4.40

5

Jan 15, 2013

A full year after reading this book, and following the "Ask And It Is Given" Formula, the items I placed in my perfect heart shaped box, are coming into reality every day! I asked to create a best selling book to help children succeed in school - and did; I asked to crate a dream team to assist me in helping others become excellent readers and got one; I asked for a specific registered trademark which every attorney said would never happen, and yet, it was granted -- and so much more. This book A full year after reading this book, and following the "Ask And It Is Given" Formula, the items I placed in my perfect heart shaped box, are coming into reality every day! I asked to create a best selling book to help children succeed in school - and did; I asked to crate a dream team to assist me in helping others become excellent readers and got one; I asked for a specific registered trademark which every attorney said would never happen, and yet, it was granted -- and so much more. This book doesnt' just tell you that the world is wonderful; it truly shows you how to connect with the perfection that is everywhere. Thank you for sharing your wisdom! ...more

5

Mar 30, 2007

I am really enjoying this book. It is written in small digestible chunks, and although it is somewhat intense material to engage with originally (it is chanelled from a collective group of beings named Abraham, it is very applicable and has helped me to make some shifts mentally that feel great in my life.

One of their arguments is that something feeling good is evidence of its being in line with who you are. That is advice I can certainly connect with. Very clear and easy to accept.

I say give I am really enjoying this book. It is written in small digestible chunks, and although it is somewhat intense material to engage with originally (it is chanelled from a collective group of beings named Abraham, it is very applicable and has helped me to make some shifts mentally that feel great in my life.

One of their arguments is that something feeling good is evidence of its being in line with who you are. That is advice I can certainly connect with. Very clear and easy to accept.

I say give it a whirl. A friend passed it on to me and i am very glad she did.

[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASI...] ...more

5

May 25, 2011

After four years it helps me to release bad and annoying emotions yet. Although I gave up on reading Self Helps books, this one is not something I can forget about easily. I prefer to categorize this book under philosophy of life not self help.

1

Oct 29, 2010

Esther Hicks writes for a "nonphysical intelligence" known as Abraham in this former New York Times Best Seller, Ask and It is Given. What I found most interesting in Ask were the deviations from Esther and Jerry (her husband) Hicks' 1989 book A New Beginning I, which predicted various "earth changes" that were on the brink of occurring in 1989, including simultaneous volcanic eruptions that would cover the earth's air with ash. In Ask, these revelations of turbulence are not even touched upon. Esther Hicks writes for a "nonphysical intelligence" known as Abraham in this former New York Times Best Seller, Ask and It is Given. What I found most interesting in Ask were the deviations from Esther and Jerry (her husband) Hicks' 1989 book A New Beginning I, which predicted various "earth changes" that were on the brink of occurring in 1989, including simultaneous volcanic eruptions that would cover the earth's air with ash. In Ask, these revelations of turbulence are not even touched upon. There are also various inconsistencies within Ask regarding Jerry and Esther's initial encounters with Abraham, including an altered-or cleverly tailored version-of Abraham's first words.

As for the "biographical sketch" provided in Ask about Jerry and Esther's life pre-Abraham, it is incredibly vague. It tells us that Jerry was very successful before Abraham, but does not mention that Jerry Hicks was a Crown level distributor at Amway, who was giving seminars about positive thinking and motivation. Only instead of using the Abraham works, he was using those of Napoleon Hill. Dateline did a wonderful expose on Amway, revealing a major business within Amway that was not in selling various appliances/supplies, but in selling motivational courses and materials within the company. It is clear that Jerry was involved in this sort of motivational selling with Think and Grow Rich before his Abraham work. While the effect of Think and Grow Rich on Jerry's life is mentioned in Ask, the Amway link is never made, though it is touched on in various interviews with the Hickses. Of course, this seems to be irrelevant to most readers of the Abraham materials. To me, this was an important fact that made Jerry and Esther appear less like sincere messengers of positive thinking and more like pious frauds for Napoleon Hill.

The chapters in Ask offer an emotional guidance scale to let you know where you are and some 22 processes to help you reach a better feeling place to help you align with those things that you are wanting. The 22 processes include an interesting combination of cognitive therapy, visualization, and New Age woo. Though some of them seem very helpful, there does seem to be some undermining as the processes and rhetoric ask you to set aside critical thinking and replace it with emotional guidance. Also, for the entities that have claimed to not wish to alter our beliefs, these processes suggest otherwise, as they are designed to assist us in altering our beliefs. Various emotional appeals, combined with validation for whatever you want to believe in, make this book very appealing to anyone who wants approval or to believe that they can be, do, or have anything they want. This book operates under the claim that it will help you manifest your desires. But buyers beware, the authors take no responsibility for anything you are unable to manifest using their processes and there are no objective means for testing how well you are doing. And based on the logic presented within the book, even if you are unable to manifest something: All is well. I do not recommend this book to someone trying to manifest something, but rather to someone who wants to become a devotee of one of the most popular channels of our time. When you find yourself needing to listen to their CDs and watch their youtube videos more than anything else, that's when you know you've found a friend. ...more

5

Mar 18, 2015

This book and Abraham's teachings changed my life. I attracted a great job, my wonderful husband, and more using the knowledge I gained. However, Ask and It Is Given is more than just a manual on how to manifest your desires (there are 22 easy-to-understand processes readers can utilize in order to become a match to their desires). It's also a book that will either challenge or confirm your beliefs* about God, reality, the purpose of life, and the true nature of your own identity as a powerful This book and Abraham's teachings changed my life. I attracted a great job, my wonderful husband, and more using the knowledge I gained. However, Ask and It Is Given is more than just a manual on how to manifest your desires (there are 22 easy-to-understand processes readers can utilize in order to become a match to their desires). It's also a book that will either challenge or confirm your beliefs* about God, reality, the purpose of life, and the true nature of your own identity as a powerful spiritual or vibrational being.

I don't know if I can adequately explain or give justice to all of the concepts contained within, but the key principles discussed include the Universal Laws that are responding to our thoughts (energy) which equal our vibrational point of attraction.

Our emotions are equally important because they're a measure of what we're thinking and, therefore, doing with our vibration. The more better-feeling thoughts we think, the more we're allowing good and our desires to flow to us. This is because there's only one energy stream that flows from Source and it's one of Well-Being. So there's no source of evil. Just feeling good (allowing) or not feeling good (resistance). Feeling good holds greater significance than the manifestations because it's who we really are: good or physical extensions of God. That's why good feels good!

I admit when I first learned of these teachings I was more concerned about the manifestations than about feeling good. I have since realized that joy really is the true measure of success, while the manifestations are just the indicators of our alignment, or not, with higher consciousness, Source Energy. It's okay, too, if we don't always feel good. Our negative emotions are useful by showing us that we're focused on what we don't want and, therefore, we can then guide our thoughts to what we do want.

So, back to the Universal Laws. These three laws are the Law of Attraction, the Law of Creation, and the Law of Allowing. In addition to being universal and vibrationally based, these laws, like the Law of Gravity, are also absolute which means they work regardless of one's beliefs or awareness of them. The advantage to knowing about these laws is that one can DELIBERATELY create one's life instead of by default, which is what most people are doing.

How empowering is it to know that we are the creators of our own reality, that we are born with free will, that the purpose of life is joy, and the end result contributes to the expansion and eternalness of the Universe?

I so appreciate this powerful knowledge, Abraham, and the Hicks who have tirelessly and lovingly helped to share Abraham's teachings. (Abraham is essentially Source Energy or God, but they don't go by the latter label as it has different meanings for everyone). I learned so many things that I didn't know before or, rather as it is stated, things I didn't remember. Some of these concepts might be too unbelievable for others, but they resonated with me.

This book is for those who are ready to receive the anwers they've been asking for. Ask and it is given, indeed!

*Although the aim isn't to change our beliefs but to help guide us more towards what we want, happiness. ...more

1

Sep 28, 2008

Today marked the beginning of the reading list for the 200-hour yoga certification. I started with the first book to come in from the library, figuring that one had a deadline so better get it read first.

Ask and It Is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires, by Esther and Jerry Hicks, is a recounting of many workshops and meditation-channeling sessions that the Hicks have had with a Non-Physical Being, identifying himself as Abraham. The book mostly covers topics relating to personal Today marked the beginning of the reading list for the 200-hour yoga certification. I started with the first book to come in from the library, figuring that one had a deadline so better get it read first.

Ask and It Is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires, by Esther and Jerry Hicks, is a recounting of many workshops and meditation-channeling sessions that the Hicks have had with a Non-Physical Being, identifying himself as Abraham. The book mostly covers topics relating to personal empowerment, positive thinking, goal-setting and taking accountability for your actions and decisions.

(Disclaimer: Generally, in a book review, I talk about the book, the characters and the characters interactions - this is the same with non-fiction and fiction. Personal attacks on the author are right out, because while the author may have penned the novel, 99.9% of the time, they are not to blame for my disliking a book because of the way the characters related to me or to a theme/subject in the text. Authors always get bonus points for even getting publishing, since I am keenly aware of how hard it is to even get published. A book review should, ideally, be a thoughtful working over of the “thesis” of the book. Does the thesis succeed or fail? Are the arguments justified and substantiated? All conclusions should be supported, not only in the book, but the book review as well.)

With that being said, I have never been more insulted by a book in my life (so far). I knew it was going to be rough when, in the Foreward, the author mentioned that the soul is, in reality, “the vibrational connection to your Source” (pg xiii). Um, what? Is this person attemption to describe some plane of higher being or telling me that I’m from Good Vibrations? (Link is NSFW.) The author of the Foreward follows this statement with a blithe overview of particle physics, attempting to describe why we’re all vibrating. (Seriously, the porn joke potential is limitless.) The Foreward fails because of the heavy use of jargon specific to the Hicks’ teachings. Perhaps if someone was already familiar with their workshops this would make sense, but for a newcomer like myself, it confused me as to the point and purpose of this book.

The Preface tells how Jerry and Esther went from settled, happy suburbanites in the Southwest to discovering their potential as channels (better known as mediums) to the Non-Physical Being known as Abraham. It is unclear whether this is the Abraham of Old Testament/Torah/Koran fame, or whether this is a spirit who just happens to call himself Abraham. The opening reads like the warning on a Starbucks latte: “Caution, the beverage you are about the enjoy is extrelemy hot.” Instead, Jerry Hicks treats us to the more verbose version of “… the deep indigo tint of the Pacific Ocean at thsi time of the morning seems to match the depth of pleasure I’m feeling as I’m imagining the value you’re about to receive from the revelations in this book” (pg xvii). Skepticism and wariness as the unfathomably narcissistic tone aside, I read on. The rest of my reading can be summarized with a giant, WTF?!?!?! The more detailed internal monologues went something like this:

– Ok, Jerry, so you’re telling me straight out that I’m going to receive some great revelations, great thoughts, have some life-changing moments from reading this book. Ok, great! Hit me with it!

**reads on**

Wait, what? You expect me to belive that you and your wife, together, through meditation, channel the spirit of someone named Abraham, and he speaks directly with God? Ok. I’ve seen enough X-Files, I’ll go along with this.

**reads futher**

Hang on a second here! You’re telling me that if I don’t believe you, it’s because “you only hear what you are ready to hear” (pg 5). And that only if I read your book many times and belive completely in what you say will my “naturally joyful zest for life return” (pg 5). Really? I didn’t know my zest disappeared.

**reads with greater and greater skepticism**

“Vibrational set-point” (pg ??). What the *(&^&%$##$?!?!

**throws book down in disgust**

Ask and it is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires is a book written by and for people who have nothing better to do than whine about their insignificant problems. If you have a shred of self-awareness and self-worth, there is nothing new for you here. All this book provides is watered-down drivel about the importance of positive thinking and taking control and accountability for your life. The problem is that these are very important, but by couching them in wacky spirituality and requiring the reader to BELIEVE in the surrounding mythology, it makes it even more inaccessible, and in turn, makes the person feel unworthy if they are unable to “get it”.

Final word: F. Not recommended. There are much better “self-help” books out there that will empower and enlighten readers, without all the spiritual bunk. (Note: Let’s hope that this isn’t indicative of the other books on the reading list.) ...more

5

September 21, 2014

This book is awesome. It is easy reading and every word is based on making you feel alive, happy, secure, loving, blessed and so much more. I love it. As I read it I am always in anticipation of the words I read because I know that the next set of words are going to make me feel so good. I know ...Full Review

5

Oct 24, 2007

Read at the right time, especially when on a spiritual path, I think this could be one of those life changing or at least very pivotal books to read. It's very simply set out and easy to comprehend which is great for those who are only just learning or discovering law of attraction. As for people who already know about law of attraction I think it's great for a reminder and for fine tuning what you know.
I did find it to be slightly repetitive but I feel that given the subject and taking into Read at the right time, especially when on a spiritual path, I think this could be one of those life changing or at least very pivotal books to read. It's very simply set out and easy to comprehend which is great for those who are only just learning or discovering law of attraction. As for people who already know about law of attraction I think it's great for a reminder and for fine tuning what you know.
I did find it to be slightly repetitive but I feel that given the subject and taking into consideration how much we are all used to a certain perspective it's probably for the best as it drums it in more helping to push past any resistance and keeping a open mind. ...more

3

May 21, 2012

Giving this book a rating is very difficult. On one side I believe it's a must-read for everyone who's interested in the law of attraction and all that, on the other side it's very repetitive and also I have difficulties believing every single thing like f.e channeling, (this book is not written by Ester but by Abraham, a spirit who took over her body while she wrote the book?) or growing new body parts if we just -believe we can do it-. Sometimes it doesn't make any sense at all. Nevertheless, Giving this book a rating is very difficult. On one side I believe it's a must-read for everyone who's interested in the law of attraction and all that, on the other side it's very repetitive and also I have difficulties believing every single thing like f.e channeling, (this book is not written by Ester but by Abraham, a spirit who took over her body while she wrote the book?) or growing new body parts if we just -believe we can do it-. Sometimes it doesn't make any sense at all. Nevertheless, it's quite interesting. ...more

5

Nov 17, 2007

Read this and others years ago ..., then later listen to the tape while driving. Abraham has passed away since this book.... People are still getting great value.

5

Aug 21, 2008

Wow. This book was kicking aorund my house for 18 months before I read. The cover looked, and the titled sounded, like it was religious. Then I opened it and I started to make all these miraculous things happen. I have found it transformative to say the least. I read it concurrently with 'Conversations with God" so the "channeled writing" aspect didn't phase me, really.

5

Jan 15, 2013

I never wrote a review before but I felt compelled to do so. My sister bought this book and I decided to read it first.
What impressed me from the beginning were the comments from Wayne Dyer, since he is my favorite author. I have several self-help books in my collection, but I have never read a book that gave me such a profound and clear understanding as to why I am not getting all that I desire in life. I read it in 2 days and now I'm re-reading it and highlighting just about every page and I never wrote a review before but I felt compelled to do so. My sister bought this book and I decided to read it first.
What impressed me from the beginning were the comments from Wayne Dyer, since he is my favorite author. I have several self-help books in my collection, but I have never read a book that gave me such a profound and clear understanding as to why I am not getting all that I desire in life. I read it in 2 days and now I'm re-reading it and highlighting just about every page and doing some of the processes. I can see the fruits of this book already. Please get a copy of this book. You will not regret it.

Thank you Esther, Jerry and Abraham. ...more

5

Sep 17, 2008

The original teachings of Abraham -- won't ever get tired of re-reading this every so often for a fresh perspective! Love it love it love it!
Love the simplicity, the ease with which the Abraham-Hicks material brings out our natural tendencies towards joyful abundance. Reading Abraham always makes me realize that I have a tendency (and I think all of us who are slightly "overeducated" into believing in "the way things are" do) to overcomplicate most things. It doesn't need to be complicated, The original teachings of Abraham -- won't ever get tired of re-reading this every so often for a fresh perspective! Love it love it love it!
Love the simplicity, the ease with which the Abraham-Hicks material brings out our natural tendencies towards joyful abundance. Reading Abraham always makes me realize that I have a tendency (and I think all of us who are slightly "overeducated" into believing in "the way things are" do) to overcomplicate most things. It doesn't need to be complicated, it's really quite simple!!! There's a "system" here for bringing our energy back into alignment with joy, especially when we're going through some of life's toughest challenges -- you really can't go from utter depression to extreme joyfulness in 0 to 60 seconds, and I like the gentle approaches given here in order to realize from within where you're at, where you'd like to be, and how to go about begining the journey of living intentionally in the direction of your hopes and dreams like flowers grow towards the sunshine... ...more

0

Aug 25, 2009

Wonderful reminder to keep track of what you are thinking about.. think of joy and happy things, and get joy and happy things.. think of bad and unhappy things, and get that too... I have read this book about 12 times... and get something new out of it each time... And people wonder why I am in such a good mood all the time, and why my life is so great? HELLO????

5

Feb 03, 2011

What if you could change your life by changing the direction of your thoughts?

I know that this sounds like what one acquaintance of mine calls "woo-woo,"but bear with me.

Esther and Jerry Hicks are presenting information from Abraham, a Non-Physical Being. (Think Jane Roberts and Seth.) Abraham shares ideas about how the direction of our thoughts manifests change in our lives, and some practical ideas/exercises to help you with the process.

I have been doing gratitude work for nearly a year now What if you could change your life by changing the direction of your thoughts?

I know that this sounds like what one acquaintance of mine calls "woo-woo,"but bear with me.

Esther and Jerry Hicks are presenting information from Abraham, a Non-Physical Being. (Think Jane Roberts and Seth.) Abraham shares ideas about how the direction of our thoughts manifests change in our lives, and some practical ideas/exercises to help you with the process.

I have been doing gratitude work for nearly a year now (that happens to be one of the exercises) and can attest that once you start looking for things to appreciate, more opportunities appear. I started focusing on what I wanted to like, instead of what I didn't want to like (Abraham says focusing attention on what you don't want brings it to you because of your direction) and discovered changes in my life.

I am open-minded enough to give some of these exercises a shot because I've seen what the gratitude work does. Esther and Jerry Hicks present their information with a light heart and good humor, and it's worth investigating. ...more

5

September 15, 2014

Just reading up thru chapter 8 and I can't put the book down! Makes me feel so good and helps me to stay in alignment with my words, thoughts. Definitely helps me show more action in my desires! can't wait to read more!! :)

1

Aug 11, 2012

i fell under the spell of this philosophy for a few years. it does have some good bits of cognitive therapy,but much of the 'law of attraction' crowd lacks a good helping of compassion. some truly believe if it doesn't work,or you're sick,you're not trying hard enough. life is not quite that simple.

3

Dec 07, 2014

Oh lordy. This book is so fully of kook that I can barely stand it (especially finishing off with Esther's voice, which is just as irritating as hell). And YET it is so chock full of useful instruction that I think I might actually want to own a hard copy. I usually prefer listening to inspirational-type stuff, and by "inspirational" I really mean all the extraneous stuff I fill my head with to keep me on track with where I want to go in life. And this is pretty good for that purpose, but it Oh lordy. This book is so fully of kook that I can barely stand it (especially finishing off with Esther's voice, which is just as irritating as hell). And YET it is so chock full of useful instruction that I think I might actually want to own a hard copy. I usually prefer listening to inspirational-type stuff, and by "inspirational" I really mean all the extraneous stuff I fill my head with to keep me on track with where I want to go in life. And this is pretty good for that purpose, but it also is read so quickly and has so many "processes" (techniques) that it would be good to keep a copy as a reference. Of course it will all sound like total BS to the skeptical crowd, but it's really interesting how our neuroplasticity programs for healing chronic illnesses* pretty much follow the same guidelines as what is said here, if you oversimplify it to the max (min?)... and that is basically that negative thoughts tear you down physically, while joyful thoughts rebuild your body.

Some more favorite quotes from that one segment on health:

"Every cell in your body has a direct relationship with Creative Life Force, and each cell is independently responding. When you feel joy, all the circuits are open and the Life Force or God Force can be fully received. When you feel guilt or blame or fear or anger, the circuits are hindered and the Life Force cannot flow as effectively. Physical experience is about monitoring those circuits and keeping them as open as possible. The cells know what to do. They are summoning the Energy." ~Abraham.

Huh. That again. Everything I read comes back to that. I'm also reading /The Heartmath Solution/ right now... same basic message, in more measurable scientific terms, regarding energy flow and entrainment of heartbeats and brain waves. And yet I keep falling off the wagon and obsessing about all that's wrong with my body and my life. Wake-up call #8749... Oh yes, and also, I need to remember the quote... "Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self esteem, first make sure you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes." Yeah. That continues to be my biggest challenge, though to be fair, the degree of assholeness does keep improving.

So... more quotes:

"Any time you have physical discomfort of any kind, whether you call it emotional, or physical pain within your body, it always, always means the same thing: "I have a desire that is summoning Energy, but I have a belief that is not allowing so I've created resistance in my body." The solution, every single time, to the releasing of discomfort or pain — is the relaxation and the reaching for the feeling of relief."
~ Abraham

And my favorite, because I love reading things that agree with what I've already decided to be true: "Wellness that is being allowed—or the wellness that is being denied—is all about the mindset, the mood, the attitude, the practiced thoughts. There is not one exception, in any human or beast; because, you can patch them up again and again, and they will just find another way of reverting back to the natural rhythm of their mind. Treating the body really is about treating the mind. It is all psychosomatic. Every bit of it, no exceptions.
~ Abraham

Well, okay I don't believe "every bit of it," but I sure do think that it is most often the major contributor.

Here is the full audio from Process 21: Reclaiming One's Natural State of Health. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Audl... If the video is taken down, a youtube search might find another source of the same audio. I'd like to get this digitized on my phone so I can listen to it repeatedly as an aid in brain retraining.

But of course these messages are waging war with my western-medicine-trained mind, and even though I threw western health philosophy out the window a long time ago, clearly its influence is still strong. The mental discomfort and resistance I feel makes me steer away from that 4 stars and down towards 3. Ideally I'd like to give it 3.5 for now, but I suspect that after I get back up on the healing wagon, I'll be leaning more towards 4.

*Gupta Amygdala Retraining Programme for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, and Gulf War Syndrome
*Dynamic Neural Retraining System for MCS, CFS, Fibromyalgia, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, PTSD, Chronic Pain, and Anxiety ...more

1

Mar 09, 2018

I have studied Abraham's teachings for the last eight years and I am going to save you some time and money, if you like.

In its most condensed form these teachings can be summed up thusly: "The beatings will continue until morale improves."

The basic premise of the Law of Attraction is that you are responsible for everything that happens to you because, through your vibration (thought energy), you have attracted it to you. Because of this, you are also the only one who can change your situation. I have studied Abraham's teachings for the last eight years and I am going to save you some time and money, if you like.

In its most condensed form these teachings can be summed up thusly: "The beatings will continue until morale improves."

The basic premise of the Law of Attraction is that you are responsible for everything that happens to you because, through your vibration (thought energy), you have attracted it to you. Because of this, you are also the only one who can change your situation. If you change your vibration, your situation will change accordingly.

The basic premise of Abraham's teachings about the LOA is that the only reason anyone wants anything is because they believe that they will feel better in the having of it. So if you find a way to feel better about not having it, then it won't matter if you have it or not, because you already feel better. And then you will attract it and have it.

There is extravagant explanation of this provided by Abraham-Hicks books, CD's, DVD's, workshops and cruises if you are interested in how it works and why it is so. Pursue them if you have that interest.

If what you would like to have improved is an increase in finances from, say $50K/year to $75K/year, this may in fact be helpful. Your boss is much more likely to give you a raise if you show up smiling every day instead of moping. Of course, it is easier to smile every morning if you are sleeping indoors, eating regularly, and have sufficient discretionary income to invest in self-improvement materials.

However, if you find yourself suffering from addiction or real poverty or serious illness or enmeshment in an abusive relationship, you may find this technique a bit harder to implement. You must learn to appreciate whatever free will or money or health or love that you have (even if you are working three jobs to get it), and then it will increase. If you can't get there from here emotionally, well, it sucks to be you.

Add to this suckiness the human tendency to berate yourself when you feel you are failing at something, whether it is work, health, relationships, life, or now, of course, managing your vibration. You must find a way to feel good about this, too, especially if you find yourself wondering, "Where's my stuff?" Or, you know, it will suck to be you and continue to suck to be you.

Does all this seem rather circular? Don't worry about that, it's just a paradox. But you must find a way to think about that that feels better, too, or it sucks to be you in an even suckier way than before.

Even Abraham admits that it is much harder to dig yourself out than it is to never get buried in the first place. On that we wholeheartedly agree.

I think the bottom line is this. If these teachings were truly as easy and righteous as Abraham-Hicks presents them to be, there would be many, many millions of people in this world who are millionaires (at least) and are in perfect health while living in joyous relationship to others and the world around them. Does that sound like anyone you know? In fact, what I see are millions of people buying books, CD's, etc. and a seemingly endless supply of workshop attendees hoping to sit in the hot seat. I am no longer one of them.

In an effort to be fair, this book is not an empty wasteland. If you make a sincere effort to look for things that you enjoy or that make you happy, will your life be better than if you focus solely on things that make you miserable? Yes. Are you more likely to have harmonious relationships if you are making the best of things instead of picking fights? Yes. Could these less stressful conditions contribute to your good health? Yes. Over time, could all of these things combined contribute to a more fulfilling life? Yes. Are they free and available to everyone? Absolutely.

If these concepts were presented as suggestions for living a better life, with fewer grandiose claims, and without the implication that you can control everything that happens to you merely by controlling your thoughts, I wouldn't be so critical. If the idea that "you are responsible" was presented as a means for changing what you can, rather than as an elaborate version of "blame the victim," I would have warmer feelings toward these teachings.

Abraham says that it is a collective of non-physical beings who, "Are that which physical beings call God." And I guess when God says that you can be, do or have anything, that's a very God-like statement, and one that, from God's point of view, is perfectly reasonable. And, as Abraham is so fond of saying, "It is Law!"

However, after eight years of trying to emulate God, I find that I am actually much happier, more relaxed, more comfortable with myself and the world around me, and having a lot more fun when I allow myself to be the ordinary, mediocre, and very human being that I am.

Here is an example of how it worked for me. I live in a residential neighborhood and have a yard. I regularly find piles of poop left behind by dogs whose owners have either let them run loose or have failed to clean up after them while out walking. Under the Abraham-Hicks philosophy, I am entirely responsible for this since, via my vibration, I have attracted it. For five years I have been entirely unable to change how I feel about this, i.e., I think people who let their dogs poop on my property are assholes, I detest having to clean up the poop, and I have found that if I just ignore it the riding mower used by my lawn service runs over it and spreads it all around my yard.

Since abandoning my attempts to regulate pooping dogs via my vibration, I have seen no change in their pooping habits. However, I no longer feel guilty for thinking of their owners as assholes, I don't beat myself up for my inability to change those habits via my vibration, and I don't waste any time trying to figure out how to make it stop by thinking other thoughts.

There are assholes in the world, some of them own dogs, and part of life on earth is choosing to clean up after them or not, even if I am unhappy about both choices. It's a small part of my life and I just get it over with as quickly as possible. I also feel comfortable glaring at any dog walkers I encounter near my property, sending the useful message that I know what they may be up to and I do not appreciate it. Done and done.

***********

Oct 1, 2019, edited to add:

The further removed I get from these teachings, the more clarity I get. I've realized that in essence, the message is, "If you could just get it right, everything would go the way you want it to."

And so, if there are still things in your life that are not what you want, you begin to look for the place where you are getting it "wrong." For me, that made me not only more of a "victim", since I believed everything could be the way I wanted it to be, but also the victim-blamer, all neatly wrapped up and contained in my own psyche. Not in any way a desirable place to be. ...more

5

Nov 23, 2012

This are and "a crossing or the drop's history" by Anatoliy Obraztsov the absolute best books on how to live your best life. There are literally from "out of this world!"

Really!

The authors of the Ask and It Is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires (Abraham) are non-physical beings channeled through the co-writer, Esther Hicks. We will admit that after reading the introductory chapter where this concept is explained, we almost put the book down . We had a MAJOR problem with this concept This are and "a crossing or the drop's history" by Anatoliy Obraztsov the absolute best books on how to live your best life. There are literally from "out of this world!"

Really!

The authors of the Ask and It Is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires (Abraham) are non-physical beings channeled through the co-writer, Esther Hicks. We will admit that after reading the introductory chapter where this concept is explained, we almost put the book down . We had a MAJOR problem with this concept because it felt very uncomfortable. We pushed passed the uncomfortable feeling and got through the book. We are very pleased to say "WE ARE SO GLAD WE DID!"

This book explains how to use the laws of the universe to achieve any goal. These principles make perfect sense. We can now look back in our lives and clearly understand why we are where we are today. This book explains how we were creating by default, because these principles work whether or not we know about them... like gravity. The best part is that from what we learned from this book, we can now use these universal principles to deliberately create the lives we want for our future. IT REALLY WORKS!

You can start from right where you are. No matter what your life looks like today, you can begin changing for the better. Abraham gives different processes to help you to start moving up the "emotional ladder." Based on how you are feeling right now, you can choose the best process to help you start moving towards your desired goal.

There are many books on the market explaining these principles, but we have found that most of them reference this book, hence our title: The GRANDADDY of self-help books!

This is a MUST READ! ...more

5

Jan 15, 2013

Ask And It Is Given explains to us the universal laws of attraction on a very personal scale. In essence, our thoughts and emotions are powerful magnets which attract things of a similar vibration. The law is summed up as "That which is like unto itself is drawn." We've all experienced this for ourselves. Ever notice how when you're in a negative mood, you seem to attract even more calamity than usual, as if you're wearing a big "Kick Me" sign? That's because on an emotional/energetic level, you Ask And It Is Given explains to us the universal laws of attraction on a very personal scale. In essence, our thoughts and emotions are powerful magnets which attract things of a similar vibration. The law is summed up as "That which is like unto itself is drawn." We've all experienced this for ourselves. Ever notice how when you're in a negative mood, you seem to attract even more calamity than usual, as if you're wearing a big "Kick Me" sign? That's because on an emotional/energetic level, you are wearing a sign! You're broadcasting a signal that is immediately answered with more of the same. That's why, when you take the time to center yourself, focus on the great things you desire (not the lack of them), and feel genuine appreciation for what you already have, everything seems to fall into place more easily. By being more aware of your thoughts and emotions, and gently directing them where you want to go, you become a deliberate creator of your own life.

The first half of Ask And It Is Given is a discussion of these principles, and the second half contains 22 specific exercises you can choose from, depending on how you're feeling, to help you take control of your situation and begin to manifest more of what you want.

If you happen to be a religious fundamentalist, you may not like this book. It's not about suffering, sacrifice, or doing what you're told. This is a book about getting in touch with your own intuition, embracing the infinite abundance and variety of the universe, and consciously creating the joyful, fulfilling life you deserve. ...more

5

Sep 27, 2007

Your life really does change when you change your thoughts. It's not easy, but worth it. These books/series/concepts are so inspiring and uplifting to me. I can read this stuff everyday and just feel more energetic, inspired, etc...I never get tired of it. They just released their new one, The Astonishing Power of Emotions, and I went out and got it the first day. I NEVER do that. Warning: it takes an open-mind to really get the most out of this.

5

Feb 26, 2008

Truly the best Abraham-Hicks book written! Probably the best, most useful, transformational book I own. This book is most recommended because of 22 processes in the back of the book that turn it into a literal handbook as to how you can revolutionize your life! There is not one other book that I am aware of that has such transformational information between its covers.

5

August 12, 2016

This book is awesome. It is easy reading and every word is based on making you feel alive, happy, secure, loving, blessed and so much more. I love it. As I read it I am always in anticipation of the words I read because I know that the next set of words are going to make me feel so good. I know that Abraham is real and these processes work. Keep reading and above all stay in appreciation of everything that makes you feel good. When I began reading the parts about the processes, I want to do them all. I am so grateful, thankful and appreciative for this book. Another wonderful writer, Catherine Ponder, with her wonderful books on prosperity, healing and God also makes this work come alive. God Bless and Thank you Esther and Jerry Hicks and Louise Hays.

5

Jan 25, 2013

I have to say that I am sitting here with my jaw on the floor over this book. On my own personal journey of prosperity consciousness and manifesting abundance, I have read just about every book on the subject. I swore I wasn't going to buy another prosperity related book because they all just say the same thing over and over (just in a different way) and frankly I was getting really bored with all the repetition. And, I also just kept having this feeling like something was missing from all of I have to say that I am sitting here with my jaw on the floor over this book. On my own personal journey of prosperity consciousness and manifesting abundance, I have read just about every book on the subject. I swore I wasn't going to buy another prosperity related book because they all just say the same thing over and over (just in a different way) and frankly I was getting really bored with all the repetition. And, I also just kept having this feeling like something was missing from all of these books...more specifically, the 'why'. For some reason, unbeknownst to me, I was pulled to buy this book. I was sure that it would be no different than all the others. Boy was I wrong! For me, this book has been the missing link that I've been searching for for years. It may be that I had to read all the other books first to really 'get it' with this one. Even though I have read and read and read and have really studied the art of the laws of attraction and manifesting abundance I somehow felt stuck... I had, what I thought, was all the knowledge to be ridiculously prosperous yet not much was happening. Now, finally after reading 'Ask and it is Given' do I completely understand why it is that I have been stuck for so many years. This book truly is the missing link! I cannot recommend it enough. I doubt that this book could ever be topped. ...more