Law of Attraction: History and Overview

Peter Paxton
Mind Altar
Published in
17 min readFeb 15, 2022

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Introduction

The Law of Attraction is a philosophy that defines the effects of thoughts. The positive thoughts and negative thoughts impact our lives in various ways. It is a pseudoscience that defines that negative or positive thoughts affect a person’s course of action. According to this philosophy, the law of attraction either brings good experiences or bad experiences in a person’s life. So, the law of attraction is a belief that a person’s inner thoughts affect overall life in multiple ways.

In accordance with the law of attraction, positive thoughts always bring good results. On the other hand, negative thoughts bring negative outcomes for people. In order to maintain balance in life, a person should prefer positivity over negativity. Otherwise, his thoughts and predilection would affect life and its source in astonishing ways.

What is the History of Law of Attraction?

Many people regard the Law of Attraction or the notion of its manifestation as a new phenomenon. The Secret is the book that prevailed the common notions in connection with the Law of Attraction. This is why people assume that the LoA is a recent invention. That, however, is not the case. The law of attraction has a long history. It appeared first time in a book one and a half-century ago.

Before we unfold the information regarding the Law of Attraction, we will let you know how it evolved. It existed long before we came to know about “The Secret”. Following we have prepared a timeline that defines the evolution of the law of attraction from the historical perspective:

The Law of Attraction 1877

The phrase “Law of Attraction” first appeared in print in 1877, in a book. The book was penned down by Russian mystic Helena Blavatsky. She wrote the book in the context of an attracting power existing between components of spirit. Though she did not present the facts the way we know them today, yet she laid down the foundational theory upon the Law of Attraction.

Prentice Mulford was the first to articulate the Law as a universal concept.

1907 — William Walker Atkinson Publishes a Book.

Helena did not comprehensively introduce the law of attraction. It was another author who wrote about it in 1907. He explained it in a manner that we know today. William Walker Atkinson is the person who introduced the Law of Attraction in modern times. He published his book in the year 1907 His book was well-received by the audience. He published “Thinking Vibration or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World”. This was a book that introduced us to new ways of thinking. It was a fascinating book that evoked positive thoughts among all.

He had the audacity to use the phrase “vibration”. It was not a common word. Not many people thought in the perspective. His work provided an extensive introduction to the principles of thinking, energy, vibration, as well as manifestation.

He was also the first to describe the value and power of love in manifesting wishes. The wishes and the whims that could fetch your dreams for you in real. Thus, William Walker Atkinson told us about the Law of Attraction way back in 1907.

The Year Is 1910 — The Beginnings of A New Idea

With time, many writers became interested in the idea of the Law of Attraction. The literature on the theory grew in size, and many philosophers could research the subject. In 1910, another write Wallace Delois had talked about the idea of the Law of Attraction at great length. Wallace Delois Wattles published his classic book “The Science of Getting Rich” in 1910.

Wallace D. Wattles emphasized the creative function of thinking in the manifestation process. He also explained the universal role of energy as the “material from which all things are formed.”

The Year Is 1928 — An Idea Is Spreading

It would be interesting for you to know that a book was published in 1928. “The Law of Success in 16 Lessons” book by Napoleon Hill was released in 1928 that frequently utilized the term “Law of Attraction.” Napoleon Hill’s most renowned work, “Think and Grow Rich,” was originally published in 1937. It went on to become the best selling books in the world.

1986 — A Concept Is Accepted by The Masses

Another logical and insightful book surfaced during 1986. Jerry and Esther Hicks’ work is one of the most important sources of inspiring and educational information on the subject of the Law of Attraction.

With “The Secret,” in 2006, The Law of Attraction Became a Phenomenon

Even though Esther and Jerry Hicks’ work was extremely successful, there remained considerable doubt. It was especially difficult to penetrate the commercial market. The main reason for its failure to reach every home became the writer talked about the spirits.

Now, let us fast forward to 2006. It was 2006 when every household was keen on knowing about the phenomenon of the Law of Attraction. The Secret movie had been released. When the film The Secret took the globe by storm, causing The Law of Attraction to become a topic of conversation for tens of millions of individuals all over the world.

It is easy for you to understand the message of the Law of Attraction through the lens of The Secret. The messages conveyed by “The Secret” are plain and easy to understand:

  1. Things are created by thoughts.
  2. Believe in yourself and you will succeed.
  3. Positive emotional attitudes are beneficial and required for manifesting goals.

This is how the law of attraction became a phenomenon in our world. The secret shared the elements that could bring success to people. It also solved many mysteries that brought challenging situations to the people.

Is the Law of Attraction Real?

The primary tenet of the law of attraction is similar to the central idea of religion; the belief. It is the enthusiasm of the follower and its truthfulness that makes him/her follow the religion stubbornly. The stubbornness of the faith makes him undertake certain actions preached by the religion. So, the only you can make the Law of Attraction work is by having belief in your thoughts and actions.

When you have a firm belief in a certain idea, you generate vibrations in the world. The law of vibration, the second universal law, states that everything (every atom, object, and living thing) is always in motion and vibrates at a particular frequency. This frequency may be thought of as vibrating energy. These vibrations are important as they generate a certain course of action for you.

So, we understand that the law of attraction works in tandem with the law of vibration. The Law of Attraction is real when you think of the general laws. The law of vibration, in a nutshell, states that everything moves, and nothing remains still. When you think, you generate vibrations in the world. You create an aura of positivity or negativity around you. At its root, this is a scientific premise. Many individuals prefer our environment as an “ocean of motion.”

Thus, everything consists of tiny molecules that vibrate continually. There are many ways in which you can generate vibrations, and make them work in your favor.

Science and Truth Behind the Law of Attraction

You may not find a solid framework that defines the law of attraction. People regard the Law of Attraction as the pseudoscience subject. There are not proven elements that establish a scientific theory. However, its followers describe the working style of the Law of Attraction in a scientific manner. Though the Law of Attraction is not a theory, they describe the Law of Attraction from the perspective of scientific theories. But it does not have any demonstrable scientific framework.

Thus, the law of attraction works to a greater extent as it refreshes our subconscious mind. Then, it uses our subconsciousness for driving us toward a path that would help us in achieving our targets. There are many theories associated with the Law of Attraction such as vibrations, Quantum Physics, Frequencies, and more. They all work as they exert either negative or positive influence upon your mind and actions. Thus, the person works according to the set goals and ends up achieving the goals.

It’s the same with the Law of Attraction as it is with every other breakthrough. It’s been there for a long time, but it took some time to solidify itself and even become commonplace.

We’re at some point in the history when the notion of “creating your reality” is on the verge of becoming a reality. It will be a part of all of our lives in a few years, and it will seem strange that there was a period when we didn’t know (much) about it.

The Law of Attraction will most likely be regarded in the same light as the law of gravity or the fact that the earth is round.

How Does Law of Attraction Work?

There are many people who had used the Law of Attraction and succeed. They attribute their success to the usage of the Law of Attraction. The LoA states that your thoughts have an impact on your life and its path. The followers of the phenomenon cite scientific theories for justifying their claims. For instance, many experts had cited the magnetic field theory of Maxwell for justifying that the Law of Attraction exists. They establish that the thoughts are magnetic in nature.

According to the theorists, ion currents traveling across neurons during synaptic transmission (thinking) create electrical activity in the brain, and every electric current produces a magnetic field, according to Maxwell’s equations. Your ideas have a powerful pull. Thus, thoughts create a powerful magnetic field around you. The vibrations, frequencies, and vibes create a path for you to follow. Thus, the Law of Attraction works.

Thus, your ideas can manifest in your life, according to the law of attraction. If you think positively and imagine yourself having enough money to live comfortably, for example, you will attract chances that will allow you to realize your dreams.

To your great amazement, the law of attraction does not only bring good results. It can also bring about negative things in your life. If you focus on the elements of your life that you dislike, on the other hand, you will continue to attract bad results and experiences.

When you employ the LOA, you’re tapping into a field of your inner thoughts. The inner thoughts field has the potential to cause any results in your life depending on the frequency and type of your thoughts. You use the power of the thoughts that reside in one of our own folded dimensions. Holding the emotion and vibration of what you wish to create pulls it out of the realm of possibilities. Then, it pushes into the one where you physically exist. Of course, what you desire to materialize does not (typically) appear out of thin air. It naturally creeps into your life. Thus, the law of attraction works in a mysterious yet natural way.

How to Use the Law of Attraction?

When you practice LOA, you are producing certain emotions and wants in your life. You aim at retaining “feelings” in your body and mind. These emotions must arise from a position of inner serenity and power. To use the Law of Attraction, you should reach the inner part of yourself. It is hard to reach a part of you if you are not in the appropriate frame of mind. if you are packing or losing your temper, you are violating the rules of accessing the inner part of yourself. So, you can only use the LoA in case you have cleansed inner thoughts. This requires a lot of effort.

There are some sort of rules that you must remember while using the Law of Attraction. For instance, you must avoid manifesting “things” for the best outcomes. Rather, you must only express your “feelings.”

Let us understand this using an example. You may seek a large sum of money in order to achieve independence or security. There are numerous routes to freedom and security. Money is often associated with mental baggage and emotions of unworthiness. So, you may have to choose another course of action for showing such thoughts.

There are some rules that you should follow while attracting good things to you. For instance, the need for hoarding large amounts of money is not a positive vibe. This vibe is rightly called the hungry ghosts. Money becomes an object that you regard highly. Its power and importance remain above all things. You must attract the sensation of flexibility and freedom towards you rather than calling the money.

Therefore, it is preferable to cultivate the sensation and vibe of freedom and flexibility to accomplish whatever you want in life. It’s crucial to keep this space for oneself. It has a completely different vibe than gaining money, which might be predicated on a sense of grabbing want.

Law of Attraction Techniques

It would be astonishing for you to know that there is the actual law of attraction techniques. There have been many instances in which people used them and gained whatever they wanted the law of attraction is largely considered a mythical concept. However, it employs several real-world psychological strategies, such as cognitive reframing and visualization, to help people think about their situations differently.

The law of attraction will not bring you everything you’ve ever desired, but it’s not completely worthless either. However, you can try them and evoke the best of you within you.

You might find that adhering to the following fundamental concepts helps:

  • Encourages you to have a more positive mindset.
  • Allows you to reflect on and appreciate what you have
  • It can assist you in recognizing, challenging, and shifting your perspective.
  • Encourages you to think big and achieve your goals.

If you really would like to make positive changes in your life, you should practice this exercise on a daily basis:

  1. Make A List of The Annoyances.

Make a note of all the things in your life that annoy you or that you’d like to alter, such as difficult work, your children’s conduct, or marital problems.

  1. Consider the Advantages Of Writing A Dairy

Start a diary after that. Consider every conceivable positive element of the circumstance for each of the frustrations on your list. The advantages of your challenging work, for example, may include a solid paycheck, a creative challenge, or personal growth.

  1. Maintain a Positive Frame of Mind

Having a happy attitude is more than just smiling; it also entails practicing gratitude for what you currently have and for what you anticipate will come. Shift your emphasis away from what you think you don’t have and toward appreciation and abundance.

Sharing your goals, aspirations, and intentions with others can also help you maintain a good mentality. It is also possible to receive and offer assistance by spreading your optimism to your loved ones.

  1. Be Deliberate In Your Communication.

Business leaders should employ language that emphasizes good outcomes. Consider the distinction between the words “I am” and “I shall be.” The former indicates that you have already accomplished what you seek, but the latter says that you will do so in the coming future. So, remain conscious of how you communicate. Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer, is known for proclaiming, among other things, “I am the greatest!” “I shall be the best,” I’m sure you’ll agree, just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

  1. Accountability is really important.

Enlist the help of others to hold you responsible for your actions. Don’t keep it to yourself if you have done all of the measures described above. The more people cheering you on and holding you accountable, the better.

Whether or not you believe in the Law of Attraction, sharing your objectives with others is a win-win situation. You offer people the opportunity to assist develop your company and team by making these five actions a habit. Thus, you end up adopting the habits that will prove to be advantageous both professionally and personally.

Law of Attraction In Love and Relationships

Are you finding your soulmate? Have you expressed your feelings? If you are sad about the unexpected response from the love of your life, know that you can change that in your favor. With the Law of Attraction for love, you may attract a certain individual.

The person you care about is the most important in your life, and there’s no reason why you should lose hope. The Law of Attraction allows you to control every area of your life, including attracting a certain person, mending a relationship when things seem hopeless, and reuniting with an ex.

It makes no difference what your circumstance is. It has the potential to improve. 7 Effective Ways to Attract a Specific Individual

It’s easier than you would believe to manifest a relationship with someone. The procedure is easy and quick once you’ve gotten over any sentiments of loneliness, heartbreak, or restricting beliefs. So it all makes sense, I’ll explain it here then go into depth below.

  1. Have faith in yourself.
  2. Concentrate on the good.
  3. Without fear of being wounded, love
  4. Have fun and focus on the good.

Accept the disparity and be prepared to let go of the other person — a crucial step that isn’t what you believe!

While attracting a person, you should generate positive vibes around you. Smiles and laughter draw the greatest attention. Others notice and want to be with you while you’re having a good time. So go ahead and do what makes you happy… Whether it’s watching a hilarious movie or eating lunch at your favorite park. Take pleasure in your life. The sooner you can attract a certain individual, the more pleasure and delight you experience.

Using the Law of Attraction to Attract Money and Wealth

It is quite difficult to attract money in life. We can manifest other things in life such as freedom, abundance, hope, and happiness. There is a particular way to manifest money in life. You must use one of these ways to attract money. Otherwise, the blockades of energy and limited beliefs will hinder you from attracting money in life.

Remember that money is only a tool or a resource that we utilize to acquire the goods and experiences we desire and need. We make the error of believing that what we desire is money. What we truly want is to be able to accomplish things with money. You could believe, for example, that you wish to attract money to pay off your credit card debt. In reality, what you desire is a sense of plenty, security, or independence. You’d be delighted if you had no credit card debt and a steady stream of money to cover your expenses, right? It’s when you don’t have enough money and believe you need to attract more. This is because you are focused on the lack of money in your life rather than the abundant plenty.

So, try to visualize a satisfied, rich, and fun-filled life. Then, you will be able to attract money that buys all of these things for you.

How to Improve Mental and Physical Health?

Is this possible to improve mental and physical health with the help of the Law of Attraction? It is totally within our power to keep a healthy and age-resistant physique.

Our physical health and age are just a reflection of our inner ideas and beliefs, whether conscious or unconscious, giving us total control over whether or not we choose to accept premature aging or sickness into our bodies.

Following are some of the ways that you can use to improve your mental and physical health:

The same ideas apply to manifesting health as they do to every other manifestation. Everything boils down to your subconscious mind, inner beliefs, and behaviors.

  1. You can attract robust health using the Law of Attraction in the same way you can attract anything else.
  2. You may prepare your mind and body for physical recovery by teaching your subconscious.
  3. The thoughts that form your outer reality are held in your mind. You will manifest what you think on the inside.
  4. It’s only a reflection. If you wish to manifest health, you must first convince your subconscious that you are completely well.

This is how you can attract mental and physical health in your life.

Attract Success and Abundance with the Law of Attraction

Choosing what you want is the first step in manifesting your ideal career. If you don’t have a goal, you won’t be able to achieve it. Begin by defining your “why.” What motivates you to change careers? What exactly is it about your current position that you dislike? Change your perspective and you’ll be surprised at what you will find. First of all, you should satisfy yourself regarding the aspiring change in your life.

Make a list of possibilities so you can identify the intersection of what you like and what you’re excellent at. This might be a great moment to locate a mentor or coach who can help you stay on track and keep you accountable. Consider how you would like your life to be five or 10 years from now. Volunteering, joining a board, or establishing a side business are all good ways to try out different occupations.

This is how you can attract success and abundance in your life using the right elements of the LoA.

Law of Attraction Success Stories

There are many people who had achieved their goals using the Law of Attraction. We will share some of the most amazing real-life Law of Attraction cases here:

At the age of six, Kabir discovered his calling as a magician after seeing the world’s finest magician, David Copperfield, perform on television in Malaysia. His enthusiasm developed as he grew older, and he could no longer keep it as a pastime.

When he got his hands on a copy of The Success Principles, he was clearer than ever that he wanted to be the Malaysian David Copperfield.

The mind is strong, and some could even say miraculous, tool. Acting as if, as I like to put it, is a significant element of The Law of Attraction. The cosmos will respond to your vibrations if you act as if you’re already where you want to be.

He modified his vision board even more to reflect this, and he was able to attract a wealthy Chinese businessman through a mastermind group who was willing to sponsor him to learn magic in America thanks to his new mentality, perseverance, and the vibrations he was emitting.

To add to his vision board, he had a buddy draw up a newspaper storey with the headline: “MALAYSIAN MAGICIAN TO PERFORM IN HOLLYWOOD.”

You can probably predict what occurred next. He was encouraged to perform at The Magic Castle in Hollywood after a year of envisioning and executing unconventional activities.

Many other stories are inspiring. For instance, the story of Daniel is exemplary. He wanted to buy a house. The bank denied in the first place and demanded him to raise his bid by $15000. However, he rejected and stood by his bid. He practiced the Law of Attraction throughout the process. Later on, he received the call that the bank accepted his offer.

Keys to Success: Affirmations, Visualization, and Action

Three main elements help in attracting a goal in life. Here they are:

  1. Affirmations

Affirmation is the act of writing down remarks or phrases in the present tense to encourage positive thinking and belief. It’s the process of rewiring the subconscious mind for success by repeating new thoughts.

  1. Visualization

A key strategy employed by the world’s most successful people is to visualize the objective as already completed in your mind’s eye. Visualization works because it taps into the subconscious mind’s strength. The human brain is the most powerful instrument a person can have.

  1. Action

Action is the fuel that powers the law of attraction; it is the energy that drives your goal. To put it another way, simply focusing on your intention isn’t enough. You must also take action by doing whatever it takes to achieve your goal in the actual world.

These three elements assist you in achieving your main goals in life.

How to Use Affirmations Effectively?

At least three times a day, say your affirmations aloud for around five minutes. Some folks like repeating them five times a day. It all depends on how much time you’ve to yourself in a relaxing environment. While using affirmations, make sure to keep the following beliefs in your mind:

  • You should have faith in the effectiveness of affirmations.
  • Your actions should back up your optimistic remarks.
  • You should have faith in the outcomes.
  • The affirmations must be used regularly.

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Peter Paxton
Mind Altar

Mental Health Coach, Growth Hacker and Mindset Trainer.