The Law of Attraction

High school science classes first introduced us to the mysterious forces of magnetism and attraction, with polar opposites attracting each other. According to a New Thought phenomenon sweeping the country, the opposite is true: like attracts like. According to the fascinating, though metaphysical, theory of the Law of Attraction, the predominant mental attitude we hold becomes the physical reality we experience.

The Law of Attraction was recently popularized by a DVD called "The Secret." The DVD was virally marketed through the internet and featured prominent success coaches and even well-known authors like Jack Canfield, the creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Now the DVD is receiving considerable acclaim; its philosophers have been feature on the Ellen Degeneres Show, Oprah, and Larry King Live.

Here's how it works: the thoughts you hold operate at a certain frequency. By incorporating strong emotional feeling into that thought, one makes it more potent. By focusing one's cognition on an object of desire, the universe will receive the thought and respond by aligning itself to provide the object of desire. Abundance, therefore, is encouraged for all through this simple process. The opposite is also true, according to the Law of Attraction. If one dwells on inconveniences, like waiting in line at the post office, the universe will respond by providing more of the same; in this case, a longer wait.

Can this really work? Can our thoughts truly be so powerful? The Law of Attraction claims to be loosely based on quantum physics. The Law asserts that since matter can be equated to energy, our thoughts can ripple through fields of matter and energy and attract objects to you, much like a radio tower projects a signal to a car stereo.

The obvious test would be to think about something, say a tricycle, and wait to see if the universe will provide it. However, the philosophers of "The Secret" claim that the Law is not that simple. A person must fill the concept with passion and feeling, usually by imagining that the object has already come into possession. For instance, a person should imagine driving a new sports car if he or she desires one. After this intense emotional correspondence has be establish, one must trust the universe and believe that it will respond. This can be a bit tricky and is reminiscent of the characters in the popular film The Matrix learning to alter physics to perform incredible feats.

While the Law seems doubtful for some, or concrete truth to others, one cannot argue with the success of its founders. The success coaches featured on the television shows and "The Secret" are self-made millionaires with conferences across the country. If there is a Law of Attraction, they've mastered it. The Law of Attraction is said to have existed among elites for centuries; indeed, it was linked to Andrew Carnegie and many others of the Roaring Twenties in America. Napoleon Hill, the author of the immensely popular Think and Grow Rich, is considered one of the early proponents of the Law. In fact, Hill was hired by steel baron Carnegie to investigate the Law of Attraction in successful businessmen of the day and his findings suggested that most used the Law in some form or another.

The Law of Attraction is certainly intriguing, and if it is true than it is remarkable. But even if one disbelieves its metaphysics, the Law of Attraction can teach valuable lessons in achieving goals through its emphasis on setting an intention and fully pursuing it.