Beyond the Law of Attraction

Thanks to Oprah practically everyone’s heard of the movie The Secret and its philosophy known as the Law of Attraction.

I was initially a strong supporter of the film and its message, but the more it is hyped and sold as a “magic pill,” the more disillusioned I become.

I won’t go into all the reasons why as Kevin Hogan covered many of them better than I could in his recent article.

Still, consider this:

What do most of the high-profile people discussing the Law of Attraction have in common?

The answer? They not only practice the Law of Attraction, they sell it.

And from what I can tell, business is good.

Maybe this is the real lesson we can take away from all this hoopla:

One of the best ways to “attract” what you want is to tell others it’s possible for them to attract what they want.

For example:

Teacher: What is troubling you?

Student: My life is horrible. I don’t even know where to begin.

Teacher: It doesn’t matter. Regardless of your circumstances you create your own reality. So just create a new one.

Student: Really?

Teacher: Look at me. Now that I understand “the secret” I get richer every time I open my mouth.

Student: This is fantastic!

Teacher: It sure is. By the way, that’ll be $97.

Easy money.

But is this really an example of the Law of Attraction?

I don’t think so since the Law of Attraction says, “Like attracts like.” This appears to be, “Hope attracts money.”

Perhaps we should call this the Law of Extraction. After all, nothing extracts cash from wallets like the promise of magic.

So if practicing the Law of Attraction doesn’t work for you, try selling it.

Really. You can do it!

And by the way, that’ll be $97.

Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 07:01 AM

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(20) Reader Comments about Beyond the Law of Attraction

Sean Woodruff says...

Hear, here!

Posted on 02/20/2007 at 09:26 AM

David Garfinkel says...

“Law of Extraction”—Blair, that’s a good innovation.

You know, the concept is not wrong at its core. As you said.

But just like with so many other ideas, when institutional mass marketing gets involved, things get perverted.

In fact, I can’t think of a religion that statement doesn’t apply to.

So…

Let’s hear it for non-institutional direct marketing! LOL

Posted on 02/20/2007 at 01:51 PM

John Fogg says...

Well… hell… and thank YOU Blair.

I have no doubt of any of the participant’s sincerity (but then you once wrote that “Sincerity Sucks!") and have naught against the commercial angle. What bothered me most was the “pop” watering down of a profound truth coupled with the lack of “and here’s how you can put this into practice in your life and work” sans the strings of “just visit my website, here...”.

My name, “John”, means “a voice crying in the wilderness.” Glad to know there are others. I love a good, rousing chorus—especially when it’s needed.

And… where do I send the $97? And what about the $15,749 of free bonuses that come with it.../

Thanks Blair.
I appreciate you.
— John

ps. I called you this morning. First time in many months. Did you attract me… me you… or was it just some kind of wave becoming a particle as part of Source energy’s rushing to fill our mutual desire...?

Posted on 02/20/2007 at 01:52 PM

Hannah says...

I actually seriously considered writing a paper on “There is NO SECRET.”

If you watched The Secret, did you learn anything that you didn’t know already?

Yes, the graphics are great and the creativity behind the presentation is awesome.

And it’s a good reminder to include positive thinking and feeling in our daily routine.

However, the wisdom underlying any of the principles presented in The Secret are no secret ... these therories have been around for thousands of years and certainly are not an all-inclusive recipe for success.

AND—I can’t help but admire the strategists behind the film who were able to create such a buzz about it.

Posted on 02/20/2007 at 01:58 PM

Jonathan Dune says...

Hey Blair,

After all this time I was under the impression that you are someone who thinks for himself… maybe not. I respect someone’s position on a subject whether I agree with it or not. Isn’t this the basis and spirit of “Freedom of Speech”?

I also appreciate most of Kevin Hogan’s work, his books, and his fr*ee Coffee weekly e-newsletter. Although, this week Kevin had issue with “The Secret” and all the hype surrounding it.

Seems hypocritical of Kevin Hogan and you to publicly slam the principles that you both are using and cashing in on.

But then again, this is America, and Freedom of Speech allows for the rantings of all those who can find fault with everything and anything that inspires others to be better human beings.

I guess writing books all based upon persuading others is okay for Kevin yet the movie “The Secret” and it’s companion book is not about persuasion?…

In the spirit of “The Secret”, the Law of Attraction, Kevin, and also you - Blair are attracting ‘like’ energy to yourselves. Both Kevin, yourself, and “The Secret” all teach common principles of observation of the world around us, the practical use of simple ideas to create results in our lives and attracting prosperity or other results.

After all we’re all selling something… ourselves. The KEY is: Do we bring VALUE to the table? Only time will tell what that value’s worth to others.

Isn’t life a great ride!

enjoy,

Jonathan

Posted on 02/20/2007 at 02:13 PM

Suzanne Bird-Harris says...

I have a copy of The Secret and have watched it many times. I think it’s great for the uninitiated - those who’ve never heard of the Law of Attraction. I’ve asked a few such people to watch it and I’ve gotten the polar reactions I expected I would get: either “Wow! I had no idea such a law existed. I want to know more about this!” or (and more commonly) “What a bunch of hocus-pocus crapola.” Not surprisingly, the hocus-pocus crowd are the same bunch that are pissed they don’t win the lottery, even though they never buy a ticket. Go figure.

Posted on 02/20/2007 at 02:23 PM

Melissa Malin says...

Hi Blair,

While it’s true that these ideas have been around forever, it’s highly beneficial to have reminders on a daily basis. I don’t need to go into detail on how often we get bombarded with negativity from all directions each day...starting from our parents who got it from their parents, our educational systems, the media, our places of employment, and unwittingly eachother at times. The tendency is to accept this stinkin’ thinkin’ as “normal”. There seems to be an unconditional belief in scarcity. There is alot of misinformation that promotes very limited thinking, so people conclude, “why bother then?”, and stay in their little boxes.

Everything begins with a thought. You can’t argue with that. That is only the beginning, though. Here’s the formula:
Thought > Emotion > Belief > Attitude >
Behavior > Action > Results which takes you back to thought. It can be a positive or negative cycle, depending on how you apply it.

I believe your issue is with people who who believe they can just think or wish something into existence. That’s not dangerous thinking, rather, it’s impractical. Positive thoughts should inspire one into positive action. There more you put yourself out there, the better your chances are on accomplishing your desires. This is just plain ol’ common sense. Nobody gets things done by sitting under a pyramid and meditating 24/7.

Incidentally, I read your ringing endorsement of Ghalil’s work, “Professional Dreamer”. You praised her work and said that her teachings stood out from the rest. I would agree with you.

Best,
Melissa

Posted on 02/20/2007 at 02:36 PM

Sean Woodruff says...

Melissa,

I have had a different experience of the formula you mention.

For me it works like this…
Thought > ACTION > Result > Emotion > Belief > And back to Thought…

And, my formula isn’t universal because I don’t see others making it work.

The more that thought and action are separated, the longer it takes to realize a result.

In fact, the more anyone stuffs “secrets” into their thinking, the longer it will take to get to ACTION which pushes results that much further into the future.

For every additional thought we have, we are saying LATER to action and much LATER to a result.

Posted on 02/20/2007 at 03:10 PM

John Lundholm says...

Do you mean that success really is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration?

The problem with the Secret is that it preys on the false hope of magic. Magic makes for great entertainment, but when the show is over you still have to put food on the table and now you’re short $97. That addiction to hope is a killer sometimes.

I’m all for postive thinking, focused intention and attention, and visualization, but in the end a single imperfect action does more than all the wishful thinking in the world.

John Lundholm
http://www.ChangeDynamics.net

Posted on 02/20/2007 at 03:48 PM

Melissa Malin says...

Okay!!

Can we agree that The Secret provides a positive OUTLINE for life...and then it’s up to us to fill in the blanks?? As Sean said, we all have our own methodology of what creates results in our lives. I haven’t yet found any one book, audio, seminar, etc., that provides ALL of the answers. Has anyone else? However, I do find quite a few of the above that make wonderful pieces of the puzzle I’m putting together. The Secret is one piece.

Keeping it in perspective, the bottom line is DO it...that which provides the impetus is individual. That’s what makes life so interesting, yes? We are a kaleidoscope of experiences (hopefully not a collide-oscope) and this is what makes life so rich.

One function of an effective provocateur is to introduce themes that cause intense reactions and give us the ability to reflect and effect change where desired.

Thanks Blair, this is fun!!

Regards!

Posted on 02/20/2007 at 04:44 PM

REX says...

Whisper a tender word into the ear of your lover and you would have created something special.

Use a viral campaign to engage the hungry masses craving for a glimpse of hope into their desperate lives, call it “The Whisper” and sell it for only $9.99, and you would have created an obscenity using exactly the same word.

Posted on 02/20/2007 at 05:07 PM

REX says...

“The Law of Attraction” : Fool’s gold for the uninitiated.

Posted on 02/20/2007 at 05:28 PM

Donna says...

Blair… I applaud you for taking a stand, and Kevin Hogan, too. It is a shame that they don’t GIVE IT AWAY if they truly believe in what they are teaching, they would know that abundance would flow back to them all anyway, regardless of charging for it or not.

There’s another interesting view on this by a wonderful lady called Anisa Aven here: http://www.creatavision.com/articles/the-secret-within-the-secret-movie.htm
And, she culled 100 excellent quotes from the movie and posted them on her site (no charge..lol), as well.

Keep up the good work here… you must admit, though, that the viral marketing lesson within this whole “Secret” thing is magnificent.

I laughed aloud at the Law of Extraction label… very clever!

Donna - A Blair Warren fan forever

Posted on 02/20/2007 at 05:48 PM

Jim says...

“Sham: How the Self-Help Movement Made America Helpless” an excellent book by Steve Salerno exposes more of the not-so-secret dangers of the self-help industry. For a taste go to: http://tinyurl.com/yu8kp5

Even after having read Mr. Hogan and “Sham” I must confess - I’m still addicted like millions of others, hoping the next book will really give me the magic fix. But I hedge my bets by getting books from the library - free, while in the process of writing one of my own. Coming soon to a bookstore or sales letter near you.

Posted on 02/20/2007 at 07:00 PM

Matt says...

Applying the law of attraction is not easy. I do believe it works. That being said, the average person will not implement it. It is difficult to take the reigns of your thoughts and control and harness the to manifest what you want. By the way, Kenrick Cleveland has an EXCELLENT program that uses “the secret”. Once again, it is a lot of work...But worth it.

Posted on 02/20/2007 at 07:36 PM

Kevin Hogan says...

Hi Blair

Your student/teacher example is very good indeed.

Katie (she thinks your great, I don’t know what she sees...) and I were just sitting here trying to attract a piece of paper on the Coffee Table.

I sat on the couch.

She was on the love seat.

The paper floated up off the table and was suspended in mid-air for at least 40 seconds.

At first my skill at attraction seemed superior and the paper floated directly to my feet of all places. It didn’t actually touch them though.

Then something really weird happened. It stopped almost still and moved up about two feet in the air and moved toward Katie (about four feet away)

It dropped in her lap.

She shrugged her shoulders.

A little piece of hypnosis and statements stated congruently go a long way toward convincing people of just about anything…

Blair, imagine you and I both want a book to be number one on the ny times list next month.

We both manifest...both have equal understanding of the secret...both have prepared well...shoot we’ve even taken action.

How will the universe accomodate us?

Will we both end up as number one? After all “$10,000 is just as easy to attract as $1” according to Ms. Byrne.

So who will end up at number one? The person who has believed longer? Stronger? How does the universe decide?

And this is the point.

OBVIOUSLY mindset is crucial to success. OBVIOUSLY thoughts can sometimes determine our behavior. OBVIOUSLY focused intention increases probability of success.

All of these things have proof and not just evidence behind them.

And Blair, that will be $97....

My very best to you and those you love.

Kevin Hogan

Posted on 02/21/2007 at 02:00 PM

Blair Warren says...

Thanks for the thoughtful comments everyone! And in case anyone’s curious I did post every comment I received so the response you see is the response I received.

And for Kevin specifically:

Talk about a coincidence. Just a little while ago I was visualizing a piece of paper floating somewhere out there in the world and I was trying to make it fall in someone’s lap. Since I couldn’t see it except in my mind I assumed I had failed. But after reading your comment I’m starting to wonder if this stuff isn’t for real.

Of course, I agree with you wholeheartedly about the power of visualizing, intention, etc. And yet, like you, I have my doubts about the some of the claims being made about how far it can go. Something doesn’t have to be all-powerful to be worth our time.

Thanks for taking the time to comment and please tell Katie I think she has excellent taste in blogs.

And that’ll be $97,000 please. Hey, I figure it’s just as easy to attract that as it is $97.

Posted on 02/21/2007 at 05:16 PM

Chris says...

Great post. It’s about time someone shed some light on this nonsense.

Posted on 02/21/2007 at 05:35 PM

Janet says...

So, to believe something to be true or of value means that it should not be sold for a price, it should be given away? Don’t Blair and Kevin both sell things on their websites? So, that must mean that what they are selling isn’t true or of value?

I have many self-help books and videos and have found something of value in every one of them. That doesn’t mean I agree with every word written or that they are only writing them for the money. What I find meaningful may not be to another person, and vice versa. I take what resonates with me and leave the rest to others who may find something that resonates with them.

One small idea may change someone’s life. I take what works, leave the rest and move on. Anythings else wastes my time and energy.

I would bet that Oprah airing the secret helped more people than it hurt.

Posted on 02/24/2007 at 02:09 PM

Blair Warren says...

Hi Janet,

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Just to clarify, though I have sold products in the past and will do so again in the future, I am not currently selling anything (except affiliate links for some Amazon books), nor have I done so for months.

This is precisely because I have a serious love/hate relationship with marketing and I’m trying to decide what the best way to approach this dilemma is.

Another point, I have absolutely no problem with most self-help materials. If you’ll go through some of my past posts and recommended books you’ll see what I mean.

I am not saying there isn’t *any* value in the message of The Secret or the LOA, but I am saying that your odds of profiting from them go up when one stops practicing them and starts selling them.

This is a point that it seems almost everyone is missing and few will even address.

Consider many of the “success” stories we hear about. Yes, they are making an awful lot of money, but much of that money is coming from selling products in the self-help field, not “attracting” money in other day-to-day fields.

As for Oprah’s special, you may be right. At the very least it helped the experts dramatically as per their own words: millions of website hits and many, many new believers.

Posted on 02/24/2007 at 02:30 PM