I have to agree with you that it is always at work…but I don’t believe it is the only thing that is always at work. Sort of like the scary trend where people now blame themselves for an illness and then blame themselves again if they can’t magically cure themselves. Is the illness in some way a result of what they attracted? Yes, but it isn’t the only piece of the puzzle. Like you said — there is a mystery factor which I believe is tied into a greater plan of some kind. And, all of our collective actions affect the whole. So the whole Hitler argument can hold true both in how and why it manifested and the lessons that needed learning.

I know myself and when I work with my clients… if something shows up in my life that I am not thrilled about – the only place I can look to change anything is within. I can’t control anyone else…I only can take responsibility for my thoughts, beliefs, and actions. That is at the core of it all and at the core of the LOA. Otherwise we’re left with blame which gets no one anywhere. I think Thicht Naht Hahn calls it “Don’t Blame the Lettuce”.

helen – we’re all anxiously awaiting Colin’s reappearance!

I think it’s important as parents to fullfill our own life and not project our needs and desires onto our poor unsuspecting kids. I feel the more I allow myself to feel what I feel, and take action to turn my dreams into reality, the more I let my kids be who they are, rather than force them into a role. Ok, so my eldest is messing up her scolarity and I don’t seem to be able to convince her to work, so, I’ll just have to stop thinking she’s a future genious and let her face the consequences of her behaviour, while I concentrate on my own frustrations.

I have mixed feelings about Law of Attraction in general because I know it works sometimes, but I’ve had the sky fall over my head too often to believe it’s all of my making. Because of this I also believe in “indigenous” theories concerning “spirits” ; sometimes you’re not meant to do something, and the “spirits” make sure you get the message.

What I’m “hearing” is that one should be self-responsible w/o denying the bad, that often that realization leads to blame which turns into a fixation (hook ?) and stops development. Instead accept responsibility without blame and focus on the next steps. Close ?

krista – i’ve thought those same things too. there are ALWAYS stories of those people who rise above, who continue to live and inspire and find gratitude no matter what the situation. and you have to remember them as well!

thanks for your 2 cents olivier!

mark – you might take issue with some of the next posts then! i think LoA is one of those things that you either have to believe or not believe. I do think there are other forces at work – in terms of our souls and our translation of what is good or what is bad. (I was in a horrible flood and almost lost my house – but I still don’t think “oh my god how did I attract that!!?” (even though my husband thinks i attracted it with my perpetual visualizations of rain) mostly because i didn’t see it as BAD. It was hard, yes. But I didn’t have the desire to label it.) But I don’t think that they necessarily negate LoA. There’s mystery involved in all of it. I think the reason why some teachers take it to the extreme is because it’s one of those non-half-way things. There’s a certain courage in taking it to the extreme. I understand the frustration with a statement like Joe Vitale’s — but I’m always quick to notice that if I’m the one getting triggered and all fired up – then I’m probably the one who needs to grow from the situation. Thanks for all of your thoughts. I think lots of people feel that same way!

Thanks Deb – I’ll be eager to see what happens after you think about these comments.

I found reading this interesting today and will have to think about the comments for a while since they are all over the map. Regardless, I did work through the questions at the bottom of the post because they were addressing issues I needed a balanced way of evaluating.

Here’s my thoughts:

I devour things like Byron Katie’s “Work”, Abraham’s Law of Attraction books, and movies like “The Secret”…..I admit, I inhale it all, apply it, feel excited by the message – AND the messenger – for a little while, and strive to apply it.

But then something happens:

The flaws in the message – (and messenger) emerge. These gurus spout this stuff with 100% conviction – they have found THE way. And vulnerable devotees searching for life’s answers are easily swayed and quick to blame themselves for “attracting” bad things.

What nonsense. It makes me mad!

Joe Vitale from “The Secret” recently posted a self-rightous blog article suggesting that the California fires did not affect his “Secret” co-starts. He certainly attracted a lot of angry comments, but refused to apologize.

Bottom line – I do believe in the Law of Attraction – but only to a point. Stuff happens in life! For anyone to suggest that we “unconsciously” attract bad things strikes me as incredibly pompous – I think they’re trying to scare you into buying their “secret” knowledge.

I still enjoy and recommend the works I mentioned above – some of it is life-changing. But I take what works for me and discard the rest.

Just my 2 cents.