October 18, 2015

Cult Parallels: Abraham-Hicks, Encouraging Laziness and Passivity

Why is it that so many people who become disillusioned with Abraham-Hicks and other Law of Attraction teachings come away feeling like they were brainwashed or part of a cult? In no particular order, I will be comparing components of Abraham-Hicks with known cult tactics in a series of blog posts. First up:

Encouraging and Reinforcing Laziness and Passivity

This blog is coming to you from Western Canada. As some of you may know, we are in the midst of our federal elections. Election day is tomorrow. It seems like a good time to admit something: I was once a proud NON-voter as a result of the ideology I followed.

The Teachings of Abraham are not outright against being interested in politics or the goings-on of the world. Ostensibly, all they teach is "get in the vortex and then" vote, or watch the news, or apply for that job. It doesn't sound comparable to a cult that tells people not to vote.

Yet, this ideology weaves together various assertions that groom followers into similar patterns of belief and behavior.

Abraham says:

  • Politics are divisive and mostly "out of the vortex" (and every Aber is taught to believe that "out of the vortex" is a very real thing with very real negative consequences)
  • "You're casting your vote vibrationally all the time"
  • "You vote vibrationally in the most effective way by making lists of things that you appreciate."

"Living is easy with eyes closed"

Why would I vote if I believe making lists of things I appreciate is more powerful than casting my ballot?

Why would anyone concern themselves with hard or complicated things if they believe they can be more effective "vibrationally"?

At the time, this was all music to my ears. I could avoid everything complex AND make a real difference in the world... not like all those "out of the vortex" folks getting wrapped up in debates and voting and details.

Thanks to Abraham-Hicks, my instinct to be an informed and active citizen of the world was dulled and replaced with a benign, self-focused passivity.

Here's how the typical mindset of an Aber can be summed up when it comes to the larger world around them:

  • "Not my circus, not my monkeys!" (cue audience laughter)
  • Everything is perfect. Nothing is ever really wrong.
  • Each person's circumstances are a result only of their individual vibration, which you cannot change.
  • Trying to fix, fight, or even pay attention to problems is foolish and makes problems bigger.
  • The most powerful thing you can do is keep yourself on your "high flying disc."
  • Take the vibrational journey and the path of least resistance.

Let's summarize each of these points in plain language. As you will see, it is a doozy of a recipe for disconnecting people from the outer world:

  • Don't concern yourself with worldly matters, for they are silly dramas that less enlightened people play out.
  • No intervention in the world is necessary. The people trying to change things are misguided.
  • Every good or bad thing in a person's life is because of their mindset alone, so you can disregard anything happening at a social, economic, political, or global level.
  • Bad things happen when you notice that bad things are happening.
  • You are most useful when you sit back and feel joyful.
  • Don't do anything that feels difficult.

Now. Top that off with a large dose of personal fantasy, which Law of Attraction teachings heavily endorse, and you've got yourself a willfully ignorant, uninformed, head-in-the-clouds group that believes pleasant emotions are a panacea.

Comfortably Numb

"Stop them from thinking... the ultimate goal of brainwashers."

So what's the problem? Isn't this just peaceful and Zen. Isn't this maybe even spiritual?

As it turns out, encouraging passivity and laziness is a very useful tactic—but not for helping Law of Attraction fans create the lives of their dreams. It's a very useful tactic for manipulating and controlling a docile, uncritical populace.
"Encouraging laziness... promotes a passive lifestyle in which the person is a couch-locked bimbo, allowing easier manipulation."

If you think in terms of power dynamics, it no longer sounds so harmless. Think of a government that teaches its citizens not to notice problems or injustice.

Now imagine a New Age cult that convinces its followers that feeling bad or noticing problems jeopardizes everything they care about.

Personal Ramifications

Not only does this ideology reinforce an apathetic approach to the larger world, but Abers also become handicapped in their personal lives by this passive philosophy.

They are told they can have anything they can imagine, and all the steps will be effortlessly arranged for them.
"Most of the cults teach that life is controlled by other-worldly forces, thus further encouraging passivity."

From what I've experienced personally, plus observed in others, instead of pursuing goals meaningfully and tenaciously, an Aber is more likely to focus on manipulating their feelings and beliefs around the goal so they can supposedly harness the power of the universe and wait for circumstances to change.

It's possible the Abraham-Hicks follower, the writer in the above image, will now find it easier to take on her goals by starting with a small task like conscious breathing. Or she could very well get stuck in the passivity trap, trading power for feeling "much better about things."

A Better Way

Abers want to be powerful in their lives and in the world. Using dictionary.com, power is defined as: ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something

What is truly upsetting is that Abers absolutely seek the capability of doing and accomplishing. They care a great deal about their goals, their loved ones, and the condition of the world. They want to make a big impact and dared to believe they could with the help of Abraham-Hicks.

But A-H teaches dogma that ultimately reinforces passivity and neuters true power, robbing people of their full ability to act and accomplish.

Speaking of true power, I have been inspired looking around me during this lead up to our federal elections. People really care about this country and their right to vote. I see how much people care in the form of their excitement, pride, and readiness to rally together. I also see it in the form of fear, anger, and heated arguments.

However it shows up, I'm glad people are paying attention to what's going on in the world and exercising the power they have through voting.

It's not perfect. But it's a lot more effective than averting your eyes and staying home to think nice thoughts and make appreciation lists.


  1. I was following the Abraham Hicks for some weeks. As an ex member of a cult when I was on my 20’s. I found many similarities with this Abraham H. Group…
    They are dangerous, they brainwash you and if you do n walk on time also harm you in so many ways.
    We need a video on YouTube warning people

  2. Responsible SpiritualityNovember 18, 2019
