The Law of Attraction has captivated audiences worldwide, especially after the release of The Secret, a 2006 film and later a bestselling book by Rhonda Byrne. This philosophy suggests that our thoughts and emotions have a direct influence on our lives, bringing into reality the things we focus on the most. The principle is often summarized by the phrase “like attracts like”—meaning that whatever we give our energy, attention, and emotions to will be drawn into our lives, whether positive or negative. At its core, the Law of Attraction proposes that we are powerful creators, capable of shaping our realities through our mental focus and emotional alignment.
The Secret popularized this concept by featuring motivational speakers, writers, and teachers who claimed to have transformed their lives using the Law of Attraction. The film shows testimonials from people who say they achieved wealth, health, relationships, and other forms of personal success by focusing on their desires rather than their fears. The Law of Attraction offers three main steps to manifesting any goal: ask, believe, and receive. This means that one must clearly define a desire, trust it will come to fruition, and finally be open to accepting the outcome, fully allowing the universe to deliver on that intention.
While the principles of the Law of Attraction are simple, it has faced criticism for promoting “wishful thinking” without action. However, proponents argue that it’s not merely about wishful thinking but about creating a mindset that aligns with one’s goals. Visualization and positive affirmation are commonly used tools in this practice, with the idea that focusing on the positive emotions tied to an outcome can shift one’s energy toward achieving it.
The Law of Attraction vs. The Law of Assumption: Understanding the Difference
Although the Law of Attraction has garnered widespread attention, another concept called the Law of Assumption offers a different perspective. Neville Goddard, a mid-20th-century philosopher and mystic, developed the Law of Assumption as a method of manifestation that shifts from merely “attracting” a desire to actively embodying it. While both laws focus on mental and emotional alignment, the Law of Assumption calls for a more profound psychological shift.
The Law of Assumption posits that you can alter your reality by assuming the feeling of your desired outcome as if it has already manifested. Goddard taught that your consciousness—the way you see and understand yourself and the world—shapes your life experiences. So, rather than waiting for a desire to materialize or relying on the external world to bring it to you, the Law of Assumption teaches that you must live from the end. In other words, you must identify with the feeling of the wish fulfilled. Through this practice, Goddard argued, you would naturally align your outer reality with your inner state.
For example, if one’s goal is financial success, the Law of Attraction would encourage focusing on thoughts of wealth and success, believing that doing so would attract financial opportunities. In contrast, the Law of Assumption would have you “assume” yourself already wealthy. This means acting, thinking, and feeling like a financially successful person now—not in the future. Goddard believed that by embodying the feelings associated with success, a person would naturally alter their behavior, decisions, and mindset to match the identity they have assumed.
How the Laws Work in Practice
Both the Law of Attraction and the Law of Assumption place importance on mental and emotional alignment. However, their methods and philosophies differ in several ways:
- Mindset vs. Assumption: The Law of Attraction is about focusing on a positive outcome, nurturing it with belief, and trusting it will arrive. Practitioners often create vision boards or repeat affirmations to keep their desires in mind, helping them stay positive and attract those desires. The Law of Assumption takes a more immediate, proactive approach. Instead of envisioning what could be, you act as if your desires are already real. Goddard argued that the subconscious mind will accept this assumed reality, bringing it into one’s actual life.
- Visualization Techniques: Both laws use visualization, but with different nuances. In the Law of Attraction, one visualizes their goal as something to be attained in the future, creating positive emotions around that outcome to attract it. In contrast, with the Law of Assumption, visualization becomes an act of living in the assumed reality. Goddard taught his students to visualize themselves already experiencing their desires, fully immersed in the sensory and emotional experience of the end result.
- Faith and Belief: In the Law of Attraction, faith is required to believe that what is desired will eventually manifest. With the Law of Assumption, belief plays a different role—believing that what you desire already is changes your perception, which, in Goddard’s philosophy, is the foundation of reality itself. Goddard often quoted the biblical phrase, “As you believe, so shall it be done unto you,” emphasizing that belief is not just about what might happen but about embracing what has already been realized in your mind.
- Self-Identity and Consciousness: The Law of Assumption places a stronger emphasis on identity. Goddard saw our identities as the root of all experiences, suggesting that by changing how we see ourselves, we change the world around us. In contrast, the Law of Attraction focuses more on aligning energy and thoughts to a desired outcome rather than a deep transformation of self.
Criticisms and Interpretations
Both philosophies have drawn criticism. Some argue that the Law of Attraction promotes an overly simplistic view of life, implying that positive thinking alone is enough to bring about change without action or responsibility. Critics claim this can lead people to blame themselves for their misfortunes, assuming they “attracted” negative experiences through incorrect thinking.
The Law of Assumption has its share of skeptics as well. Critics suggest it requires a certain detachment from reality, encouraging people to “fake it” without necessarily addressing real-world challenges. Yet, followers of the Law of Assumption argue that embodying the desired self isn’t about ignoring reality but reshaping it through a powerful, conscious shift in perspective.
The Impact of The Secret on Modern Spirituality
The Secret not only brought the Law of Attraction into mainstream culture but also sparked a broader interest in self-help and spirituality. Since its release, millions have explored practices such as meditation, visualization, and affirmations as tools for self-development and personal empowerment. While the Law of Attraction is a concept rooted in ancient spiritual traditions, The Secret modernized it, making it accessible and appealing to a global audience.
This movement has, however, created a cultural divide. For some, it represents empowerment and self-realization; for others, it represents a commercialization of spiritual ideas, presenting quick fixes instead of fostering true personal growth. Regardless of perspective, the impact of The Secret on contemporary thought and self-help literature is undeniable, inspiring numerous books, workshops, and coaching programs aimed at manifesting one’s dreams.
Choosing a Path: Which Law Resonates with You?
Ultimately, the Law of Attraction and the Law of Assumption offer distinct yet complementary paths to personal transformation. The Law of Attraction emphasizes drawing positivity into one’s life through focused thoughts, while the Law of Assumption encourages individuals to reshape their identities and act as if they’ve already achieved their desires. For many, integrating both approaches can provide a holistic path to manifestation, balancing faith in the universe with a confident self-identity.
By understanding these two principles, people can explore which approach aligns more closely with their beliefs and aspirations. Whether one is inspired by the “ask, believe, receive” model of The Secret or the “living in the end” technique of Neville Goddard, both paths invite individuals to take an active role in creating the life they desire.