The Law Of Attraction Is Flawed: What Is The Original Non-diluted Teaching?
In a vibrant era where spiritual teachings often come wrapped in the glossy packaging of instant gratification, the Law of Attraction stands as a testament to our collective yearning for a life filled with prosperity, love, and happiness.
It whispers the seductive promise that our thoughts alone have the power to shape our reality. Yet, beneath the surface of these modern interpretations lies a deeper, more profound wisdom, a treasure trove of ancient teachings that beckon us to explore further and dive deeper.
While we might love the trendy ego boosts, we are all called to look beyond the immediate allure of spiritual “candy” and discover the nourishing depth of the ancient teachings. These purer principles offer the possibility of manifesting desires and a path to profound inner transformation and enlightenment.
The wisdom of the ages is vast, encompassing diverse traditions and practices that lead to understanding our true nature and the universe. From the meditative practices of the East to the mystical traditions of the West, each offers unique insights and methods to aid our spiritual journey.
Embracing these teachings invites us to cultivate a deeper connection with ourselves, others, and the world around us. It’s an exploration that goes beyond achieving personal goals, aiming instead for a realization of unity and oneness with all existence. This path encourages us to look inward, to question, and to seek, fostering a state of being that is anchored in presence, awareness, and compassion.
Let’s embrace the journey as an opportunity for growth, transformation, and enlightenment. The true essence of spirituality lies not in the fulfillment of temporary desires but in the eternal quest for understanding, peace, and realization of our highest potential.
Together, let’s explore this rich and fertile ground, where every step taken in awareness brings us closer to our true selves and the universal truths that bind us all.
Advaita Vedanta Perspective
Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy, posits that the ultimate reality (Brahman) is pure consciousness, and the individual soul (Atman) is not different from Brahman. This perspective suggests that the phenomenal world is essentially an illusion (Maya) and that true knowledge (jnana) involves seeing through this illusion to recognize the non-duality of Atman and Brahman.
From the Advaita Vedanta standpoint, “thought is another name for fate” could be interpreted to mean that the reality we experience is a projection of our inner consciousness. This is not to say that we can simply wish things into existence, but rather that our internal states deeply influence our perceptions, interpretations, and reactions to the world around us.
In this context, achieving a state of non-dual awareness, where one sees beyond the illusory distinctions and realizes the unity of all, is the ultimate goal. This realization liberates one from the cycle of karma (action and consequence), leading to Moksha (liberation or enlightenment).
To distinguish this view from the diluted concepts of the Law of Attraction, Advaita Vedanta emphasizes the eradication of ego and the realization of the self as non-separate from the universe. It’s not about attracting wealth, success, or specific outcomes through positive thinking; it’s about understanding the illusory nature of these desires and transcending them to realize the self’s true nature.
Buddhist Perspective
Buddhism, particularly in its teachings on dependent origination (Pratītyasamutpāda) and emptiness (Śūnyatā), also provides a nuanced understanding of how thoughts influence reality. Dependent origination describes the interconnectedness of all things, suggesting that nothing exists independently but arises in dependence on causes and conditions. This implies that our thoughts, part of the interconnected web of reality, significantly impact our experience of life.
In Buddhism, “thought is another name for fate” aligns with the understanding that our mental formations (one of the five aggregates) play a crucial role in shaping our experiences. Karma in Buddhism is not fate in the deterministic sense but the accumulation of actions (mental, verbal, and physical) that shape future experiences. Through mindfulness and meditation, one becomes aware of the nature of thoughts and learns to cultivate positive mental states, leading to beneficial outcomes in life and enlightenment (Nirvana).
However, Buddhism also teaches the importance of not becoming attached to outcomes, even positive ones, recognizing the impermanent and unsatisfactory nature of all conditioned phenomena. This perspective differs significantly from the Law of Attraction’s focus on manifesting specific desires, highlighting instead a path to liberation through understanding the nature of mind and reality.
Overall
Both Advaita Vedanta and Buddhism offer profound insights into the nature of thought and its relationship to our experience of reality. They emphasize the importance of inner transformation and realization over the mere attainment of material or ego-driven goals.
In contrast to the often simplistic and ego-centric interpretations of the Law of Attraction found in New Age thought, these ancient teachings invite a deep exploration of consciousness, the nature of existence, and the path to true liberation, free from the bondage of desire and the illusion of separateness.
Basic Tenets of The Law of Attraction
The Law of Attraction is a New Age belief rooted in the idea that by focusing on positive or negative thoughts, a person can bring positive or negative experiences into their life. This concept, popularized in recent decades, particularly by the book and film “The Secret,” is often summarized by phrases like “like attracts like” and “thoughts become things.”
Despite its appeal and the simplicity of its application, the Law of Attraction contrasts sharply with the more profound and nuanced teachings of ancient spiritual traditions like Advaita Vedanta and Buddhism. Here’s a breakdown of its basic tenets and how they diverge from these ancient teachings:
Like Attracts Like: This principle suggests that by emitting positive or negative vibrations through one’s thoughts and feelings, an individual can influence the universe to respond in kind, attracting matching circumstances and events.
Visualisation and Affirmations: Proponents advocate for the practice of visualizing desired outcomes and repeating affirmations, believing these methods can manifest one’s aspirations into reality.
The Power of Thought: The Law posits that thoughts have the power to shape reality directly, implying that by merely changing one’s thought patterns, one can change their life circumstances.
Focus on Desired Outcomes: It emphasizes concentrating on what one wants to achieve or acquire, rather than on what one wants to avoid or eliminate.
Gratitude and Positive Thinking: Gratitude for current blessings and a general orientation towards positive thinking are seen as pivotal in attracting more of what is desired.
Contrasts with Advaita Vedanta and Buddhism
The Nature of Reality:
Advaita Vedanta teaches that the ultimate reality is non-dual, transcending the individual ego and the material world, which is considered an illusion (Maya). The Law of Attraction, with its focus on material gain and personal desires, reinforces the illusion of separateness and duality, fundamentally opposing Advaita’s goal of realizing non-dual consciousness.
Buddhism emphasizes the impermanence and interdependence of all phenomena, advocating detachment from desires and the realization of emptiness (Śūnyatā). The Law of Attraction, by encouraging attachment to specific outcomes and desires, runs counter to the Buddhist path of liberation through overcoming craving and attachment.
Ego and Desire:
Advaita Vedanta seeks the dissolution of the ego and the realization that the individual self (Atman) is one with the universal self (Brahman). The focus on personal desires in the Law of Attraction strengthens the ego and sense of individuality that Advaita aims to transcend.
Buddhism teaches that desire and attachment are the root causes of suffering (Dukkha). The Law of Attraction’s emphasis on manifesting personal desires directly opposes the Buddhist teachings on the cessation of desire as the path to Nirvana.
Moral and Ethical Considerations:
Both Advaita Vedanta and Buddhism include considerations of morality and ethics, emphasizing actions in alignment with universal truths and compassion. The Law of Attraction lacks a comprehensive moral framework, focusing instead on individual power to attract personal gain, which could lead to selfishness and harm if unchecked by ethical considerations.
While the Law of Attraction promotes the idea that individuals can manifest their desires through positive thinking, visualization, and a focus on positive outcomes, it diverges significantly from Advaita Vedanta and Buddhism.
These ancient teachings advocate for a deep understanding of the nature of reality, the dissolution of ego, and the overcoming of desire and attachment as paths to true liberation and enlightenment, highlighting a stark contrast in philosophical and spiritual foundations.
Swami Rama Thirtha
How, then, might Swami Rama Thirtha’s words be interpreted? Swami Rama Thirtha says: “Thought is another name for fate. The world and your surroundings are exactly what you think them to be. Just as you think, you become. Call yourself a sinner, and you must become a sinner; call yourself a fool, and you must become a fool. Call yourself weak, and no power in this world can make you strong. Feel that omnipotence and omnipotent you are. Change the feeling in an individual, and his whole method of thinking will be revolutionized. As an eagle cannot out soar the atmosphere in which he floats, so thought cannot transcend the sphere of limitation. Thought and language are not the same. You cannot think without language. The infant child knows no language and has no thought. Whoever dwells among thoughts, dwells in the region of delusion and disease; and though he may appear wise and learned, yet his wisdom and learning are as hollow as a piece of timber eaten out by white ants.”
Swami Rama Tirtha’s words, steeped in the wisdom of Vedanta, present a nuanced view that, while superficially resembling the Law of Attraction, diverges significantly in depth and spiritual context. His statement, “Thought is another name for fate,” does not simply champion the power of positive thinking for material gain but underscores a profound spiritual principle about the nature of reality and self-identity.
Interpretation of Key Points
Nature of Reality: Swami Rama Tirtha suggests that the external world reflects our inner consciousness. This is not to say that we can whimsically alter reality with fleeting thoughts, but rather, our deep-seated beliefs and sustained thoughts shape our perception of reality. This aligns with the Vedantic view that the world as we perceive it is Maya (illusion), and our true nature is Atman, the universal self.
Self-Identity: The emphasis on how self-identification (as a sinner, a fool, or omnipotent) shapes one’s reality reflects the Vedantic teaching that ignorance of our true nature leads to suffering, while knowledge leads to liberation. By identifying with limited, egoic notions, one lives within those constraints. Recognizing oneself as the universal self (Atman), on the other hand, leads to freedom and empowerment.
Limitations of Thought: The analogy of the eagle unable to outsoar its atmosphere illustrates the limitations imposed by one’s mind. This doesn’t advocate for the limitless power of thought to manifest any desire but suggests that one’s understanding and experiences are confined within the parameters of their current level of consciousness.
Language and Thought: His statement about thought and language explores the idea that the conceptual framework we use (language) shapes our ability to think and perceive the world. This ties back to the importance of transcending conventional thought patterns to realize the higher truths of Advaita Vedanta.
Delusion and Disease: The caution against dwelling in thoughts aligns with the Vedantic and Buddhist emphasis on transcending the mind’s chatter and illusions. Wisdom and learning, if not grounded in the direct experience of the ultimate reality (Brahman), are compared to hollow timber, emphasizing that true knowledge is the realization of one’s divine nature.
Contrast with the Law of Attraction
While the Law of Attraction focuses on using thought to attract personal desires and material outcomes, Swami Rama Tirtha’s teachings point towards a deeper spiritual transformation. His emphasis is on realizing and embodying one’s true divine nature, which is beyond the dualities of sinner and saint, fool and wise, weak and strong. This realization naturally transforms one’s perception of and interaction with the world, leading to a state of liberation (Moksha) rather than mere material satisfaction.
Swami Rama Tirtha’s teachings encourage a profound internal shift in understanding and identifying with one’s ultimate, divine nature. This shift in consciousness, rather than merely attracting external changes, leads to a fundamental transformation of one’s entire being and life experience. It’s a call to transcend the limitations of egoic thought and realize the inherent divinity within. It is a far cry from the relatively surface-level application of thought influence proposed by the Law of Attraction.
Digging Deeper
As popularized in the New Age movement, the Law of Attraction indeed taps into a deep, universal longing for understanding and influencing the fabric of reality. However, its simplification and commercialization have led to a form of spiritual materialism that can distract from pursuing genuine spiritual growth and understanding. Let’s explore the nuances of this phenomenon and its contrast with deeper spiritual traditions.
The Simplification of Complex Spiritual Principles
The Law of Attraction is often presented as a universal principle that operates solely through the power of thought to manifest desires into reality. This simplification glosses over the complex, interconnected nature of existence acknowledged in deeper spiritual traditions.
In Advaita Vedanta and Buddhism, for example, transforming reality is not about aligning with material desires but about realizing the non-dual nature of self and universe or the emptiness and interdependence of all phenomena. These traditions offer a profound and nuanced understanding of reality that transcends mere material acquisition.
The Risk of Spiritual Materialism
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche coined the term “spiritual materialism” to describe the ego’s tendency to use spirituality to reinforce its own desires and sense of self. The Law of Attraction can be seen as a form of spiritual materialism when it focuses on attracting wealth, success, and personal gratification.
This approach risks turning spiritual practice into another avenue for satisfying the ego, rather than transcending it. True spiritual paths often emphasize the dissolution of ego, detachment from desires, and realizing a deeper identity beyond the individual self.
The Shadow Side of Positive Thinking
The emphasis on positive thinking in the Law of Attraction can lead to a denial of suffering, vulnerability, and the complex realities of human life. This “toxic positivity” overlooks the value of negative emotions as signals for growth, healing, and understanding. In contrast, many spiritual traditions view the acknowledgment and acceptance of suffering as essential to the path of enlightenment. They teach that true liberation comes from confronting and transcending suffering, not by denying its existence.
Commercialization and Accessibility
The widespread popularity of the Law of Attraction can be attributed to its commercialization, which packages spirituality into a palatable, easy-to-consume product. This approach makes spiritual concepts accessible to a broad audience but often at the cost of depth and authenticity. The profound quest for truth and self-realization is replaced with a focus on immediate gratification and surface-level changes.
The Quest for Truth and Self-Realization
The deep craving for truth and the realization of the Self is a journey that goes beyond the material plane and the ego’s desires. It involves a radical transformation of consciousness, an exploration of the innermost depths of being, and a surrender to the ultimate reality that transcends the individual self. This journey is about liberation from all forms of delusion, including the illusion that material satisfaction equals spiritual fulfillment.
Finally
While the Law of Attraction reflects a genuine human desire to influence one’s destiny, its simplification and commercialization can divert seekers from the profound spiritual journey toward true self-realization and enlightenment.
The path to deeper spirituality and understanding requires moving beyond the ego’s desires, confronting the full spectrum of human experience, and engaging with the complex and nuanced teachings of traditional spiritual paths. It’s a journey that demands sincerity, depth, and a willingness to embrace the unknown beyond the confines of material desires and simplistic formulas.
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