The secret/Law of attraction... Does it really work?

[RadioTimesCE]

Hi,

At a bit of a crossroads. Life hasn't really taken me where I want to be & I feel a bit of a failure and somewhat disappointed. I want to try & change this and was thinking of reading "The secret" and trying to follow it. I just don't want to be left extremely disappointed. It seems like you need to think positively all of the time & i'm not sure how realistic that is? Am I correct in thinking you need to believe what you want is already yours, and act & feel like you would if you had it? Any examples/tips of how to do it, and if you practice it, how has it worked for you?

I'm also a Christian, well I attend Church a couple of times a month & I believe in God (although I sometimes find myself doubting ) So, is the universe & God supposed to be the same thing?

[cdtaylornats]

It looks like another con. How would the law of attraction work if two people wanted the same thing?

Books like this that suggest positive thought can cure cancer deserve to see the author and publisher jailed.

The universe is real and detectable (and possibly part of a multiverse) but God isn't. They are in fact opposites the universe is science and fact, God is faith and belief. Knowing about the universe does not preclude belief if you want to believe.

[DishwasherDogs]

I read this, and found it improved my mood, helped me to feel more positive, up until I got to the chapter about health, where apparently someone was diagnosed with cancer went home and watched funny films for weeks, and the cancer went

Now I'm not saying that miracles don't ever happen, but dedicating a whole chapter to basically say that if you're ill it's because you're not being positive enough is shit.
TBH I haven't felt able to pick up the book since reaching that chapter, it leaves a very nasty taste.

[cakedup]

It's basically about positive thinking which I think can play a part in life. But not enough to base your whole life on it. To be honest, there isn't much to the Secret, it's a bit flimsy. Personally I don't think it has enough substance to give you what you're looking for.

If it interests you, there is no harm in reading the book but just take what you can from it. Of course you can't think positively all the time, that just isn't human. People who walk around with a permanent grin thinking everything is wonderful are either deluded or fake and are seriously lacking in some of the human qualities. And no matter what you think, shit will happen because that's life. And these shitty things that happen can be amazing learning curves.

Also, if The Secret really worked - think about it. We'd ALL be doing it. The truth is some people try it out for a while and get all hyped about it and feel it's making a difference in their life, but it's usually short term. I've known lots of people that have read the Secret - years ago when it first done it's round, but none of those people are still practising it.

If that kind of philosophy works for you - using your thoughts to direct your life - you may want to look into NLP (neruo linguistic programming). Which is a more sophisticated take on positive thinking.

Have a look around on the internet, get some books and read around these subjects, there are lots out there that help people but you need to find something that suits you. 'Mindfulness' is very popular at the moment for example and has good foundations. I would just avoid the over hyped promising you all your dreams come true ones - like The Secret.

And many of these philosophies and life enhancing tools can work alongside your Christian faith. I think it's intelligent to have some doubt in the existence of God - and I say that as a believer myself.

[RatMort]

OP, this shit is aimed at the disappointed and vulnerable like you. And it has the great get-out clause that if it doesn't 'work' and you don't get your heart's desire, then you can't have wanted it badly enough to think 100% positive thoughts etc etc. Taken to its logical conclusion, it's dangerous 'you bring your misery/bad luck/illness on yourself though negativity' stuff.

[headinhands]

I'm sure starving children can think of nothing but food, don't seem to help much though does it. A load of tripe OP, you're better off seeking careers advice and other help to achieve your goals.

[loa321]

The Law of Attraction does not simply work by "thinking" about the thing you want. Read a few books on the subject so you can start to apply the principles. I started just over 2 years ago. At the time I had not worked for over 18 years and was renting with no hope of being a home owner. Now I have a job I love, and in just over 2 years should be in a position to buy a home. I randomly have windfalls ranging from £20 to £5000. It quite simply has changed my life.

Starving children are focusing on hunger, not food, thats why they do not attract it. Often, as we see in this country, the children of the poor remain poor as they focus on what they dont have as I did after 18 years on benefits. Thats why my life never changed.

We all known those people who always "land on their feet". They are applying the LOA without even knowning.

Ask, Believe and Recieve. So simple, but yet difficult to put into practise. Thats why so many fail.

[headinhands]

Starving children are focusing on hunger, not food, thats why they do not attract it.

Where's this food going to magically come from if they do focus on it, although I am sure they are already thinking a lot about food.

Often, as we see in this country, the children of the poor remain poor as they focus on what they don't have

Leaving aside the victim blaming there are various reasons why children brought up in poverty often go on to remain in poverty and it's nothing spooky. Same way that those who achieve beyond their parents have done so through education and making the most of the available resources around them.

as I did after 18 years on benefits. Thats why my life never changed.

See above

Ask, Believe and Recieve. So simple, but yet difficult to put into practise. Thats why so many fail

Gosh someone needs to tell these kids in Africa that they just need to start imagining food.

[headinhands]

Starving children are focusing on hunger, not food, thats why they do not attract it.

Where's this food going to magically come from if they do focus on it, although I am sure they are already thinking a lot about food.

Often, as we see in this country, the children of the poor remain poor as they focus on what they don't have

Leaving aside the victim blaming there are various reasons why children brought up in poverty often go on to remain in poverty and it's nothing spooky. Same way that those who achieve beyond their parents have done so through education and making the most of the available resources around them.

as I did after 18 years on benefits. Thats why my life never changed.

See above

Ask, Believe and Recieve. So simple, but yet difficult to put into practise. Thats why so many fail

Gosh someone needs to tell these kids in Africa that they just need to start imagining food.

[IndigoBarbie]

Dear RadioTimesCE,

I offer my opinion here based on personal observation, so I will say this:

I believe that the secret is a distraction method for people to achieve some material gain, as a distraction against the real deal of being in true spiritual commune with our souls/creator life force energy.

In life, there is so much distraction going on, yet we do not see it as that. Some things give us much hope and keep us in a state of wanting MORE. In today's societal norm, it seems the best thing is have money, and more and more and more. When, truly we are the luckiest in the world to have our most basic needs met, when so many in the world do not. On a daily basis we are assured of fresh clean water to drink, and a roof over our heads, and to be safe. Who could ask for more than that? Yet we are programmed beings in some areas who are advised if we don't get into university we are failures. It's heart breaking. Is this what really is going on here? Many will never even be inside a school let alone gain an education in this manner. What is the truth of importance of our lives here? We all breathe in and breathe out, we are all the same yet we strive for things outside of ourselves.

When we feel disconnected or disappointed in life, it's time to take this into our own hands by means of finding ways of allowing ourselves to FEEL something that is of substance. Not by achieving quick and fast desires and keeping us in a 'I will use the secret to get xyz, and THEN I will be happy'

We must choose to be happy now, with what we have, and if we are not then we must focus on something that allows us to reach a substance of happiness in our lives, which quite often can be sustained by the connection to our soul/creator force. Many don't believe in its existence, and that's where we are disconnected from the truth of the love vibration that does exist.

I only share this as an observation, without any form of personal judgement on your post. I hope this comes across. Not meant as a personal essay to respond, although it's certainly coming out a long one!!!



Of course, try the secret and see what happens for you if you feel like it. However - make the enquiry inside your heart: Lead me to my happiness. Perhaps then paying attention to your inner feelings and reactions on things as they are presented to you in that moment; leading you more deeply into a place of finding something that does not disappoint you, allowing yourself to trust yourself. Things can shift when we least expect them, and always in my experience when we let go of what we 'think' and move into what we 'feel' as our guidance mechanism.

With Love, IB x

[loa321]

Here is a brilliant example of the LOA in action. I am sure you read this week about the couple who won the lottery twice

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/apr/01/british-couple-win-1m-euromillions-lottery-draw-second-time-two-years

The winner said "I always knew I’d win, even the first time." and he also stated he “just knew it would be my turn again some day”

This is an example of LOA. Believe it will happen and it will.

IndigoBarbie is also correct in that its not just about believing your dreams will come true. You also have to be grateful for your blessings now and more will follow.

[tormentil]

My perspective is that the law of attraction is always working, all of the time. What you have, or don't have, at any moment in time is a reflection of your thoughts and beliefs up until that moment in time.

Whether this perspective is true or not is immaterial - it just gives you a starting point for change. After that it is up to you.

Most of us are hard wired to want wealth and comfort - working the LOA way it is important to work from the inside out - acting, thinking and feeling as if you already have it. Feeling the feeling seems to be very important. This is different from asking for something and then staying in a place of expectation, being disappointed when it doesn't turn up.

If you want to work with the LOA you must be willing to work from the inside out and to constantly keep an eye on what happens in your life, as that contains information about what you need to change.

Whilst thinking positively is key, it is a lot more than that and reducing it to the mantra of 'positive thinking' is more of a simplistic soundbite than a realistic assessment.

It is also important to get the basics of your life sorted first - for instance anyone with boundary issues (can't say no, have people walk all over you) will benefit more from sorting this first. Of course, you can use the principles of LOA to find the help that you need to change this.

It's also important to be aware that things won't come to you until you are ready to handle them properly. If things come, then slip away again, you are not ready and still have things to sort out.

It is healthy to use LOA as an approach to life that embraces the good and the bad as information, and to see the process as a journey rather than a destination. God wants us to be materially comfortable - it's important because how can we help others if we are struggling ourselves?

I haven't read The Secret. I have read Wallace Wattles, The Science of Getting Rich, which is one of the inspirations for ThE Secret and is widely available online - a free download -and I recommend this as it comes from a strong Christian perspective and is a lot more grounded and humble.

[HowardTJMoon]

The winner said "I always knew I’d win, even the first time." and he also stated he “just knew it would be my turn again some day” This is an example of LOA. Believe it will happen and it will.

Or, more realistically, it's confirmation bias in action. He has a belief and so discounts anything that goes against that belief and only notices coincidence that confirms his belief.

If all he won the second time was £5, would it still count? What about all the other people who play the lottery in the expectation that, one day, they'll win and win big? If a belief in winning is all that counts why are there so many people with gambling additions and terrifyingly large debts?

[Vivacia]

Absolutely Howard.

[Binkybix]

This is an example of LOA. Believe it will happen and it will

With regard to the lottery win this is one of the most inane things I've ever read on here. What about the millions of people who play, believe and don't win?

Positive thinking does help people to achieve if it results in them trying things it taking chances that pay off.

Thinking about food when you're a starving child in Africa does not make it appear.

[loa321]

Thank you tormentil. Your post summed up LOA perfectly. I am not an educated woman so it is difficult for me to put into words how LOA has changed my life

Most of us are hard wired to want wealth and comfort - working the LOA way it is important to work from the inside out - acting, thinking and feeling as if you already have it. Feeling the feeling seems to be very important. This is different from asking for something and then staying in a place of expectation, being disappointed when it doesn't turn up.

This is key and the hardest thing to put into practise. Feeling the feeling is so rewarding in itself and seems to create an energy that makes things happen. I do struggle with this aspect, and I have much more work to do in this area. I just want people to give it a chance. It really has changed my life.

[Vivacia]

So parents who have ill children and want more than anything else for their children to get well. What are they are doing wrong?

[Movingonmymind]

It is a load of bull

[PiratePanda]

It's a complete pile of shit. And offensive shit at that.

[Selenaisabumface]

If you are a christian read "conversations with god'. It may be life changing. It was for me.

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

Or try that oldie but goodie "What Colour Is Your Parachute?"

Life changing without all the woo.

[AlanPacino]

It's the non religious version of faith healing name it and claim it movement. The upshot of the philosophy is that you are at fault if you're ill because you didn't do enough thinking/wanting. Why are there such stark differences in quality of life amongst countries of it can all be ironed out through thinking? Victim blaming 'just world' claptrap.

[fourtothedozen]

Starving children are focusing on hunger, not food, thats why they do not attract it.

loa I have never seen such a mean comment.

[AlanPacino]

That's the same as 'child abuse victims are only being abused because they're not wanting it to stop' .

[Selenaisabumface]

Its not though. Thats too simplistic. There is a whole ton of stuff that goes really deep. Far more than what you think is what you get. Its based on quantum mechanics if your sciency and are interested in that stuff. I recommend reading (with christians in mind) ask and it is given and conversations with god. Both much more in depth than the secret book. They answer alot of the questions re: people suffering, illness, abuse etc. a course in miracles is also very good.

[fourtothedozen]

Far more than what you think is what you get. Its based on quantum mechanics if your sciency and are interested in that stuff.

Can you explain more- I am a science graduate and have worked in scientific research for 15 years - I would love to hear your reasoning.