Kara Sears
The Law of Attraction is a philosophy that asserts the power of thought in shaping one's reality. While the term Law of Attraction may be relatively recent, with the phrase first appearing in print in 1855 or 1877, the essence of its principles can be traced back to ancient civilizations and philosophical traditions. The concept has evolved over time, shifting from mystical interpretations to more practical, psychological perspectives, and continues to capture the imaginations of millions worldwide, promising the ability to manifest desires and shape one's destiny.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First appearance of the term "Law of Attraction" | 1855 in The Great Harmonia, vol. IV, by American Spiritualist Andrew Jackson Davis |
| 1877 in a book by Russian mystic Helena Blavatsky | |
| First articulator of the law of attraction as a general principle | Prentice Mulford |
| First author to introduce the Law of Attraction in modern times | William Walker Atkinson, in 1907 |
| First author to discuss the law of attraction as karma | Annie Besant, in 1919 |
| First book to directly and repeatedly reference the law of attraction | The Law of Success in 16 Lessons (1928) by Napoleon Hill |
| First book to discuss the law of attraction as a universal concept | The Science of Mind by Ernest Holmes in the early 20th century |
| Mainstream attention | 21st century with the release of the documentary film and subsequent book, "The Secret" |
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What You'll Learn
The Law of Attraction's historical context
The Law of Attraction is a spiritual belief that asserts the power of thought in shaping one's reality. It is based on the idea that people and their thoughts are made from "pure energy", and that positive or negative thoughts bring about positive or negative experiences in one's life. This belief has alternative names that have varied in popularity over time, including "manifestation".
The term "Law of Attraction" was first used in 1855 by American Spiritualist Andrew Jackson Davis in "The Great Harmonia, vol. IV". However, Davis's usage of the term alluded to the human soul and spheres of the afterlife, rather than the modern interpretation of the Law of Attraction. The first articulator of the law as a general principle was Prentice Mulford, a pivotal figure in the development of the New Thought movement. Mulford discussed the law at length in his essay "The Law of Success", published in 1886–1887. Other New Thought authors, such as Henry Wood and Ralph Waldo Trine, further contributed to the development of the law, exploring how it is concerned not only with health but with every aspect of life.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a period of significant development for the Law of Attraction, with the emergence of influential thinkers such as Phineas Quimby, Mary Baker Eddy, and Emma Curtis Hopkins, who contributed to the idea that thoughts and beliefs have a direct impact on our experiences. The Law of Attraction gained further popularity in the 20th century, with many books being written about it, including two of the best-selling books of all time: Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich" (1937) and "The Law of Success in 16 Lessons" (1928).
Despite its modern popularization, the Law of Attraction has a rich historical context, with roots extending deep into history and weaving through various cultures and philosophies. The concept has been associated with the phrase "like attracts like", and its principles can be traced back to ancient civilizations and philosophical traditions. One of the earliest mentions of this concept dates back to ancient Egypt, where the idea of the power of the mind and intention was closely tied to religious and mystical beliefs. In ancient Hermetic philosophy, the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus explored the idea that "like attracts like". The Emerald Tablet, a key Hermetic text, contains the famous maxim, "As above, so below; as below, so above". In the Vedic traditions of ancient India, the concept of "Karma" is closely aligned with the Law of Attraction, as karma represents the law of cause and effect, with actions and intentions influencing one's destiny.
In modern times, the Law of Attraction has evolved from mystical interpretations to more practical, psychological perspectives, emphasizing its psychological and emotional dimensions and integrating findings from neuroscience and cognitive psychology. Today, it continues to be a pervasive force in personal development and spiritual circles, with authors such as Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer, and Esther Hicks contributing to its understanding and application.
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Ancient roots and philosophical origins
The Law of Attraction is a philosophy that asserts the power of thought in shaping one's reality. While the term "Law of Attraction" may be relatively recent, the principles behind it have ancient roots that extend across various cultures and philosophies.
One of the key ancient philosophies that underpin the Law of Attraction is Hermeticism, attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. This ancient philosophy explores the idea that "like attracts like", a core principle of the Law of Attraction. The Emerald Tablet, a key Hermetic text, contains the famous maxim, "As above, so below; as below, so above".
In ancient India, the concept of "Karma" is closely aligned with the Law of Attraction. Karma represents the law of cause and effect, suggesting that actions and intentions influence one's destiny. This belief system is central to Hinduism, one of the world's oldest religions, and is reflected in ancient Sanskrit texts like the Rigveda, which is over 3,500 years old.
Ancient Greek and Egyptian beliefs also embraced manifestation-like concepts, as seen in the Greek Magical Papyri, dating from the 100s B.C. to the A.D. 400s. Additionally, Ancient Greek Orphic hymns included invocations or prayers for manifestation, similar to modern vision boards.
In the late 19th century, the New Thought movement emerged in the United States, drawing direct influence from these ancient philosophies, particularly Hindu philosophy. Influential figures like Phineas Quimby, Mary Baker Eddy, and Emma Curtis Hopkins contributed to the idea that thoughts and beliefs have a direct impact on our experiences, weaving ancient wisdom into a modern spiritual movement.
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The New Thought movement
The Law of Attraction is a spiritual belief that asserts the power of thought in shaping one's reality. It is based on the idea that positive or negative thoughts bring about positive or negative experiences in a person's life. The belief is that people and their thoughts are made from "pure energy", and that a person can attract positive experiences and opportunities by achieving resonance with the proposed energetic law.
The term "Law of Attraction" first appeared in 1855 in "The Great Harmonia, Vol. IV" by American Spiritualist Andrew Jackson Davis. However, the concept was popularised in the 19th century by the New Thought movement, which emphasised the power of positive thinking, spirituality, and the mind's influence on health and prosperity. Phineas Quimby, a healer and philosopher who believed in the connection between thoughts and well-being, was a pivotal figure in this movement. He laid the groundwork for the idea that the mind could heal the body and create positive life outcomes.
The Law of Attraction gained mainstream attention in the 21st century with the release of the documentary film and subsequent book, "The Secret", by Rhonda Byrne. The book emphasised the importance of positive thoughts, visualisation, and belief in attracting one's desires. Despite its popularity, the Law of Attraction has faced criticism and skepticism from those who argue that it oversimplifies complex life situations and may promote unrealistic expectations.
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Modern interpretations
The Law of Attraction is a philosophy or spiritual belief that asserts the power of thought in shaping one's reality. It is the idea that positive or negative thoughts bring positive or negative experiences into a person's life. The belief is based on the concept that people and their thoughts are made from "pure energy", and that like energy attracts like energy, thereby allowing people to improve their health, wealth, or personal relationships.
While the term "Law of Attraction" may be relatively recent, the essence of its principles can be traced back to ancient civilisations and philosophical traditions. One of the earliest mentions of this concept dates back to ancient Egypt, where the idea of the power of the mind and intention was closely tied to religious and mystical beliefs. Ancient Egyptians believed that thoughts and intentions could influence one's fate and the world around them.
In the modern era, the Law of Attraction has continued to be a pervasive force in personal development and spiritual circles, with authors like Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer, and Esther Hicks contributing to its understanding and application. The teachings have diversified to include concepts like visualisation, affirmations, and the importance of aligning one's energy with desired outcomes.
The Law of Attraction gained mainstream attention in the 21st century with the release of the documentary film and subsequent book, "The Secret", by Rhonda Byrne. The multimedia sensation introduced the Law of Attraction to a global audience, featuring insights from spiritual teachers, philosophers, and authors. "The Secret" emphasised the importance of positive thoughts, visualisation, and belief in attracting one's desires.
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The Law of Attraction in popular culture
The Law of Attraction has become a part of mainstream culture, with books, films, and online resources popularising the concept. It has been described as a pseudoscience or magical thinking that can negatively impact people's lives by promoting toxic positivity, victim-blaming, and low self-esteem. It has also been criticised for oversimplifying the complexities of life and overlooking external factors that influence outcomes. However, it continues to be a pervasive force in personal development and spiritual circles, with many authors, lecturers, coaches, and gurus promoting its teachings and profiting from it financially.
The Law of Attraction gained mainstream attention in the 21st century with the release of the documentary film and subsequent book, "The Secret," in 2006. The film and book featured interviews with New Thought authors and speakers, explaining the principles of the proposed metaphysical law that one can attract anything that one thinks about consistently. While "The Secret" is often credited with introducing the Law of Attraction to modern audiences, the concept has a much longer history, with roots in ancient civilisations and philosophies.
Ancient Hermetic philosophy, particularly the teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, explored the idea that "like attracts like." The Emerald Tablet, a key Hermetic text, contains the famous maxim, "As above, so below; as below, so above." In the Vedic traditions of ancient India, the concept of "Karma" is also closely aligned with the Law of Attraction, as it represents the law of cause and effect, with actions and intentions influencing one's destiny.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the New Thought movement emerged, with influential thinkers like Phineas Quimby, Mary Baker Eddy, and Emma Curtis Hopkins contributing to the idea that our thoughts and beliefs directly impact our experiences. Prentice Mulford was the first to articulate the Law of Attraction as a universal concept in his essay "The Law of Success," published in 1886–1887. He was followed by other New Thought authors, such as Henry Wood and Ralph Waldo Trine, who further developed the idea that the Law of Attraction applies to every aspect of life, including health, wealth, and personal relationships.
The 20th century saw a surge in interest in the subject, with many books being written about it, including two of the best-selling books of all time: "Think and Grow Rich" (1937) by Napoleon Hill and "The Law of Success in 16 Lessons" (1928). These authors emphasised the importance of controlling one's thoughts and harnessing the power of thoughts to attract success and shape one's reality.
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Frequently asked questions
The term "Law of Attraction" was first used in 1855 in The Great Harmonia, Vol. IV, by American Spiritualist Andrew Jackson Davis. However, Davis' context alluded to the human soul and the afterlife.
Prentice Mulford was the first to articulate the Law of Attraction as a universal concept. He discussed the law at length in his essay "The Law of Success", published in 1886–1887.
The understanding of the Law of Attraction has shifted from mystical interpretations to more practical, psychological perspectives. Initially considered a spiritual law, modern interpretations emphasise its psychological and emotional dimensions, integrating neuroscience and cognitive psychology.
