If you’ve ventured into the personal development space, you’ve undoubtedly heard of both Stoicism and the Law of Attraction. Perhaps they were mentioned in passing in the context of personal growth discussions, on a podcast or maybe you stumbled upon the intriguing idea of 'Stoic affirmations’, which led you to wonder - is Stoicism compatible with the Law of Attraction? Where do they overlap and what makes them different?
Join me on an exploration of these popular life philosophies! We’ll first look at what Stoicism and the Law of Attraction teach individually, and then analyze their similarities and differences. To better understand which philosophy might be more useful in our modern times, I'll also give you a comparative snapshot of how a Stoic and a follower of the Law of Attraction would navigate a real-life scenario.
Let’s expand our horizons and get to the bottom of these popular mindsets, shall we?
A Bird’s Eye View of Stoicism
Stoicism is a philosophy that places the concept of mental resilience at the core of its framework for living a meaningful and purposeful life. The Stoic mental model for the mind is a fortress and as such - they see it as secure and untouchable by external influences. However, the safety of this fortress does not come by default and this is why as Stoics, we have to remind ourselves that while we may not have control over the events that happen to us, we always have control over our perceptions, judgments, and reactions to these events.
There is a distinct level of empowerment that comes from accepting the world as it is, instead of clinging to how we wish it to be.
The most important tool a Stoic keeps in their toolbelt is rationality, which helps them navigate life's ups and downs with greater serenity, because it reduces suffering caused by irrational reactions to adversity.
A Light Foray into the Law of Attraction
The Law of Attraction, a relatively modern belief system compared to Stoicism, proposes that our thoughts, both conscious and subconscious, dictate the reality of our lives. The implication is that by deliberately steering our thoughts and emotions, we can manifest (i.e.: bring into reality) the experiences and outcomes that we desire.
People who believe in the Law of Attraction strive to consciously direct their thoughts to their desired state, usually at the expense of completely ignoring the less-than-ideal reality that is in front of them.
Critics of the Law of Attraction correctly point out that this behavior is a form of practicing voluntary delusion. While engaging in this practice can bring relief from suffering in the moment, it often impedes constructive action because it gives the practitioner the feeling that they have already done something to improve their life, even when nothing has fundamentally changed. For most people, that energy is better spent on actions that push the needle forward on their ambitions.
The Law of Attraction places great emphasis on visualization and affirmations as tools to “match one’s vibration to the things they desire” and practicing these is seen as the main way to achieve one’s goals. Visualization and affirmations can be useful, but they should NOT be the only thing you do to try to improve your life.
Stoicism vs Law of Attraction: Similarities
While Stoicism and the Law of Attraction are fundamentally different, there are some high-level ideas on which the two philosophies agree. Let’s find out what those are.
The Importance of Mindset
Both Stoicism and the Law of Attraction place significant value on maintaining what they define as the right mindset. For Stoics, this means striving for rationality in the face of any life event and accepting reality as it presents itself instead of denying it in order to preserve our ego (and soothe negative feelings). The Law of Attraction, on the other hand, advocates for maintaining positive thoughts and emotions regardless of external experience, believing that these have the power of bending reality to match their intention.
Taking Responsibility for One’s Existence
Both philosophies are avid supporters of taking responsibility for all aspects of one’s life instead of blaming external factors for one’s circumstances. This is no doubt a healthy attitude to have.
However, their application of this principle is very different: for Stoics, this comes in the form of acknowledging what is within their control (thoughts, perceptions, and actions) and accepting what is not and steering their behavior to focus on the former. In the Law of Attraction, it's about realizing that your thoughts and emotions influence your life experience and taking control of those, then waiting for reality to match your new internal world.
Living with Intention
Intentional living is a pillar of both Stoicism and the Law of Attraction and practitioners of both are advised not to let the course of their lives completely up to chance, but to proactively engage in shaping it.
The main intention of a Stoic is to live according to virtue and reason, while a follower of the Law of Attraction would rather aim to be intentional in aligning their thoughts and emotions with their desires.
Role of Reflection
Another point the two philosophies agree on is the role of reflection in living a good life. Stoics often engage in contemplative practices to better understand their reactions, cultivate rationality and ensure that they are continuously improving. Followers of the Law of Attraction use self-reflection to gain clarity about their desires so that they have a clear target to which to align their thoughts and emotions.
Stoicism and Law of Attraction: Differences
If you’ve read the previous section of the post, it might look as if Stoicism and the Law of Attraction agree on broad terms, and differ only in implementation. It is too soon to conclude that these philosophies have a lot in common. Examining their differences will reveal why this is the case.
Sphere of Control
Perhaps the most fundamental difference between the Law of Attraction and Stoicism is how they define an individual’s sphere of control.
Followers of the Law of Attraction are encouraged to believe that anything they can visualize is possible and that their desires not coming true is simply a sign that they didn’t believe enough in the process or haven’t visualized enough.
Manifestation seems to be infinite in scope and it’s easy to see why this idea is so appealing - especially for those who are so desperate to improve their circumstances that they would try anything, no matter how crazy it sounds.
(Let’s be real, the fact that you only have to visualize yourself reaching your goal instead of say… working out consistently in order to lose weight - also scratches a comfort itch that most are not strong enough to resist.)
Stoicism takes a radically different stance and emphasizes the importance of the so-called “Dichotomy of Control” - which is the act of continually keeping the separation between what is up to us and what isn’t top of mind. While it’s less alluring to admit that some aspects of reality can never be changed, it is a saner approach to living - as it channels your energies towards the actions that CAN ultimately make a difference.
(Imagine trying to manifest a deceased loved one back into your life and you’ll quickly get the point of why the Law of Attraction got the sphere of control all wrong.)
Approach to Adversity
The two mindsets also differ greatly in how they view adversity. Stoicism teaches that setbacks are an inevitable part of life and sees them as opportunities for self-improvement (“the obstacle is the way”). It also teaches us to not forget that adversity is possible, even if we’re currently enjoying a long lucky streak, and to prepare our minds accordingly. Stoicism implicitly accepts that the Universe is random when dealing us our cards, but that we can still play a good game and win if we acknowledge this fact.
On the other hand, the Law of Attraction suggests that negative experiences are a result of negative thought patterns, and that every individual is responsible for the unfortunate circumstances they are in (because they didn’t manifest enough positive things through their thoughts).
That sounds A LOT like victim blaming, if you ask me!
If you’re still not convinced, think of Sarah, who was hit by a drunk driver while she was crossing the street and is now wheelchair-bound. According to the Law of Attraction, this would never have happened if she had maintained positive thoughts at all times. Ridiculous!
Role of Emotions
The two philosophies also have different beliefs on how one should approach their emotions.
Stoicism posits that (negative) emotions are the product of our (erroneous) judgments, and encourages a rational detachment from them. It teaches that tranquility and peace of mind can be achieved through rationality and by remembering the Dichotomy of Control. Contrary to popular belief, the Stoic aim is not to suppress emotions, but to prevent destructive emotions from arising by fostering a clear understanding of the world and our place within it. Emotions like distress or anger are seen as consequences of placing too much value on things outside of our control.
In contrast, the Law of Attraction views emotions as vital tools for creating our reality. Emotions are seen as an indicator of our alignment or misalignment with our desired state and followers are encouraged to focus only on positive emotions in order to get closer to their desires. The Law of Attraction views negative emotions as an indicator that one is “out of alignment” and argues that one’s emotional state is as an active, influential force rather than something to be managed or subdued.
Applying Stoicism vs Law of Attraction to Everyday Life
To better understand whether Stoicism or the Law of Attraction would serve us better in times of crisis, let’s examine how a Stoic vs. a believer in the Law of Attraction would think about escaping poverty.
The Stoic Approach
The Stoic would first recognize that their current situation is an external circumstance that, while challenging, does not preclude them from living a morally upright life. They would remind themselves that their attitude towards their condition, their thoughts, and their actions are within their control and would look for practical steps to improve their condition. They might take up employment, learn new skills, or seek education, all the while reminding themselves that the outcome of their efforts ultimately lies outside of their direct control.
On their journey towards financial stability, they would remember to practice virtues such as wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance and rather than dwelling on the hardship, view this circumstance as an opportunity to exercise their virtue and resilience.
The Law of Attraction Approach
A person who follows the Law of Attraction would approach escaping poverty in a fundamentally different way. They would perhaps begin by noticing their thoughts and squashing every negative one that arises, replacing it with positive feelings about wealth and prosperity.
They would likely attempt to “manifest” a different situation for themselves by visualizing themselves as financially abundant. Focusing on this feeling might sometimes trick them into buying things they cannot afford to sustain their fantasies about being wealthy and keep their emotions aligned.
Believers in the Law of Attraction would also take action towards their goals but their actions would be guided by their feelings and intuition rather than by practical considerations. They would also constantly monitor their feelings, ensuring they feel good about their financial goals and do not harbor negative feelings about money or wealth. Their measure of success would be how well they have managed to keep their feelings aligned with their goals, rather than judging themselves based on the actions they took.
If you were to bet which of the two people is more likely to escape poverty, which one would you choose? (This should tell you a lot about which philosophy you should follow!)
An Unwavering Conclusion
It's understandable if you've been drawn to the allure of the Law of Attraction, and it can indeed feel disheartening to confront the idea that it may not be as effective as you'd hoped. If you’ve been secretly longing to find out that Stoicism and the Law of Attraction are somehow similar (or compatible), I’m sorry to have disappointed you.
The thought of shaping your reality with just your thoughts and feelings is compelling, but it's essential to remember that it is A FACT that many aspects are outside our direct control. Opposing reality is exhausting and frankly - a little delusional.
The Law of Attraction, while providing a brief sense of empowerment, tends to oversimplify life and can potentially lead to self-blame and disappointment when things don't pan out as visualized. It can also lead its followers into wrongly believing that those who have achieved great things did so only through the power of emotions, rather than through hard work and sacrifice.
Stoicism offers a more pragmatic approach to life - and I would argue - one that will make you happier at the end of the day. It doesn't promise to change your external circumstances immediately or grant you all your desires, but it equips you with the mindset to navigate life's ups and downs with grace and resilience. To believe in yourself and in your strength of weathering any storm, which is a lot more lasting than the illusion of control that manifestation gives you.
If you’re not content with your present circumstances (let’s be real, very few of us are), then I would go as far as to say that YOU CANNOT AFFORD to get sidetracked from pursuing your goals by things that obviously don’t work.
Recognize your tendency towards manifestation for what it is: a misguided attempt to escape the discomfort of putting effort into reaching your desired state.
Be kind to yourself when you realize what has happened; the journey is long and strenuous and it’s natural to feel this way. Invest the time you’d allocate to manifestation to rest and self-kindness instead, then return to the path serenely the next morning. Stay strong, you’ve got this! And there’s no magic or voo-doo required.
If you learned something from this post about Stoicism vs Law of Attraction, rejoice! There’s a lot left to discover. How about jumping into this post about Stoicism vs positive thinking?
PS: the Law of Attraction and positive thinking are not the same thing!
