The Law of Attraction in the World of Thought

The Universe is governed by Law—one great Law. Its manifestations are multiform, but viewed from the Ultimate there is but one Law. We are familiar with some of its manifestations, but are almost totally ignorant of certain others. Still we are learning a little more every day—the veil is being gradually lifted.

The Universe is governed by one great Law. It appears in many forms, but ultimately there is only one Law. We are familiar with some of its forms, but we know almost nothing about certain others. Still, we are learning a little more every day. The veil is gradually lifting.

We speak learnedly of the Law of Gravitation, but ignore that equally wonderful manifestation, The Law of Attraction in the Thought World. We are familiar with that wonderful manifestation of Law which draws and holds together the atoms of which matter is composed—we recognize the power of the law that attracts bodies to the earth, that holds the circling worlds in their places, but we close our eyes to the mighty law that draws to us the things we desire or fear, that makes or mars our lives.

We speak knowledgeably about the Law of Gravitation, but ignore an equally wonderful force, The Law of Attraction in the Thought World. We know about the wonderful law that draws together and holds the atoms that make up matter. We recognize the power of the law that pulls objects toward the earth and keeps the circling worlds in place. But we close our eyes to the mighty law that draws to us the things we desire or fear. That law can make or ruin our lives.

When we come to see that Thought is a force—a manifestation of energy—having a magnet-like power of attraction, we will begin to understand the why and wherefore of many things that have heretofore seemed dark to us. There is no study that will so well repay the student for his time and trouble as the study of the workings of this mighty law of the world of Thought—the Law of Attraction.

When we see that Thought is a force, a form of energy with a magnet’s power to attract, we will begin to understand many things that have been unclear to us. No study will reward the student’s time and effort more than studying how this powerful law of the world of Thought works: the Law of Attraction.

When we think we send out vibrations of a fine ethereal substance, which are as real as the vibrations manifesting light, heat, electricity, magnetism. That these vibrations are not evident to our five senses is no proof that they do not exist. A powerful magnet will send out vibrations and exert a force sufficient to attract to itself a piece of steel weighing a hundred pounds, but we can neither see, taste, smell, hear nor feel the mighty force. These thought vibrations, likewise, cannot be seen, tasted, smelled, heard nor felt in the ordinary way; although it is true there are on record cases of persons peculiarly sensitive to psychic impressions who have perceived powerful thought-waves, and very many of us can testify that we have distinctly felt the thought vibrations of others, both whilst in the presence of the sender and at a distance. Telepathy and its kindred phenomena are not idle dreams.

When we think, we send out vibrations of a fine, ethereal substance. These vibrations are as real as those that produce light, heat, electricity, and magnetism. The fact that we cannot detect them with our five senses does not prove they do not exist. A powerful magnet sends out vibrations and exerts enough force to attract a hundred-pound piece of steel. Yet we cannot see, taste, smell, hear, or feel that mighty force. Likewise, thought vibrations cannot be seen, tasted, smelled, heard, or felt in the ordinary way. Yet there are recorded cases of people unusually sensitive to psychic impressions who have perceived powerful thought-waves. And many of us can say that we have distinctly felt the thought vibrations of others. We have felt them both in the sender’s presence and at a distance. Telepathy and related phenomena are not idle dreams.

Light and heat are manifested by vibrations of a far lower intensity than those of Thought, but the difference is solely in the rate of vibration. The annals of science throw an interesting light upon this question. Prof. Elisha Gray, an eminent scientist, says in his little book, “The Miracles of Nature”:

Light and heat appear as vibrations of much lower intensity than those of Thought. But the only difference is their rate of vibration. The history of science sheds interesting light on this question. Prof. Elisha Gray, a distinguished scientist, says in his short book, “The Miracles of Nature”:

“There is much food for speculation In the thought that there exist sound-waves that no human ear can hear, and color-waves of light that no eye can see. The long, dark, soundless space between 40,000 and 400,000,000,000,000 vibrations per second, and the infinity of range beyond 700,000,000,000,000 vibrations per second, where light ceases, in the universe of motion, makes it possible to indulge in speculation.”

“There is much to ponder in the existence of sound waves no human ear can hear and light waves of colors no eye can see. In the universe of motion, there is a long, dark, silent space between 40,000 and 400,000,000,000,000 vibrations per second. There is also an infinite range beyond 700,000,000,000,000 vibrations per second, where light ends. These ranges leave room for speculation.”

M. M. Williams, in his work entitled “Short Chapters in Science,” says:

M. M. Williams says in his book “Short Chapters in Science”:

“There is no gradation between the most rapid undulations or tremblings that produce our sensation of sound, and the slowest of those which give rise to our sensations of gentlest warmth. There is a huge gap between them, wide enough to include another world of motion, all lying between our world of sound and our world of heat and light; and there is no good reason whatever for supposing that matter is incapable of such intermediate activity, or that such activity may not give rise to intermediate sensations, provided there are organs for taking up and sensifying their movements.”

“There is no gradual transition between the fastest vibrations that produce the sensation of sound and the slowest vibrations that produce the sensation of the gentlest warmth. There is a huge gap between them, wide enough to contain another world of motion. This world lies entirely between our world of sound and our world of heat and light. There is no good reason to suppose that matter is incapable of such intermediate activity. Nor is there any good reason to suppose that this activity cannot produce intermediate sensations, provided there are organs to detect its movements and turn them into sensations.”

I cite the above authorities merely to give you food for thought, not to attempt to demonstrate to you the fact that thought vibrations exist. The last-named fact has been fully established to the satisfaction of numerous investigators of the subject, and a little reflection will show you that it coincides with your own experiences.

I cite these authorities only to give you something to think about, not to prove that thought vibrations exist. Their existence has been fully established to the satisfaction of many who have investigated the subject. A little reflection will show you that it agrees with your own experiences.

We often hear repeated the well-known Mental Science statement, “Thoughts are Things,” and we say these words over without consciously realizing just what is the meaning of the statement. If we fully comprehended the truth of the statement and the natural consequences of the truth back of it, we should understand many things which have appeared dark to us, and would be able to use the wonderful power, Thought Force, just as we use any other manifestation of Energy.

We often hear the familiar Mental Science statement, “Thoughts are Things.” We repeat these words without consciously realizing what they mean. If we fully understood this truth and its natural consequences, we would understand many things that have seemed mysterious to us. We would also be able to use the wonderful power of Thought Force, just as we use any other form of Energy.

As I have said, when we think we set into motion vibrations of a very high degree, “but just as real as the vibrations of light, heat, sound, electricity.” And when we understand the laws governing the production and transmission of these vibrations we will be able to use them in our daily life, just as we do the better known forms of energy. That we cannot see, hear, weigh or measure these vibrations is no proof that they do not exist There exist waves of sound which no human ear can hear, although some of these are undoubtedly registered by the ear of some of the insects, and others are caught by delicate scientific instruments invented by man; yet there is a great gap between the sounds registered by the most delicate instrument and the limit which man’s mind, reasoning by analogy, knows to be the boundary line between sound-waves and some other forms of vibration. And there are light waves which the eye of man does not register, some of which may be detected by more delicate instruments, and many more so fine that the instrument has not yet been invented which will detect them, although improvements are being made every year and the unexplored field gradually lessened.

As I have said, when we think, we set very high vibrations in motion. These vibrations are “just as real as the vibrations of light, heat, sound, electricity.” When we understand the laws governing how these vibrations are produced and transmitted, we will be able to use them in daily life, just as we use better known forms of energy. We cannot see, hear, weigh, or measure these vibrations. But that is no proof that they do not exist. There are sound waves that no human ear can hear. Yet some are undoubtedly heard by insects, and others are picked up by delicate scientific instruments. Even so, there is a great gap beyond the sounds registered by the most delicate instrument. At the other end of that gap is the boundary between sound waves and other forms of vibration. We know where that boundary lies by reasoning from what we know of similar things. There are also light waves that the human eye cannot detect. Some can be detected by more sensitive instruments. Many more are so fine that no instrument has yet been invented to detect them. But instruments improve every year, and the unexplored field gradually grows smaller.

As new instruments are invented, new vibrations are registered by them—and yet the vibrations were just as real before the invention of the instrument as afterward. Supposing that we had no instruments to register magnetism—one might be justified in denying the existence of that mighty force, because it could not be tasted, felt, smelt, heard, seen, weighed or measured. And yet the mighty magnet would still send out waves of force sufficient to draw to it pieces of steel weighing hundreds of pounds.

As new instruments are invented, they detect new vibrations. Yet those vibrations were just as real before the instruments were invented as afterward. Suppose we had no instruments to detect magnetism. One might be justified in denying that this mighty force exists. After all, it could not be tasted, felt, smelled, heard, seen, weighed, or measured. Yet a powerful magnet would still send out waves of force strong enough to draw pieces of steel weighing hundreds of pounds.

Each form of vibration requires its own form of instrument for registration. At present the human brain seems to be the only instrument capable of registering thought waves, although occultists say that in this century scientists will invent apparatus sufficiently delicate to catch and register such impressions. And from present indications it looks as if the invention named might be expected at any time. The demand exists and undoubtedly will be soon supplied. But to those who have experimented along the lines of practical telepathy no further proof is required than the results of their own experiments.

Each form of vibration requires its own kind of instrument to register it. At present, the human brain seems to be the only instrument capable of registering thought waves. But occultists say that scientists will invent equipment sensitive enough to detect and register such impressions in this century. Current signs suggest that the invention could appear at any time. The demand exists and will undoubtedly be met soon. But those who have experimented with practical telepathy need no further proof than their own results.

We are sending out thoughts of greater or less intensity all the time, and we are reaping the results of such thoughts. Not only do our thought-waves influence ourselves and others, but they have a drawing power—they attract to us the thoughts of others, things, circumstances, people, “luck,” in accord with the character of the thought uppermost in our minds. Thoughts of Love will attract to us the Love of others; circumstances and surroundings in accord with the thought; people who are of like thought. Thoughts of Anger, Hate, Envy, Malice and Jealousy will draw to us the foul brood of kindred thoughts emanating from the minds of others; circumstances in which we will be called upon to manifest these vile thoughts and will receive them in turn from others; people who will manifest inharmony; and so on. A strong thought, or a thought long continued, will make us the center of attraction for the corresponding thought-waves of others. Like attracts like in the Thought World—as ye sow so shall ye reap. Birds of a feather flock together in the Thought World—curses like chickens come home to roost, and bring their friends with them.

We are always sending out thoughts of greater or lesser intensity, and we reap the results of those thoughts. Our thought-waves influence both ourselves and others. They also have a drawing power. They attract other people's thoughts, things, circumstances, people, and “luck” that match the thought uppermost in our minds. Thoughts of love attract the love of others, circumstances and surroundings that match those thoughts, and people who think alike. Thoughts of anger, hate, envy, malice, and jealousy attract the foul brood of related thoughts coming from other people's minds. They also attract circumstances in which we will be called upon to express these vile thoughts and receive them from others. They attract people who will show discord, and so on. A strong thought, or one held for a long time, will make us a center of attraction for others' corresponding thought-waves. Like attracts like in the Thought World. As you sow, so shall you reap. Birds of a feather flock together in the Thought World. Curses, like chickens, come home to roost, and bring their friends with them.

The man or woman who is filled with Love sees Love on all sides and attracts the Love of others. The man with Hate in his heart gets all the Hate he can stand. The man who thinks Fight generally runs up against all the Fight he wants before he gets through. And so it goes, each gets what he calls for over the wireless telegraphy of the Mind. The man who rises in the morning feeling “grumpy” usually manages to have the whole family in the same mood before the breakfast is over. The “nagging” woman generally finds enough to gratify her “nagging” propensity during the day.

A man or woman filled with Love sees Love everywhere and attracts the Love of others. A man with Hate in his heart gets all the Hate he can stand. A man who thinks Fight generally encounters all the Fight he wants before he is through. And so it goes. Each person gets what they call for through the wireless telegraphy of the Mind. A man who wakes up feeling “grumpy” usually puts the whole family in the same mood before breakfast is over. A “nagging” woman generally finds enough during the day to satisfy her tendency to “nag.”

This matter of Thought Attraction is a serious one. When you stop to think of it you will see that a man really makes his own surroundings, although he blames others for it. I have known people who understood this law to hold a positive, calm thought and be absolutely unaffected by the inharmony surrounding them. They were like the vessel from which the oil had been poured on the troubled waters—they rested safely and calmly whilst the tempest raged around them. One is not at the mercy of the fitful storms of Thought after he has learned the workings of the Law.

Thought Attraction is a serious matter. If you stop to think about it, you will see that a person creates his own surroundings, though he blames others for them. I have known people who understood this law and held a positive, calm thought. They were completely unaffected by the discord around them. They were like a vessel that had poured oil on troubled waters. They rested safely and calmly while the storm raged around them. Once a person understands how the Law works, he is no longer at the mercy of the unpredictable storms of Thought.

We have passed through the age of physical force on to the age of intellectual supremacy, and are now entering a new and almost unknown field, that of psychic power. This field of energy has its established laws, as well as have the others, and we should acquaint ourselves with them or we will be crowded to the wall as are the ignorant on the planes of effort. I will endeavor to make plain to you the great underlying principles of this new field of energy which is opening up before us, that you may be able to make use of this great power and apply it for legitimate and worthy purposes, just as men are using steam, electricity and other forms of energy today.

We have passed from the age of physical force into the age of intellectual supremacy. Now we are entering a new and almost unknown field: psychic power. This field of energy has established laws, just as the others do. We must learn these laws, or we will be pushed aside, just as those ignorant of other fields of effort are. I will try to explain the great underlying principles of this new field of energy opening up before us. Then you can use this great power for legitimate and worthy purposes, just as people use steam, electricity, and other forms of energy today.