Is the Law of Attraction Real? A Nondual Perspective on Beliefs, Wants, and Reality

By Tchiki Davis, M.A., Ph.D.
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The law of attraction has become one of the most widely discussed topics in the fields of personal development and spirituality. The idea is simple: what we think about, we attract. Our beliefs and desires send out a kind of vibrational signal, and the universe supposedly responds in kind.

For some, this principle feels empowering, a way to shape life circumstances through focused intention. For others, it can sound like wishful thinking dressed in mystical language.

But is the law of attraction real? To answer this, we need to look at both psychological theories and deeper nondual perspectives. On one level, psychology—particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—demonstrates that beliefs influence thoughts, which in turn shape emotions and behaviors. This chain of influence can lead us to create the conditions of our lives in predictable ways. On another level, however, nondual teachings suggest that we don’t actually choose our beliefs, thoughts, or desires. From this vantage point, the very notion of a separate self “attracting” anything begins to unravel.

In this article, we will explore these two perspectives: the psychological explanation that supports aspects of the law of attraction, and the nondual understanding that reframes it entirely.

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The Psychological Basis For The Law of Attraction

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the most well-researched approaches in psychology, rests on the idea that beliefs give rise to thoughts. These thoughts then influence emotions, and together they guide behavior. For example, someone who holds the belief “I am capable and resilient” is more likely to generate thoughts of possibility, feel confident, and take action toward goals.

This process can look very much like the law of attraction in action. If a person expects good things, they are more likely to notice opportunities, act with optimism, and persist in the face of obstacles. These actions, in turn, increase the likelihood of desired outcomes. From this perspective, the law of attraction doesn’t require mysterious universal forces—it’s simply the interplay of psychology, behavior, and environment.

In other words, our inner world and outer circumstances often mirror each other because our beliefs shape how we move through life. When we adopt empowering beliefs, we behave in ways that make positive results more likely.

The Law of Attraction & Beliefs: Do We Really Select Our Beliefs?

While the CBT model is compelling, from a nondual perspective an obvious question arises: do we actually choose our beliefs? If beliefs drive thoughts and actions, then changing beliefs seems crucial. But where do beliefs come from in the first place?

Most beliefs are not consciously chosen. They emerge from early conditioning, cultural influences, social interactions, and countless experiences outside our control. A child raised in a supportive environment may develop the belief “I am worthy of love,” while another raised in neglect may form the opposite belief. Neither child deliberately picked these mental frameworks—they arose through circumstance.

Even as adults, when we believe we are “choosing” a new perspective, that very shift arises because certain conditions made it possible. Perhaps a book was read at just the right time, or a conversation opened a new door. From a nondual lens, the apparent act of choosing is itself just another unfolding event, not authored by a separate self.

A Nondual Perspective on The Law of Attraction

From a nondual standpoint, the law of attraction takes on an entirely different character. Radical nonduality, for instance, asserts that there is no separate individual orchestrating life. Thoughts, emotions, and desires simply appear. There is no ultimate “chooser” behind them.

So, wanting something is not a sign of a self that is powerfully manifesting something—it is just another thought arising in consciousness or awareness. “I want a new job” or “I want to be loved” are simply appearances, no more under “your” control than a cloud drifting across the sky.

In this view, the law of attraction is neither real nor unreal. It is just one of many stories thought tells about how life works. The sense of agency—that we are deliberately sending out vibrations to attract certain experiences—arises from the illusion of selfhood or separation. The idea that we can change our beliefs and thoughts also is part of the illusion of separation. The idea that we can do anything, other than what was always going to be, is akin to the concept of doership, which isn't actually real.

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Dependent Origination & The Law of Attraction

Buddhist philosophy offers a related concept known as dependent origination. It states that all phenomena arise in dependence on countless causes and conditions. Nothing exists independently or in isolation.

When seen through this lens, the desire for something, the thought about it, and the eventual outcome are all part of a seamless web. A thought of wanting money may arise because of social conditioning, current financial stress, or cultural values. Actions toward earning money follow, shaped by personal history, opportunities, and countless unseen factors. The final result—a promotion, a setback, or something else entirely—cannot be traced to one cause but to an intricate interdependence of conditions.

This perspective undermines the idea that an individual can consciously “attract” reality. Instead, everything is co-arising, playing out in a tapestry of interconnection without a central controller.

The Idea of Doership and Its Tension with the Law of Attraction

Another Buddhist teaching that challenges the law of attraction is the idea of doership. In everyday experience, it feels as though there is a “me” who is doing things, making choices, and shaping the world. This sense of being a doer underpins the law of attraction: if I think the right thoughts, hold the right beliefs, and align my energy in the right way, then I can attract the outcomes I want.

But Buddhist philosophy questions whether this doer actually exists. When observed closely, what we call “doing” is simply a sequence of causes and conditions playing out. A thought appears, an intention arises, the body moves, and actions happen. Nowhere in this chain is there an independent self pulling the strings.

This understanding radically undermines the core premise of the law of attraction. If there is no separate doer, then who is left to attract anything? Thoughts of wanting may still arise, but they are not chosen by a self. Actions may still unfold, but they are not controlled by a central agent. Life simply happens, and the illusion of doership makes it feel as though there is someone behind it all.

From this perspective, the law of attraction rests on the same illusion it tries to harness: the belief in a self that thinks, chooses, and manifests. Seen clearly, this sense of control dissolves, and the process of life is revealed as spontaneous, unowned, and free of an attractor.

Psychology vs Nonduality — Views on the Law of Attraction

A concise contrast between the Cognitive Behavioral (psychology) perspective and the Radical Nondual / Buddhist perspective on the law of attraction.

Aspect	Psychology (CBT perspective)	Nonduality (Radical / Buddhist perspective)
Core Assumption	Beliefs shape thoughts, emotions, and actions. Working with beliefs can change outcomes.	No separate self; thoughts and desires arise spontaneously in awareness without a chooser.
Role of Beliefs	Beliefs can be identified and adjusted to influence behavior and perception.	Beliefs are not ultimately chosen; they arise from conditioning and causes beyond a separate self.
Mechanism of Change	Positive beliefs → different thoughts and emotions → empowered actions → increased likelihood of desired outcomes.	There is no controlling mechanism; life unfolds through interdependent causes and phenomena—attraction is a story told by thought.
Doership / Control	An individual has agency to shift mindset and take deliberate action, thereby influencing outcomes.	Doership is considered an illusion; there is no separate agent ultimately responsible for attracting results.
Law of Attraction — Verdict	Partially valid in practical terms: mindset and behavior influence how life unfolds, which can resemble 'attraction.'	Ultimately not a valid metaphysical principle: there is no self to attract; events co-arise without an attractor.
Practical Implication	Useful: working on beliefs and thought patterns (CBT tools) supports personal growth and measurable change.	Liberating: reduces pressure to 'manifest'; encourages acceptance of life’s unfolding and recognition of interdependence.

Letting Go of The Law of Attraction: Relief or Angst

At first, the suggestion that we do not choose our thoughts, beliefs, or desires can feel disempowering. The law of attraction appeals to the sense of control, giving us the feeling that we can bend reality to our will. To hear that this control may be an illusion can be unsettling.

Yet many who encounter nondual teachings describe a paradoxical sense of relief. If everything is simply happening—if life is unfolding on its own—then the pressure to manifest the perfect reality dissolves. There is no need to constantly monitor thoughts, police desires, or wonder if you are “attracting” the wrong thing. Life is already what it is.

Reconciling the Two Views on The Law of Attraction

So, is the law of attraction real? From a psychological standpoint, mostly true—beliefs do shape thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, which influence the results we experience. From a nondual perspective, however, entirely untrue—the law of attraction dissolves into a story told by thought. There is no individual attracting anything, only the spontaneous arising of thoughts, wants, and circumstances within a seamless whole.

These two perspectives need not cancel each other out. On a practical level, it can be useful to work with beliefs, as CBT encourages, to cultivate healthier thought patterns and emotional responses. On a deeper level, seeing that there is no ultimate chooser can loosen the grip of striving and self-blame. Both views can coexist, pointing to different dimensions of the human experience.

Living Without the Need to Attract

When the law of attraction is seen as just another story, life becomes free to unfold without the constant pressure of manifesting. Desires may still arise, and actions may still happen, but they are seen as part of the play of life, not the result of a separate self’s efforts.

This recognition doesn’t prevent joy, love, or success. In fact, it can open the door to all of these things. If everything is simply appearing—wants, thoughts, outcomes—then there is nothing that needs to be controlled or resisted. The striving to manipulate reality softens into a direct meeting with what is. In a way, we attract every moment to us. And in another way, there is no 'we', no 'attraction', and no reason why anything happened the way it did.

Final Thoughts on The Law of Attraction

The question “Is the law of attraction real?” leads us into a deeper inquiry about the nature of belief, thought, and self. From psychology, we see that beliefs strongly shape our inner and outer worlds. From nonduality, we see that even these beliefs are not truly ours—they arise as part of the unfolding of life itself.

In this light, the law of attraction is not a final answer but another perspective. Reality remains a mystery, beyond any framework of attraction or control. Whether one leans on the empowering psychology of belief or rests in the radical openness of nonduality, the invitation is the same: to see life as it is, arising moment by moment, without the need to own it, manage it, or make it otherwise.

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