The phrase Law of Attraction has virtually exploded in the post-Y2K world. With the cinematic release of The Secret and the subsequent endorsement by media icons like Oprah Winfrey, the concept has moved from the fringes of occult study into the mainstream lexicon. However, to view this as a modern trend is to ignore a lineage of thought that spans millennia.
Ancient Foundations: From Hermes to the East
The history of the Law of Attraction dates back centuries. The earliest recorded inklings of this philosophy are found on the Emerald Tablet, a cryptic Hermetic text. This ancient work is believed to be the first record of man’s conscious awareness of the power of correspondence—the idea that the microcosm reflects the macrocosm.
This Hermetic axiom suggests that our internal state—our thoughts and vibrations—must eventually find a physical counterpart in the world around us. While it is difficult to define the Law in a single sentence, the most basic explanation is that our thoughts manifest our reality.
Beyond the Hermetic traditions of the West, the Law of Attraction finds deep roots in Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, specifically through the concept of Karma. In the ceremonial Sanskrit language, Karma simply means "action." Buddha used this concept to explain the inequalities in human experience as the result of actions, both past and present. In this context, actions are the final result of our thoughts; therefore, the quality of our lives begins with the quality of our mental state.
This aligns with the Law of Vibration, a core Buddhist precept. This philosophy posits that nothing in the universe is truly still. Everything transmits a frequency. Positive, compassionate thoughts vibrate at a higher frequency, while nature returns that same frequency to us. According to the Law of Dharma, the universe returns to us exactly what we broadcast.
The Nineteenth-Century Renaissance
The Western world saw a massive resurgence of these ideas during the nineteenth-century New Thought movement. This era moved the Law of Attraction away from religious mysticism and toward a practical, scientific application for personal success.
Prentice Mulford, a pivotal figure in this era, authored the foundational 1889 work, Thoughts are Things. Mulford’s core contribution was the idea that every thought is a literal "thing"—a form of invisible energy that travels and attracts its own kind.
Following Mulford, William Walker Atkinson further refined the terminology. In 1906, Atkinson published Thought Vibration or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World. He was one of the first to use the exact phrase Law of Attraction in a way that modern readers would recognize. Atkinson’s work focused on mental currents, suggesting that a person could tune their mind like a radio to receive the currents of success, health, and happiness.
The Industrial Era: Manifesting Prosperity
As the 20th century dawned, the focus of the Law of Attraction shifted toward the Science of Success. Wallace D. Wattles published The Science of Getting Rich in 1910, which stripped away much of the spiritual jargon. Wattles argued that there is a "Thinking Substance" from which all things are made, and by impressing a thought upon this substance, a person can cause the thing they think about to be created.
This era also produced Charles Haanel and his legendary Master Key System (1912). Haanel’s work focused on the creative power of the subconscious mind. He taught that the world without is a reflection of the world within, and by mastering concentration, a person could unlock the Master Key to their own destiny.
Perhaps the most famous student of this lineage was Napoleon Hill. Hill’s Think and Grow Rich (1928) remains the benchmark for success literature. Hill emphasized that thoughts are things and that when combined with a burning desire and a definite purpose, they become powerful tools for the accumulation of wealth. Hill’s work proved that these principles were not just for mystics, but for anyone willing to discipline their mind.
The Evolution of Assumption: Neville Goddard
By the mid-1940s, a new voice emerged that would change the trajectory of the movement. Neville Goddard introduced what he called the Law of Assumption. While the traditional view of attraction suggested drawing something toward you from the outside, Goddard taught that the outer world was merely a reflection of our internal states.
Goddard’s philosophy was profound: to manifest a desire, you must assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled. You do not wait for the evidence to appear; you live and move in the state of already having it. This shift from attracting to assuming added a psychological depth to the movement that remains highly influential today.
Modern Mastery: The Seven Spiritual Laws
The late 20th century saw the Law of Attraction integrate with modern physics and Vedic wisdom, most notably through the work of Deepak Chopra. In his seminal work, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Chopra framed the Law of Attraction as part of a broader ecological and spiritual harmony.
Chopra’s Law of Pure Potentiality and Law of Least Effort brought a sense of balance to the movement. He taught that manifestation is not about struggling or forcing a reality, but about aligning with the natural intelligence of the universe. This modern synthesis helped the Law of Attraction transition into the 21st century as a holistic approach to living.
The Legacy of Law of Attraction Central
Since our establishment in 2013, Law of Attraction Central has been dedicated to preserving this rich history. We believe that to truly master the Law, one must understand its roots—from the ancient tablets of Egypt to the modern success strategies of the 21st century.
The phrase new age may be a misnomer, as these truths are as old as consciousness itself. However, there is no denying that those who use the Law of Attraction to its full potential find themselves forever grateful for the literary and spiritual gifts left behind by these great teachers. By aligning our internal vibration with our highest intent, we take our rightful place as conscious creators in a world of infinite potential.