The Law of Attraction and the Secret

[wrenchhands]

So we had a discussion on the matter going in another thread, and this seems like the proper outlet.

I don't believe in the secret, and was trying to have a discussion with people who did on the matter. I don't understand how one could wish something, say 1,000 bucks into their life. It sounds completely nonsensical.

Keep it respectful.

[Oxygen8]

Well....respectfully....I'm trying to work out why you want to have a discussion about something you don't believe in and why you have started a thread to have a discussion...about....something you don't believe in....?

Where are you coming from here?

What do you hope to achieve?

[wrenchhands]

I'm a skeptic and get off on arguing.

[echoe09]

I'm a skeptic and get off on arguing.

Hahahaha, thats pretty funny but is that why your really posting a new topic?

[wrenchhands]

Mehdi asked me to not go off topic, so I obeyed his wishes, as it is his domain.

[nburge]

If you really want 1000 bucks I'm sure you could make it happen. In my mind this is more due to the fact we're all inherently capable of doing something better than other people that means you can earn more if you put your mind to it. This could be as basic as working a bit harder at your job.

If others are suggesting that this happens merely by thinking that it will, I would personally find that laughable. I wasn't privvy to your earlier discussion so I'm not sure I've fully understood the context of this question.

[wrenchhands]

I think eyeache thinks it is about willing it forward via the universe.

[Guillaume31]

Well i don't know much about the so-called 'Secret' but hear this:

"i wish to get stronger and be able to climb/hike a 7000+ meters mountain"

This is something i truly wished for and, by believing i could do it, i actually did it last year ! Muztak Ata in western-China. All thanks to that thing we call training.

The key to this theory seems to be (i didn't read the books, bought dvds etc.) willpower. When you set your mind on something you really want, whether it is money or else.... your chances of ultimately getting it do increase because you will be more enclined to do what's necessary to get it by focusing on practical ways to make it happen - sitting on the couch is not an option.

Who would be crazy enough to hurt him/herself 3 times a week just to get 'stronger' unless he/she really WISHES to get stronger ?

People might believe or not in this Law of Attraction, and heck i'm not even sure one could call it a 'law', but that really doesn't matter imo. it's just another proof that one can achieve great things if he/she has enough dedication, confidence and ultimately willpower.
Re-read 'Shantaram' by Gregory David Roberts if you want to read about willpower

[Mehdi]

Well i don't know much about the so-called 'Secret' but hear this:

"i wish to get stronger and be able to climb/hike a 7000+ meters mountain"

This is something i truly wished for and, by believing i could do it, i actually did it last year ! Muztak Ata in western-China. All thanks to that thing we call training.

The key to this theory seems to be (i didn't read the books, bought dvds etc.) willpower. When you set your mind on something you really want, whether it is money or else.... your chances of ultimately getting it do increase because you will be more enclined to do what's necessary to get it by focusing on practical ways to make it happen - sitting on the couch is not an option.

Who would be crazy enough to hurt him/herself 3 times a week just to get 'stronger' unless he/she really WISHES to get stronger ?

People might believe or not in this Law of Attraction, and heck i'm not even sure one could call it a 'law', but that really doesn't matter imo. it's just another proof that one can achieve great things if he/she has enough dedication, confidence and ultimately willpower.
Re-read 'Shantaram' by Gregory David Roberts if you want to read about willpower

And that's how it works.

[Ghost]

If it's just about willpower, then why the need to mask it being "a magical energy in the universe that your magical brain energy waves attract" like in the case of this The Secret? That's where I have a problem with every single one of these law of attraction type things.

[wrenchhands]

Amen, Ghost. (Ironic name for the post, btw...)

I just wanna say though, that I don't look down on anyone who thinks that way, I just enjoy debating.

If it works, do it.

[Oxygen8]

Will-power is a completely different thing, though there can be some overlap and some people who use metaphysical processes will be have a more "willpower weighted" approach than others but don't confuse the two. The more pure willpower you use the more limitation you place on what can be ultimately achieved.

There's been some great stories of accomplishment and survival utilising willpower alone. Joe Simpsons epic mountaineering survival "Touching The Void" springs to mind.

It isn't really all about some mystical or magical power, it's just another understanding of how things work, but it is different to pure self-accomplishment. LOA etc taps into a completely separate group of universal laws and your "will" is involved to focus on and engage them, but not beyond that.

Some people are "better" at it than others as well, usually to the extent of being able to get out of the way of the process after initiating it.

Like anything else, there is no doubt that practise and experience play a role, if for no other reason than to produce a greater degree of confidence in the outcome and the understanding of the differences between willpower produced results and LOA type results.

I'll stop there wrenchands....I don't wanna cause ya an eyeache

If ya wanna get into it more perhaps we could head down a more "scientific" path to attempt an explanation of how and why this mumbo-jumbo works.

[wrenchhands]

I just don't understand what "universal laws" you are talking about. It sounds like pseduoscience to boost will power.

[IceMan]

[Oxygen8]

IceMan....could not agree more re: "Enemies of Reason-Slaves to Superstition".

Wrenchhands...if Mehdi doesn't object I'm up for a good-natured "debate" on the topic.

Why not.

I'm pretty busy over the next week so my replies might be slow...but let's see where it leads....by starting somewhere.

Universal Laws...well...let's start with willpower and the power/understanding of reason.

Right now you're breathing....your heart is beating....bunch of other stuff going on.

Is your will and or your reason playing a direct (conscious) role in any of that or is there "obviously" something else going on?