The exact origins of the “Law of Attraction” (LOA) are varied. Some accounts set 1877 as the date the term was first used in print, by Russian occultist Helena Blavatsky, but others say it was in 1906 that author and publisher William Walker Atkinson wrote about it in his book, “Thought Vibration or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World.”

No matter how you slice it, the term is definitely not new. Although, calling something “new” can most certainly shift its meaning and, in some cases, its outcome and profitability.

LOA dovetails perfectly with the gig economy—freelancers or project-based jobs (up 15% over the past 10 years), as well as, multi-level marketing companies (MLMs).

In order to make LOA work, Anirban Kar suggests, in his article “Here’s Why the “Law of Attraction” Gurus Are So Rich & You Are Not!,” that we “forget their teachings” and “focus on their business model.”

Of course, there are a myriad of other ways of framing life, however, the allure of manifesting, using “the universe” as a cosmic cash machine/genie lamp, offers some distance from the disillusionment caused by the crumbling bootstrap theory. Those who witnessed loved ones who invested their lives and livelihoods in companies who, then, pulled the plug on pensions and left many workers to fend for themselves, are looking for a little hope, if not salvation.

However, these methodologies and mindsets are completely harmless, in and of themselves. What’s the harm in wishing and hoping and moreover, if those wishes and hopes are positively focused, what could possibly be wrong with framing one’s life like this? Absolutely nothing.

But…

With each one of these methodologies, there’s a recipe or a laundry list of “to-do” items, before which, the manifestations can be manifested. It’s a slippery slope to an abysmal rabbit hole if one is not fastidiously careful.

Trouble is, framing one’s life like this appears utterly harmless and an exercise in free will. However, and there’s a big H in that word, when large groups of people begin to impress their judgments based on these frames, they become toxic and potentially abusive.

After an intensely challenging year of practicing LOA, Anirban Kar felt depleted and dejected and sought answers from LOA gurus who, essentially, said: “It was all on me. According to them, it had to be one of these things:

1. I did not believe hard enough.
2. I tried so hard, it created a resistance.

Again, absolutely nothing wrong with putting your dreams and hopes into action to manifest a positive outcome. Trouble comes, when the aforementioned manifestation doesn’t immediately show up. Doubt enters in the form of questioning oneself and perhaps even the methodology. Again, doubt is not a problem either, but the mindset around moving through the doubt can create a frame that is looping, treacherous and toxic.

For example, a goal is set, a wish is desired and through one of these chosen methodologies, a list of actions is created. Subsequently, the list of actions is completed, and each step has been done while thinking only good thoughts and having superbly positive intentions. Inevitably, after a period of doubt, the question is asked: “Were you specific?” If you were looking for money to come into your bank account, were you specific about the amount? If you’re desiring a relationship, did you mention a detailed description of exactly the type of person you are looking for, i.e. hair color, belief system, shoe size?

Soon self-doubt, self-blaming, and shaming creep in and if one is not careful, a looping cycle of toxic positivity ensues. Begging the question: What outcome was sought, to begin with?

The easiest path isn’t always the straightest one.

But, exercise caution when looking for your next “go-to” resolution. No matter the outcome, be kind to yourself.