Beyond the Law of attraction

Rhonda Byrne has done a lot of good by teaching people how to use the Law of attraction to focus on what they want and seek out what they love. But she's leaving out the essential human satisfaction that comes from hard work.

And she's leaving out evil.

In The Power, Byrne frightens us into not judging because we'll bring to ourselves what we find wrong. But then what happens to our judicial system? How do we make and enforce laws? Who's going to sit on juries?

There's an element of fear bordering on megalomania in her work. We can't control other people or the weather or earthquakes or volcanoes. And while focusing intently on what we want not only brings it to us but also creates a protective energy shield around us, there's so much more to life--and to us.

What about standing up for what we know is right? What about stepping in when we see an adult abusing or seriously neglecting a child? What about heroism?

While I believe in practicing enlightened self-interest, I get uncomfortable with Byrne's gospel of enlightened selfishness. And while I certainly want to be happy, I also know that self-respect is far more important.

And then there's Byrne's concept of the law of attraction for groups. In The Secret as a book, she writes about how victimized groups attract their victimization. But what about the oppressors? What happens when the people with power exploit others for their own gain?

We who live in the United States use up far more than our share of the earth's resources. Our government sends soldiers into war to secure our access to oil. And our companies exploit people living in poverty to produce products and profits.

Furthermore, the earth is a closed system in many ways. And when we pollute it, when we drain out its resources, when we treat it with disrespect, we're going to pay a price.

I'm certainly in favor of living in comfort, and I applaud hard work. But what do we say to the earth when we build and live in McMansions? Does a family of three or four or five really need the living space that comes with a mansion or estate? Do people in limited-water areas really need private pools?

Just as there's a wide spectrum of goodness, there's also a wide spectrum of evil. And while Byrne claims that all wrong doing comes from a lack of love, I disagree. I've seen enough evil in my time to know that it is substantial and palpable. People who deliberately harm others choose to do so, and many, if not most, of them get great satisfaction and pleasure from doing it. We could call this mental illness, but a lot of deliberate harm is done legally, and since it is often profitable, it is also often admired.

We need to be very careful with simplification, with any gospel that tells us that there is only one law to follow, only one way to live. Life is complex and mysterious, and so are we humans.

So don't let anyone, including me, define you. Don't let anyone tell you how to live. And don't let anyone define your purpose.

In my sixty years I've lived in six states, traveled to Europe, and taught a wide variety of students. I've lived with violence, chronic illness, and great joy. And the lesson I have learned, the guiding light of my life, is this: Choose courage.