Recently, a friend encouraged me to read Ask and It is Given, Learning to Manifest Your Desires by Esther and Jerry Hicks (The Teachings of Abraham). In 2004, when Ask and It is Given was published, it was on the New York Times’ bestseller list.

This book is somewhat out of the mainstream when it comes to the way in which it was written, as well as the words and wisdom that are offered. Keep in mind that Abraham is a group of non-physical entities conveying thought through Esther. The message is that we have the ability to be, do or have anything we desire and to bring ourselves to the feeling of joy from wherever we currently stand.

Before I started reading, my friend suggested that I watch a few of the Abraham-Hicks videos found on the internet. As I watched, I found myself listening closely. It all made so much sense. So, I started reading with the hope of learning more about the teachings of Abraham. Ask and It is Given focuses on the following:

Abraham’s purpose: The entities are responding to our desire for leading-edge information about why we are here and how to live our lives feeling good.

Abraham explains that one of the things that keeps us from feeling good is how we express our desires. For example, when we make a statement of what we do not want, we are focused on the having of something unwanted. In other words, the universe always provides that which we desire and does not recognize “no.” Focusing on “no debt” is recognized by the universe as “debt."

Abraham instructs the reader that after we state what we desire, the universe answers immediately, and our desires begin to manifest when we trust that our desires are being answered. When we relax and go with the flow, whatever we desire will arrive. 

His message is that we must be a vibrational match to the thing we are wanting. In other words, you cannot be prosperous and feel poor at the same time.

Abraham states that we are here to experience joy through creating. The steps for the creative process include:
Step 1: You ask the universe for what you want (your task).
Step 2: The answer is given (not your task).
Step 3: The answer, which is given, has to be allowed and received (by you).

Abraham says that the reason people do not receive what they desire is that they are out of alignment with that which they desire.  And that is the only reason—ever.

The example given in the book is that of wanting a new car. You launch a desire by noticing something that you want and feeling it with emotion. But instead of maintaining a good feeling about it, attention may be turned to the unwanted thing—an old car and what’s wrong with it. The justifications and need for a new car reinforce the current situation, preventing the new car from coming to you. But by focusing and thinking about having a new car and feeling good, as if you already own the car, a new car is on its way.

According to Abraham, “As long as you are more aware of what you do not want regarding this situation, what you do want cannot come to you.”

Abraham’s reminder: The law of attraction is always working—it’s how we attract and create. Abraham explains the law of attraction in these words: “It is the basis of your world, our universe, and all that is. Things of like vibration are drawn to each other.”

We are all vibrational beings. We have the ability to tune ourselves to certain vibrations—much like tuning a radio to different frequencies to pick up stations. Our thought is vibration.

In order to attract what we want, we have to become a vibrational match to what we want. What we focus on emotionally is what we experience, whether it is something wanted or unwanted.

Since the law of attraction is always at work, everything is based on it—everything!

Abraham and the Emotional Guidance System (EGS): Abraham stresses the importance of paying attention to our feelings. Abraham says we are not aware of how we are vibrating. Our feelings are indicative of what we are thinking and therefore vibrating. High vibrations are like bright beacons to the universe. These high vibrations are easily recognized and responded to by the universe.

In the EGS there is a scale of 22 levels of emotions. The lowest level of emotion is fear/grief/depression/despair/powerlessness. A few levels up is anger. Anger is at a higher vibrational level than depression. Moving up the scale to higher vibration are, to name a few, doubt, then pessimism, hopefulness and finally joy. If we are feeling doubt and then move up to hopefulness we’re moving up the scale of the EGS. However, if we’re feeling doubt and then move down to anger, we’re headed back down the scale.

The higher we move on the scale of emotions the closer we are to connecting with source energy. Source energy is the vibrational stream of well-being from which everything flows. Going lower on the scale causes us to move out of alignment with source energy.

Abraham emphasizes that what matters most is that we always reach for an improved feeling and that we learn to pay attention to our feelings.

Abraham says, “Pay attention to the way you feel and deliberately choose thoughts about everything that feel good to you when you think them.” If we feel bad, that is an indication that our thoughts are not in alignment with that which we want and who we are—joyful, powerful creators.

There are two sections to this book. The first section is the instructional manual on how to align our own vibration. It is filled with interesting and thought-provoking information. There is a bit of repetition in each chapter. This put me off at first, but as I continued reading I began to appreciate the reinforcement. I was struck by the importance of the guidance that was being provided.

The second section of the book is comprised of 22 exercises or processes to help readers align with their vibration and make feeling good a reality. The processes are enjoyable and worth taking the time to practice. Each is slightly different, but each process attempts to lead one to the ultimate alignment vibration of feeling good.

As a self-proclaimed skeptic, I came away from this book with the understanding that being aware of my feelings and thoughts, and practicing being in control of those feelings and thoughts brings me closer to manifesting what I want in my life.

Whether this information is coming from Abraham, a group of non-physical entities or Esther Hicks doesn’t really matter. The message is full of positive ideas that are easy to comprehend and incorporate in our daily lives.