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The Law of Attraction Versus The Power of Now: Which one is better?

by Hulbert
67 replies
Note: There are spoilers ahead. If you haven't read either book, and you want to preserve its freshness, it may be wise to leave this thread in case you do not want to be spoiled.

During the year of 2009 I was going through some pretty depressing times. One day at the library I decided to pick up the Law of Attraction by Esther Hicks and read it. It was really life changing for me because of how much power we can have in our thoughts and how believing in the future can create a present reality. A couple months later, I saw The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle on a bookshelf and decided to buy that. It was also really life changing for me because it told of how disempowering our thoughts can make us and how believing in the future can create a present hell.

Although both books were enlightening, they were written in different style, different tone of voices, and ultimately conveyed different messages. Some of the things I learned from the books are as follows, starting from The Law of Attraction first and The Power of Now second:
  • Think about what you want in the future in your present moment.
  • Do not think about the future, stay here in the present moment.
  • The present moment is sometimes unacceptable and painful because you are attracting it in your life right now. In order to get over it, you must guide your mind to positive thought vibrations.
  • The present moment is sometimes unacceptable and painful because you are identified with your ego mind. In order to get over it, you must accept and be conscious of the misery happening within you.
  • There may be nonphysical beings in the universe (e.g. Abraham) that can convey special messages to certain human beings (e.g. Esther).
  • Every physical being or object has come out of nothing, is surrounded by nothing, and will eventually return to nothing.
  • Be patient with the universe and give it time to create your wishes.
  • There is no such thing as time. It is only an illusion created by human beings.
  • You attract what you think about through your mind.
  • You begin to become a slave to your mind when you are only thinking.
  • Ask and it is given.
  • Do not ask. Be.
Questions:

1. Which book did you like?
2. Which method do you think is more effective in terms of getting what you want?
3. Which method do you think is more effective in terms of taking action?
4. If you had to choose one philosophy, which would you believe in more?
5. Ultimately, which book do you think is better?

Feel free to add anything else related to the subject. Here is the plate of wine and cheese for today's Christmas holiday and book club gathering. You are all invited. Please answer the questions above with your opinions, and let's begin a nice and polite discussion.
#attraction #law #power #versus
  • Profile picture of the author chini
    I like the power of now, and accepting things in the present moment, with no resistance. So any thought and feelings don't stick. If you resist, guess what they are going to persist. This is the most powerful thing, even though its so simply, i got out from the power of now, and the sedona method.
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  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    Law of Attraction all the way.

    Human beings have the ability to construct a counterfactual hypothesis.

    To put that into plain English, we can imagine something that is not the truth.

    Nothing else can do that.

    Imagine that you have two red blocks and two blue blocks. How many red blocks would you have if one of the blue blocks were red?

    For a human being, this is simple: three.

    For a chimpanzee, it's impossible. They can't do it for two reasons: first, they have to imagine something being true that is NOT true; second, they have to imagine that the new conditions contradict what they see. Imagining that something blue is in fact red has been possible for some chimpanzees, because it's a word game. They imagine the symbol means something else. That's a game children play at an early age.

    But it's the contradiction that confuses them: they do not imagine that blue blocks are red. They imagine that SOME blue blocks are red... in short, that not all blue blocks are the same colour. And this just drives them mad. They can't do it. They become angry and violent if the researcher is too insistent on the idea.

    The Power of Now asks you to discard what makes you uniquely human: the ability to imagine that the future could be different. Indeed, that the present could be different.

    I think that devalues us as human beings.
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    "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard A.Cox
      Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post


      Nothing else can do that.

      Absolutes can be unsafe
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      • Profile picture of the author Selena85
        I've read both books and my vote goes to The Power of Now. It was life-changing for me as well. For me it's better in terms of taking action. I'd like to elaborate a little on the first point, the way I see it:

        Think about what you want in the future in your present moment.
        Do not think about the future, stay here in the present moment.
        When the author says don't think about the future, I don't think he means we shouldn't make plans and set goals. By all means we should do that, only we shouldn't dwell on the future. "Oh, when I have money I'll do this and that". That'll only make you anxious and will accomplish nothing.

        As I take it, once you have your goals set, come back to the preset and take action. Just do it, focus on working toward your goals, instead of how wonderful life will be when you reach them.

        It's a beautiful philosophy. I don't think one book is better than the other, but they have different approaches that will work for different people.
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      • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
        Originally Posted by Richard A.Cox View Post

        Absolutes can be unsafe
        Oh, excuse me.

        To the best of current scientific knowledge, there is no living creature on the planet Earth - or, indeed, on any planet whatsoever - which is capable of doing anything similar to this in any way that we are capable of discerning or demonstrating, let alone proving.

        Actually, I prefer the five-word sentence I started with. In fact, I think it's a much better way to say this. I don't see the need to replace it with a 45-word paragraph nobody will ever read. And I actually think going around demanding people write like this would be a pretty effective form of censorship: you can say whatever you want, but you have to be such an anal-retentive jackhole about it that nobody can stand to listen.
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        "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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        • Profile picture of the author Mark McClure
          "Time is nature's way of making sure that everything doesn't happen at once." Author - unknown

          However, what if it was, is and will be... I like to imagine that Einstein riding that beam of light 'thought experiment' got an inkling of what some of the mystics are on about.
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    • Profile picture of the author Hesaidblissfully
      Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

      The Power of Now asks you to discard what makes you uniquely human: the ability to imagine that the future could be different. Indeed, that the present could be different.

      I think that devalues us as human beings.
      Actually it doesn't. It doesn't say you shouldn't think about the future. It just advises against living there.

      What it really stresses is being AWARE of whatever's going on in your mind at the moment, whether that happens to be thoughts about the future or past, goals and plans, creative ideas, emotions, etc. It doesn't say you should stop thinking about any of these things. Just be aware of them in the present.

      Keeping your attention focused in the present can acually help you make smarter decisions in regards to your goals, because it allows you assess your situation more objectively and take practical steps towards getting what you want.
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      • Profile picture of the author MemberWing
        Great thread.
        I am avid reader of both - Eckhart Tolle and everything that was published by Abraham Hicks.
        I believe each teaching has it's audience.
        I was introduced to Eckhart Tolle's teachings first and it certainly filled the void in my understanding of myself.

        Much later I got strong "self-inflicted" immersion to Abraham Hicks materials.

        Both materials are carrying enlightened clarity and depth.
        Although majority of Eckhart's teachings are only given to us by 2 books.
        Abraham-Hicks teachings is never ending stream of wisdom. I am amazed not only by how deeply wise these materials are but also by the fact of how practical they are. Simplicity and practical application is the key.

        I had and read enough theories and meaningless generalities.

        LOA especially presented by Abraham/Hicks / Esther/Jerry is carrying unsurpassed wisdom and practical value. I suggest to check their videos first - they have YouTube channel - and although short - they are amazingly fun to watch.
        In November I spent ~$500 buying all LOA videos from Abraham/Hicks I could find.
        This stuff is timeless.

        Gleb
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      • Profile picture of the author Selena85
        Originally Posted by Hesaidblissfully View Post

        Actually it doesn't. It doesn't say you shouldn't think about the future. It just advises against living there.

        What it really stresses is being AWARE of whatever's going on in your mind at the moment, whether that happens to be thoughts about the future or past, goals and plans, creative ideas, emotions, etc. It doesn't say you should stop thinking about any of these things. Just be aware of them in the present.
        Thank you! That's exactly what I wanted to say, but you put it in better words. When you focus on the present there's so much you can accomplish!

        For me I think it's crucial to take me from a passive state (of expecting things to happen), to an active state (when I actually make things happen).

        It also brings me a sense of ultimate calm, of being in control.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mandy Swift
      Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

      Law of Attraction all the way.

      Human beings have the ability to construct a counterfactual hypothesis.

      To put that into plain English, we can imagine something that is not the truth.

      Nothing else can do that.

      Imagine that you have two red blocks and two blue blocks. How many red blocks would you have if one of the blue blocks were red?

      For a human being, this is simple: three.

      For a chimpanzee, it's impossible. They can't do it for two reasons: first, they have to imagine something being true that is NOT true; second, they have to imagine that the new conditions contradict what they see. Imagining that something blue is in fact red has been possible for some chimpanzees, because it's a word game. They imagine the symbol means something else. That's a game children play at an early age.

      But it's the contradiction that confuses them: they do not imagine that blue blocks are red. They imagine that SOME blue blocks are red... in short, that not all blue blocks are the same colour. And this just drives them mad. They can't do it. They become angry and violent if the researcher is too insistent on the idea.

      The Power of Now asks you to discard what makes you uniquely human: the ability to imagine that the future could be different. Indeed, that the present could be different.

      I think that devalues us as human beings.
      Hilarious, thanks. You hit the nail on the head - Law of Attraction all the way!
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      • Profile picture of the author harvjag
        IMHO, nothing replaces ACTION! If you find yourself spending an inordinate amount of time visualizing, you won't be DOING. DOING is what will get things DONE. Also, action produces results or outcomes.

        Regardless of the outcome, win or loss, you always will walk away with value. The value is in the learning from what you did, right and/or wrong, to produce the outcome achieved.

        After action, you effectively ALWAYS win, because you create something of value. Now, knowing some in this group don't like absolutes , ALWAYS may not be the best choice in words. But, you get the point!

        This is my first post and likely, of little value to such a group. However, I will be contributing more shortly of things that I am certain you will find are of value.

        Ruben F Salinas
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  • Profile picture of the author success4all
    Originally Posted by Hulbert View Post

    • Do not ask. Be.
    You got it the very end. If you got the right belief system, you will be. Until then you will never be. Nothing else matters.
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  • Profile picture of the author MJ Sterling
    Law of Attraction all the way!

    It has changed my life many times (often without realizing it) but since understanding how powerful it is and how it's always working, there's no going back.
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  • Profile picture of the author jtormey
    I'll go with the Power of Money
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    The law of attraction is the ultimate physical and metaphysical law of all creation. It boils down to the simple idea of cause and effect on all levels. Earl Nightingale said it best in his famous recording 'The Strangest Secret' that it was the only thing that all races of people since recorded time agreed upon. That's good enough for me.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Clough
    Esther Hicks is somewhat of a whack-job (sorry) although she has some wonderful things to say.

    Eckhart Tolle was once a very depressed human being and suffered a lot to get where he is at now.

    Borrow some from both, is what I suggest.
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  • Profile picture of the author kckaz
    Both work wonderfully hand-in-hand.

    To add..Tolle said that the NOW is the space and your story is the content. If you think you have a depressing NOW, it's your story created by ego and ego attachments causing the depression, not the present itself. The beauty of NOW is found when you quiet the mind and release your need for things to be a certain way.

    This state would be similar to the state Hicks suggests getting to because its a better vibrational state and conducive for Allowing your desires to manifest.

    Think of a magnet with dirt on it on. Before it can attract, it needs to be cleaned. Clear your mind by focusing on the infinite space of the present - free from the content of ego.

    Set goals and plans, then operate intensely in the present on your tasks. Love the "doing" as much as the results. Try to achieve a state where you have no preference over the tasks life presents you. Just BE and perform whatever is needed in front of you with joy as you feel yourself alive as you do them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kezz
    I'll preface by saying that everyone needs different material at different points in their life, so this is my own personal experience only.

    For me the Power of Now, whilst very spiritual, is also very grounded in reality. I think that's a big part of what the "Now" part of the mode of thinking is about. To root yourself so profoundly in reality that you find a new sense of clarity and calm. In my personal path, that has been something that has really worked for me in a very practical sense. Bringing myself back into the moment and not allowing myself to stray to far into the 'mental' area of the future and the past has been an invaluable ability to build.

    That's not to take anything away from The Law of Attraction though. When I first came into contact with the concepts of "attraction" it was profoundly life changing for me. However, as much as I respect the book and the life changes it can bring about, there are a couple of little things I have heard Esther Hicks say that haven't rung true to me.

    The one that springs to mind was in an interview with Oprah when she was asked to explain how attraction is at work in the context of a little baby being raped. (!!) Her reply was, in a nutshell, that even though the baby can't speak she can still attract events.

    In my view, there is a profound truth that is missing from that viewpoint, and it is a truth that I think is key to understanding how the world around us works.

    That truth is that we are not only on a world of 'creation', but a world of 'co-creation'. Each of us is not the only individual who is putting 'attraction' out there. Every person is attracting events, and sometimes when two people are trying to attract opposing things, the stronger person wins out.

    In the case of the question about the little baby, I believe the correct answer would have been that sadly, due to the baby's vulnerability she is not strong enough yet, and the attacker is the person who, horrendously, made their wishes into reality.

    This is an extreme example, but one worthy of mentioning, because I believe it highlights how important it can be to understand this key point. I don't believe a complete world view can be formed without understanding principles of co-creation, and for me that's why I could never fully find myself at ease with Esther Hicks.

    With Eckhart Tolle though, for me just about everything I've ever heard him say has rung true. I suppose that's why he goes with the whole "sounds true" thing. His content is both very logical, and very elevated and advanced.

    But as I said, that's just my viewpoint
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  • Profile picture of the author richjerk321
    The real truth is that the Law Of Attraction is a Quantum Law which means it surpasses physical laws of this reality.

    "You become what you think about most of the time."
    ~Earl Nightingale

    You attract what you think about.
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  • Profile picture of the author Linkbuilder123
    I dont know how I feel about that...I know that a positive attitude is important, but wow, you just took it to a whole new level...Thanks...
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  • Profile picture of the author Bret Ferguson
    I haven't read either book. I have read many books that probably have similar content.

    Like others have said here and I agree, you need both. Set goals and work daily to achieve them. Dream big dreams and work daily to achieve them.
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    • Profile picture of the author DavesVenture
      It depends on where a person is in their particular journey in life to be able to resonate with the message of either book.

      I believe the most important key to both methodologies is taking action in the direction of one's desires when one is absolutely focused on the goal or target, and making the proper adjustments when an obstacle or challenge presents itself in order to re-focus and continue on the correct path to the intended goal or target.

      One thing is certain. There are bound to be obstacles and challenges along the way to a desired goal.
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  • Profile picture of the author FrankRose
    Both.
    LOA and The power of now is great especially when combining them both. LOA works regardless but staying in the present moment does wonders for my for my focus and concentration. In the end, its all about the mind set.
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  • Profile picture of the author lisag
    Here is are the things I believe:

    There are forces at work in the Universe. Go with them.

    The things that you want want you too.

    Money flows through the Universe just like energy and radio waves. Raise your money antenna and some will flow to you.

    Whatever you chase will run away from you.

    You get what you attract.
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    -- Lisa G

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    • Profile picture of the author sena123
      Both of them are good Books !!!
      The power of now are equal with the power of visualization ... :rolleyes:

      I dont know which is the best ... But from my experiences, if u combine the both power, you can achieve your goals earlier ...
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      Mantab Gan !!

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  • Profile picture of the author theemperor
    Hulbert - I didn't realise they are mutually exclusive!

    Here is my spin:

    If you have a belief, for example that "I can't make money" or "I'm poor". It is probably worth finding out why you have that belief, did it come from childhood? maybe using a therapist to help. This is not to dwell on the past too much - but to get an understanding. Once you are aware I think the affirmation work will be a lot more effective. Then you won't be doing it in the dark, sabotaged by you subconscious mind!
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    • Profile picture of the author Enquirer
      I have read neither book, but the Law of Attraction seems to have a more attractive message. The other one, from your brief description, seems rather depressing. I am familiar with the ideas expressed in the Law of Attraction because they have been covered in other books written as far back as the early 20th Century.

      I believe that it is better to have plans, goals and desires because then we can work to accomplish or reach them. We have some idea about what we want in life. We should believe we can do it. We should feel the feelings that we would feel if we had already done or accomplished it. The nervous system can't easily tell the difference between what is real and what is clearly imagined. Tell someone who is afraid of spiders that a spider is crawling up their leg and they will panic. Their nervous system will react to the imagined spider as it would if they had actually seen one. Even just thinking about the possibility of a spider crawling up their leg could bring them out in a sweat.

      Studies have shown that sportspeople and people with injuries can just imagine performing some action - throwing a ball, lifting a weight, opening and closing their hand - and their brain and the correct nerve pathways will react as if they are doing those actions. There will be micro movements in their muscles. This method is used to rehabilitate damaged muscles and nerves as well as to improve sporting prowess.

      Studies of people with ill health problems have shown that positive thinking and guided imagery/visualisation can have physical effects and can reduce or remove pain. They can even reduce or temporarily stop the tremors of Parkinson's Disease. If thinking clearly about something can affect our bodies, just imagine how much easier it can affect our beliefs. If our beliefs change, our lives change. Someone can go from being withdrawn and friendless to an outgoing life-and-soul-of-the-party. People who meditate create physical changes in their brains. Visualisation is a form of meditation.

      When you clearly imagine the life you want to lead and begin to feel the joy of how it will be to have that life, you will begin to change your whole attitude to everything. I have no proof but I'm sure that there will be changes in the brain and the whole nervous system.

      Once you have achieved something it is much easier to achieve it a second time. It's a bit like the case of the four minute mile. Once someone broke the barrier, it became easier for others to do it. If someone has built a large fortune and then lost it, it is easier for them to build another one. Well, easier than it is for someone who has never built a fortune.

      When we clearly imagine being successful we are like that person who has built and lost a fortune - we 'know' that we've done it. We know it's possible. And then we can begin to bring it into reality. But I believe belief is very important. And desire. Without the desire to be successful all the believing and imagining is unlikely to have much effect.

      There's another thing - doubt can keep you back. If you imagine being a millionaire when you are barely able to afford your rent, a little voice in your subconscious mind could sabotage your plans. It might laugh at you and tell you that you are being a fool, that you should look around you and see the reality of your situation. I think that is often the biggest stumbling block to these methods. It might be better to go in small steps - imagine your life just a bit better than it is now. Then, that doubting, mistrusting part of your subconscious (or even conscious) mind won't have so much to doubt. Even the most pessimistic person is unlikely to doubt that circumstances could be just a bit better. Then, when things become a bit better, it will be easier and easier each time to imagine bigger steps.

      Now here's a more wacky idea:

      If you know anything about the Many Worlds Interpretation - where every decision we make creates a new universe and a new us - you could use that in your visualisations/imaginings. As everything is possible in some universe and there is another one of us in that universe who is living the life we want to live, what stops us - the one of us in this universe - from having that life? The other one of us already has it. He or she was exactly the same as we are up until the point of some decision where we split into two different us -es. I've been toying with the idea of using that idea. It doesn't matter if the Many Worlds Interpretation is fact or lunacy - it could be a useful model. It could be easier to imagine another one of us who already has what we want. A bit like the person who has made and lost a fortune. He did it once and knows he can do it again. We know another one of us has already done what we want to do. We can do it too because we are the same as them - we have already done it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Hulbert
      Originally Posted by theemperor View Post

      Hulbert - I didn't realise they are mutually exclusive!

      Here is my spin:

      If you have a belief, for example that "I can't make money" or "I'm poor". It is probably worth finding out why you have that belief, did it come from childhood? maybe using a therapist to help. This is not to dwell on the past too much - but to get an understanding. Once you are aware I think the affirmation work will be a lot more effective. Then you won't be doing it in the dark, sabotaged by you subconscious mind!
      Hello, haha yes they are different books with different concepts. Thanks for sharing this. It seems like you have a more conventional philosophy towards life.
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  • Profile picture of the author LetsGoViral
    The power of now is really good but "Law of Attraction" is a huge BS. Seriously, it is not logical at all and not right. You dreaming won't achieve anything. You doing, however, will, so I would say focus on "law of action".

    Money flows through the Universe just like energy and radio waves. Raise your money antenna and some will flow to you.
    I don't want to ruin the mood here, but it's really not like that. You can't compare money to radio waves, and what energy are we talking about here? Heat? Kinetic energy?

    What I want to say is - in business, if you want to succeed, you have to stop living in clouds, but be rational and objective.

    Studies of people with ill health problems have shown that positive thinking and guided imagery/visualisation can have physical effects and can reduce or remove pain. They can even reduce or temporarily stop the tremors of Parkinson's Disease. If thinking clearly about something can affect our bodies, just imagine how much easier it can affect our beliefs. If our beliefs change, our lives change. Someone can go from being withdrawn and friendless to an outgoing life-and-soul-of-the-party. People who meditate create physical changes in their brains. Visualisation is a form of meditation.
    True. That's what is called the placebo effect. Positive thinking will improve your mood definitely. Which will result in better health, but it is a not a guarantee to success of any other kind. That success has different source, usually it's the correct action. Sometimes it is luck.

    PS:
    Good video on law of attraction:
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    Time of thinking is over.
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    • Profile picture of the author Hulbert
      Originally Posted by LetsGoViral View Post

      The power of now is really good but "Law of Attraction" is a huge BS. Seriously, it is not logical at all and not right. You dreaming won't achieve anything. You doing, however, will, so I would say focus on "law of action".

      I don't want to ruin the mood here, but it's really not like that. You can't compare money to radio waves, and what energy are we talking about here? Heat? Kinetic energy?

      What I want to say is - in business, if you want to succeed, you have to stop living in clouds, but be rational and objective.

      True. That's what is called the placebo effect. Positive thinking will improve your mood definitely. Which will result in better health, but it is a not a guarantee to success of any other kind. That success has different source, usually it's the correct action. Sometimes it is luck.

      PS:
      Good video on law of attraction:
      YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.
      Hehe. I'm not sure if the Law of Attraction was meant to be interpreted this way in the video clip. But nevertheless, it was a very funny. Thanks for sharing this.
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  • Profile picture of the author lloydy14
    Hi Guys.

    I haven't read either of those books but I have read The secret which is about the law of attraction, i thought it was a great book, if a little syrupy in parts.

    my take on it is this, if you go to bed at night knowing you have done all you can to influence the outcome of tomorrow then you are not going far wrong in respect on the law of attraction, things don't happen automatically, you have to help the process along.

    lloydy
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  • Profile picture of the author flobaby
    LetsGoViral, thank you for posting that, absolutely hilarious! After they took the booze "Well, you should visualize them back" LOL!!
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  • Profile picture of the author NavySeals91
    Rid yourself from your attachments, desires, and lusts. Do not be so arrogant to say tomorrow you will be rich because you don't even have control over the hairs on your head and tomorrow you may die.

    Just do. And think for yourself. Question everything, but still have faith. Look for depth.

    Look WITHIN!!!! You have all the answers, trust yourself --you can find them, just look within.
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    • Profile picture of the author ron.the.bull
      Hulbert, law of attraction is the ultimate form of acquirement. However, I'd suggest going to the source and reading Charles F. Haanel. Doing so will present the true answer to your question.
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      • Profile picture of the author josephkerr
        Easily the most interesting reply so far, in this guy's humble opinion, was from the gentleman who said that the human imagination is what makes us uniquely human.

        But I think it leaves something to be said. Because if we begin to bang the homo superior drum over our imagination, it'd be no different than birds getting big heads about having wings.

        It should also be cleared up that the "law of attraction" is much less a law of attraction at all as it is a law of awareness.

        The real secret behind it is no different than how when you buy a red car you begin to notice red cars everywhere. Where we put our attention affects what we notice, and what we notice makes up a large part of what we might call our waking reality.

        To say that we move the entire cosmos with our imagination may be a poetic way of talking about the relativity of our position in the universe... and so might be acceptable.

        But to imagine that we're genie like creatures or in communication with such creatures by training our powers of concentration that, as Joe Vitale said in "The Secret" ... "is like placing your order with the universe"... is a fantasy that can only lead to disappointment.

        As for Eckhart Tolle and the Power of Now... it's obvious from how the man speaks and writes that he sees what's going on in some way... albeit in a very dry way. He swims in waters that are a bit too clean for most fish. Personally, I prefer earthier flavors of conversation but ultimately he gets it.

        There is something to be said though for the present moment being taught as the place to be instead of a terribly intimidating eternal church sermon or the life of a sultan (the latter applying both to the "American dream" as well as the Islamic fantasy of the afterlife.)

        I think that it points to a dulled sense of wonder and fascination to have to hypnotize ourselves into a bind of thought and miss what's going on right in front of us. Like G.K. Chesterton wrote in "Orthodoxy",

        "It is one thing to describe an interview with a gorgon or a griffin, a creature who does not exist. It is another thing to discover that the rhinoceros does exist and then take pleasure in the fact that he looks as if he didn't."
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        • Profile picture of the author Hulbert
          Joseph, I kind of chuckled when I read this line about Eckhart Tolle:

          Originally Posted by josephkerr View Post

          He swims in waters that are a bit too clean for most fish.
          What exactly do you mean by this?
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          • Profile picture of the author josephkerr
            Hey Hulbert,

            I mean that he's too much of a stone buddha for my tastes.

            Now I respect the man and his position is a useful one. Often times, to jar people out of what they're used to, it is useful to take the position he does of sharing a very profound truth. It's just as true that what he's teaching is plain and ordinary as it is profound and to focus too much on the sort of ooooh and aaahhh gets boring. It's like how Christian heaven the way it's described in the Bible seems to be a glorified eternal church sermon. I remember going to church and rolling my eyes after an hour or so wanting to get the hell out of there.

            So it can get to be too much. Too pure. And so the analogy of the water that's too clean for most fish is to say that in the same way fish can't survive in distilled water... there's a certain amount of earthy, mucky, grimy real life that is missing.

            Maybe Tolle ought to watch some Terrance and Philip and learn some fart jokes or something. I dunno.
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  • Profile picture of the author WendysVision
    "How far can I open my mind before my brains fall out?' A quote I love!
    After years of reading every book possible on spiritual and personal growth, and on getting wealthy I have come to this conclusion...(this is not an original quote)..."Pray and lock your car."
    We are spiritual beings living in a 3rd dimensional reality. The laws of Quantum Mechanics apply, as well as the fact that even though an atom has much space in it, no matter what your mindset is, if you hit yourself with an iron it is gonna hurt.
    To me, it is a "both/and." Critical to be present in the moment, (most people have no idea what that means and "Now" explains it well), because in the moment is where one can create attraction that will resonate/pull the same energy towards you (me!).
    Having the experience that NOW I am wealthy, feeling the emotion around it-LOA.
    My experience is when one gets down to the level of energy, most spiritual texts are saying just about the same thing.
    Does this have to be a comparative study? Or can it be a study of the continuum, in the space between good/bad, right/wrong?

    Another fav..."If you aren't living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!"
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  • Profile picture of the author ormes21
    LetsGoViral said exactly what I think about the secret and the video you put up had me in stitches. Why has no one who believes in the secret replied to it? I only ask because I cannot come to terms with with the belief system of the secret. Do you just have to put blind faith into the concept or is there any proof behind it?

    Has anyone visualised money showing up in the mail and it magically appeared? Or did you set a goal, make a affiliate blog for a clickbank product and then you received a cheque in the mail?

    My interpretation of the secret, if you concentrate and obsess about something long enough it wont just appear out of thin air. However you will obsess about it so much you will find a way of getting what you want.

    I have tried to read the secret, two or three times and there is one part right in the first 50 pages that annoys me and I just give up. The author is explaining the concept and mentions a mass event where loads of people died, basically says that the people attracted the death. What a load of crap!!!! Sorry but really? If you get knocked down by a car tomorrow are you going to blame your self because in some crazy way you attracted the driver to do it?

    Don't get me wrong I try to be as open minded as possible, I love Napoleon Hill Books and visualise my goals, but I think its because my mind thinks about something so much I/my subconscious mind see's more opportunities in obtaining the object. It's not by magic the object appears.
    I try not to disregard the secret, I have interpreted it to myself that if I want something bad enough I will find ways of obtaining it.

    As for eckhart toll where do I begin? I just put a loong post up about how great the power of now is. Eckhart tolle al the way.

    If someone who goes by the concept of the secret reads this could you please explain what I might have misread or why you think its the real deal? Not to humour me and non-believers, I try to be open to everything so I would like to learn.

    Thanks,

    Andy
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    Did you ever hear the famous story behind the 14 Million dollar day? Featuring Frank Kern, Jeff Walker, John Reese, Kelly Felix and Mike Long. Definitely a few golden nuggets worth writing down, click here to read the full story (it's free, no opt in)
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    • Profile picture of the author lisag
      Originally Posted by ormes21 View Post

      Has anyone visualised money showing up in the mail and it magically appeared? Or did you set a goal, make a affiliate blog for a clickbank product and then you received a cheque in the mail?
      You can laugh if you want, and you can think I'm woofing you if you want. But I visualize money into my life pretty regularly.

      Yesterday I was $400 short of my daily income goal. I spent a bit of time "communicating" with the Universe. At 4:30 someone I had never done business with before contacted me cold and asked if I could do a small project for them because their regular provider was on maternity leave.

      He had a $400 budget :-)

      Believe it or not. And it's not the first time.
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      -- Lisa G

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  • Profile picture of the author wemakeiteasy
    They are both great books.

    I personally like power of now better. It has a lot of secrets that can seriously improve the quality of your life
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  • Profile picture of the author Bret Ferguson
    I purchased Joe Vitale's "The Attractor Factor" and was dissapointed. It was like the televangelist who names it and claims it only in a new age kind of way. As someone else said syrupy....very syrupy.

    For Lisa, I would believe that the ground work you do on a daily basis and in the past is more of a direct result of your accomplishments than "willing" it into existence.

    I'm a firm believer in goals and constantly looking at them to get them deep inside of us and that in turn drives us to acheive them concsiously or sub-concsiously. We in turn also make decisions that turn us that direction and also opens doors for us.

    And surely there is no doubt that a positive mind set is crucial, having the right attitude is a must and keeping your emotions balanced (hi's and low's) is a definite must. Couple that with a good work ethic and you are on a winning track.
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    • Profile picture of the author lisag
      Originally Posted by Bret Ferguson View Post

      For Lisa, I would believe that the ground work you do on a daily basis and in the past is more of a direct result of your accomplishments than "willing" it into existence.
      You'll see it when you believe it
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      -- Lisa G

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  • Profile picture of the author AwesomePossum
    In a round about way I think that being is more important, but visualization is kind of vital to the process. YOU NEED BOTH CONCEPTS FOR OPTIMIZATION. Things will go way smoother if you use both
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  • Profile picture of the author Dr Dan
    That would be like asking: Which is more important, the heart or lungs? Without either of them you could not live. ;-)
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  • Profile picture of the author LouNie
    Hey :-)

    I agree that you need both.

    Like, no way I can get myself to a state of peace that is suitable for visualization if I don't first spend a few minutes dealing with my present time.
    With action, you visualize your future outcome/goal, but the process of getting there must be with a present focus only.

    The Secret was my first meeting with LoA.
    In this movie they do the hype-way, because I believe visualization and belief has influence, but I don't believe in the movie.
    I met a person in another forum who just took everything too literally from the Secret, and I was kind of like shocked at the lack of intelligence this person showed. She believed that she could attract anything just like that, and exactly in the way she wanted it to be.
    Then I just had to ask what she thought of my project of attracting a huge black dragon :-D
    The woman from the other forum then had to admit that maybe she should give stuff a tiny twist and not take it too literally...

    I believe in both the Laws and Power of Now.
    ...But for people like me, it requires work on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual level to get results.

    One of my favorite books is The Book of Est, because it made me change my very limited perception of various situations.
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  • Profile picture of the author josephkerr
    There is a fundamental difference between what's called the "law of attraction" and the "power of now" that ought to be cleared up.

    Because a lot of people are saying things in a way that shows they don't understand.

    The power of now isn't a tool to be used to get some place like the law of attraction is. Eckhart Tolle is using his own language to express exactly what the Buddhists and Hindus have been says for centuries. There is nowhere to go. There is nobody to go there. This right here... is it.

    If you've got the impression that by getting in step with Tolle you'll get somewhere better than where you are now, you've missed the point. So any speak of results or "what's in it for me" or "what can I get out of it" is immediate proof it's completely passed you by.

    The law of attraction, and it really does pain me to write that phrase out, isn't a "law" of attraction at all. It works like a filter of perception. The same way a broken clock is right twice a day, if you stay focussed on one thing you're going to notice when your environment matches up with it.

    As LisaG above put it so eloquently, "You'll see it when you believe it."

    There's really not much more to it than that. Or how when you buy something new, maybe a certain car or piece of clothing, you begin to notice everywhere else there is something similar where before you didn't.
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  • Profile picture of the author WendysVision
    The concept (reality) of an energy field and whether it can be manipulated or not is a basic premise of LOA. The Secret is a superficial take on this concept of energy manipulation. Think and Grow Rich explains the same principles in words that are more concrete and less "woowoo." I find studying quantum physics breaks down the principles of LOA in a way that my left brain can grasp, process, and apply. My opinion is The Secret simplified principles to the extent that seem ridiculous to intelligent, left brain people. When I saw the movie, I thougth, "It does't really work that way."
    The Power Of Now describes spiritual principles and perspecitves about how to be present. In the present moment (all there is really) is the field of all possibilities. In that field is where the LOA may be applied. For me it is a both/and, not an either/or.
    Of course introducing the concept of destiny opens up another spin on how we view the human experience. Does anyone really know what is going on....
    Wendy
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    • Profile picture of the author Denise Million
      Can't we have both? I don't know about you but every day is different for me. Use the thoughts that help you when you need them. Trust God for guidance in every life situation.
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      • Profile picture of the author SuccessFlavor510
        Originally Posted by Denise Million View Post

        Can't we have both? I don't know about you but every day is different for me. Use the thoughts that help you when you need them. Trust God for guidance in every life situation.
        Yes Bro!!! This is the ONLY good response I heard....

        Both are Great Pointers, Sign Post, Guides we can use as tools (just like the mind) to further the development and unfoldment of our lives.

        Its doesn't matter what side you take LOOOK how you live and INTERACT in your daily life. None of this matters if you are not ADDING to the lives of others.

        Demonstrate these tools in a PRACTICAL matter and how you ACT NOW in this Present Moment is what matters most.... =D LOOK INTO WHAT U DO NOW...
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      • Profile picture of the author mott
        I wanted to add my two cents in here. I think some people have the wrong idea about the LOA, as to what it can do for you. Let's say you want money or for your business to grow or your health to improve, etc. The LOA can help you with all that, but of course you have to take some kind of action. For example, if you want to attract the perfect woman into your life, you can use the LOA to help. But it's not like a woman is gonna appear out of nowhere and knock on your door and say "hey will you go out with me? you in there?"

        But when you use the LOA to attract anything, then ideas and opportunities will come into your life. And if you are clear enough, you can discover which of the opportunities are truly inspirational, and act on them. If you want to lose weight, the LOA can help you find an exercise program you enjoy, like you may go to the bookstore and out of the blue see a great exercise video of exactly what you want. But you won't lose weight without taking action, that's for sure.

        Also, obviously you can't attract a dragon into your life. To be more realistic, not all of us can be star basketball players or movie stars, or even get the chance to meet them. But if you get in touch with why you'd want to be a basketball player, for example if you like the fame and money they have, well you can attract fame and money in many other ways too. Just ask Joe Vitale!
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        Rich

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      • Profile picture of the author Steve Dailly
        I don't think there is a right or wrong way. Its all about personal choice about what you believe and what is getting results for you.

        I think for you to get what you want out of life. There has got to be a balance there between the two laws. So if you are conciously applying the law of attraction then you may be unconciously applying the power of now without you realising it.
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  • Profile picture of the author jeffhard
    go for law of attraction...
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  • Profile picture of the author Swarlley
    I really liked both books. Though Ecky's writings have resonated with me far deeper than Byrne's. The OP brought up the ways that the books are different and even contradict each other so what I suggest is learning to work past the cognitive dissonance that tears at your mind when trying to hold two conflicting points of view.

    If you can learn to hold two paradoxical points of view in your mind and be ok with it, then you will be able to absorb the truths from each side.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sean Phillips
    I think the concept of being in the moment, and also the concept of visualizing what you want your life to be like, are both absolutely amazing concepts, and I don't see how they could possibly be mutually exclusive.

    Whenever I've heard someone teach being in the moment (Eckhart Tolle, mindfulness meditation, etc.) they don't really advocate a complete lack of thought. Eckhart Tolle had to right a book on the subject, and he presumably was thinking while writing. The point is that you don't have thoughts running through your head all day for no reason, you use them like tools and then you set them aside.

    Likewise, visualizing what you want is not an all-day activity. If you had to keep your goals in mind 24 hours a day, it be maddening. Everyone I've heard advocating this seems to recommend that you do it for a brief time once or twice a day.

    So if you like both concepts, it seems like the thing to do would be to spend 10 minutes or so in the morning after you get up visualizing your ideal life, however you want it, and then when you're done, you set those thoughts aside and go about your day, keeping your thoughts clear and staying in the moment.

    Seems pretty straight-forward.
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    • Profile picture of the author Hesaidblissfully
      Originally Posted by Sean Phillips View Post

      Whenever I've heard someone teach being in the moment (Eckhart Tolle, mindfulness meditation, etc.) they don't really advocate a complete lack of thought. Eckhart Tolle had to right a book on the subject, and he presumably was thinking while writing. The point is that you don't have thoughts running through your head all day for no reason, you use them like tools and then you set them aside.
      Exactly. I think I heard him refer to it as learning to "use your mind instead of letting your mind use you."
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  • Profile picture of the author Mili_D
    I would say Power of now is better, because when you are in this moment, you can create whatever you want without a doubt.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Originally Posted by Nathan Segal View Post

    Enlightenment is about losing your entire world. It's about losing the false sense of self - who you believe yourself to be. What is revealed, when/if enlightenment presents itself is something different entirely. You will find who you really are, not who you think you are.
    That's only one definition of enlightenment, but not the only definition.
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    Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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  • Profile picture of the author USGTMauthor
    My next ebook is about achievement and will be done soon. I think Rhonda Byrne left out the best part of The Science of Getting Rich which was the chapter on action because she knew it would not sell as well if she told people it takes work to make your goals come true. I personally think positive thinking is great, but it is no substitute for action. Not to be harsh but most people involved in the Secret phenomenon make their money selling stuff about the secret. For the rest of us quoting Stuart Wilde need to get into the market place of life and sell goods and services the world needs.
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    Author of the Underground Guide to Success

    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RM2YYEW

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  • Profile picture of the author daniyal100
    "Think about what you want in the future in your present moment.
    Do not think about the future, stay here in the present moment."

    Dude you misunderstood The secret big time..

    It says think about it but in now way means just keep thinking and it'll be in front of you out of nowhere.. you gotta understand the message by going deep into the actual chapters and not just one sentence..

    BTW there's only a slightly different in both of the books because the secret is more commercial and fantasy type. If you research a bit on ronda you'll come to know why.


    If you believe the secret the way you describe it, then stop doing online marketing or whatever you doing and then just lock the door and start thinking about all the things you want in your life.


    P.S : don't forget to think about your meals in between
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  • Profile picture of the author tobyjensen
    It seems that by entering into the present moment we automatically and naturally engage the law of attraction to fulfill our desires. Then by following through on our intentions we are able to enjoy the journey by being in the present moment until we accomplish our goals.
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    Toby Jensen - Invest in what works this time

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    • Profile picture of the author heavysm
      Originally Posted by tobyjensen View Post

      It seems that by entering into the present moment we automatically and naturally engage the law of attraction to fulfill our desires. Then by following through on our intentions we are able to enjoy the journey by being in the present moment until we accomplish our goals.
      I was about to post something very similar. It seems we agree here
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      The Dirty Little Secret I Use To Boost My Businesses (not what you expect)
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  • Profile picture of the author jw22777
    The Law of Attraction 100%%
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