It’s been fifteen months since my last post. I think I’m now in a position to understand why I stopped for so long.
I felt the need to challenge myself on the entire subject of the Law
of Attraction. While I had no trouble accepting it myself, it now
appears that I was bothered by those who argue against it, and it
resulted in cognitive dissonance.
During my time away and while exploring and reading, I noticed my attention being brought to the truth that (indeed) “some people see the glass as half-full, others as half-empty.” And I admit to being affected by those who frequently dismiss things as hokum. Their motives are often righteous, and if it weren’t for those who challenge
information we might still believe the earth is flat and supported by a gigantic turtle and elephants.
But it’s impossible to avoid that, while critical thinking has often been vindicated, it is just as often found to be short-sighted and false. In paying attention to this subject throughout my life, I’ve come to the conclusion that some people are chronic and opportunistic faultfinders. My theory is that being found a fool is their greatest fear, and in being critical of most everything they are thus playing it safe.
“New and stirring things are belittled because if they are not belittled, the humiliating question arises, “Why then are you not taking part in them?” - H.G. Wells
When investigating the LOA, there have been numerous controlled experiments that demonstrate our thoughts (in the very least) have an impact on our reality. Imagine that in forty years a properly controlled series of experiments and subsequent studies prove, to the satisfaction of critics, that the LOA is scientific fact. In the meantime how am I to lead my life? Must I really wait until all the critics reach consensus before coming to my own conclusions?
Example: I’ve never seen a ghost, and thus can’t say for sure they’re real. But I knew a family in Michigan who told me of a ghost they’d frequently see in their home. Each family member had seen it multiple times; they report it was a dwarf who would sometimes walk about and even sit down at their dining room table. While they can’t really prove to me they saw a ghost, shall they allow my lack of proof to doubt themselves? Shall they allow the fact that most scientists scoff at the existence of ghosts to dismiss their own experience?
And so this topic collides full-force with the realization I came to six years ago. The one that led me to challenge and reject my family’s religion though they shun me to this day for it. The one that led me to start this blog. As I mention on my “About” page, “people usually accept the reality placed before them by other people.” The question for me now is: If I can challenge and part ways with those who, in the name of religion, claim to represent The Truth, am I also willing to do so with those who, in the name of science, profess that if they have not proven it it isn’t true?
At age 44, I have yet to find a better worldview than the one that recognizes our thoughts modify our reality. You don’t have to believe it; neither do most scientists.
Cognitive Dissonance: Anxiety that results from simultaneously holding contradictory or otherwise incompatible attitudes or beliefs.Those who dismiss the LOA say two things about it: (1) it hasn’t been scientifically proven, therefore (2) it should be classified along with four-leaf clovers and unicorns as superstitious mysticism.
During my time away and while exploring and reading, I noticed my attention being brought to the truth that (indeed) “some people see the glass as half-full, others as half-empty.” And I admit to being affected by those who frequently dismiss things as hokum. Their motives are often righteous, and if it weren’t for those who challenge
information we might still believe the earth is flat and supported by a gigantic turtle and elephants.
But it’s impossible to avoid that, while critical thinking has often been vindicated, it is just as often found to be short-sighted and false. In paying attention to this subject throughout my life, I’ve come to the conclusion that some people are chronic and opportunistic faultfinders. My theory is that being found a fool is their greatest fear, and in being critical of most everything they are thus playing it safe.
“New and stirring things are belittled because if they are not belittled, the humiliating question arises, “Why then are you not taking part in them?” - H.G. Wells
When investigating the LOA, there have been numerous controlled experiments that demonstrate our thoughts (in the very least) have an impact on our reality. Imagine that in forty years a properly controlled series of experiments and subsequent studies prove, to the satisfaction of critics, that the LOA is scientific fact. In the meantime how am I to lead my life? Must I really wait until all the critics reach consensus before coming to my own conclusions?
Example: I’ve never seen a ghost, and thus can’t say for sure they’re real. But I knew a family in Michigan who told me of a ghost they’d frequently see in their home. Each family member had seen it multiple times; they report it was a dwarf who would sometimes walk about and even sit down at their dining room table. While they can’t really prove to me they saw a ghost, shall they allow my lack of proof to doubt themselves? Shall they allow the fact that most scientists scoff at the existence of ghosts to dismiss their own experience?
And so this topic collides full-force with the realization I came to six years ago. The one that led me to challenge and reject my family’s religion though they shun me to this day for it. The one that led me to start this blog. As I mention on my “About” page, “people usually accept the reality placed before them by other people.” The question for me now is: If I can challenge and part ways with those who, in the name of religion, claim to represent The Truth, am I also willing to do so with those who, in the name of science, profess that if they have not proven it it isn’t true?
At age 44, I have yet to find a better worldview than the one that recognizes our thoughts modify our reality. You don’t have to believe it; neither do most scientists.
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