The Law of Attraction is a universal law predicated on the concept that energy follows thought. With the right use of intention and energy, anyone, from sinner to saint, can manifest their heart's desire.

The world of metaphysics considers this a straightforward and simple endeavor. Mix equal parts of intention, alignment, and energy and voilà, you manifest your dream.

We only have to look at the documented cases and speak to the many eyewitnesses of current-day Indian avatar Sai Baba to see this principle in action. Sai Baba manifests vibhutti, sacred ash, in the palm of his hand with much regularity and little fanfare.

Or there are the wonderful stories of the Peace Pilgrim, a woman who walked across the United States on a mission of peace. She had nothing and trusted that the universe would provide her with everything she needed — and it did. Night after night, she would be directed. There was a box under a bridge with a blanket and pillow; there was the offer of lodging within a home. Sandwiches proffered. Every day her needs were met; she believed, she walked in faith, and she received.

For those of us on a more mortal plane, we are asked to examine our abilities to be grateful, to ask for what we want, to be open to receive, to be detached from the outcome and get out of our own way.

In fact, the people of The Secret are offering a free two-minute download so you can start your day with positive, uplifting intentions from the film. Some of these positive affirmations are:

Today is the beginning of my new life.

I am starting over today.

I am grateful to be alive.

I see beauty all around me.

I love with passion and purpose.

I focus on all the good things in life and give thanks for them.

I am at peace and one with everything.

As far as affirmations go, these are decent affirmations.

However, from my perspective, you can do affirmations until you are blue in the face and get nowhere fast. They simply become more mind rubble, and you become even more miserable at your supposed failure.

Affirmations have to be taken in, absorbed, if you will, by the individual. A mindless mantra will not do the trick to bring you that South Seas vacation with the smiling cabana attendant.

To create the attitudinal shift, to access the spring-loaded traps of the subconscious, and to be successful with any affirmation, you need to believe wholeheartedly in the veracity of the words.

In other words, you have to feel to heal. You have to move the process from your mental treadmill and take it down and share it with your two other brains, the gut and the heart. Vivify the words with your personal meaning.

Then, you need to take action. Vote with your feet and take those good thoughts and feelings out for a stroll. Put them to work. You now have a platform for change.

Our beliefs are powerful, our subconscious beliefs even more so. We humans use only a small portion of our brains and limit ourselves with shortsighted thinking, undeveloped dreams, and fear of believing in our power to transform ourselves.

I believe that we can manifest. Haven't you heard from the person who is on your mind or "inadvertently" received the information you were seeking?

Yet, I am uneasy. Here's where I split hairs: I am not 100 percent positive about this current take on the Law of Attraction. I don't think we get everything we ask for; I believe that we attract everything we require for the journey. I am not necessarily convinced that the spiritual path is one where we manifest all of our heart's goodies day in and day out.

I find this position a bit one-sided and incomplete. It makes me wonder.

I wonder how this view of the Law of Attraction values the shadow work of the psyche. If there is a rush to attract all things that can make you happy, is it possible that there can be a denial of the murkier depths of the psyche? Could in-depth spiritual inquiry be stunted and the journey of consciousness truncated?

I wonder if there are different levels of aspiration and attraction. Is attracting a ruby necklace the same as looking for a cure for AIDS?

I wonder if there is an unspoken "blame the victim" for those who are unable to manifest, much less purchase vision boards and CDs or attend workshops.

Along with all of this receiving, I wonder where the giving is in the equation. Are not giving and receiving two poles of the same spectrum? Do they not complete an energetic circuit?

And, lastly, I wonder if there is any room for mystery? Could there be a divine plan in the wings waiting to unfold that we have yet to imagine, much less attract? Who knows what the gods might be dreaming?

— — —

Dr. Adele R. McDowell, Ph.D., is a psychologist, empath, and shaman who likes looking at life with the big viewfinder. Her e-mail address is {email ARMCDOWELL@aol.com}ARMCDOWELL@aol.com{/email}. © copyright 2006 by Adele R. McDowell