The Law of Attraction derives from nineteenth-century mind cure practice

Evidence

In the early 2000s, Winfrey became an advocate in a spiritual doctrine called “the Law of Attraction,” an idea actually dating from nineteenth-century mind cure practice and with roots in other traditions. The law posits that one’s thoughts have the power to shape reality, and by the right sort of rumination, one can draw desired things, like money or love, into one’s life. Here is how Oprah explained it on her website: “The energy you put into the world—both good and bad—is exactly what comes back to you. This means you create the circumstances of your life with the choices you make every day.” — Tim Wu, The Attention Merchants, 807

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines the Law of Attraction doctrine and traces its nineteenth-century mind-cure lineage.