Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The Laws of Attraction

Well, I've been reading this book for the last few days and, at first, I'll say that I liked it - even thinking that it could be that 'one' book, but it's taken a big turn .... and my faith has wavered because of it.

It's about this husband and wife team who embark on a... let's call it a quest to get many of life's questions answered. In doing so, the husband tries the ouija board w/ it actually working many times along the beginning of his journey, and he even got some of the questions on his list answered while doing so (even made me want to try the board again.. having had a bad experience w/ it earlier in life - even my mom and aunt having many bad experiences w/ it). He and his wife then get into meditation after being told that it'll help them get in contact with their spiritual guide(s).

Only after a short time span, the wife soon discovers that she's in contact w/ something or someone that starts telling her things. She starts telling her husband and he starts talking to this someone while his wife is in this meditative state. Not only does he start talking, but he starts asking questions. They're so thrilled about the information they're gaining from this entity that is called 'Abraham' (which is actually a group of different entities/ppl) that they decide to start telling their friends about it who then start coming over to the house to have conversations w/ all of these different entities. They soon take it public, and then... come to find out last night while reading, they decide (someone... can't quite figure out who exactly decided ... the husband or Abraham. The book made it sound like it was Abraham's decision or sole purpose ) to write a book. And after looking up the title of this book on google, I realize that they've conducted seminars, cruises... all sorts of things really to let ppl know the answers to these all important questions (which I've only just begun).

So... my first thoughts went to scam. This whole 'book' writing thing has really put questions in my mind, and the fact that the wife has become like the Whoopi Goldberg character in the movie Ghost. I'm really having a tough time with this. Maybe it was the way I was raised. Not that I don't believe it possible to talk to the other side, but I still don't know how I feel about a spirit or whatever coming into your body and talking....

and then for her to go out and make money on this... I'm also wondering about this.

I haven't decided if I want to continue w/ it. I know lots of books and, even movies, I think, have been done on this very thing.. even taking it in other directions w/ books like The Secret... but does that really mean anything?

I feel sorta silly because I told my friend that I really loved the book.... and maybe, if I keep reading, I'll allow myself to open up to such things/possibilities... allow myself to have faith that such things are possible and this could actually be 'that' book.... but my insides are saying, "nahhhhh"....

who knows... I'll read a bit more and see where it leads me. Have any of you read this book? Olivia, I know you said your dad either read it or some of his friends did and liked it.... I thought about this, but I still find it odd or, rather.... to 'out there'. Obviously I'm more close minded than I wanted to realize.

9 comments:

L_Oman said...

Hmmm. I'll have to think about reading it.

On a weird note, the other day while at Borders I saw a pretty fat (literally) book called Breaking Dawn and I bought it just because it was so big (bad reason, eh?) It's about vampires and let me tell you I'm so not into that kind of stuff. But you know what? I love that book. It's nothing too deep, but I love the story line.

Here's the kicker - that book is the last in a series of four books and I didn't even know it. I am the ultimate dork and am torn now! Should I go get the first three? Should I just go finish this one?

Again - ultimate dorkness.

Rock Chef said...

Personally, I believe that this sort of thing IS possible, but as soon as the money-making machine kicks in I switch off and think that the people involve are scamming. Maybe I expect too much of people, but if I was in that situation there is no way I would make money out of it!

Um Naief said...

l_oman, oooohhhh, i love books like that! interview w/ the vampire is an all time favorite of mine. i'd say get the other three, finish those first and then read this one. if it's really good, i might like to get them as well. :)

chief rock chef, i agree w/ you... once it goes to the money making side, i think that it's nothing but a scam. i think that's why i'm now having such a difficult time w/ the whole thing.

Christopher said...

You know, "Interview"...was such a good book and an excellent film, I do have to say that the constant rambling of Anne Rice gets tiresome for me. Her characters are too over analytical and she takes 3 pages to describe something as simple as a doorknob. But then again, I am a lowly blogger and she has millions...(bitch!)

It is interesting that Stephanie Meyer is making as much money as she is, and that she has such a following...good for her...I imagine the elders at the Salt Lake City temple for the LDS church are more than happy with the tithe she is leaving them.

Christopher said...

Still trying to figure out what we can do for you skin wise...hmmm...I'll ask around. Also if you need a concealer, Kevyn AuCoin's concealer is excellent from what I have heard. Hmmm...just trying to think of how i can help you out. When I marry a plastic surgeon, I'm passing out freebies to everyone, so get that list ready!

Um Naief said...

kissy, yes, yes... keep me on the list!!! :)

i loved "interview"... and loved anne rice, altho i hate to admit, that's the only book i've read. my sister gave me some saucy reading from anne rice, but i've yet to pick them up... hmmm... wonder where they are! ;) ;)

The Moody Minstrel said...

I agree with Chief Rock Chef. The worst thing about it is that the scammers and frauds bias the public against people with honest experiences to talk about.

I took a picture a number of years ago that has a weird apparition in it...a ghostly image that looks like an animal skeleton. A friend of mine showed it to an acquaintance of hers who is a paranormal investigator. Do you know what the investigator said?

"Sell it! You could make millions off it!"

That disappointed me out of any desire to publicize the thing...though I did post it on my blog a while back.

Um Naief said...

moody, i remember seeing this pic a while back on your blog. very spooky! strange how ppl immediately go to money, no matter what. it bothers me... that's the big reason i'm having such a hard time w/ this book. almost takes me to the side of not believing.

altho.. i will add this. a long time ago i went to a convention thing to see this guy named John Edwards, who was a man that could do the same... talk to dead ppl. i had heard him on my favorite radio morning show, so i bought a ticket. the show was good, but one thing that i found interesting is that he said that he'd never do tv shows and such because he wasn't in it for the money... and whadayaknow... a few yrs later, he had his own show on at night!!!! i saw him as a sell out and couldn't take him seriously after that. but... i still believed he had the ability, just wasn't interested after that.

Olivia said...

Yes, my dad keeps asking if I've watched The Secret. He downloaded the video or something. It seems to be related to the Laws of Attraction, in the way it was discussed in an episode of Oprah - "good things will come to you if you want them enough/if you attract them". i had no idea there was talk of spiritual guides and channeling, two weird spiritual new agey things I do not agree with...