avatarMarcus aka Gregory Maidman

Summary

The article criticizes vision boards as a misguided application of the law of attraction, emphasizing that true happiness comes from internal contentment rather than external possessions.

Abstract

The author of the article, "Vision Boards Are Bull Sh*t," argues that vision boards, often promoted by self-help gurus like Tony Robbins and MLM marketers, misrepresent the law of attraction by suggesting that focusing on material desires leads to happiness. The author posits that this approach is a perversion of a spiritual concept, as it equates happiness with the acquisition of items like big houses and fancy cars, which are transient sources of joy. Referencing Yvette Brand, the article suggests that lasting happiness cannot be derived from external sources, as the ego's pursuit of material possessions leads to a never-ending cycle of desire. The author advocates for seeking contentment instead, which involves recognizing one's connection to the world and the universe, aligning mind and soul, and understanding one's core motivations.

Opinions

  • Vision boards are seen as a tool used by self-help "BS artists" and "snake oil salespeople" to propagate the myth that visualizing material possessions leads to happiness.
  • The law of attraction is often misunderstood, as it can attract both positive and negative energy, exemplified by narcissists preying on empaths.
  • Material possessions are considered attachments that do not provide genuine happiness, making vision boards a misguided attempt to use spirituality for material gain.
  • Happiness is described as a fleeting emotional state, contrasting with contentment, which is a more stable and internal state of being.
  • The pursuit of happiness through material means is viewed as a construct of the ego, which perpetuates dissatisfaction and the desire for more.
  • True contentment is found within oneself and through a connection to the larger

Vision Boards Are Bull Sh*t

And a perversion of the law of attraction

By Macrovector licensed from depositphotos.com

Self-help BS artists like Tony Robbins, and just about every snake oil salesperson in the MLM industry, foster the myth that the law of attraction supports that creating a vision board to help one focus on their goals will lead to achieving those goals. I think the law of attraction is generally misunderstood and misused, because, for example, positive energy also attracts negative energy and that is why narcissists, aka emotional vampires, easily hunt and prey upon empaths, but in this short piece I just want to focus on the vision board hogwash.

These con artists encourage people to cover their boards with their desires, and people cover them with pictures of big houses, fancy cars, expensive clothes, yachts, etc. These are all attachments that do not provide happiness, and thus vision boards are an obvious perversion of a spiritual concept for material gain. As Yvette Brand recently wrote:

Happiness is found within yourself. And even though some external things can make you feel happy for a short period, it won’t last. It’s great to finally be able to buy that car that you’ve always wanted or to go on that well-deserved vacation. Or to score a date with that person you’ve been eyeing for a while. But once you have it, you still have the feeling that something is missing. You’re always craving for more. Or something different. That initial happiness feeling coming from something external is not durable and soon you’ll be looking for the next thing. That’s your ego trying to make you believe that you need material things to be happy.

In fact, studies have shown that money does not buy happiness. See also.

Moreover, in my opinion, people should not pursue happiness. People should seek contentment. Happiness, like sadness, is a fleeting emotional state. I seek contentment, which is not settling but a hopefully high-altitude baseline, coming from within and connection to without. It doesn’t stem from the acquisition of attachments but awareness of connection to the world and the universe as a living, breathing, and heart-beating organism and from the alignment of mind and soul and discerning my why — my drive — from discovering who I am at my core.

In Rama I create, with soul-energy surging through my body, inspiring me and breathing wind into my sails,

Marcus

Spirituality
Law Of Attraction
MLM
Happiness
Self Improvement
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