Acasia, I also hear the OxiClean guy screaming at me when something's being oversold to me  

When using the goal sheets, you first list what it is you desire. "Goal Boards" are made to post pictures of those things we desire to achieve, focusing intently on the "what". 3 goals are also made (each day) in order to achieve the production goal for the day. I guess they could be viewed as the "how", but I see them as smaller goals (smaller "what"s) for attracting the bigger goal, and along with it momentum, an actual observation in one's own capabilities and powers of creation, in turn empowering belief and faith.  Then end of the day evaluations are made on each of the 3 goals to see if they were achieved, or what blocked them from being realized. This too may seem like focusing on the "how", but as I integrated it with this book, I find it more of a tool for identifying sabotaging paradigms we hold that block us from acquiring our mid and long term goals, and adjusting my perspective and smaller goals ("whats") to eventually make my bigger, longer-term goals and true beliefs meet. Therein, I receive what it is I desire.

If we can analyze our goal making capabilities, and identify our problems within (for example, when first starting this, I lacked placing stepping stones B, C, and D between points A and E, often just trying to jump to E, missing, and then discounting and dismissing the whole goal altogether), then we're aware of our capabilities, know what we're capable of, believe we can achieve because we know, and therefore achieve more and more.  Again, these stepping stones could be viewed as focusing on "how", but I will say to you again, I find it a refiner of my attraction capabilities.

If you try this Law, over and over again, with intense focus, timely dedication, and utmost devotion, and you hold beliefs to be counteractive to attracting your desire, no matter how unrelated they may seem, you push away your desire harder than you pull it in.  The "how" may not be what you worry about, but the process of attraction needs to be weeded out and streamline to be, at least for me, effective in a timely and satisfactory manner.

It still may seem like the how to you, and I guess I have no qualms helping the "how" along, if it can also be viewed as a placement of smaller "whats", smaller goals and desires, that I also wish to receive.  As my craft has taught me, nothing you set out to receive gets created (at least the way you may have pictured it) by shortcutting the process of creation and timeliness of development.  Maybe to reconcile this issue for you, define what may need to appear before your defined desire can fully be realized.

I don't know, at this point I'm talking out my ass.  All I know is, once defined goals were in proper proportion to capabilities, they were achieved more often and with less effort.  And to match defined goals with capabilities, this took a lot of undoing, failure, effort, small rewards and victory, then more failure, and retrying, until a synergistic pattern of goal setting and goal attainment was allowed to emerge.

Understanding the magick does not render it useless, it empowers it.  Maybe the author makes it a point to state not to worry about the "how", because if you're worrying about the "how", and focusing on the "how", you're missing the development of the "what", it may even just up and pass you by as your nose is stuck in the "how".  But I'm sure there is a process to magick, and I will not be blind to it in hopes that something mysterious will just make what I want happen. This is an understanding, and I'm sure the "how" is a piece of the process. We don't have to worry about "how" to make something, but we are all here trying to understand "how" to attract something, right? "How" is a process, and don't worry about the process - indeed, keep your eyes on the prize and you shall reach it.  This should, as the author reiterates time and time again, be your focus.

The way the author is trying to sell the philosophy  bothered me at first, too, but then it occurred to me that in order for this to work, you have to completely believe it will, to the point that you believe it on an emotional level, and can feel the way you will feel when your desire comes true.  I think Daybre is just trying to convince the fence sitters that this will really happen, maybe by making new neural pathways in our brains through repeating that it's going to work, and giving examples to prove that it does.  

Also, Lavandar, I don't have much education either, and understanding Stacey is hard for me, too     but I figure if I learn anything at all, it's more than I knew before I started this process, so I'll be a little more educated when I finish than I was when I began!

Please, if I have just totally lost anyone, let me know about where I lost you, and I'll try to explain things in a different way.  

Rainbells, I had not thought about the author's agressive approach in those terms.  We know that those infommercials sell a lot, so I can see where Daybre would want to exploit that kind of psychology too.  Daybre really doesn't benefit so much whether or not we agree or disagree, so it isn't as though he is really selling us something.  It would definitly make sense that if we were just average people (who didn't believe in magic) that we would need a seductive speech to try to convince us to try this.  That is a really good point!

Hi everyone,

I am not trying to be evil by making you read more--I promise.  There is a 32 page book on the Secret I put in the book list, but I think it may help with a bit of confusion.  I've browsed through it, and it's really easy to read.  I'm going to read over it to check the content, but, if you are stuck, you might want to try it.  The author is modern, and uses a lot of examples to try to explain the concepts.  He is a bit more detailed in some areas than Daybre, but less than me, so it might be the perfect fit   . Also, the author isn't doing the aggressive sales-thing, so you don't feel as though you are being yelled at.  It's worth a shot:

Doyle, Bruce I. Before You Think Another Thought: The Mechanics Of Thought

Stacey,  you sound remorseful.  You don't have to apologize for being educated;  I am sorry if I made it sound as if you should.

I don't understand much of what RealEyez writes, either LOL    you are both too  much for me.

Merry Meet Booklovers!

I am going to take a contrarian view today to stir up the discussion a bit!

I understand how the energy and the law of attraction works.  I believe it works, but let me ask you this...why does it seem that it doesn't work for those that need it most?

Take a young woman, with two kids, has a solid faith in god/goddess, yet can't find a job or enough money to feed her kids.  Now I am sure that woman thinks about better days, better food, more food, a job etc etc every day.  She envisions what life would be like to see her children fed and happy.  She thinks about this every day.  Why has she not drawn these things to her?  (I am not talking about any karma here, just the energy to draw that which you seek to you).

People in Somolia, in Bagledesh, in the inner cities of any city....you get my drift.  They are thinking about a better life constantly.  They use prayer (energy).  Why do you think, that the law of attraction works for some but not for others?  They are just as dedicated to changing their lives for the better as we are.

Are we wrong to explain to others....you just need to draw it to you, change your thoughts and you change your life.....look even Abe Lincoln and Albert Einstein could do it....why can't you???

So....what do you think.....have at it!!

Hugs and many blessings,
DesertMist

Rainbells, I greatly appreciate your apology, but none is needed.  I am not remorseful that I have had such fortune and opportunity; rather, I simply do not want other members to judge their ability to grasp this material based on me.  I want to help everyone actually exceed my level of understanding, and I think this is possible because while I do well in the intellectual realms, actually feeling the stuff, living it, and actualizing it beyond my talents at this time.  I think the actual practice of magic and the Law is ultimately a matter of intuition, and all of you seem to surpass me in that area.  

So, if anyone ever feels discouraged, please let me know about when we lost you, and I will try to explain things in a different way that may prove easier for you to understand.  Maybe I can explain something geared more to a subject in which you are more comfortable? Sometimes, when I am having a difficult time with the concepts, I will give myself a lecture about the subject out loud.  When I make myself organize the material, I gain a better understanding of it.  By now, my cats have heard my lectures so often, they probably have equivalents of a BA degree.  Also, if you are more a visual learner, maybe writting things down as you understand them may help.

DesertMist, I've actually been waiting for someone to bring that up.  However, I am actually going to wait and see what the rest of the club thinks on the matter before I go into one of my long winded and technical answers   .

For next Monday, let's read pages 22-35.

Thank you....thats encouraging...

Lavender Ice - NEVER let the notion that simply because you don't have a high school diploma that you can't do what you want!!!  My father did not graduate from high school, and became a very successful businessman providing more than amply for his family.  My daughter does not have a high school degree, and yet is in community college persuing her Associates degree and plans to go on to a four year college.  I am a college drop out, but that hasn't stopped me from continuing to learn almost everyday.  The point is school is good for pointing you in a direction and getting you through the program in a timed fashion, but IT IS NOT THE ONLY WAY TO LEARN!!!!  The information is out there for whatever you want to learn.  Just start searching and the path will open up for you.  I'm sorry if I'm coming on a bit strong, but this is one of my pet peeves: the idea that a degree or certain school makes you a better person than someone without formal training.  My husband went to  an Ivy League university and that place was full (FULL) of jerks and sleazy, insecure, cheating posers.  Can you see the negative belief you have about yourself here?  Really hash out what you want, what You really want, it doesn't have to be big just because it can.  Personally, I'm starting small because I've pretty much figured out I'm pretty happy with things the way they are (ok, except the world peace and global warming issues).  brightest blessings to you Lav!  

Stacey, I agree: easy to read and free    

Seamonster - you're priceless to us!  (Money is just numbers)

RealEyez,  Thanks for your answer, I didn't scroll up far enough first time!     That makes sense and I can see how a business could really benefit from this kind of training for its employees.  If I ever start a business I'd like to hire you!  

Desert Mist,   Could a possible answer to your post about down-trodden people be that at a very deep, possibly even subconcious level, they hold beliefs that something better is simply impossible?  Are they too busy trying to survive day to day to take the time and energy to uncover their negative beliefs and work on replacing them with positive ones?  I can imagine them scoffing at the idea of even thinking about making time for personal mental work, given what they may be up against.  And I have worked on myself in this area, it takes a great deal of time and energy to expose and replace those fundamental deep negative beliefs even with a supportive environment.  And perhaps they don't have the support either?

Stacey,   Where is the book list?  I'd like to check out the book you recommended but I've been roaming around the castle and can't find this book list.  Please leave trail of crumbs!

Hi Acasia!

The book list is actually the "Free E-Books for Download" Thread under the "Pagan Living Book Club'" room of our castle.  I up date it frequently, so check back whenever you have time.  

http://www.paganliving.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=6353

Oh Acasia, I'm so glad my response was well received by you. One of the rules of the business was no negative attitudes, that protecting your attitude was of #1 importance, that there was no negative or unfocused speak in the office and that the answer to "how are you doing today" was "EXCELLENT!   ". Also, we weren't allowed to ask questions that may lead to any negative answers, so the question of "how are you doing today" wasn't allowed by any employee to another, it was "so, what's working for you today?". Negative experiences were only allowed to be purged on the goal sheets, so that they may be addressed and answered in a structured fashion.  

Sounds good, but it's shallow (and must be to keep employees from figuring out how to use it for themselves, but we're not employees, so let's dig.). At the time it fell short for me because, when I had a shitty day and stood out in 20 degree Denver making $20 on the day, I returned to the office less than enthusiastic, and was told to leave. Yep, told to leave. This manner of dealing with negativity did not satisfy me, in fact it quite upset me and led to more negative feelings about the company. It was in this that I understand how we must address, to the core, the issues that bring us down, so that we may learn the lessons contained within and transform the negative feeling to a positive lesson. These sabotaging beliefs and ideas we hold cannot simply be ignored, over shadowed with positivity, or repressed. They must be brought up and purged before we can observe the Law of Attraction playing out before us in predictable ways.

Desert Mist, this is one reason that I believe is keeping your woman from experiencing the satisfaction she desires, the underlying sabotaging thoughts, shades of cultural, interpersonal, and inTRApersonal beliefs we are so very often unaware color our reality. Also, you've described her as "...yet can't find a job or enough money to feed her kids."  If she knows she can't find a job or enough money to feed her kids, then this is her belief and her reality.  

Moving on, "Now I am sure that woman thinks about better days, better food, more food, a job etc etc every day.  She envisions what life would be like to see her children fed and happy.  She thinks about this every day."  She is thinking about better days, and so she will continue to create the reality of thinking of better days instead of living, being better days because that is what she is creating, the experience of thinking about better days.  Additionally, she is concentrating on the means to get the better days (job, money), instead of what the better days may actually be. She also is thinking in very general terms (job, money), so she is attracting very general thoughts of better days.  Therefore, she is experiencing general thinking about what half-baked means may bring her the undefined satisfaction she thinks she lacks.

"Why has she not drawn these things to her?"  Because she has not defined, at the root of it all, exactly what it is she wants. And once she does define the "it" she seeks, all she needs to do is enjoy it, and it will be, and continue to become more prevelant every day.