I agree that people need to realize that there are no victims, it's an important message that needs to be heard

I am not an expert on Buddhism, Law of Attraction, or anything metaphysical. Like many people, I was also introduced to these concepts during a low-point in my life.

My experiences during this time have confirmed for me that thoughts do create reality. I have manifested superficial things (that I could not afford), to situations that have been described as “miracles”. And I am grateful for everything.

Recently, I manifested the outcome of something that I wanted SO dearly… That experience left me with a different feeling, something I am trying to understand… Yes, I have the power to create reality. I know the full power of thought. I’ve lived it, and experienced it. But now I wonder, am I using the universal principle as intended? Is there any karmic significance for my actions? Do I even know what would make me happy? Well actually, I do know that inner peace is something that would make me happy and joyful… Soooo maybe I should spend my efforts manifesting inner peace? Hmm.

Anyways, I was simply wondering if anyone else has had a similar train of thought… If so, what is your experience?

=================================

Buddhism and the Law of Attraction both teach that thoughts can become reality....

But I think that's where the similarity ends... When I read about the Law of Attraction, the articles are always about how to apply universal principles towards manifesting the "things" you desire... Like a new car, house, job, or even a new love....

Buddhism teaches that attachment and refusal to accept change are the key sources of pain and suffering... and that worldly desires/attachments are simply distractions that keep you away from learning about your true self, finding inner happiness, and ultimately enlightenment... essentially keeping you trapped in the cycle of rebirth.

To me, it seems as if the law of attraction conflicts with spiritual principles... For example, it teaches people to use ancient knowledge to manifest worldly desires, which in the end, cannot lead to true joy and happiness...

Therefore, is it "right" to manifest? Just because you can, doesn't always mean that you "should"...

asked 25 Oct '10, 06:11

twinklestar's gravatar image

twinklestar
16527

edited 27 Oct '10, 18:24

as long as the intention is universal, if you desire good karma

(27 Oct '10, 23:47) fred

I think it's important to realize that Buddhism is a man-made concept. While it's not considered to be a religion, it is a belief system as are all religions.

Buddha didn't create Buddhism in the same way Jesus didn't write the bible - they were created by people who may or may not have understood the teachings and thus, cannot be fully trusted or relied upon for accurate information. So while I love what Buddha and Jesus taught I have zero interest in Buddhism or Christianity. That said: if these tools to understanding help you, please continue using them...

As is common with all belief systems, the law of attraction (LOA) has different people interpreting it in different ways, based on their understanding and/or their perspective and what they want to achieve by disseminating knowledge of it. Yes, the LOA is an immutable universal law, but reaching the point of knowing this beyond mere belief, normally requires belief to open the door to it. In other words, belief is the catalyst that primes the awareness and absolute knowledge that it's an immutable law.

Does the law of attraction conflict with buddhist/spiritual principles?

Again, it's important to realize that Buddhist and spiritual (in the sense you mean) principles are man-made. So my reply is "As long as LOA is serving me by bringing more happiness and understanding into my life, who cares?" And if that reply offends someone in any way, they might want to ask: "what in me is offended?" and look at that.

Is it “right” to manifest?

I suggest examining the whole concept of right and wrong. Once you've understood for yourself that right and wrong are relative terms, this question will not arise. Think of it this way: if I answer the question in the positive or negative you still don't know the answer, you only know my answer and, unless you're gullible, you'll generate another question: why should I believe him?

Buddhism and the Law of Attraction both teach that thoughts can become reality....

Actually, they both state that thoughts do create or become reality.

Studying the LOA will lead you to the understanding that we live in a vibrational universe of attraction. Further study will lead you to the understanding that we can't help but use the LOA be it consciously or unconsciously, it just is as it is and our world is created through vibrational attraction - there's no escape and resistance is futile. Yes, I love Star Trek 8-)

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answered 25 Oct '10, 08:11

Eddie's gravatar image

Eddie
20.9k11768

1

Make it so, Commander Eddie! Great answer

(25 Oct '10, 08:56) Stingray
1

Great answer Eddie :)

(25 Oct '10, 11:20) Michaela

Thank you guys. It's always nice to get confirmation :)

(26 Oct '10, 09:09) Eddie
1

Thanks for your response

(27 Oct '10, 18:25) twinklestar
1

Lol, you will be assimilated ;-)

(19 Jul '12, 22:54) Starlight
1

@Eddie, Buddhism, Christianity, or LOA... they are just names for the same thing in many ways. So I wouldn't separate them and say the former two are man made and LOA is ??...man made too. People talk about the same thing, in different ways, so they call those ways by different names.

(20 Jul '12, 02:07) CalonLan
showing 2 of 6 show 4 more comments

In addition to what Eddie has already said so well, it might be worth bearing in mind that many of those who espouse this idea of Law of Attraction including me, are (despite superficial appearances) not so naïve as to think that the main purpose of the application of these ideas is to manifest new cars, new houses, bulging bank accounts and all that stuff...not that there is anything wrong with any of that.

I've been studying a multitude of philosophies for at least three decades now (I personally feel alot of resonance with Taoism, rather than Buddhism) and I find this worldwide surge of interest in Manifesting and Law of Attraction to be a convenient and useful metaphor to introduce people to spiritual concepts in a down-to-earth way that they can practically utilize in their everyday lives.

Indeed, my own interest in these subjects was sparked by a rather mundane desire for a deep, loving relationship after a long period of isolation and loneliness.

If the metaphysical concept that was grabbing worldwide attention right now was instead the "Law Of Efficiently Clipping Your Toenails For Spiritual Enlightenment" then I would probably be on this website helping people to find the most efficient toenail clippers.

The vehicle for the dissemination of the information is unimportant to me, but the fact that the information is being disseminated is important to me.

Abstract metaphysical/religious/philosophical discussions about the rightness and wrongness of various approaches are all very well but show people how to get what they want and they'll start to take notice.

And as you help people satisfy their immediate life needs (whether for health, wealth, relationships or whatever) they will be more receptive to the idea that life is not as random as they have been so strongly conditioned to believe from birth.

And that's when those people start to remember that multi-dimensional aspect of themselves that is projecting a part of itself onto this physical plane - and that's when they regain their power and start living the joyous physical lives they always intended.

Is that really such a bad outcome for teaching people how to play this (sometimes seemingly trivial) Manifesting / Law of Attraction game for getting new cars, better jobs, happier relationships or whatever?

One final thought you may wish to ponder...your desire for non-attachment is still a desire. :)

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answered 25 Oct '10, 10:46

Stingray's gravatar image

Stingray
93.6k22130369

I thought Wow! when I read Eddie's answer and I thought Wow! Wow! when I read your's - you both answered this one beautifully :)

(25 Oct '10, 11:22) Michaela

Thanks Michaela :)

(25 Oct '10, 19:51) Stingray

Thanks Stingray. I appreciate both of your views and the effort you make to disseminate understanding of the big stuff :)

(26 Oct '10, 09:14) Eddie

Thanks also for your insight

(27 Oct '10, 18:25) twinklestar

"show people how to get what they want and they'll start to take notice. " Excellent point. And no need to defend it. Everything humans go after is need-based on some level. This is a great perspective on how to do it/how not to do it dicussions. Fits inside my head with a snap like a puzzle piece. Thank you, @Stingray. Old post. Good one. :)

(20 Jul '12, 11:14) Grace
showing 2 of 5 show 3 more comments

Well, I say Buddhism is as much as a religion as Psychology in that they are both science of the mind. Being that I have been studying it for 15 years I would say that my natural path led me to LOA. Now, that Buddhism says that attachment leads to suffering, in no way is manifesting a process of attachment. You can of course be attached to an idea of "lack" and then in turn will lead to suffering. Many Buddhists say that there is nothing wrong with having but at the same time that if that of what you have leaves you then you should be ok with that also. The impermanence of "things" sates that many can not deal with the inevitable loss of that which they "cling" to.

But with LOA, we understand that there is no lack and that in order to attract, we must already feel abundance in order to bring likeness to likeness.

I think that what we can take away most from understanding Buddhism and LOA is that those who do not understand LOA or Buddhism, will in fact have more "suffering" due to the fact they believe in LACK. And that Suffering does come from attachment as shown that those that do believe that there is not enough for everybody and abundance is not worthy of their reach.

Much love.

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answered 25 Oct '10, 13:11

jim%2010's gravatar image

jim 10
(suspended)

I updated my question above, I am not an expert in Buddhism and Law of Attraction. Thank you for taking the time to explain the relation between the two. As I noted above, I think I felt the conflict w/both philosphies because my desire for an outcome was so intense. In the end, it left me wondering if I'm messing w/karma, etc. because while I am manifesting, essentially I am becoming attached to an outcome... And the reasons behind the manifestation are born out of desire.

Thanks again.

(27 Oct '10, 18:30) twinklestar

twinklestar, Your question makes lot of sense to me. I would like to respond to this part

Recently, I manifested the outcome of something that I wanted SO dearly… That experience left me with a different feeling, something I am trying to understand… Yes, I have the power to create reality. I know the full power of thought. I’ve lived it, and experienced it. But now I wonder, am I using the universal principle as intended? Is there any karmic significance for my actions? Do I even know what would make me happy? Well actually, I do know that inner peace is something that would make me happy and joyful… Soooo maybe I should spend my efforts manifesting inner peace? Hmm.

You have realized that a higher law should not be used for lower needs but for higher purpose. Using power of thought for personal petty selfish gain is like using black magic, yes it may work if your power of concentration is developed, or if you have a good karmic bank balance, but it will have consequences. It will attract karma. If you use power of thought to harm someone, it will backfire sooner or later. You get what you send out, multiplied many times. You reap what you sow.

Desires are endless. If you cultivate and fuel desires for manifestation, you will be trapped in your own creation. The beautiful palace that you manifest will become your prison. Which is okay for you are here to create and you can create what you like, nothing that you can create will last forever and eventually your creation will dissolve, that is a great relief. You can then choose to create more (more experience with more suffering) or you can choose to surrender your desires.

You cannot manifest inner peace using LOA. It is like trying to produce silence using a musical instrument in a room full of noise. LOA is your musical instrument. Your restless mind is producing the noise. You can use LOA to channel you restless noise producing energies to produce a kind of musical note that you like. You can become an expert at LOA and create beautiful music that brings joy to you and to all that behold your creation, but you cannot produce silence using the LOA musical instrument. For that you have to stop. When you stop, peace is. What is it that is obscuring the peace that always is present in the background of your awareness ? Is is the restlessness caused by desires that obscures the peace that is already your true nature. That is why Buddha taught that desire is the root of suffering.

Hope this helps, Love and Peace.

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answered 05 Jan '12, 13:30

DesirelessAbundance's gravatar image

DesirelessAbundance
44229

In the Christian Bible it says,

Matthew 6:24“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. 25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

So, if your focus is in right thinking (positive thoughts) and treating other people the way you want to be treated, etc... then God will provide you with all that you need. And it says,

Psalm 37:1Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; 2for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. 3Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."

I know you didn't ask about Christianity, but here is anyway.

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answered 06 Jan '12, 08:59

Fairy%20Princess's gravatar image

Fairy Princess
(suspended)

edited 06 Jan '12, 09:21

I think all things considered, energy is energy, its uses may not particularly matter. Obtaining material items- wealth etc. is not necessarily a negative thing- especially if it helps you be your best self to provide your service to others. A person living their highest good sometimes need that support- even if materialistically. Someone could also manifest material items and just not be happy- so its all about energy and what you do with it. Some person could be in utter poverty and loving life so you never know. Its not about materialism, its more about how it makes you feel. There are some rich people that are absolutely changing the world right now- i.e. bill gates with malaria treatments. And of course, there are that aren't. But you could be in poverty and absolutely making the world worse (i.e. stealing, murder, starving your children or worse) or you could be in poverty and volunteering, working with kids, or fulfilling other personal desires and being the best you can be in the world with the level you can be at also... So its all a matter of choice of what it means to manifest for your own happiness- as that will affect others if it is their choice to see your example and change their feelings. Your only responsibility when it comes down to it is to stay in a happy place. That attention alone will raise others vibrations if you act as a model. Other than that you should have no other obligations in a manifesting sense... Everyone has that responsibility for themselves. I'm not saying to be greedy and inconsiderate- but do know that others vibrations is not necessarily in your direct control- as everyone has a choice on what they focus their energy and attention on..

We are meant to be happy creatures- because that's when the best things come. If you feel a 'moral obligation' to give to others- be aware that it is out of your own desires, for you to feel good. For those that suffer, we are not responsible for their vibrations, because ultimately we each have the individual choice to be happy every minute, regardless of what is happening. While I'm not saying to disregard the suffering of the world- do know that you getting sick will not necessarily make others healthy. However your being healthy will be a good model for those who are sick- but its up to them to get into that energetic holding pattern, and its in your best interest to stay in a positive and high energetic holding pattern- just for the goodness of all. Hope this helps!

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answered 28 Oct '12, 17:09

Kanda's gravatar image

Kanda
2.0k30

This is the difference I see with the Law of Attraction verses Praying. When we pray it is in God's will so it is for the highest good and harms no-one. But the Law of Attraction has no such "Safe-Guards." So this means for example that you attract wealth to you using the Law of Attraction it just so happens that your uncle has you in his will and you stand to inherit a good deal of wealth in his death. To God this would be unacceptable to you, knowing this would bring you wealth but as well bring you great sadness! To the Law of Attraction one place is as good as the next, you want wealth this will achieve that purpose.

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answered 05 Jan '12, 18:34

Wade%20Casaldi's gravatar image

Wade Casaldi
36.9k428102

What a great question. You said: "Recently, I manifested the outcome of something that I wanted SO dearly... That experience left me with a different feeling, something I am trying to understand... Yes, I have the power to create reality. I know the full power of thought. I've lived it, and experienced it. But now I wonder, am I using the universal principle as intended? Is there any karmic significance for my actions? Do I even know what would make me happy? Well actually, I do know that inner peace is something that would make me happy and joyful... Soooo maybe I should spend my efforts manifesting inner peace? Hmm."

Abraham tells us that if we are feeling negative emotion it is because we are not thinking about things in a way that is in alignment with our Inner Being. After your manifestation you were feeling doubtful and unsure of the "rightness" of your actions - negative emotions. Your Inner Being, however was celebrating your achievement of something desired. Your thoughts were not in alignment with the celebration of your Inner Being leading to the negative emotions of guilt, fear, doubt and unworthiness to have what you manifested.

Abraham also tells us that we can't get it wrong. Every manifestation leads us to more questions and desires.

Be easy on yourself. Your thoughts about negative karma are creating negative karma, it's not your manifestation that is creating that.

And, yes, I believe that you can use LOA to manifest inner peace. Focus on the feeling of inner peace and you will create more and more of it.

Best to you.

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answered 11 Jan '16, 01:02

imaginesue's gravatar image

imaginesue
9144

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