answer. Based on your answer, I’m a bit more anti-Law than you. Asking people whether they’re culpable in their lack of success is one thing, but it’s another to actively blame them for all the negative things that happen to them.

Andrew is getting fit Says:

June 8th, 2008, 14:44 pm

Great points. Something I’ve thought for a while as well.

J Says:

June 8th, 2008, 14:46 pm

@ Jonathan Mead
The theory of evolution, has plenty of scientific, among others disproving it. A recent book, Kluge, presents an interesting perspective (that sides not with Evolution nor Christian creationist theory).
In Australia, the recent discovery and analysis of DNA of a Platypus also presents a big wrinkle/questioning of a purist interpretation of the theory of evolution.

Christopher Says:

June 8th, 2008, 14:47 pm

@ Sean FitzGerald

Much agreed.

I think the problem with the Secret is that it feeds the ego and not the authentic self if your not careful. To want, desire, or even think, is to be in the ego, and not in the presence of your true self. Your true self is formless and nameless and can not even be fathomed by the thinking mind (the ego). Once it is labeled it then becomes ego.

@ Joel
I have read books by Joe Vitale (the Attractor Factor, and Jack Canenfield Chicken Soup for the Soul) and agree with Joel, anything positive in this world today is in the right direction.

We have to remember that the LOA may be more about creating your reality through plain thought process, its a combination of hard work, blood sweat and tears faith in the future and faith in ourselves. I think if we break it down like that although unprovable I think its very real in that sense.

We blogged about this recently,
The Secret Is True.
http://yinvsyang.com/the-secret-is-true/98/

I do think however in some cases it does work, I have had experiences with it on some levels where things have happened and its just too coincidental to say nay. But like Leo said in the initial post, its impossible to prove. So who knows. Regardless anything positive is awesome.

HealingSelf_Warrior Says:

June 8th, 2008, 15:00 pm

Although the law of attraction may or may not be able to be proven or real or whatever the case may be. I find the message in “The Secret” to be of great value. Not only does it promote setting goals and visions but it also places total responsibility on the individual (not necessarily the law of attraction) but on the individual based on his thoughts, his worries, his actions, etc. The individual is totally and completely responsible for their lives and that is one thing I really do like about the secret as it doesn’t give you a way out to blame external forces for things in your life. Secondly, I think the other message whether the LOA works or not, is positive thinking. Regardless of whether or not the LOA works or not, the message of positive thinking is good for all people. I won’t go as far to say that the theory that positive thinking materializes into anything more that more positive thinking. I find when I’m feeling positive and such, I meet more positive people, hear more positive stories and generally feel better about things whereas when Negative, the exact opposite happens.

I am not going to debate the accuracy or not of the “quantum physics theories” or other things in the Secret but think that although some may be marketing, some false claims, etc. There are definitely some positive aspects that when taken can help a person and peopl