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Buddhists/Buddhism vs. Law of Attraction

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Expert: - 11/2/2008


Question
I am studying Buddhism on my own. I've been meditating for a year now.I've also studied the Law of Attraction. I like both ways of thinking. How can they be combined and still mean the same.??I hope my question makes sense. Thank you. Buddhism is about being mindful and present in the moment, and Law of Attraction is about Not looking at reality and putting forth deliberate positive intentions.

Answer
Hi Michele,
I'm not quite sure what you mean by the Law of Attraction, but perhaps it is what is sometimes called the "power of positive thinking". Could that be?
If so, I think a Buddhist response would be something like "Great, if it works and for as long as you have the good karma for it to work". The question would be though, if we do assume that it works at first, will it go on and on working as you get older and sicker and closer to death?
What do you think?
All the best
Alex W

Buddhists

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Alex Wilding

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I have practiced and studied Tibetan Buddhism in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions since the early 1970s, and have a good knowledge of theory, history and of the struggles of trying to practice the teachings, including meditation, while leading a normal, modern life. I am also available to provide background information for journalists.

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I have been a practitioner since the early 1970s; have run a small Buddhist centre in the English Midlands and was vice-president of Kagyu Benchen Ling e.V. in Germany, for whom I managed three large Buddhist summer-camps. More importantly, I maintain a habit of personal practice. I am the "owner" of the Kagyu list at Yahoo.

Education/Credentials
My first degree was an M.A. from Oxford. I later obtained a Master of Philosophy degree for a research thesis in "Initiation in Tibetan Buddhism" from Leicester University. I also have engineering and educational qualifications.

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