Attraction vs Repulsion: Two Different Dynamics to the Same Attractor
BY NICOLE LAU
Attraction vs Repulsion: Two Different Dynamics to the Same Attractor
The Darkness Path and the Light Path use fundamentally different dynamics to reach the same destination. The Darkness Path uses repulsion from pain as its motivating force: "This suffering is unbearable. I must transcend it." The Light Path uses attraction to joy as its motivating force: "This awakening is beautiful. I'm drawn toward it." Both dynamics create movement toward the same attractorβawakening itselfβbut the experience of the journey is radically different.
This is physics, not just philosophy. In dynamical systems, you can reach an attractor through repulsion (being pushed away from something) or attraction (being pulled toward something). The attractor is the same. The trajectory is different. The experience is different. But the endpoint is identical. Understanding this liberates you from the belief that suffering is necessary for awakening. It's not. Suffering is one dynamic. Joy is another. Both work.
This article explores the physics of attraction versus repulsion, applies it to spiritual paths, and shows why both dynamics are equally valid routes to the same awakening.
The Physics of Attraction and Repulsion
Attractors in Dynamical Systems
In physics and mathematics, an attractor is a state toward which a system evolves over time. Think of it as a destination that the system naturally moves toward.
Example: A ball rolling in a bowl. The bottom of the bowl is the attractor. No matter where you place the ball on the sides, it rolls toward the bottom.
Two Ways to Reach an Attractor
Attraction: Being pulled TOWARD the attractor
β’ You're drawn to the destination
β’ Movement is toward something desirable
β’ Motivation is positive (approach)
Repulsion: Being pushed AWAY from a repeller (toward the attractor)
β’ You're escaping something undesirable
β’ Movement is away from something painful
β’ Motivation is negative (avoidance)
Key insight: Both dynamics can lead to the same attractor. The destination is identical. The motivating force is opposite.
Example: Getting to Safety
Attraction dynamic: You see a warm, safe house and walk toward it (drawn by comfort)
Repulsion dynamic: You're in a dangerous area and run away from it (pushed by fear)
Both get you to safety. One is pulled by attraction to safety. One is pushed by repulsion from danger. Same destination. Different dynamics.
Applying This to Spiritual Paths
Awakening as the Attractor
Awakening is the attractorβthe state toward which spiritual practice moves. It's characterized by:
β’ Ego dissolution/transcendence
β’ Unity consciousness
β’ Unconditional love
β’ Freedom from suffering
β’ Direct knowing of truth
β’ Present-moment awareness
This is the fixed point. This is where both paths converge.
Darkness Path: Repulsion Dynamic
Motivating force: Repulsion from suffering
Movement: AWAY from pain β toward awakening
Experience: "This suffering is unbearable. I must transcend it."
Process: Suffering β Descent β Contraction β Dissolution β Awakening
The dynamic:
β’ Pain is the repeller (what you're escaping)
β’ Awakening is the attractor (where you end up)
β’ You're pushed away from suffering
β’ This push propels you toward awakening
β’ Motivation is escape from pain
Light Path: Attraction Dynamic
Motivating force: Attraction to joy
Movement: TOWARD joy β toward awakening
Experience: "This awakening is beautiful. I'm drawn toward it."
Process: Joy β Ascent β Expansion β Embodiment β Awakening
The dynamic:
β’ Joy is the attractor (what you're drawn to)
β’ Awakening is the attractor (where you end up)
β’ You're pulled toward joy
β’ This pull draws you toward awakening
β’ Motivation is attraction to beauty
Same Attractor, Different Dynamics
Both paths reach awakening. The attractor is identical. But the motivating force is opposite:
β’ Darkness Path: Pushed by repulsion from pain
β’ Light Path: Pulled by attraction to joy
Why Both Dynamics Work
The Attractor Doesn't Care How You Get There
Awakening is a state. It exists independently of the path taken to reach it. Whether you arrive via repulsion or attraction doesn't change the destination.
Analogy: The top of a mountain is the same whether you climb from the north face (hard, steep) or the south face (gradual, scenic). The summit doesn't change based on your route.
Both Create Movement Toward the Attractor
Repulsion: Creates movement away from pain β which moves you toward awakening
Attraction: Creates movement toward joy β which moves you toward awakening
Both dynamics generate the necessary movement. The direction of motivation is opposite, but both create trajectory toward the same fixed point.
Cross-Cultural Evidence
Repulsion-based paths:
β’ Buddhist Vipassana (observing suffering to transcend it)
β’ Christian Dark Night of the Soul
β’ Shamanic descent journeys
β’ Psychoanalytic shadow work
Attraction-based paths:
β’ Hasidic Simcha (joy as path)
β’ Bhakti Prema (devotional love)
β’ Sufi ecstatic dance
β’ Pentecostal Holy Spirit
β’ Rastafarian Zion consciousness
Both sets of traditions produce awakened beings. The attractor is the same. The dynamic is different.
The Experience of Each Dynamic
Repulsion Dynamic Experience
Feels like:
β’ Escaping something unbearable
β’ Running from pain
β’ Desperate for relief
β’ Motivated by "I can't stay here"
β’ Contraction, intensity, urgency
Strengths:
β’ Powerful motivation (pain is a strong repeller)
β’ Clear what you're moving away from
β’ Well-documented path
β’ Cultural validation
Challenges:
β’ Can be depleting
β’ Requires enduring more pain to transcend pain
β’ Can create trauma if not skillfully navigated
β’ Motivation is negative (escape)
Attraction Dynamic Experience
Feels like:
β’ Being drawn toward something beautiful
β’ Moving toward joy
β’ Excited by possibility
β’ Motivated by "I want to go there"
β’ Expansion, lightness, desire
Strengths:
β’ Sustainable motivation (joy is renewable)
β’ Clear what you're moving toward
β’ Nourishing rather than depleting
β’ Motivation is positive (approach)
Challenges:
β’ Less culturally validated
β’ Easily confused with bypassing
β’ Requires discipline to sustain joy
β’ Less documented path
Choosing Your Dynamic
Both Are Valid
This is not about one being better. Both dynamics work. Both reach the same attractor. Choose based on what resonates with your soul, not what tradition says you "should" do.
Consider Your Nature
You might resonate with repulsion dynamic if:
β’ Pain is your primary motivator
β’ You're drawn to intensity and depth through darkness
β’ Descent feels natural to you
β’ You have capacity for sustained contraction
β’ Traditional paths call to you
You might resonate with attraction dynamic if:
β’ Joy is your primary motivator
β’ You're drawn to beauty and celebration
β’ Ascent feels natural to you
β’ You have capacity for sustained expansion
β’ Non-traditional paths call to you
You Can Switch
You're not locked into one dynamic. You can:
β’ Start with repulsion, shift to attraction
β’ Start with attraction, shift to repulsion
β’ Alternate between both
β’ Use both simultaneously (advanced)
The attractor remains constant. The dynamic is your choice.
Integrating Both Dynamics
Advanced Practice
Mature practitioners often integrate both:
β’ Primary dynamic: Attraction to joy (Light Path)
β’ Secondary dynamic: Repulsion from patterns that block joy
β’ Both serve the same attractor (awakening)
Example:
β’ Cultivate joy (attraction dynamic)
β’ Notice what blocks joy (repulsion from blockages)
β’ Both move you toward awakening
The Paradox
At the highest level, attraction and repulsion collapse into each other:
β’ Moving toward joy = moving away from suffering
β’ Moving away from suffering = moving toward joy
β’ Both are movement toward the same attractor
The distinction is useful for practice. The unity is the ultimate truth.
Your Practice
Understand that awakening is the attractor. Repulsion from pain and attraction to joy are two different dynamics that both reach it. Choose the dynamic that resonates with your soul. Trust that both work. Know that the destination is the same.
You don't have to suffer to awaken. You can be drawn by joy. Both paths are valid. Both are rigorous. Both converge on the same truth.
Choose your dynamic. Trust the attractor. Walk your path. Converge on awakening.
This is Part 10 of the Light Path series. Continue with "Light Path Across Cultures: Hasidic Simcha, Bhakti Prema, Sufi Fana."
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