I like to analyze and view different theories and perspectives on all things in life. There is always some type of science behind everything we do, and I personally find it fascinating. One theory I have looked into in the past, and re-discovered is the law of attraction and how it could or could not be applied to Jiujitsu.
The law of attraction is given to the principle that “like attracts like.” Essentially by focusing on positive or negative thoughts, that is the type of experiences you will bring into your life. It is a concept that is based on the idea that people and their ideas are based on energy. This whole concept started back in the early 19th century and the concept was brought back to the media’s attention in 2006 with the release of the film, “The Secret.”
It is definitely a controversial theory. There are supporters of it and skeptics as well, but can we apply this to our training and competing within Jiujitsu? Can we expect to attract results based on what we solely believe in our minds using visualization techniques or vision boards? Or are there just too many outside factors and components that interfere with this theory? Can we use this metaphysical law to create success in relation to goals we think about consistently?
I personally do not know how I feel about this theory. On one hand, I would like to believe it. Positive thoughts lead to positive results; however I am a realist and do believe outside factors can certainly obstruct this thinking pattern.
When it comes to competing in Jiujitsu, if we were to believe the law of attraction and create the mindset of positive thinking towards winning, what happens if the other guy/girl is just better? What if his/her skill set blatantly surpasses yours? Could we solely use our mind and thoughts to overcome a situation like that? If you train one day a week but have the mental mindset that you will win and deserve to win and the other guy/girl trains every day but has a mental mindset within a realm of negative thinking, what do you think the outcome would be? Afterall, our thinking patterns do have an impact on our overall performance. Or is this concept completely null and void and we need to base competition solely on skill.
When I sit here and think about my own competition experience in relation to the law of attraction, I found a quote that I really liked. It was said by Ralph Trine, and it states:
“The law of attraction works universally on every plane of action, and we attract whatever we desire or expect. If we desire one thing and expect another, we become like houses divided against themselves, which are quickly brought to desolation. Determine resolutely to expect only what you desire, then you will attract only what you wish for. ”
This made a lot of sense for me because I know from personal experience I always want to win, but if I’m coming off a loss I tend to get stuck there, which ultimately may create the thought that I will lose again. This creates contradicting ideas in my mind; desiring one thing but expecting another. So if I can figure out a way to overcome that mental aspect and get my desires as well as my expectations on the same plane, could I use the law of attraction to benefit my training and competing?
This theory tends to create an ugly flipside however. Basically, if you lose it is YOUR fault. Somehow you brought that upon yourself. Your thinking patterns and expectations caused you to lose the match. Agree ? Disagree? I am very interested to hear other’s views on this, because I am not sure it is a black and white topic. I could see possibly taking the law of attraction and mixing it with outside factors, such as hard work, to achieve goals.
It is a very interesting concept when you really think about how our brains work, and how our thoughts may or may not have a huge impact on our lives. I could go on for hours about this topic, but I will stop it here. Let me know what you think.
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