Law of Attraction
Shockingly, yes, there are some people who still believe in it. And yes, it does still pop up on Google. Take this, for example. It badly needs riffing, and I shall provide, because the fact that people believe in this woo pisses me off badly.
Law of Attraction doesn’t work for most people for the same reason prayer doesn’t for its practitioners.
Because it's not remotely scientific or tied to reality?
The former, just as the latter, is based on an assumption that the universe, or God, is benevolent and generous.
The Law of Attraction or, as it is known in the Bible, the Law of Believing and, sometimes, the Law of Asking and Receiving, all refer to the same law. In fact, you can find some form of this law described in virtually every culture and religion.
The Law of Attraction has its roots in quantum physics.
Um, no, it doesn't, as you would know if you followed the link or had even basic (for which read pop-science) knowledge of quantum physics. The LoA has its roots in wishful thinking designed to rip people off, which is NOTHING like quantum physics - which, by the way, says nothing about emotions (contrary to what this lunatic is saying...)
Simply put, the law states that your thoughts dictate your reality.
Thoughts don't dictate reality, or at the very least are highly unlikely to, based on all the evidence for this we've ever amassed, also known as real life. Therefore, this law must be bullshit.
Like everything else, thoughts are made up energy waves that attract like energies in return.
Thoughts themselves are not made up of "energy waves". Brain activity is caused by billions of neurons firing, and that energy is electrical energy, not energy waves. As for attracting like energies...going by KS3/GCSE definitions of energy, what the hell is that supposed to mean? Does electrical energy attract electrical energy, for example? (Obviously not, citation: reality as we know it.)
Positive thoughts, for example, operate at higher energy or vibrational frequencies.
Citation, please? Failing a citation, where the hell did you get your statements from?
So, when you think positive thoughts, you both broadcast and receive, or attract, positive results.
Now, assuming mystical energy waves/woo actually exist (and they probably don't, since we can't measure them and reality itself does just fine without them existing - especially as some of their predicted effects don't occur in real life, indicating that the theory behind is likely wrong), how do "positive results" which this woo brings emit the positive woo, especially as they're made up of many disparate things, some of which are not easily measured?
Conversely, negative thoughts vibrate at lower energy frequencies. When your thoughts are charged with negativity, you get negative results.
The first sentence is bullshit and arbitrary, based on what's been said before (which is derived from real life, by the way, not from hypothesising in a vacuum). The second sentence is to do with positive and negative thinking and is true up to a point - if you think negatively, you're less likely to believe you'll be successful, so you're less motivated to succeed, so you don't work as hard, so you're less successful, so you think negatively, lather, rinse, repeat. That's quite different from "if you think negatively, the magical woo emanating from your thoughts will alter reality and make your life crap".
The former, just as the latter, is based on an assumption that the universe, or God, is benevolent and generous.
The Law of Attraction or, as it is known in the Bible, the Law of Believing and, sometimes, the Law of Asking and Receiving, all refer to the same law. In fact, you can find some form of this law described in virtually every culture and religion.
The Law of Attraction has its roots in quantum physics.
Um, no, it doesn't, as you would know if you followed the link or had even basic (for which read pop-science) knowledge of quantum physics. The LoA has its roots in wishful thinking designed to rip people off, which is NOTHING like quantum physics - which, by the way, says nothing about emotions (contrary to what this lunatic is saying...)
Simply put, the law states that your thoughts dictate your reality.
Thoughts don't dictate reality, or at the very least are highly unlikely to, based on all the evidence for this we've ever amassed, also known as real life. Therefore, this law must be bullshit.
Like everything else, thoughts are made up energy waves that attract like energies in return.
Thoughts themselves are not made up of "energy waves". Brain activity is caused by billions of neurons firing, and that energy is electrical energy, not energy waves. As for attracting like energies...going by KS3/GCSE definitions of energy, what the hell is that supposed to mean? Does electrical energy attract electrical energy, for example? (Obviously not, citation: reality as we know it.)
Positive thoughts, for example, operate at higher energy or vibrational frequencies.
Citation, please? Failing a citation, where the hell did you get your statements from?
So, when you think positive thoughts, you both broadcast and receive, or attract, positive results.
Now, assuming mystical energy waves/woo actually exist (and they probably don't, since we can't measure them and reality itself does just fine without them existing - especially as some of their predicted effects don't occur in real life, indicating that the theory behind is likely wrong), how do "positive results" which this woo brings emit the positive woo, especially as they're made up of many disparate things, some of which are not easily measured?
Conversely, negative thoughts vibrate at lower energy frequencies. When your thoughts are charged with negativity, you get negative results.
The first sentence is bullshit and arbitrary, based on what's been said before (which is derived from real life, by the way, not from hypothesising in a vacuum). The second sentence is to do with positive and negative thinking and is true up to a point - if you think negatively, you're less likely to believe you'll be successful, so you're less motivated to succeed, so you don't work as hard, so you're less successful, so you think negatively, lather, rinse, repeat. That's quite different from "if you think negatively, the magical woo emanating from your thoughts will alter reality and make your life crap".
Essentially, Saint Paul pointed to this same spiritual law in his Letter to the Philippians. Although he knew nothing of either quantum physics or the Law of Attraction per se, he wrote: “I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse” (Phil. 4:8-9).
First of all, following the link brings up a similar but quite differently phrased version. I understand that there are many different translations, but 1) the author was obviously too lazy to link to his version or just plain couldn't find it, and 2) the linked version doesn't support the LoA. Instead, the sentiment can be summarised as "spend time thinking about good things and put what you've heard from me into practice". That only superficially resembles the mystical woo which is the LoA.
First of all, following the link brings up a similar but quite differently phrased version. I understand that there are many different translations, but 1) the author was obviously too lazy to link to his version or just plain couldn't find it, and 2) the linked version doesn't support the LoA. Instead, the sentiment can be summarised as "spend time thinking about good things and put what you've heard from me into practice". That only superficially resembles the mystical woo which is the LoA.
The Law of Attraction operates in this world with as much reliability as the Law of Gravity.
No, it doesn't. We can see the effects of gravity and it works like a charm every time. We can't see the effects of the Law of Attraction, and the scientific consensus is that the latter is not a law, or even real (despite the grandiose name).
The former is a spiritual law, the latter a physical.
Spiritual laws are not currency in this universe.
While neither can be seen with the naked eye, their effects are witnessed and even somewhat predictable.
Correction: the effects of gravity are witnessed and predictable. The effects of the LoA are mostly unwitnessed and unpredictable, indicating once again that it's not a law, or even real. Once again my source is real life.
For example, the Law of Gravity makes it possible to predict with uncanny certainty what will happen if you leap from the fifty-fourth floor of high-rise in Manhattan. The Law of Attraction makes it possible to predict the kind of life you will live by the kind of thoughts you think.
First example - correct. You'll fall, and due to force and momentum you'll probably die horribly, as you learn in a GCSE physics class. Second example - incorrect, for a number of reasons. Firstly, the Law of Attraction is not supported by anything except anecdotal evidence with significant publication bias - people will only report the LoA if they believe in it and it's working for them. The rest of the time they won't report it, so the reports will be skewed towards the LoA working even if it isn't. Secondly, predicting people's lives on the basis of thought alone is impossible because there are so many other factors: connections, socio-economic class, education, motivation, natural ability, etc. Thirdly, thoughts are fluid and change over time. No-one has the same kind of thoughts all the time. How are you supposed to predict something if the thing you're basing your prediction on keeps changing and even contradicts itself?!
No, it doesn't. We can see the effects of gravity and it works like a charm every time. We can't see the effects of the Law of Attraction, and the scientific consensus is that the latter is not a law, or even real (despite the grandiose name).
The former is a spiritual law, the latter a physical.
Spiritual laws are not currency in this universe.
While neither can be seen with the naked eye, their effects are witnessed and even somewhat predictable.
Correction: the effects of gravity are witnessed and predictable. The effects of the LoA are mostly unwitnessed and unpredictable, indicating once again that it's not a law, or even real. Once again my source is real life.
For example, the Law of Gravity makes it possible to predict with uncanny certainty what will happen if you leap from the fifty-fourth floor of high-rise in Manhattan. The Law of Attraction makes it possible to predict the kind of life you will live by the kind of thoughts you think.
First example - correct. You'll fall, and due to force and momentum you'll probably die horribly, as you learn in a GCSE physics class. Second example - incorrect, for a number of reasons. Firstly, the Law of Attraction is not supported by anything except anecdotal evidence with significant publication bias - people will only report the LoA if they believe in it and it's working for them. The rest of the time they won't report it, so the reports will be skewed towards the LoA working even if it isn't. Secondly, predicting people's lives on the basis of thought alone is impossible because there are so many other factors: connections, socio-economic class, education, motivation, natural ability, etc. Thirdly, thoughts are fluid and change over time. No-one has the same kind of thoughts all the time. How are you supposed to predict something if the thing you're basing your prediction on keeps changing and even contradicts itself?!
The Law of Gravity makes possible life on this planet.
No, it doesn't. The closest possible analogue to this is the values of the forces which make it possible for matter as we know it to exist.
But, it’s also the law that brings down a plane whenever there’s a loss of power. There’s an equally unattractive side to the Law of Attraction, at least where the ego is involved. Some practitioners of this law, for example, make the mistake of believing it guarantees that, whatever they want and are willing to give their undivided attention, they will get. They believe that, if they hold the thought of what they want in their minds with resoluteness and have no doubt whatsoever, what they want is on its way.
From earlier on (paraphrased) "Your thoughts dictate reality. When you think positively, you attract positive results". This is pretty much the same as "believing really really hard that you'll get something", which is what this guy is saying doesn't work. Make up your mind - does the LoA work or not?
No, it doesn't. The closest possible analogue to this is the values of the forces which make it possible for matter as we know it to exist.
But, it’s also the law that brings down a plane whenever there’s a loss of power. There’s an equally unattractive side to the Law of Attraction, at least where the ego is involved. Some practitioners of this law, for example, make the mistake of believing it guarantees that, whatever they want and are willing to give their undivided attention, they will get. They believe that, if they hold the thought of what they want in their minds with resoluteness and have no doubt whatsoever, what they want is on its way.
From earlier on (paraphrased) "Your thoughts dictate reality. When you think positively, you attract positive results". This is pretty much the same as "believing really really hard that you'll get something", which is what this guy is saying doesn't work. Make up your mind - does the LoA work or not?
But, this is not so, which is why the Law of Attraction doesn't work for most people.
Firstly you say it works, and now you say it doesn't work for most people. *headdesk*
Just as no Christian can use prayer or the words “In Jesus’ name” to get anything he or she wants, you cannot use the Law of Attraction to land a career, the house of your dreams, the ideal career, the income you desire, and so on. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to improve your life or your life situation, whenever ambition is driven by ego, then the desires usually become self-serving, self-centered and self-obsessed. Neither God nor God’s laws can be so manipulated.
The first statement's right, but for all the wrong reasons.
The first statement's right, but for all the wrong reasons.
Whenever your ego is present, and it is present more often than it is not, the Law of Attraction is interrupted. That is, it is corrupted and the law ceases to operate as you might desire. The same happens to the efficacy of prayer when those who pray do so in an attempt to manipulate reality.
First of all: there is NO PROOF for this, just more unsupported woo. If the LoA doesn't work, it's not likely to be because of mystical, unmeasurable ego-forces at work. Just accept that, if it's not working, it's because it's not real.
First of all: there is NO PROOF for this, just more unsupported woo. If the LoA doesn't work, it's not likely to be because of mystical, unmeasurable ego-forces at work. Just accept that, if it's not working, it's because it's not real.
James, author of a New Testament book that bears his name, understood this. While he did not know to use the words ego or Law of Attraction, he was well acquainted with the realities beneath and beyond those terms. He wrote, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives. He might have put it this way: “When you want something and believe you’ll get it, either through prayer or focused thinking, but you do not receive it, there’s a simple reason why: it is because your wanting and craving is only for yourself” (James 4:3).
This time the link actually matches up with the quote.
This time the link actually matches up with the quote.
This is another way of saying that your ego has gotten in the way.
To which I say "don't invent more forces to explain why your original force isn't working". Occam's razor comes in really handy here.
To which I say "don't invent more forces to explain why your original force isn't working". Occam's razor comes in really handy here.
What does this mean? How can you be certain that both the Law of Attraction and prayer will work for you? Keep your ego in check.
What does this mean? How can you be certain that you won't have to re-examine your beliefs in woo? Make more stuff up.
This is tricky because the ego is clever and crafty.
Newsflash: the ego's a part of your consciousness. It's not a separate personality acting of its own accord.
In whatever you want, assume the ego is present. Look for it and, when you see and acknowledge its presence, that’s enough to bring it under control.
I think everything else in the world begs to differ.
No need to obsess over it or make a problem out of the ego. It is present in all of us. The recognition of it, however, is the key to overcoming it.
Acknowledging a problem and solving it are not the same thing.
Once its power and control over your desires is released, what you desire you will manifest. What you ask in prayer, you will receive.
So, once you get rid of the personified bullshit force, another piece of woo will start working for you. ...Make your mind up already!
What does this mean? How can you be certain that you won't have to re-examine your beliefs in woo? Make more stuff up.
This is tricky because the ego is clever and crafty.
Newsflash: the ego's a part of your consciousness. It's not a separate personality acting of its own accord.
In whatever you want, assume the ego is present. Look for it and, when you see and acknowledge its presence, that’s enough to bring it under control.
I think everything else in the world begs to differ.
No need to obsess over it or make a problem out of the ego. It is present in all of us. The recognition of it, however, is the key to overcoming it.
Acknowledging a problem and solving it are not the same thing.
Once its power and control over your desires is released, what you desire you will manifest. What you ask in prayer, you will receive.
So, once you get rid of the personified bullshit force, another piece of woo will start working for you. ...Make your mind up already!
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