Just Because Positive Thinking is Effective, That Doesn't Mean the Law of Attraction is True

by Stephanie Brail

Since I do hypnosis and energy healing, you would think that I would be a huge fan of the Law of Attraction, right? After all, I often use hypnosis to help people visualize positive outcomes for themselves, often with very powerful results. I use affirmations in EFT and in my healing music. Aren't all these things the Law of Attraction?

No. Visualization, energy work, and affirmations are not the same thing as the “Law of Attraction.”

First, let's distinguish what these things actually are. Visualization is a personal development technique. Energy work, or energy healing, is a method of spiritual healing. Affirmations are another method of personal development. All of these things are tools.

The Philosophy is Not the Tool

The Law of Attraction is not a tool. It is a philosophy. It is a philosophy that states, “whatever you focus on, you will attract into your life.”

Now, because of that philosophy, a lot of people use the tools of visualization, energy work, and affirmations. But you do not need to believe in the Law of Attraction to use these tools.

In fact, you do not need to have a spiritual philosophy at all to use some of the methods advocated by fans of the Law of Attraction and The Secret. For example, visualization is a technique that has often been used in sports to help athletes visualize their peak performance before they actually enter into competition. This technique has been around for years and years, way before Esther Hicks came up with the idea of a “Law” of Attraction, and way before Rhonda Byrne got into the self-help game.

In fact, the accepted underlying theory as to why sports visualization works is different from the Law of Attraction. A Law of Attraction proponent would say, “That athlete won because she used visualization to attract a positive outcome.” The scientist would say, “That athlete won, because visualization helped to calm her mind before the game and provided subconscious commands to her muscles to perform at peak efficiency during the game.”

A Science of the Mind person might say that an affirmation works because you are outwardly expressing the internal God that is within you. A more traditional Christian might say that affirmations work because an external God is answering your prayers. An atheist would say that affirmations work because your brain is a powerful computer and responds well to “programming.”

So here we have the same tool, explained by very different belief systems.

Why It Is Important to Separate Out the Tools from the Philosophy

The reason I believe it's very important to distinguish between a “tool” and its philosophy, especially in regards to the Law of Attraction and The Secret, is that I think people mistakenly assume the success of the tool proves the philosophy.

Let me restate this:

The success of the tool does not prove the philosophy.

What do I mean by that?

Well, let's take a look at the example of the pork ban found in many ancient religions, including Judaism and Islam.

The spiritual texts might say that one is not allowed to eat pork because God says that pigs are unclean.

The scientific reason, however, is much more simple and practical: Before modern technology, pork was a dangerous meat to eat due to a common, serious parasite infection found in pig meat, trichinosis. In fact, we still have problems with trichinosis today in certain parts of the world.

If a group of people in ancient times stopped eating pork and suddenly found themselves with less disease, they might attribute that success to God. In reality, they were simply avoiding a dangerous parasite. They didn't know the parasite was there; they didn't have the microscopes to see it. So they attributed their success to God's word.

So it would be a mistake to assume that just because pork can be dangerous to eat God thinks eating pork is a sin.

If Not the Law of Attraction, How Do These Tools Work?

The success of the tool does not prove the philosophy. It makes sense when you sit back and think about it for a second. Yet, a lot of people have tried various tools as put forth by proponents of The Secret, and seen their success with the tool as proof of the the Law of Attraction.

The thinking is this: I put my vision board up, and I got the promotion I wanted. Therefore, the Law of Attraction is true.

But is that really the case?

Let's say you put your vision board up. You visualize, affirm, and focus on what you want. At the same time – and you are not aware of this – you are also performing better at your job, taking more action steps to get that promotion, and giving people more confidence in you due to your change in attitude.

So the tool worked. You changed your behavior, and you got your job. But a 100% fool-proof Law of Attraction had nothing to do with it. The universe didn't respond to your whim. It was your behavior that made the difference.

Now, I suppose it's possible that the universe did have something to do with your promotion, in addition to your behavior. That certainly could be the case. But your success with your vision board still doesn't prove anything.

OK, so what?

Even Great Tools Have Limits

The reason why I think it is so important to distinguish a tool such as visualization from the philosophy of the Law of Attraction is far too many people are buying into the philosophy based on false assumptions.

In and of itself, the Law of Attraction may not seem harmful to people, but what happens to the fervent believer when their tools stop working 100% of the time? What happens when a mother dies? When the husband leaves? When a child gets killed while serving in Iraq?

What happens then, is the Law of Attraction fanatic starts to blame themselves, thinking there is something wrong with them, some deep “conflict” or inner issue that is sabotaging their efforts. Then they start navel-gazing to the point of absurdity, getting caught up in self-blame, doubt, and personal recrimination.

This leads to ridiculous and counterproductive beliefs such as “I created my cancer.” And then: “I must still be attached to my cancer because my visualization is not having any impact on my disease.”

Remember: Just because visualization is a great tool, it doesn't mean it works 100% of the time. Your car is a great tool. Is it 100% reliable? Rarely.

For example, you can visualize, fantasize, and affirm to your heart's content, but that is not going to make a specific person fall in love with you or become your mate. If it were that easy, then all the celebrity stalkers in the world would be happily married to their obsessions.

Life just doesn't work that way.

The Law of Attraction folks want to make you believe that if you just follow their simple philosophy, you can have everything you want. But that just doesn't hold water when looked at critically. Yes, you can create a great life for yourself. You can find new ways to earn money, you can get that new job, you can possibly find a mate.

But...and these are big buts...you can't change the free will of another, cheat death, or stop all bad things from happening in your life.

Look at Rhonda Byrne, author of The Secret. Her big statement at the beginning of her film was that her life was a mess, in part because her father had died.

What is the implication here? That if she had known The Secret earlier, she could have stopped her father's death?

This is nonsense. No amount of visualization or affirming will stop someone from crossing over to the other side when it's their time to go. Can you offer healing? Yes. Can you pray for a reprieve? Yes. Do miracles sometimes happen? Yes.

And yet, when that person does cross over, or the unrequited love stays unrequited, or the coveted job goes to someone else...how do you react? Do you blame yourself?

Is it really your purpose in life to create eternal life for a father, force someone else to love you, or take a job that was really meant for someone more qualified?

When you stop buying into a simplistic philosophy such as the Law of Attraction, you realize that you can't control everything 100% of the time. And yet, you know you are still OK. It wasn't your fault. You didn't do something “wrong” or have some sort of hidden limiting belief that stopped you.

Let go, and accept that life doesn't always go your way. You're not a spoiled two-year-old child. You don't need to have a temper tantrum and demand that God follows your will 100% of the time. You can handle a little challenge, a little mystery.

It's not all about you.

Use the Tools

Use the tools of the Law of Attraction, by all means. Try visualization as a way of getting clear on your path. Use a vision board to focus your mind and intention. Be positive, since that can make life easier and more fun.

Just remember: A tool is just a tool. Take it, and if it works for you, then great. If not, then throw it away and try another tool. They are, after all, just tools.