Dealing With Woo-Woo

Have you noticed that Law of Attraction and Personal Development experts from time to time like to remind us that these subjects need not be considered (here comes the term) “woo-woo”?

Many aren’t comfortable with things they think are “far out,” “New Age” or “spooky,” so these experts would like to separate their work from such a stigma.

Here’s the thing:  in attending several LOA and Personal Development gatherings and meeting many individuals associated with them, I’ve found that plenty of them are, well, kind of woo-woo.  Of course many aren’t, but you don’t have to look far to find people in loose, flowing clothing (sometimes even tye-dyed,) wearing crystals, passing around their aura photo, talking about their Spirit Guides and latest emotionally charged psychic reading.

Don’t misunderstand:  I tend to like and get along well with these folks, often finding them interesting conversationalists.  Further, I went to a psychic a couple of times, don’t necessarily think things like crystals or aura photos are crazy, and I kinda like loose, flowing clothes myself.  But I’m convinced that for some the LOA is simply an extension of the 60s & 70s hippie movement, and they seem shocked when many of us don’t fall in line with things they consider clearly connected.

For example, for a few months last year I met with a group that was studying Kabbalah, the discipline and school of thought that seeks to define the nature of the universe and the human being, the nature and purpose of existence, and various other questions.  We were a diverse bunch, but one lady in her late forties was what I would call particularly woo-woo.  She was very touchy-feely and gyrated as she spoke about mystical, groovy things.  Once when someone began to question a certain personal pattern of thought, this woman raised her hand emphatically and said, “Hold it!  That sounds like a lot of judgment to me.” She tilted her head to the side dramatically, whispering, “No more judgment.  No more judgment.”

I’d had it up to here with this chick.  Everyone else just seemed stunned by her, so I spoke

up.  I explained that while I could understand that being harshly judgmental of ourselves and others might be counterproductive, that didn’t mean we couldn’t come to certain conclusions about what worked for us and what didn’t.  What, after all, was the purpose of this study group if we couldn’t form judgments for ourselves about what was and was not beneficial?  And might her objection not be considered “judgmental” itself?

I was listening to an Abraham-Hicks recording some months ago and heard a participant ask Abraham about how we should conduct ourselves in view of “global warming.”  Her question about this subject, which tends to blame humans for the fact that the earth has in recent decades (but not the past decade) been experiencing a warming trend, seemed to suggest this perspective was universally accepted.  Yes it must be a foregone conclusion that someone as wise as Abraham, a group of ancient, non-physical entities, would of course agree with this position.  What was Abraham’s reply?

“For those of you worried about “global warming,” we ask, Who burned the fossil fuels that melted the Ice Age?”

I did not have video of this, but can only imagine the reaction some people had to it.  Abraham expressed what I (and a growing number of others) believe:  that our planet’s temperature has always been in a state of continuous change and that the statistical blip people are all worked up over barely registers on history’s scale.  But this is a shocking apostasy for those who have created a religion around “climate change.”

While I don’t intend to make politics an important part of Law of Attraction Success Stories, I have wanted to make a distinction between this universal law and the politics some tend to associate with it.  I have come to understand why, in “The Secret,” Joe Vitale emphasizes that everything in our life is something we ourselves have created.

“This is one of the hardest concepts to get but once accepted its life-transforming. This is part of the overall giant secret here.” -Joe Vitale

My point is that looking to ourselves–as opposed to (for instance) the government–for our well-being is one part of taking responsibility for everything that happens to us.  Therefore, for me, any effort to have government assume a more important role in my life is an attempt to escape responsibility.

You and I might disagree about a few things in this regard, and I’m well aware that there are lots of “responsible” people found throughout the political spectrum.  But while “woo woo” is usually pretty harmless, I can’t help but notice some of the political positions taken by many who lean in that direction.  Positions that in the name of “peace, love & kindness” seek to transfer responsibility for one’s well-being from the self to the government.

But if like me you are a believer in the Law of Attraction–and want to improve your life through a better understanding of it–I encourage you to avoid supporting any effort that involves your reliance on government or anything other than yourself.

Downstream vs. Against the Grain

One of the earliest memories I have, as I began to learn about the Law of Attraction, was the Abraham-Hicks recommendation to “go downstream.” This group consciousness from the non-physical dimension expressed their amusement that humans seem so intent on fighting the current of life.  “Nothing you want is upstream,” they communicate.

But there’s another popular maxim that seems to contradict the downstream approach.  Maybe you’re familiar with the Nickelback song, “If Today Was Your Last Day.”

Against the grain should be a way of life
What’s worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts ’cause there’s no second try
So live like you’ll never live it twice
Don’t take the free ride in your own life

If you pay close attention to the other lyrics, it seems to be advising, ‘Life is too short to let your fears get the best of you.  Go for it!’ And, while that certainly seems like common sense, you can’t escape the underlying message:  ‘Go against the grain!  Take the path less traveled!  If you want life’s prize, you need to fight for it!’

Let’s put a finer point on this apparent opposition by looking at an actual situation involving two good friends of mine.  One is strongly encouraging the other to overcome her fears of public speaking and begin making group presentations.  She seems torn between the satisfaction that may come from rising to this challenge–and the considerable dread she feels for actually doing it.

Isn’t it true that many people have found incredible success by overcoming their fears?  Isn’t it true that many are deeply grateful they were able to conquer them?  Isn’t it also true that taking fears head-on is also perfectly contrary to Abraham’s advice?  Isn’t it strenuously paddling upstream instead of pulling those oars in and drifting with the current?

I’d love to get your thoughts on this one.  Are these two schools of thought able to coexist peacefully–or are they impossibly contradicting one another?

But what do you do???

Read books… Watch DVDs… Attend events… Go to Meetups… All great ways to learn more about the Law of Attraction.  But if you’re like me, at some point you realize that a significant portion of your time is spent talking and not doing. As I travel the United States, in search of remarkable LoA Success Stories, I find people who simply love talking about the subject and communing with other enthusiasts.  But I guess I’d say that I don’t find them with very much confidence in an actual process for attracting what they want.

I’d say I’m constantly inspired by the Abraham-Hicks material, and I do find so much within it that’s very useful in actual application.  I also appreciate Michael Losier’s excellent, nuts-and-bolts book, “Law of Attraction.”  And, as you’ve read here before, Joe Dispenza’s approach to meditation to “change your mind and create a new one” has been tremendously valuable.

And what about you?  What actual methods (as opposed to general concepts) have been most helpful in actually applying the Law of Attraction in your life?  Affirmations?  Meditation?  Do you apply these things daily?  More than once daily?

For the benefit of our readers, what do you actually do???