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Unity Church of Castro Valley

Sunday Message for September 24, 2006
Guest Speaker: Bonnie Best

The Law of Attraction

My topic today is the Law of Attraction.  We are similar to a magnet, or a tuning fork.  We attract based on our thoughts and feelings.  I’ve discovered that the most important thing to understand about this law is that our feelings, our emotions, are the main ‘force’ of attraction.

In Unity we use prayer often, because we know how powerful it is.  We teach how to pray in the ‘right’ way, the way that works best.  We say “pray and expect results”, and we also say “pray and move your feet”.

Recently I became aware that I may be praying for something I desperately want and need, like money or relief from a difficult situation, and yet a part of me does not expect to get results.  This fear and doubt actually blocks the good that is meant for me.

You’re probably familiar with the words of Jesus in the scripture from Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

Have you ever thought, “I am asking, why am I not receiving?”

Last year I found a book that helped me learn the answer to that question for myself.  The book has 22 powerful processes that help us shift our emotions so that we get what we ask for more often.  The book is called “Ask and It Is Given”, by Esther and Jerry Hicks.  That book is available in the bookstore. 

A few months ago I was told about a new DVD produced by a team in Australia called “The Secret”.  It is powerful and I watch it several times a week, or at least listen to the audio that I put on CD for myself and friends, so we can listen to it while driving or doing other tasks.

Esther Hicks is one of the teachers in “The Secret”.  She says: “Law of Attraction is evident everywhere around you, if you are understanding what it is. It has to do with you being a magnet, attracting thought, attracting people, attracting events, attracting lifestyle.  Indeed everything that you bring into your experience you bring because of this powerful Law of Attraction.”

She also states: “What you think and what you feel and what manifests is always a match. Every single time. No exception.”

Most of us do not like to hear that we are responsible for everything we bring into our experience.  We get a little defensive and say “I wouldn’t do that to myself!” or “Why would I do that to myself?” We would prefer to blame someone or something ‘out there’ for creating the problems and challenges we face.

The truth is that when we accept that we have the power to become a magnet for our good instead of a magnet for things we don’t want, we experience the joy and freedom that we desire.  It is said that the “truth will set you free” and this is one truth that can do that for you.

When we become aware of the thoughts and feelings that bring things into our lives that we don’t want, like physical pain, car accidents, lack of money in our bank accounts, conflicts in our relationships, we get upset with ourselves and then worry about what else we might attract.

Another teacher in the DVD “The Secret”, Rev Dr. Michael Beckwith, says “… it has been proven now scientifically that an affirmative thought is hundreds of times more powerful than a negative thought, so that eliminates a degree of worry right there.”

There are several things you can do to become a powerful magnet for your good. 

Gratitude is one thing you can do.  Make a list of everything that you have now that you can be grateful for.  And be grateful in advance for the good you desire.  Do this with a true sense of feeling grateful, not in a routine, ‘lack luster’ way. It has more power when you feel gratitude in your heart.

Another thing you can do it to visualize and write out what it is you want.  When you visualize, see yourself in the scene, having it now, feeling the joy and happiness of having what you want in life. When you write it out, make it positive and in the present, for example, I am so happy and grateful now that I …….  (describe what it is you desire to have, the situation the way you want it to be)

It is important to be honest about how you feel, and to reach for a higher level of feeling good as quickly as possible.  I know from experience that this can be difficult.  When I’m in the middle of a difficult situation, or feeling pain in my body, it is tough to ‘feel good’.  However I know how important that is, and I keep searching for ways to feel better, whether it means taking a nap, listening to good music, walking in nature, imagining myself standing inside a Redwood tree up in Muir Woods, or at the ocean.  I’m learning to do this is a gentle, gradual way, like walking up a staircase, one step at a time.  It has helped me to celebrate each time I experience even a little progress.

Feeling good is the way to bring good into our lives.

I encourage you to enjoy life, find as many ways as possible each day to feel good.  Over time you’ll begin to see the good results this will have in your life.

Last updated September 23, 2006