My goal here is to address some of the harmful beliefs that may derive from the Law of Assumption and to open discussion about it. Thoughts and criticism would be very much welcome 
What is the Law of Assumption?
The Law of Assumption posits that reality is shaped by one’s beliefs and consciousness. According to this principle, assuming the feeling of the wish fulfilled would manifest desired outcomes into one’s reality. This has led to the development of various methods to apply this concept.
The power of belief
I didn’t think this had to be mentioned until I stumbled upon this article this article but there is absolutely nothing scientific about the Law of Assumption. Scientific evidence would require an objective means to observe one’s consciousness which is not possible for the time being. As for testimonials, they are based on subjective experiences and may be influenced by confirmation bias or magical thinking. I am not invalidating these experiences, only stating that they do not count as science. The Law of Assumption is a purely metaphysical theory.
However, the power of one’s beliefs on reality is undeniable. Beliefs shape behavior and actions, which in turn influence the world around us. For example, confidence in one’s ability to learn new skills can lead to faster development (provided there is an acknowledgment of the need for personal effort). Conversely, the belief that “talent” or a “gift” is required to succeed in a particular area will likely result in a failure if one does not put in the necessary work because of it.
The disturbing side of the Law of Assumption
While there is nothing wrong with the intrinsic concept of the Law of Assumption, some of its interpretations can be very harmful to both oneself and society. Here’s how:
Victim-blaming
Individuals are encouraged to harness the Law of Assumption by assuming the state of the wish fulfilled in order to manifest it into reality. Some go as far as stating that you can completely shape your reality by merely changing your beliefs, and even that it is simple to do so, which basically means that you are accountable for everything, good and bad, happening in the world. If you are sick, poor, disabled, oppressed, it is only because you assumed these conditions into existence. See where I’m coming from?
The Law of Assumption was popularized by the teachings of Neville Goddard who offered his own personal interpretation of religious texts to support his teachings. In The Pruning Shears of Revision, he writes:
Do you know someone that is evil? Stop knowing it by bringing him before your mind’s eye and carry on with him the most wonderful conversation in the world, with a tender spirit, a loving spirit, and believe in the reality of this communion, because if you really do it, you are entering the kingdom of heaven, for you enter heaven by a loving, knowing communion with a friend. So make him a friend, if he is a lovely one, no matter what he is, you can prune him and then as you prune him you are doing the work which you were sent to do for man–and you are that man–you are placed this day in the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. Don’t let it continue growing weeds in your world.
It seems completely delusional to me to assume that ignoring someone else’s ill intentions will make them a better person. Worse, Neville Goddard pursues:
You are absolutely responsible for every being you meet in this world; that’s your responsibility. Just like the teacher we told you of who took this little child that was just about to be expelled; no, the child is not expelled because she heard what you are hearing this morning. So she brought before her mind’s eye the child that the principal, the psychiatrist and all the faculty had agreed unanimously to expel her on her l6th birthday, for she was rude, she was crude, she was unethical; and she went home on a Sunday night and brought that child before her mind’s eye and communed with her and saw in her a tender child, a considerate child, a loving child. The next day, Monday, in class she expressed all the kindness of that revision of the night before, and ten days later when it was seen and witnessed by all the faculty, and the psychiatrist, another meeting was called and they repealed their verdict of ten days before and the child is not expelled.
Following this logic, every victim is responsible for their abuser’s behavior. Every oppressed person is responsible for the cruelty of their oppressor. And this could have been avoided through sheer love and compassion from their own part. Does this seem alright to you?
Ignoring the problem
In Feeling is the secret, our “Magician of the Beautiful” states:
Nations, as well as people, are only what you believe them to be. No matter what the problem is, no matter where it is, no matter whom it concerns, you have no one to change but yourself, and you have neither opponent nor helper in bringing about the change within yourself. You have nothing to do but convince yourself of the truth of that which you desire to see manifested.
So according to Goddard, you as an individual are responsible for wars and genocides and other large-scale issues because you manifested it. Such a viewpoint can lead to historical negationism (Holocaust denial), science denial (climate change denial), and the dismissal of systemic issues like racism. Believing that mere assumption can alter reality may discourage practical steps towards solving problems, potentially hindering personal and collective growth and achievement. This neglect of action-oriented behavior can be especially damaging if individuals refuse medical care, assuming faith alone will cure them.
You never suggest to another the state which you desire to see him express; instead, you convince yourself that he is already that which you desire him to be. Realization of your wish is accomplished by assuming the feeling of the wish fulfilled.
Neville Goddard is basically discouraging communication. When you disagree with someone and want them to reassess their views instead of respectfully stating your opinion you should just “convince yourself of the truth that which you desire to see manifested”. If someone abuses you, on top of taking responsibility for it you should keep silent and convince yourself that this did not happen.
Solipsism
Stating that everything one believes on a personal level becomes reality automatically validates all hateful stereotypes about oppressed and exploited groups. Under this assumption, I could prove literally any belief including ones that contradict themself such as “everything is false” (inconsistency). I could legitimately spread any kind of BS claiming that I am right simply because I believe in it.
The Law of Assumption derives from the principle that “consciousness is your only reality” which is closely related to solipsism and the view that you and your ideas alone exist. Yes they do exist and are possibly the one thing able to resist radical doubt as per Descartes’ cogito. But extending this concept to deny the existence or significance of others as conscious entities is disrespectful and impractical.
Contradictions
So let’s assume for a second that other individuals are real, which looks pretty reasonable to me. What about their feelings and thoughts and beliefs? They must shape reality as well. This is incompatible with the idea that you can manifest anything on your own through the Law of Assumption.
This makes most manifestation methods much less reliable than they seem because they work only on you as an individual, that is to say one small part of a much vaster universe. And yes, you might argue that everything is connected and that you as a separate being have the ability to influence this vast universe. But this would mean that others can, too. So there would be many factors to take into account that would hinder your manifestation process.
In short, applying the Law of Assumption on an individual level would most likely not get you anywhere if you are trying to influence phenomena that operate on a bigger scale. It is not as simple as it may appear and certainly not a magical solve-all remedy, at least from my perspective.
