Law of Attraction

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Law of Attraction
13
Fri, 08-17-2007 - 9:53pm
Is any one familiar with the law of attraction or "The Secret"? The theory, in summary, says that the universe manifests whatever you think of. It sounds charlatan but -- oh well, it is not the first time that I am taking a leap in faith. I think that I am interested in this stuff because I have been making an effort to be more optimistic. What is your experience or opinion on the law of attraction?

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Avatar for floridagirl52
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-2006
In reply to: akt226
Sat, 08-18-2007 - 7:08am

I think in theory, there is something to it. It's an old idea of course: "As a man thinketh" "Chance favors the prepared mind." It seems likely (and logical) that the things we pay attention to in life grow stronger. I think you're more likely to get the things you want by being positive than by being negative.

Having said all of that, I think the problem with "The Secret" and all of this line of thinking is, that if you don't get what you want, then it's your fault. You did something wrong, you didn't chant your mantra right. I know on the Secret DVD they all say they had such miraculous things come their way, seemingly in a short time. Maybe they did. Maybe they're fudging a little.

I've generally been a glass half empty sort of person, so I really tried a meditation program by Kathy Freston for six months. It's a DVD called "Finding a Great Relationship." I really did feel good and hopeful and all of that stuff during the time I was doing it. But after six months I was no closer to my goal than when I started. You could say, "Well, you needed to do it one more month. Don't stop digging 2 feet from the gold," etc, etc. I think that in terms of finding a relationship, that you really can't control it. It doesn't mean you should give up and feel hopeless, I'm just saying this sort of thing doesn't work for me. I think that perhaps "The Secret" works more for other things like money, health or career, but I'm not really sure of that.

I'd love to hear others' positive experiences with "The Secret."

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2001
In reply to: akt226
Sat, 08-18-2007 - 3:12pm

I personally am excited by these ideas. I am reading "Ask and It Shall be Given" and I have found the exercise DO change your vibration/thoughts and if you do it enough, beliefs.

My feeling is this (and it's only my feeling)...I feel this stuff is true but I definitely do not feel it's the only universal law. Add the law of karma with this...and you get an understanding of what and why things happen.

I think our thoughts are much more powerful than we think! However, having said this, I cannot tell someone who has experienced tragedy in life it was due to their thoughts and they "attracted" it. That I do not believe.

I want to say again...the exercises in that book are really FUN and they really lift your vibration. I have found it excellent for general mood and mental health. There is no harm in trying it!

Soliel
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: akt226
Sat, 08-18-2007 - 10:44pm

I saw the Secret DVD twice and am in a book group, we read and discussed the laws of attraction by Hicks and the second book also. I made the poster boards with pics of what I want and pics of me with the men put over female faces. He aint here yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have also done the " act as it it happened" thanking God and my guides for bringing the man, i have tried feeling the bliss of it when he is not here. I do believe we get what we put attention to. I also believe it is not good for me to be putting all the attention and thought to a man. That makes me feel more empty, I have a life outside of a man. So, after all that I go back to my thoughts " trust God and the universe " if it is meant to be, it will be. How many people have met men doing something weird. IE: as a JP, I married a couple, get this_______ how they met: she has a fight with her sister, she ran out of the house and drove to a gas station where she worked, a car pulled in, looked like her sister's car. she thought it was her sister, she angrily went up to the car. It was her future husband who thought " what great feisty eyes she has" That went into the ceremony!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! she wasn't thinking positive at all, she wanted to kill her sister.

I give up, the personals etc are games in life to me. I play the game. I do try to be positive and think good thoughts. I am tired of thanking God for what is not here. Of course there is no time in heaven so the guides don't know what day to deliver the men, we have to forgive them for that, but there is no time out there as here. don't know what more to say (:- ) leila

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-03-2006
In reply to: akt226
Sun, 08-19-2007 - 8:26pm

I haven't read about the Secret but I've heard about the law of attraction. It's not a new philosophy. There was a movement in the 50's(?) by Ernest Holmes which started the religious science movement (which has its root in transandentalism) mainly you are responsible for your destiny. Things that "manifest" in your life is a result of your thought . it's not positive thinking but the thought is the seed that puts thing in motion and put the law of attraction into motion i.e. your thought puts forth an idea that propels things to happen in such a way to make the idea a reality by attracting the right opportunities. Anyway, if you're interested, you can read the science of mind written by Ernest Holmes. It's a big book but an easy read. There are many religious science churches in the states.

My own experience with this? I would say I practice it to an extend but i can't say I trust in it 100%. To me, it's a process of thinking about what you want and preparing yourself to make your dreams come true. I guess on these boards, love and relatioship is the main focus. So to give an example, if I want to attract a certain type of men into my life I would start by believing that I deserve to have those men. I would act confident, comfortable around the type of men that I want. I would acquire the characteristics that will attract them (not that I would play games or change myself but rather acquire the characteristic that will make me more fit to attract those types). Anyway, it's a little convoluted to explain.

I can't believe all that happens is a result of your thought b/c I haven't had much result in the love area but for now I'm slowly easing myself into the position to attract what i want. It works better in other areas of my life such as career but then career and money usually come fairly easily for me whereas love seems impossible but I try not to think too much about it. There's peace in feeling positive and trust in the best outcome but I can't help having a pity party sometimes.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-03-2006
In reply to: akt226
Sun, 08-19-2007 - 8:38pm

Hi floridagirl52,

I love reading your posts b/c I often feel the same way. I did read Cathy Freston per your reccommendation many months ago on these boards but didn't really follow through b/c I don't have the patience for meditation etc...I read so many examples of people praying for a mate and it happened miraculously from 6 weeks to 6 months at the most. Me, I've try saying a certain mantra, prayer, etc... many times each time a few months to a year and still nothing! I tried talking to God my way, other people's way, talking from my heart. It really didn't matter. But other areas like career, money and other non-romantic problems I ususally get results in due time. So why does the same thing work for some areas and not for others i don't know. I still believe in fate. For instance, can you say someone who has a chronic illness like Diabetes don't have enough faith in a healthy body to get rid of the illness? CAn you say someone who is born with a handicap doesn't have enough faith to make themselve normal? It's nonsense!

So can you blame me for not having a rs b/c I don't have the righ attitude, the righ personality, the right look, the right whatever, nobody is perfect. Many people with flaws still find mate. Some people don't and it probably has nothing to do with what you do or think. I don't really know what to do about it other than try to be my best and hopefully someday soon will meet someone that I want who will appreciate what I have too.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2006
In reply to: akt226
Mon, 08-20-2007 - 10:19am
Ehh. I think there's some truth to it, as in if you're bitter and grumpy and believe you'll never get something, then you probably won't. However, how many people have met their significant other in some random place when they're least expecting it and, as everyone says, have stopped looking?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: akt226
Mon, 08-20-2007 - 9:19pm

I witnessed my first evidence of the "Secret". It has been under my nose for a long time, but I never really saw it. Two weeks ago I made back every dollar I lost in my account, and unfortunately last week I lost every thing again, meaning that I am starting from scratch -- for the third time. So over the weekend, to find out what I did wrong, I reviewed every trade that I made in August. To my surprise, I found that my analysis of the market had been correct most of the times. I was losing because I was always scared and got out before a position could turn into a profit ....

A long time ago, when I was still in school, I dreamed of being such a great trader that I can tell which way the market wants to go. Little did I realize that I have reached that stage. I love my job and the feeling is great that you can "sniff" which way the market wants to go.

Probably many of you do not give a darn about the market (except when you look at your retirement accounts), or think that I sound grandiose -- No big deal! I am feeling giddy right now because it is such a big part of my life. I will keep you guys updated.

Avatar for mhash
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: akt226
Mon, 08-20-2007 - 11:42pm

When I was out of work, I practiced the Abraham method via using the book Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting by a student of Hicks. I did not get a job for a long, long time. I was spiraling downward because I was beating myself up for not being positive enough. Self defeating huh?

Now what I do practice is being positive and focusing on my appreciations. I do put out to the Universe that I do want a life partner. In the meantime I am being thankful for what I have.

What I don't like about The Secret is that it seems to emphasize the material/money aspect as well as being simplistic. However taking the good from it is that being positive is the way to go regardless.

Mark

Avatar for mhash
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: akt226
Mon, 08-20-2007 - 11:46pm

I tend to agree on whether or not someone is not cured or does not become a millionaire then they did not positively visualized enough or have enough faith.

My takeaway is that if I have an attitude of gratitude and focus on the positive then I "win" regardless.

Mark

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: akt226
Tue, 08-21-2007 - 5:44am

Hi Mark,

Many people don't like the money side of the secret. They even think the secret is to make money. Did you ever get into ACIM? A course in miracles. It simplifies it more or else make it more confusing saying the planet is an illusion anyways. The only thing that is real is love and forgiveness and we are all connected. It is to stop the barriers to love and to kill the ego. ( kind of) I hope I don't need another round on earth as another person. I hope I can get it right in this life. Leila

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