Originally posted by scientist
I guess there are two ways of looking at the Law of Attraction. First, there is the metaphysical / spiritual view / subjective view, that basically states that you must be thinking of a certain outcome, in order to facilitate it's occurrence. It would usually apply to feelings or some other intangible and/or abstract concept. Of course, since we are dealing with intangibles and concepts, we are also no longer dealing with something that can be measured (hence the subjective property), and therefore it is not really a "Law" at all, at least not in the scientific or conventional sense. Even abstract laws of geometry can be proven with consistency, and by anyone, at anytime. The "Law" of Attraction is not something that can be demonstrated to a class of students in an objective and directly observable manner.
Yes. Hence the disclaimer at the beginning of the thread. There is a theoretical construct behind the "law of attraction" however. Its not scientific by any stretch, but it serves as an "explanation" for an ever curious mind:
From all-that-is (universe, infinity, life) consciousness filters out things according to what it puts attention on. All realities exist simultaneously, millions exist, but we only experience those we have had or are putting attention (awareness) on, while all other realities "move to the background". In this way, consciousness is like a TV-Set: All channels (realities) are airing, but we only RECEIVE those channels we are tuned into. To say "channel 3 is not real" is not true but seems true if we are tuned into channel 4.
A neutral state of consciousness is tuned into nothing. A desiring/appreciating consciousness and a resisting/disliking consciousness is tuned into something. Everything we love and everything we fear will come to pass.
The other way to look at the Law of Attraction, is in a literal sense. Instead of the LoA acting as a personality booster, to keep a positive outlook, some people extrapolate this concept to affect material goods, specific dates, specific opportunities, etc. For this mentality, Law of Attraction is no longer something used solely to affect one's own mind and personal reality, but to change objective reality for everyone. This is the take on Law of Attraction that I have problems with, but am not opposed to. What I am opposed to, are people that take this one particular flavor of LoA, and then market it as the ONLY interpretation of LoA. That simplified interpretation is then dumbed down to smaller, more simplified things like "think positive, win big!" and other small phrases that could be embroidered or imprinted onto shirts and keychains and bumper stickers.
I agree with the sentiment. But if you are meaning to say that the law of attraction only applies subjectively and not to objective reality, I disagree.
The idea is, that ALL things are the very same energy in various frequencies. Physical ("objective") and "non-physical" ("subjective") interrelate.
Just like steam, water and ice are various densities of the same stuff, thought and matter are various densities of the same stuff.
Of course, the attitude of greed & need as you describe it, do not work, because they seperate one from being a "vibrational match" to the thing desired. Which is why watered down versions will dissappoint many and make LOA look like "it doesnt work".
First source, emerald tablets.
2. That which is below is like that which is above & that which is above is like that which is below to do the miracles of one only thing.
The other source would be the concepts of dharma / karma of Hinduism. It's basically the push/pull, ebb/flow of reality - all the polar opposites and possibilities that make up the metaphysical fabric of everything.
Both of these are extremely abstract concepts, open to plenty of interpretation. Personally, I think of this more in terms of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), only because there are many practices within that field that directly correlate to many of the new-age practices and theories that go along with the "literal" LoA aforementioned. For example, people that claim to see something happen, or practice events before they occur (like basketball players making shots in their mind), this is called "Future Pacing," or "Memorizing the Future." Both are simplified terms (which I'm not a fan of) which imply that mentally going over a sequence of events is not much different than actually doing those events. This is how people with robotic limbs can still get around. Perhaps a great deal of positive thinking is invovled to get there, but the actual technology is driven by synapses. I only mention this, because it comes up in relation to LoA all the time, but it really has nothing to do with LoA (as far as I can tell).
Yes, stuff like the Emerald Tablets, The Kybalion, etc. NLP is what I call the "mechanistic business version" of the law of attraction.
Another "literal" concept, is basically a glorified form of wishing. Instead of just really really wanting and wishing to win the lottery, some people are now using Laws of Attraction (oh my!). Does this increase their chances? Statistically, no... again, pointing in the direction opposite of what would constitute a "Law." Wishing for something to magically fall into your lap, is a bit much. Even if it DOES happen, there is no way of telling that your own mental thoughts had anything to do with it, anymore than just plain old coincidence.
Again, I suggest that LOA does indeed apply to REAL physical reality.
That said, there are A LOT of problems with applying it to things like the lottery. First of all, the lottery is an energy-field focussed on by millions...which makes manifestational success in it highly unlikely, second of all, focussing on lottery for financial gain means missing out on literally trillions of other paths money can come to one. Third, the practice is based on lack-of-self-worth (needing something "out there" to do the job) and will actually create less money.
LoA applies more to me in a subconscious way. I guess another good way to describe it would be in terms of photography. To the untrained eye, or amateur, taking (or rather, "finding") photos is not as easy as it is for a veteran. The vet is constantly analyzing shadows, the weather, reflections, places to stand, direction of light, shutter speeds, depth of field, etc. Literally 10-20 things are being calculated and focused on with care, before the cap even comes off the camera lens. This to me, is Law of Attraction.
I suggest that to eliminate much of the debate, instead of calling this the "Law of Attraction," it should be called "The Law of Attention."
The "Law of Attraction" (in my opinion) is closer to my first example - using it as a spiritual / personal way of getting what you want. It's not necessarily the car that gets you from point A to point B, but it can be the radio of nice tunes that keeps you from being blinded from road rage, or to keep you awake during those long nights driving into the darkness. It can also be your navigator, reminding you that your turn is coming up, and not to miss it...
Calling it the "law of attention" is wise from a practical point of you but also from a mystical point of view, as it is merely filtering out certain aspects from all-that-is.
To people who dont believe in my spiritual mumbo-jumbo I often call it "Priority Managing" instead of "law of attraction".
really? Now that one just blows me away. 
