Abraham Hicks is a significant and influential phenomenon within the contemporary New Thought and self-help movement. Their popularity stems from a unique approach to personal development and spiritual understanding, primarily realized through the channeling of a collective consciousness known as “Abraham.” This activity has played a crucial role in popularizing and disseminating the concepts of the Law of Attraction and conscious creation to a global audience.
This report aims to provide a comprehensive, objective, and expert analysis of Abraham Hicks. It will detail the key figures, Esther and Jerry Hicks, explore the purported nature and origin of the “Abraham” entities, trace their historical development and growing influence, outline their core teachings and practical applications, and critically examine the various criticisms leveled against them, including sensitive and controversial accusations of demonic influence. The goal is to present a balanced view, allowing for a nuanced understanding of this complex spiritual movement.
The phenomenon of Abraham Hicks should be viewed within the broader context of modern spirituality, self-help literature, and the growing public interest in manifestation, personal empowerment, and alternative forms of spiritual guidance. This positioning allows for an understanding of their appeal and the significant impact they have had on millions seeking to shape their reality and achieve personal growth.
Who are Abraham Hicks?
The term “Abraham Hicks” encompasses two individuals—Esther and Jerry Hicks—and a collective consciousness known as “Abraham,” which is purportedly channeled through Esther.
Esther Hicks: The Channeler
Esther Hicks (née Weaver, born in 1948 in Coalville, Utah) is the central figure through whom the “Abraham” teachings are conveyed. She acts as a “channel” or “interpreter” for Abraham, serving as a conduit for their ideas and guidance.
Esther’s channeling process involves receiving “blocks of thoughts” from Abraham, which she then translates into spoken words. In the early 1980s, her voice during channeling was noted for a strong accent, which later evolved into a more natural vocal pattern, although the tone and pace of her speech remain distinct during channeling. This allows adherents to differentiate her normal voice from the voice purportedly belonging to Abraham.
Jerry Hicks: Co-creator and Organizer
Jerry Hicks, Esther’s late husband (married in 1980, died in 2011), played a pivotal role in the development and dissemination of the Abraham-Hicks teachings. His diverse background, including two years as a circus acrobat in Cuba and a 20-year career as a musician, entertainer, and comedian starting in 1948, laid the groundwork for their extensive public activities.
Together, they co-authored numerous bestsellers, including “Ask and It Is Given” and “The Law of Attraction,” which were crucial in spreading Abraham’s wisdom worldwide. Jerry was instrumental in organizing their seminars, publications, and overall business operations.
“Abraham”: The Collective Consciousness
“Abraham” is defined as a “collective consciousness of non-physical entities.” They are presented as a group of wise teachers from higher realms who offer profound insights and guidance for spiritual understanding and personal growth. According to their teachings, Abraham transcends individual identity, conveying universal truths and timeless wisdom. Abraham describes themselves as “Source Energy” itself—the fundamental energetic flow experienced in moments of intense positive emotions such as love, exhilaration, pure joy, or bliss.
Abraham prefers the term “inspiration” over “channeling,” asserting that many individuals, such as athletes, surgeons, or musicians, are extensions of Source Energy and channel in their own way. This framing aims to normalize their communication, presenting it as a universal human potential rather than an exclusive mystical act. Abraham’s strategic self-definition as “Source Energy” and their claim to be “at the basis of every existing religion” is a deliberate and highly effective rhetorical strategy. By asserting their fundamental, universal nature, they establish a broad authoritative appeal that transcends specific religious or spiritual doctrines. This positioning allows their teachings to resonate with diverse audiences, potentially diminishing the skepticism that might arise from narrower spiritual claims. Furthermore, Abraham’s explicit preference for the term “inspiration” over “channeling” is a key element of this strategy. Traditional “channeling” often carries connotations of esotericism, potential deception, or even negative spiritual influence. By reframing their communication as a form of universal “inspiration,” they attempt to demystify the process and align it with widely accepted concepts of creativity, intuition, and divine guidance, making it more palatable and less intimidating to the general public. This linguistic choice helps normalize their unique form of communication, presenting it not as a niche occult practice but as an accessible path to universal wisdom. This strategic self-definition significantly contributes to the widespread acceptance and impact of the Abraham-Hicks teachings, as they are presented as universally applicable wisdom rather than a specialized, potentially controversial, spiritual practice. This allows them to bypass certain traditional barriers for those exploring spiritual concepts.
The “Abraham” Entities: Nature and Origin
Nature of Abraham
Abraham is consistently described as a collective of non-physical entities, “a group of entities” or “a broader entity” interpreted by Esther Hicks. Their primary function is as teachers, guiding individuals from their current state to a desired reality, rather than predicting the future like fortune tellers.
Their core philosophical tenets include the belief that humans are “physical extensions of the non-physical,” that people “are in this body because they chose to be here,” and that “the purpose of your life is joy.” They assert that “you are the creator; you create with every thought” and that “anything you can imagine is yours to be, or do, or have.”
The name “Abraham,” it is reported, was unconsciously chosen by Esther, selected because it was “the best descriptive word” to explain their essence—being “at the basis of every existing religion” and having existed “for a very long time.” This implies a fundamental, universal presence across diverse spiritual traditions.
The Channeling Process
Esther Hicks’ role is akin to a “language translator or interpreter.” She senses non-verbal communication from Abraham and translates it into human words.
Abraham explains this process as Esther receiving “blocks of thoughts,” which they liken to a “computer download” or “radio signals.” Esther then unconsciously finds the “physical verbal equivalent” for these thought blocks. This analogy attempts to provide a relatable, albeit extraordinary, explanation for how the non-physical communicates through a physical medium.
Brief History of Abraham Hicks
The history of Abraham Hicks is a testament to the gradual evolution from personal spiritual exploration to a global movement.
Beginning of Channeling (1985)
Esther Hicks’ initial channeling experiences began in 1985. This was preceded by her and Jerry Hicks’ exploration of the topic through reading books by renowned channeler Jane Roberts (known for the “Seth” material) and consulting a channeler in Phoenix, Arizona, where they resided at the time. This indicates a period of inquiry and openness to channeling concepts before Esther’s own direct experience.
Development of Public Activities
Following Esther’s initial experiences, they began offering private readings in 1987, and the following year, expanded their activities to public conferences. Their operating model involved extensive global travel in a luxury RV throughout the 2000s, conducting numerous seminars and retreats. These events created an immersive environment for participants to delve into Abraham’s teachings and experience profound personal growth. Later, cruises were also added to their schedule.
The Hickses co-authored a series of bestsellers, including “Ask and It Is Given” and “The Law of Attraction,” which were translated into several languages, significantly broadening their global reach and impact.
Involvement and Departure from “The Secret” (2006)
Esther Hicks played a key role in the original 2006 documentary film “The Secret,” which brought the concept of the Law of Attraction into mainstream consciousness. She was initially the film’s main narrator and central figure. However, footage featuring Hicks was subsequently removed from later “Extended Editions” of the film. This departure was attributed to a dispute with the film’s creator, Rhonda Byrne, over “intellectual property” or “ideological differences.” Hicks reportedly received $500,000 but no further royalties from the film.
Despite her removal, “The Secret” significantly popularized core Abraham-Hicks concepts, as the film was largely “based on Abraham’s teachings,” thereby creating a vast new audience interested in their work. Esther Hicks’ initial involvement and subsequent removal from “The Secret” film might have seemed like a significant setback or loss of visibility. However, a deeper analysis reveals a paradoxical outcome. “The Secret” film was based on Abraham’s teachings and was extraordinarily successful in popularizing the concept of the Law of Attraction to a wide audience. Even after the footage of Hicks was removed, the film had already “stirred up an entire audience,” who, upon learning of her removal, actively sought out the original source of the teachings. This suggests that the controversy itself, rather than diminishing Abraham-Hicks’ impact, likely spurred significant curiosity and direct migration of interested individuals to their original materials, solidifying their status as the “source” of the modern Law of Attraction movement. The controversy inadvertently served as a powerful, albeit unconventional, marketing catalyst, driving traffic to their own platforms and publications. Thus, the “Secret” film controversy, rather than hindering Abraham-Hicks, likely became an unexpected catalyst for wider awareness and direct engagement with their original teachings, cementing their position as an authoritative source within the modern Law of Attraction movement. This demonstrates how perceived negative events can, in certain contexts, lead to unforeseen positive outcomes for public figures or movements.
Global Community and Ongoing Influence
Through their extensive work, Abraham-Hicks have cultivated a “global community of seekers” dedicated to personal growth, spiritual healing, and conscious living. This community interacts through online forums, social media groups, and local meetups. Their teachings continue to inspire and uplift individuals, contributing to the “current wave of Law of Attraction sweeping the world” and leaving a “legacy of empowerment.” They maintain an official website (abraham-hicks.com) offering various products and live online seminars. Their YouTube channel also boasts a significant subscriber base and viewership.
Core Practices and Teachings
The Abraham-Hicks teachings revolve around the concept of the Law of Attraction, which is a fundamental principle governing all experiences.
Central Principle: The Law of Attraction
At the heart of Abraham-Hicks’ philosophy is the Law of Attraction, which posits that “thoughts and emotions can shape reality.” This universal law dictates that “like attracts like,” meaning individuals attract experiences into their lives that resonate with their predominant thoughts and feelings. The goal is not to manipulate the universe but to harmonize oneself with one’s “highest potential and authentic self.”
Key Principles of the Teachings
- Thoughts Are Things: Abraham-Hicks emphasizes that thoughts are not merely abstract mental constructs but powerful energetic forces that actively shape one’s reality. Negative thoughts, fears, and doubts generate negative vibrations, attracting corresponding undesirable experiences, while positive thoughts, gratitude, and belief create positive vibrations, attracting desired outcomes.
- The Importance of Belief: Genuine belief in the possibility of a desired outcome is considered crucial for its manifestation. This “belief” is described not as blind acceptance but as “confident expectation built upon inner knowing.”
- The Power of Gratitude: Expressing gratitude for what one already has is deemed essential. Gratitude is believed to shift one’s vibrational frequency to abundance, thereby attracting more of what is appreciated into one’s experience.
- The Role of Emotions as Guidance: Emotions are presented as a vital “guidance system” or “indicator.” Positive emotions (e.g., joy, excitement) signal alignment with desires and Source Energy, indicating that one is “in harmony” with what they want. Conversely, negative emotions (e.g., frustration, anger, despair) indicate “misalignment” or “resistance” to desires, signaling that thoughts are out of alignment. The teaching encourages consciously choosing “higher” thoughts to elevate one’s emotional state.
- The Concept of Vibration: All things, including thoughts and feelings, are understood to vibrate at different frequencies. Thoughts and feelings that align with a desired outcome create a higher vibrational frequency, which then attracts more aligned experiences.
- The Vortex: A core concept, the “Vortex,” is described as an “energetic state where everything you desire already exists.” The goal is to “allow” oneself into this state by releasing resistance and focusing on positive emotions. It is a state of “non-resistance” and “allowing,” where one’s vibration naturally rises.
- Conscious Creation: This principle emphasizes active participation and intentionality in shaping one’s reality, moving beyond passive reception. Individuals are encouraged to be “conscious creators of our reality” by deliberately directing their thoughts toward their desires.
- Non-Judgment: Avoiding self-criticism and judgment of others is considered crucial, as these lower vibrations can repel desired outcomes and block the heart.
Practical Methods and Exercises
Abraham-Hicks offers various processes, including 22 exercises detailed in the book “Ask and It Is Given,” to help individuals apply the Law of Attraction.
- Start with Gratitude: A daily practice of expressing gratitude for at least three things. This shifts one’s vibrational frequency to abundance.
- Positive Affirmations: Regularly affirming positive beliefs about oneself and one’s abilities to reprogram the subconscious mind and align thoughts with desires.
- Visualizing Goals: Spending time vividly imagining desired outcomes in detail to strengthen belief and align vibrational frequency with intentions.
- Releasing Limiting Beliefs and Resistance: Identifying and challenging negative thoughts and beliefs that hinder progress. This includes consciously choosing not to dwell on past negative experiences.
- Inspired Action: Taking steps toward goals, even small ones, guided by intuition and positive feelings. Actions are seen as a “by-product of your focus on joy.”
- Feeling the Desired Outcome: Actively experiencing the emotions associated with a desired situation as if it has already manifested.
- Pivoting: A technique for consciously shifting one’s focus from negative thoughts to positive ones.
- Segment Intending: Setting clear intentions for how each segment of the day or activity will unfold.
Core Principles and Practices of Abraham Hicks Teachings
| Principle/Practice | Brief Description | Key Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Law of Attraction | “Like attracts like”; thoughts and emotions shape reality, attracting experiences aligned with vibration. | Fundamental law governing all experience, the basis of all teachings. |
| Thoughts Are Things | Thoughts are powerful energetic forces that actively shape reality. | Emphasizes responsibility for choosing thoughts, as they are creative forces. |
| Importance of Belief | Genuine belief and confident expectation of a desired outcome are crucial for its manifestation. | Belief is the catalyst for manifestation, transforming desire into reality. |
| Power of Gratitude | Expressing gratitude for what already exists raises vibrational frequency to abundance. | Shifts energetic state, attracting more positive experiences. |
| Role of Emotions as Guidance | Emotions serve as an inner “signal,” indicating alignment or resistance to desires. | Allows for conscious adjustment of thoughts and vibrations to achieve desired state. |
| Concept of Vibration | All things, including thoughts and feelings, vibrate at different frequencies, attracting similar vibrations. | Explains the mechanism of the Law of Attraction; high vibration attracts desired outcomes. |
| The Vortex | An energetic state where everything desired already exists; the goal is to “allow” oneself into this state. | A place of complete alignment with Source Energy, where manifestation occurs with ease. |
| Conscious Creation | Active and intentional participation in shaping one’s reality through conscious thought choices. | Transforms individuals into active creators, rather than passive receivers of experience. |
| Non-Judgment | Avoiding self-criticism and judgment of others, as this lowers vibrations. | Contributes to maintaining high vibration and eliminating resistance. |
| Start with Gratitude | Daily practice of expressing gratitude for at least three things. | Tunes vibration to positivity, preparing the ground for manifestation. |
| Positive Affirmations | Regularly affirming positive beliefs about oneself and one’s abilities. | Reprograms the subconscious, aligning thoughts with desires. |
| Visualizing Goals | Vividly imagining desired outcomes in detail. | Strengthens belief and aligns vibrational frequency with intentions. |
| Releasing Limiting Beliefs and Resistance | Identifying and challenging negative thoughts that hinder progress. | Removes internal barriers that block the flow of desired outcomes. |
| Inspired Action | Taking steps toward goals, guided by intuition and positive feelings. | Translates inner alignment into outer results, but only as a byproduct. |
| Feeling the Desired Outcome | Actively experiencing the emotions associated with a desired situation as if it has already manifested. | Reinforces vibrational alignment, signaling readiness to receive to the universe. |
| Pivoting | Consciously shifting focus from negative thoughts to positive ones. | Allows for rapid change in emotional and vibrational state. |
| Segment Intending | Setting clear intentions for how each segment of the day or activity will unfold. | Creates conscious control over daily experience, promoting alignment. |
Criticism and Controversies
The teachings of Abraham-Hicks, despite their popularity, have drawn significant criticism from various quarters, including scientific, ethical, psychological, and religious objections.
Scientific and Pseudoscientific Criticism
A primary criticism is that the Law of Attraction, as promoted by Abraham-Hicks, lacks empirical scientific evidence. Academics and scientists widely classify it as pseudoscience or religious beliefs “masked as scientific terminology.”
Critics contend that proponents of the Law of Attraction misuse or distort scientific concepts (e.g., quantum mysticism, brainwave activity) to explain improbable effects. Steven Barrett, a retired psychiatrist, specifically dismisses the “energy” the Hickses speak of as “imaginary energy” that “cannot be measured,” and calls it “a classic fraud claim.”
Abraham-Hicks’ claims are criticized for lacking falsifiability or testability, making them unverifiable within scientific methodology. The evidence presented for the Law of Attraction is typically anecdotal (personal success stories), which critics argue is prone to confirmation bias and selection bias due to its self-selecting and subjective nature. Physicists and other critics question the measurability of Law of Attraction effects and the probability that thoughts alone can directly influence external physical reality.
Ethical and Psychological Concerns
One of the most significant and serious criticisms is the “ugly flip side” of the Law of Attraction, which implies that individuals are responsible for attracting all their experiences, including negative ones. This can lead to victim-blaming for severe misfortunes, such as rape victims, people with HIV/AIDS, or even Holocaust victims, for their suffering due to their “negative thoughts.” Critics label this idea as “the most unscientific—some would say, insane” and potentially “unbalanced and narcissistic.”
Abraham-Hicks’ core message is profoundly empowering, asserting that individuals are “creators” of their reality through their thoughts and emotions, capable of manifesting their desires. This promise of absolute control over one’s life is highly appealing. However, this absolute responsibility becomes a “double-edged sword” when applied to negative experiences. If “nothing comes into your experience by accident. You attract it—all of it. Without exception,” then victims of rape, illness, or systemic oppression are implicitly blamed for their suffering. This entirely shifts responsibility onto the individual, potentially leading to deep guilt, self-blame, and a “profound detachment from reality.” The psychological implication is that when inevitable life adversities occur, adherents may internalize failure, believing they were “not positive enough,” rather than acknowledging external factors, randomness, or systemic injustice. This can foster a narcissistic worldview where personal suffering is merely a reflection of one’s own vibrational state, neglecting empathy and collective responsibility. Thus, while Abraham-Hicks’ teachings offer a powerful framework for personal agency and positive thinking, the absolute nature of the Law of Attraction as taught can lead to severe ethical and psychological harm, negating external causality and promoting victim-blaming, thereby undermining genuine support and systemic change.
The belief that only positive thinking will allow desires to manifest can diminish the value of hard work, perseverance, and practical action. Critics warn that such teachings can promote “abnormal and obsessive thinking” and lead to a “profound detachment from reality” when individuals inevitably face life’s challenges and setbacks. Modern manifestations of the Law of Attraction, such as “lucky girl syndrome,” are linked to toxic positivity. This can be psychologically damaging if desired outcomes do not manifest, leading to self-blame, guilt, and a failure to acknowledge systemic inequalities or external factors influencing life circumstances. Recent empirical research indicates that individuals who strongly believe in manifestation and the Law of Attraction may exhibit a higher propensity for financial risk-taking and increased vulnerability to bankruptcy. The intense focus on personal desires and “self-absorption in money and power” is criticized for potentially leading to “distorted values, antisocial behavior, willfulness, arrogance, and often isolation, loneliness, and self-destruction.”
Religious Criticism and Accusations of Demonic Influence
From a religious perspective, particularly Christian, the practice of channeling and consulting “familiar spirits” is directly condemned in the Bible in “the harshest of terms” (e.g., Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Leviticus 20:27). This forms the basis for some of the most severe criticisms.
This is a direct response to a specific user question. Critics, especially those adhering to a conservative Christian worldview, contend that the “supernatural spirits who collectively call themselves ‘Abraham'” are in fact “demons—fallen spirits who lie.” They draw parallels between Abraham’s analogy of receiving thoughts as “radio signals” and biblical descriptions of malevolent spiritual forces, such as Satan, who is called “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). The “twisted logic” of the Law of Attraction is seen as a “devilish deception.”
Accusations of Cultism
Some sources directly refer to the Law of Attraction movement, and Abraham-Hicks in particular, as “cult-like” or an “exposed cult.” These accusations are based on several points:
- Subjective Basis: Hicks’ teachings are based on her personal, subjective, and unverified channeling experiences. Followers are essentially required to “just take her word for it,” as “there’s no concrete evidence to back up her teachings.”
- “Guru”-Leadership: Esther Hicks is sometimes characterized as a “guru” whose subjective claims are presented without external validation.
- Borrowing from Other Beliefs: Critics argue that the Law of Attraction repackages “bits of biblical truth mixed with a lot of humanism (secular thought),” and incorporates concepts, such as Karma, from “ancient Asian meditative practices.”
- Self-Centered vs. Christ-Centered Focus: A significant point of contention is the perceived self-centered nature of the Law of Attraction, which encourages a focus on personal desires and success. This is contrasted with religious teachings, particularly Christianity, which emphasize “other-centeredness” or a “Christ-centered focus” on loving God and serving others.
- “We Are Gods” Interpretation: The interpretation by some adherents of biblical verses (e.g., John 10:34) as implying that humans are literally equal to God is challenged by critics who clarify the historical and theological context of such scriptures.
The Abraham-Hicks teachings heavily rely on the concept of “vibration” and “Source Energy,” which they present as fundamental, universal forces. This terminology attempts to imbue their spiritual claims with a sense of scientific validity or universal truth. However, the criticisms reveal a fundamental epistemological divide. Scientific critics dismiss this “energy” as “imaginary” and “unmeasurable,” demanding empirical proof that is inherently absent from a subjective, metaphysical system. Religious critics, on the other hand, acknowledge the existence of non-physical entities and energies but interpret them through a specific theological lens, classifying “Abraham” as “demons” based on biblical condemnations of channeling. This demonstrates that the very concept of “energy” and “truth” is interpreted through vastly different worldviews (scientific empiricism vs. spiritual experience vs. religious doctrine), making objective validation or refutation challenging. The unquantifiable nature of Abraham-Hicks’ core concepts allows them to be simultaneously perceived as profound spiritual truths by adherents and strongly rejected as pseudoscience or demonic deception by critics. Thus, the abstract and unfalsifiable nature of “energy” and “vibration” in the Abraham-Hicks teachings is a central point of contention, leading to a clash between scientific, spiritual, and religious worldviews, and making it difficult to bridge the gap between belief and empirical validation.
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