Law of Attraction (New Thought)
Overview
The Law of Attraction is a philosophical concept rooted in the New Thought Movement. It postulates that positive or negative thoughts bring positive or negative experiences into a person's life. The belief is based on the idea that people and their thoughts are made from "pure energy," and that a process of like energy attracting like energy exists through which a person can improve their health, wealth, and personal relationships.
History
The Law of Attraction has roots in the New Thought Movement, which took shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The movement was a spiritual one, with a strong emphasis on the power of the mind to effect change in one's life. The Law of Attraction, as a specific concept, was first introduced by Phineas Parkhurst Quimby, a New England clockmaker turned mental healer, who believed that illness was the result of incorrect beliefs, and that the mind could heal the body.
Principles
The Law of Attraction operates on a few basic principles. The first is the idea of "like attracts like." This means that positive thoughts will attract positive outcomes, while negative thoughts will lead to negative outcomes. This principle is often used to explain the phenomenon of self-fulfilling prophecy, where a person's expectations about a situation or outcome can influence their behavior and, in turn, the actual outcome.
The second principle is the concept of "nature abhors a vacuum." This principle suggests that by focusing on positive or negative thoughts a person brings causes a vacuum in the universe which is filled by materializing the thoughts and ideas in one's life.
The third principle is the idea of "vibration." According to this principle, everything in the universe, including thoughts, is made of energy that vibrates at different frequencies. The Law of Attraction posits that like energies are drawn to each other, so by maintaining a certain "vibrational frequency," a person can attract the things they want into their life.
Criticisms and Controversies
Despite its popularity, the Law of Attraction has been criticized by a number of individuals and groups. Critics argue that it is pseudoscientific, lacking empirical evidence to support its claims. Some have also argued that it promotes a blame-the-victim mentality, suggesting that people are responsible for the negative events that happen to them due to their negative thinking.
Influence and Impact
The Law of Attraction has had a significant impact on popular culture, particularly in the realm of self-help literature. It has been featured in numerous books, films, and television shows, most notably in the 2006 film and book, The Secret. The concept has also been incorporated into various therapeutic practices, including cognitive behavioral therapy and positive psychology.