In the movie, ‘The Secret,’ (which, when you say it out loud, you MUST say ‘The Secret’ in a whisper to have the right effect!) there is a core idea that the self-appointed self-promotion gurus that produced it are promoting. They call it ‘the Law of Attraction.’
This so-called law, according to the big muckymucks involved in making it, is that like attracts like, and ‘The Secret’ is that if you send out the right images, words and feelings, the universe MUST respond to you by sending the real item you desire in return. Wow. How magical! They must be using ‘The Secret’ to attract all the interest in, and money flowing from, the creation of the movie and spin off products related to ‘The Secret.’ (remember, whisper those words for maximum impact!)
Meanwhile, in most of my communication work, I teach that finding common ground is essential to successful persuasion and conflict resolution. It’s not uncommon for people to read into this idea the ‘law’ from ‘The Secret’ (excited whisper to really make it zing!) that like attracts like. Yet it’s also common for people (other people, those who don’t know ‘The Secret’ apparently) to tell me that ‘opposites attract.’ And don’t get me started on magnets!
Visualize Lots Of New Blog Readers
In an effort to do my part to clear up the confusion of these seemingly conflicted ideas for my blog readers and students, I’ve decided this is an idea calling out for a blog series. I can actually visualize ‘blog series’ all over this idea! And that’s just how I am going to approach it. Today, I’m going to write about the answer to the question, ‘Does Wishful Thinking Actually Work?’ Then Friday, I’ll answer the question, ‘Don’t Opposites Attract?’ And Monday, I’ll follow that up with an exploration of what it means to find common ground, as I answer the question, ‘Can’t We All Just Get Along?’
Hey, who knows? Maybe this series will attract more attention to my blog! Or maybe I’d be better off to sit here and, instead of writing, imagine more readers who are telling their friends and associates to read my blog, and then tell myself I have more readers who are telling their friends and associates to read my blog, and then feel them flocking to my blog where, ironically, nothing was posted because the universe understands already and my readers came because I wished them to do so! HAH!! er… Nah, on second thought, I don’t think that’s the right approach. I’m going to blog instead. Hey, who knows? Maybe my writing will attract more readers who will tell their friends and peers, whether I’m visualizing, affirming and emotionally projecting or not.
In case you think I’m beating around the bush, I’ll come straight out with my opinion about the ‘law of attraction.’
Are You Kidding? No Way!
Sorry, Charlie, wrong tuna. This law is not a law of the known universe. Nor is it a law of nature. And it most certainly is not a law that governs the relationship between what you think, what you do and what you get. So what is it? I think it is a useful fiction, and it works just swell for people who know that the best way to make a lot of money is to sell seekers/suckers on the idea. And what’s the idea? That you can get rich quickly and fulfill all your needs through wishful thinking.
By the way, for the people who made this film and are richly profiting from the spin off opportunities it set in motion, this is not wishful thinking. The cold hard fact is that people have been profiting from selling this same idea in other forms for a very long time. It’s a perennial idea for which the market is never exhausted, because there’s a seeker/sucker born every minute. Maybe that’s ‘The Secret.’ (Say it with breathless excitement!)
Applying Uncommon Sense To Sales
Wishful thinking has always been a good sell since the beginning of recorded time. Some sell it in the form of a talisman. Some sell it in the form of a product. Some sell it in the form of ‘praying the right way.’ What’s novel about ‘The Secret’ is that it just cut straight to the chase and sold it as what it is: Wishful thinking. And, it’s no secret that people have readily shelled out tons of real cash to be told they can learn a methodology of wishful thinking that is remarkably effective.
The beauty of the wishful thinking model sold in ‘The Secret’ (remember, say it with a whisper or you’re saying it wrong!) is that if the genie doesn’t come down out of the sky and give you your bicycle, it’s not because the methodology is flawed, but because you didn’t do it right!
Let’s review. The idea that you can attract something in the real world to come to you by wishing for it correctly is wishful thinking. What’s not wishful thinking? The selling of wishful thinking, especially if its packaged into a get rich quick scheme! (I wish I’d thought of doing that! Oh wait, no I don’t. I have a little problem with the ethics of that. Darn!) Marketing a program on wishful thinking is about as practical an idea as one can imagine. There always have been and always will be plenty of people ready and eager to persuade themselves to use these seeming shortcuts to wealth and health.
Here’s A Simple Test
What’s not effective about wishful thinking? Waiting for results. There’s an old saying that sums this up pretty nicely…er, ugly and disgusting…but makes the point. “You can wish in one hand, and spit in the other. Which do you think will fill up first?” Once you’ve done the thought experiment (yes, don’t actually spit in your hand!) read on.
Clearly, spitting is more effective than wishing when it comes to hand filling. And I’d say that taking action is way more effective than wishing in just about everything else, too.
You’re in spitting distance of part two, which I’ll post on Friday, ‘Do Opposites Attract?’ Any contrarians out there who dislike this post about the law of attraction may find that an attractive follow up to today’s post.
Meanwhile, I’d love to hear comments and experiences with ‘The Secret’ (whisper it like you mean it!) that you may have had (you, meaning the thousands of new blog readers that I’ve attracted with my visualization and affirmation, along with the several existing readers who I got here through bribery and actual writing.)
be well,
Rick
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
You’re, right … the real secret is taking action and correcting course.
I think a few things come into play:
- if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you’re not going to see it
- you get what you focus on (and take action towards.)
- visualizing what you want invokes your reticular activating system, which can bring relevant info to your attention
- if you pay attention to opportunities around you, you can move towards your goals
Just in case though, I did put my request in to the universe for a billion dollars, so I’m all queued up.
Quick thinking J.D.!
Wishful thinking does work hence the expression ‘be careful what you wish for’
I found as a child that my negative daydreams would come true and anticipated conversations would take place, thus my answers were already prepared.
I now thus say ‘cancel’ mentally when a negative daydream appears out of fear of it manifesting! This may sound barmy, but there were enough ‘coincidences’ in youth to make this appear a necessity.
I find this can work positively too, though we tend to spend more time ‘fearing what will happen’ and actively pondering those events and consequences rather than daydreaming about riches and gold and what it’s like living on a Yacht. Though some perhaps do hence they achieve it!
I have noticed that when I am in audience, that the speakers gaze will inevitably fall on me as if they are talking solely to me. I know some may think this is in my imagination but others notice it too. I have no idea why I attract their gaze and hold it, but I now actively avoid looking directly at speakers in order to avoid this attention. I get ‘picked’ in crowds for tasks too, hence I now duck when performers require assistance.
This has worked well in the past though as I was picked three times out of my school on appearance alone to take part in auditions for TV which I then got.
My bf says I smell nice…maybe that has something to do with it *wink*
Now while I say that in jest, there may be some basis in truth there. It is possible my pheremones are ‘attractive’. Insects certainly think so as I am a magnet for biting ones which are apparently attracted by the same ‘scent’ that attracts the opposite sex.
I wonder how many kids have this experience. I sure did
But I’ve had a different idea about the seeming phenomenon as an adult. Seems to me that our nervous system is designed to look for proof once we arrive at an assumption. If you assume that your thoughts are manifesting reality, you’ll notice all the times this happens, and dismiss all the times that it doesn’t happen. After all, you don’t want to think you’re crazy! But if it were really true, then you should be able to manifest consistently
Like, right now, can you manifest something simple, like, as you read this, the phone will ring. It will be someone wanting to give you lots of money for no good reason, just feeling compelled to do so. Go ahead and try it. I’ll wait here. (If this works, I’d like a percentage, a bonus as it were for giving you the idea!) When I test my ability to manifest my thoughts, I find that I can’t do it. I can’t make the phone ring. I can’t get someone to offer me the DVD series that I want but am personally too cheap to buy. (Smallville, all seasons!) So it doesn’t hold up to scrutiny, more’s the pity.
I used to have this idea that my presence at a party made the party come alive. I tested it. Turned out the parties worked just fine whether I was there or not.
Now I don’t mean to argue with you, because I love your comments and want you to keep coming back. Maybe you really have this extraordinary power over objective reality. But more likely, presenters eyes land on yours and you get picked because you are striking in your appearance, have a hair color that draws the eye. Remember, we are attracted to novel experience, so color, shape, and size, and yes, scent…I’m sure your bf is right!… are all potential attractors. Of course, maybe it’s the smell of fish fingers..who can resist those? (including the insects…!)
I can’t speak to the reason you’re picked out of a group, though I’d love to hear from someone who has picked you to learn why! I can tell you that when I pick out an audience member and focus my attention on that person, it’s usually because they seem most interested or least interested, most interesting or least interesting, or they’re giving me the most pleasant look in the room, or what seems the most hostile. Everyone else falls somewhere in between, and there’s no novelty to it, so they get equal opportunity. It’s the exception to the rule, whatever the rule, that wins the novelty sweepstakes.
I’m guessing, from what your boyfriend says and what you say, that the truth is some combination of attractive factors about you, or attractors (I think I just made up a word,) whether it’s the attention of insects or the opposite sex…and I’m hoping that the comparison stops between those stops there!
Rick
Well I do have rather big eyes!
Re the manifesting things. There are many tales I could tell you of deliberate and with witness manifestations but I will decline as without their testimony I just sound crackers. Also these things mainly took place in teen years when for whatever reason we seem more ‘able’ in this area.
I dabbled a fair bit in the paranormal in my teens and constantly seek scientific explanation as to why certain things were possible. I came up with an interesting reflection on how ‘time’ works for different species which may explain why birds seem to detect danger before it manifests and so on and why some humans appear to have powers of precognition. I shall try to dig out a copy.
Re being picked for things, I think it is as you say my intense interest in certain things. My steady unswerving gaze and so on. Maybe my eyes are semi hypnotic? Look into my eyes…….
Re the insects. I can detect fleas in a room by putting my hand on the floor as they rapidly jump on it. This is visible for all to see. Yet they leave my pals alone!! I don’t think it’s as bad now as when I was younger.
I shall meanwhile manifest you getting that DVD series offer.
I can’t find my article yet, computer still hunting it down, but I found this older quote which I saved in relation to it.
http://www.remoteviewingseminars.com/albums/album_image/562314/97742.htm
quoted from above link:
“The CIA is already there. There are pre-cogs already working and they are called psychic spies. Operating in blacked out, secret warehouses nestled in bucolic Virginia industrial parkland, they work for the Department of Defense, the National Security Council and a half dozen other intelligence agencies.
Meet one of them: Dr. David Morehouse, former Army Ranger officer, CIA operative and remote viewer.
“In 1972,” he says, “Stanford Research Institute pulled together all the major psychics that they could get temporary security clearances for and could pay, to come in and explore this. And the job of these laser physicists was to take these greatest natural abilities and synthesize these abilities into a protocol under clinical conditions, scientific test conditions and establish a protocol that could be trained, reliable, measurable, credible.
“It took them $50-million and six years of trial and error to develop that protocol. And this is what they came up with: Stages One through Six of co-ordinate remote viewing. The protocol was turned over to the Defense Intelligence Agency in 1982. It was born in a bed of science, managed and governed and washed in a bed of science, and it was used as an intelligence collection technology, with the understanding that it was not 100% accurate, recognizing that it never will be 100% accurate, recognizing that no other intelligence collecting methodologies are 100% accurate, and if any of them were accurate, the others would not exist.
“So remote viewing was developed as one more providing of a picture or pieces of a puzzle. The official Department of Defense definition of remote viewing is ‘the learned ability to transcend space and time to view persons, places or things and gather and report intelligence on the same.’ ”
How does it work? quoted
“I don’t consider myself a psychic,” says Morehouse. “I have no clairvoyant bone in my body. I was taught a protocol, which is designed to take an individual with the psychic ability of a bag of hammers and teach them to transcend space and time. We start by reaching an alpha wave state, which is induced with a simple meditative process. You descend into alpha, you find the subject, you detect data, you return and decode data. You’re porpoising in alpha, down into deep alpha, up into shallow alpha.
“Since, as we know from quantum physics, everything is energy, and everything can be expressed as frequency. If you’re asked to see something distant in space time, all you’re seeing is the frequency of that in the collective unconscious, and what that means, then, is that when you go into the decoding process, you are breaking that down into all its subcomponents: tastes, smells, colours, sounds, and textures, and energetic and dimension and aesthetics, emotionals, tangibles and intangibles.
“You categorize data as kinesthetic, verbal, auditory. Which modalities of perception will you use? Some have good verbals, others have great visuals, with great sketches, some have tremendous emotional data.”
Unlikely stuff I know. I shall say no more..
Except this
‘Kids…think positive!’
Hi again!
I met these people, years ago, when I spoke at a YPO event in NYC. They came in and gave a lecture, demonstration, and then stayed around and talked with us for quite a long time. But my impression of it is that it goes way beyond wishful thinking, it’s very technical, very precise, and very focused, AND it doesn’t attract anything, it doesn’t work reliably, and when it does work, it merely locates what is already there. Still, I love that you knew about it, and shared this here.
So big eyes, distinct scent, and the ability to attract fleas. Hmmm. If I hadn’t seen your picture elsewhere, I’d be thinking bigfoot!
Instead, I’m thinking thank you. Can you tell? Oh, and I’m thinking my odds of getting the Smallville series has just gone up dramatically!
be well
Rick
One more thing on precognition…although you may have been expecting this.
The other night, I had the most vivid dream, completely lucid, in which John McCain selected Carly Fiorina as his vice presidential candidate in the US election currently underway. I saw and heard lots of people talking about it, and listened in to the Democrats discussing strategy to deal with it. Before this dream, I had no such interest or bias, and have no idea where this dream came from. If things turn out this way (Neither McCain nor Obama have named their V.P. choices to date), then I’ll be ready to admit to my own precognitive abilities. I’m sure that if I have em’, I come by them honestly. Because when I and my siblings were children, we knew for a certainty that Mom had eyes in the back of her head, and could tell every time when we were lying!
lol, my mom convinced us when we were kids the dog could talk. When she left us one night (tucked in bed) with a babysitter she knew we’d been up after she’d gone out eating toast. We knew our babysitter would not rat us out so wondered how she knew. She said the dog told her. It wasn’t until many years later she revealed it was the crumb trail that gave us away!
There are many things in this life we cannot explain, I am fortunate to have experienced a few first hand. Skeptisism is very healthy, I question other people’s claims and do not for one second believe in a single ‘payroll’ clairvoyant!
The precog thing is indeed relating to a different topic but it is one example of the use of a seemingly psychic ability (though we know it is not) by the worlds powers.
I have had precog dreams, the best ones about people I barely know and only met once as there is no reason really why I would dream about them months after our one and only encounter and then dream of something pertinent that actually did happen to them. This once happened with a nurse I met through work. Months later I met her again and asked how she was, she said she was fine, was buying a house and all was well. This reminded me of my dream which was about her buying a house. I asked her if she was sure it was going well as my dream told of problems with the seller and serious flooding and leaks that extended to the neighbours in the entire street. It turned out in fact that after moving in they found a drainage problem that did indeed affect the whole street and they were in legal wrangles with the seller to get it sorted as he never told them of the problem before hand. Coincidence? perhaps. Once I dreamt of a friends friend who I have not seen since 2000 and met just once. I told my friend to keep an eye her as she was about to do xyz at a party. The party was a week later and she did indeed do xyz but had my pal on hand to protect her from public humiliation.
No reason for dreaming these random things about random people, but if you are interested in dream ‘ology’
I have a website http://www.dreamsanalysed.blogspot.com where I have analysed a few dreams for people who write in. Harmless interpretation of symbols, nothing paranormal to it.
Strange things aside, I do agree that the MOST productive way to affect change is to make it happen. Wishful thinking can be incorporated by self belief and thinking positive and acting accordingly. When I decided to ‘use the secret’ to manifest a book deal, I did actually have to contact a few publishers first! Still no concrete offer….damn ‘secret’
Wishful thinking has it’s limits. But I do as I said still (old habit) try to avoid negative thinking just in case!!
ps. Re my opinion of the ‘secret’ is it does work as babbling about it has made the sellers of the secret VERY rich!! In other words a great money spinner for the sales people of the ‘secret’ and it’s affiliates.
Aside from this I believe the origins of the secret lie in this book ‘Bring out the Magic of your mind’ by Al Koran. The book is now out of print but you can still grab a copy for MUCH less than these ‘Secret’ packages.
I haven’t read anything re the law of attraction as my own experience is fairly simple in that if we think positive good things will come as we exude confidence, capability and so on. Attractive qualities thus attract. Bad energy similarly results in bad kharma as it repels others.
Easier said than done putting these things in practice.
Leah, great stuff, thank you!
I couldn’t help it, I followed your google breadcrumbs and even read through your ebook (part 2 nowhere to be found, just broken links) Really fun, very clever, and if the law of attraction were to work for anyone, I’d expect it to work for you!
I plan to post on ‘How To Get Rich On The Internet’ in a few days. Hold comments on that until I post it, and then let er rip! I find this blogging business to be quite therapeutic, and from what I’ve seen of you, I’m guessing you do too!
be well
Rick
yes I am blogging bonkers that’s for sure.
Re getting rich on Internet, I have little to comment. I am still ‘poor’ and have mainly been ripped off by those I worked for, so haven’t made a bean (well I made enough to buy a few cans
) but generally it is writer beware! I shall however read your tips with top interest!
ps, re eBook 2, the guy who put eBook 1 together created the link but as yet not the book. I have a zip version though via my home page website. It’s not as funny as part 1 though. Different audience
Following up on this post. Uncanny! I got the Smallville DVD series, I did! My sister got it for me over the holidays. Weird, huh? I didn’t even believe it, affirm it, or focus on it. I simply thought about it while blogging. Wow.
By the way, she got it for me because she knows I love the show and was looking for a thoughtful gift. But if wishing works then that was just nature’s way of making my wish come true.
I guess I should try again, see if I can reproduce this miracle! So,
I also want to go on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart when my next book comes out! I wish that would happen!
Best,
Rick
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