The Dark Side of the Law of Attraction: Why It Can Be Dangerous

You may have heard of the law of attraction, but what exactly is it? The law of attraction is the belief that you can attract things into your life by thinking about them.

This might sound like a good thing, but there's a dark side to the law of attraction. The problem is that it can lead people to believe that they can just sit back and wait for good things to happen, without taking any action themselves.

This can be dangerous because it means that people are not taking responsibility for their lives and are instead relying on fate or luck. It can also lead to feelings of frustration and resentment if things don't go the way you want them to.

So, while the law of attraction can be a powerful tool, it's important to use it wisely and not rely on it too much.

The Problems With the Law of Attraction

You may have heard of the law of attraction, but what you may not know is that it is metaphysical pseudoscience. This means that its conclusions are based on erroneous, unfounded, and often incorrect assumptions.

One of the biggest problems with the law of attraction is that it can keep us locked into an outcome that can keep us stuck in our current problems. In other words, we might use the Law of Attraction to attract a significant other, but we might need to work on our emotional intelligence before we're ready to enter a relationship.

Another problem with the Law of Attraction is that it locks us in a fixed reality. In other words, we might dream of something in the future, but we don't quite know how our lives might change as a result. For example, we might use the Law of Attraction to visualize a job in marketing, but a circumstance in our lives might be calling us to a vocation in healthcare. If we're not careful, the Law of Attraction can put blinders on us so that we're ignoring messages from the universe that our path is heading in a completely different direction than we might have imagined.

The Law of Attraction is also very ego-focused. Sure, we might envision setting up a non-profit to feed the poor, but at its center is what WE want, rather than the natural path of the universe. It keeps us locked in separation rather than unity. It's what's best for us rather than the world.

The Law of Attraction doesn't prepare us for hardship. Let's face it, many of the truly great people in history arrived at their status through adversity, not through imagination. I think about St. Ignatius of Loyola, who imagined a life courting women and being a knight. He never considered what God wanted him to do. It wasn't until a cannonball shot him in his legs that he was forced to reconsider what he intended to manifest. His nurse read him spiritual teachings from The Bible, and his life had shaped in a different direction. I don't think he ever would have imagined starting the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), but that's where his adversity directed him.

The Law of Attraction is also rooted in privilege. I remember comedian Dave Chappelle criticizing The Law of Attraction because it emphasized affluence. If the Law of Attraction was all it took to manifest dreams, why are people still so hungry all over the world? Do we just tell those who are dying of starvation or disease to just think positive to manifest food and health? Are we to tell people who are living in oppressed or corrupt societies to just use the power of imagination to set them free?

The law of attraction is dangerous because it promises things that it can't deliver. It's time to let go of this harmful belief and embrace something that is based on reality.

Why the Law of Attraction Can Be Dangerous

The law of attraction is a dangerous delusion that can lead to intense suffering. The law of attraction is based on the idea that thoughts and actions create reality, which is not true. The law of attraction can be harmful because it can lead people to believe that they can manifest anything they want, without taking responsibility for their actions.

The Dangers of Toxic Positivity

Toxic positivity is when you act positive despite how you really feel. It's a form of denial that can be harmful because it invalidates your uncomfortable feelings.

Toxic positivity is very common in the Law of Attraction community. The message is often "just think positive and everything will work out." This can be damaging because it discounts the importance of processing negative emotions.

How to Avoid the Pitfalls of the Law of Attraction

It's important to be aware of the potential dangers of the law of attraction so that you can avoid them. Here are a few things to watch out for:

1. Don't get caught up in the "perfect" outcome.

2. Remember that you're not in control of everything.

3. Be careful what you wish for.

4. Don't get too attached to your goals.

5. Be prepared to work hard.

How Optimism and Openness are Wiser Choices

This isn't to say that you shouldn't be optimistic. Optimism keeps you grounded in your experience while also seeing what good exists in the current situation. Optimism keeps you open to new experiences when they can emerge. It's about keeping you honest about what you're experiencing while also remembering that all things serve a purpose. This is a little different from "everything happens for a reason," but it reminds us that sometimes events in our lives serve as a wake-up call to change the path (or line of thinking) that has kept us stuck.

Openness to experience is a trait that can ward off mental sluggishness. It means that you are willing to try new things without fear. You see all things as new opportunities for growth. You might love your daily routine, but being open to new experiences can breathe fresh life into the humdrum. It might even open you to a new path you hadn't imagined.

Conclusion

The law of attraction can be a helpful tool, but it's not without its dangers. The biggest problem is that it can lead to toxic positivity, where people only focus on the good and ignore the bad. This can be harmful because it can lead to people ignoring red flags and warning signs in their lives.

Another problem with the law of attraction is that it's often used as a crutch. People who rely on the law of attraction may not take responsibility for their own actions and may blame others for their problems.

If you're thinking about using the law of attraction, be aware of these dangers and use it with caution.