Disidentifying From The Ego vs Law Of Attraction
Question:
Hi Adam,
Thanks for your blog post about finding a new job.
I was somewhat surprised to read this post from you. Not to oversimplify, but if I had to categorize the spiritual writings I typically read, I would divide them accordingly to:
A) Those that focus on remaining present, disidentifying from the ego and observing one's thoughts (i.e. most of the posts on your website)
B) Those that advocate the Law of Attraction (LOA) and other techniques for "creating one's reality".
I know these two groups aren't always mutually exclusive, but they often are. Particularly with regard to LOA techniques such as directing one's thoughts, generating feelings or affecting a particular vibration.
I have read many non-dual or Buddhist authors that discourage these types of practices. Typically, the rationale is that they stem from a discontentment towards reality and an ego-based desire to deny the present moment.
In my experience, there seems to be some truth to this perspective. Though I've been aware of the teachings of Abraham Hicks for over a decade, I've never successfully "redirected my energy" or used my thoughts to create reality. Trying to apply these techniques always feels like a contrived struggle. There is always some voice of doubt or resistance that bubbles up, and my attempts to change my own beliefs never feel authentic.
Yet, I fundamentally do recognize that my reality does reflect my vibration, and I have a deep desire to shift my energy in order to attract better relationships.
I'd like to know if you can relate to this, or if you've ever had difficulty reconciling the Law of Attraction with disidentification from the ego.
Thanks for your time and for your writings, which I always find very helpful.
Response:
Hi,
Great question, thanks for asking.
I would say where the two approaches meet is in the absence of resistance.
No resistance to the present moment means absolute freedom to receive inspired thought.
Abraham Hicks repeatedly emphasises the importance of no resistance, and that there is no such thing as "no" in an attraction-based universe. Of course, not resisting the present moment is a staple of Zen or Buddhist teachings.
No resistance is the ground for all useful inner change. It is then natural to receive thoughts that flow from your deepest intelligence, or your "inner being" as Abraham Hicks would say.
Perhaps the teachings that are dedicated to "presence" can sometimes overlook the powerful, fresh and creative thoughts that naturally arise FROM presence.
To bring the two schools of teaching together again - "satisfied in the now while eager for more" is a fantastic state as far of of attraction is concerned. There is no longer a resistance to "more", as "more" is no longer associated with greed or lack or struggle or competition. It is just the expansion of more life, but of course already being satisfied means you are not needing it or clinging to anything to save you in the future. Being satisfied in the now goes hand-in-hand with zen or buddhist teachings of non-resistance, and with TRUE nonresistance (including no longer resisting abundance or the idea of "more") there is a natural creative openness which goes hand-in-hand with being "eager for more".
I think there can be some lack-based "rules" involved in some teachings based around "the present moment and having no thoughts". However, this can be a helpful stage for someone to clear themselves of old resistance and clear their inner path.
I feel that in a true state of nonresistance, creativity flows. It can take the form of desire, but the desire is no longer lack-based or needy. It becomes rooted in fun and joy. It becomes based around the PRESENCE of things rather than the absence of them.
I would agree with Abraham Hicks in that if your beliefs about anything make you feel bad or worse in any way, then they are not really true. Your inner being does not agree, and so it does not join you in that thought, which makes it feel cut-off from life and uncomfortable.
To summarise, I would say to follow what makes you feel the most at ease, the most at peace, the most powerful or joyful - whatever makes you feel best. Both can be brought together. Rather than worrying about changing old thoughts or changing your life, see what makes you feel the most free from resistance. The most at ease. When resistance is not there, the power and intelligence of our true selves shines forth, which is what Abraham Hicks and Buddhist teachings both point to.
Hope that can help, let me know if it does.
Great question, thanks again for asking.
All the best,
Adam
Question:
Hi Adam,
I wasn't sure if you'd answer, and really pleased that you did!
One thing you said particularly resonated with me: "[...] the powerful, fresh and creative thoughts that naturally arise FROM presence." The "naturally" is what really got my attention.
I wonder sometimes if a lot of the energy people spend trying to "raise their vibration", "think positively" or "be a match to a certain reality" are really just their dissatisfied egos acting themselves out. In my case, I'm certainly at my most creative, charismatic and productive when I'm not making any effort to be. This is indeed when creative thoughts naturally arise.
It almost sounds like our personal willpower is of no use in changing or improving our reality. Perhaps we should simply focus on presence and surrender and trust that we'll be taken care of, or that we'll be drawn to action spontaneously.
However, this goes against the implicit promise of a lot of Law of Attraction teachings, which is that we can consciously "vibrate our way out" of an unpleasant situation and into a more desirable one through directed thoughts, feelings or energies. I don't want to mischaracterize Abraham Hicks or other teachers, but it does seem that they favour an active approach. Pouring over Law of Attraction material, one finds countless techniques for consciously changing beliefs and raising vibrations. If I were to be cynical, I might even say that giving people formulas for manifesting what they want is an easier sell than telling them to just be present and trust that things will work out. Perhaps that statement is biased by my frustrating experiences, but I can't recall a time I've ever been able to just sit down and purposely make myself feel better about something.
Anyways, I think you're right on the money and have described how the two schools of thought coincide perfectly. I agree that, no matter what teaching we follow, the potential for creativity is always there and shouldn't be overlooked. I've always felt that we are naturally creative beings, and that a silent, thoughtless existence has never held much appeal. But perhaps that silence and thoughtlessness is, as you say, a necessary stage for clearing out resistance and letting creativity flow.
But it sounds like that creative flow really needs to spontaneously arise from a place of authentic non-resistance. Our ego can't struggle its way there, and maybe that's a bit of a trap some of us fall into.
Would you agree?
Thanks again for your very helpful reply,
Response:
Hi,
Yes, I would agree that creativity usually comes from an absence of struggle. When there are no more rules about what I should be thinking or wanting or doing, then there is freedom to let the creative force flow through us much more easily. Sometimes there can be tension created around the idea that "I should not be having thoughts or desires". More ease and more allowance is key.
We usually feel "bad" because we are focussed on the lackful end of the stick of a situation.
A trivial example:
Someone is feeling down about how someone treated them today. Their focus is being placed on what they do not want, the unpleasant nature of it. They are focussed on a lack of harmony or well being. They are resisting what they don’t want, and are therefor creating more of it in their experience. "I hate the way they ignored me," could be an example of a thought.
To feel better, they could go to the other end of the stick and simply choose that thought instead eg. "I do like situations where I am respected and treated well. I am glad when I am heard. I am thankful that while I can't control how others respond to me, I can control how I feel about myself."
It's often just a question of which end of the stick we are focussed on: wanted or unwanted. Another way of saying "wanted" could be "preferred" or even "enjoyed".
We can be so well-trained in pushing back against things that we want to avoid in the future. Where Abraham Hicks and Buddhist teachings meet again is in pointing out the futility of this inner resistance, since it uses your power of focus and places it for longer periods of time than necessary on situations that you would not normally choose.
Once something unwanted is recognised, we do not have to dwell on it, particularity through resistance. If we are to dwell, it should be on the wanted, what feels good, and so our energy becomes full of what we actually do want to attract.
Hope that helps,
Adam