Here is an elaborated, easy-to-read summary of Ask and It Is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks.
Have you ever felt like you are working incredibly hard, but still running in place? Do you feel like life is something that happens to you, rather than for you?
If so, Ask and It Is Given is the manual you need. Written by Esther and Jerry Hicks (who channel a group of non-physical teachers called Abraham), this book is a modern spiritual classic. It offers a simple but profound premise: You are the creator of your own reality, and the Universe wants to give you everything you desire.
Here is a breakdown of what the book teaches, why you should read it, and how it can change your life.
What Is the Book About?
At its core, Ask and It Is Given teaches you how the Law of Attraction works. It explains that everything in the universe—including your thoughts, feelings, and physical body—is made of energy. Like attracts like. Therefore, your dominant thoughts and feelings act like a magnet, drawing similar experiences into your life.
The authors divide the book into two distinct parts:
Part 1: Understanding Your Power
The first half of the book explains how you interact with the universe. It introduces a simple three-step process of creation:
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- Step 1: You Ask. When you experience something you dislike, you automatically desire the opposite. For example, if you are broke, you desire wealth. You “ask” simply by wanting something better.
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- Step 2: The Universe Answers. The moment you ask, the Universe instantly creates your desire in energetic form.
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- Step 3: You Let It In. This is the crucial step where most people get stuck. To receive your desire, you must align your energy with it. If you want money but constantly complain about being broke, you block the money from coming. You must feel prosperous to attract prosperity.
Part 2: The Emotional Guidance Scale and the 22 Processes
The second half of the book is highly practical. It explains that your emotions act as a built-in GPS.
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- Good feelings mean you are looking at life the way your inner self does. You are drawing good things to you.
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- Bad feelings mean you are focusing on lack, which blocks your desires.
To help you feel better, the book provides 22 practical exercises. These processes help you gently shift your thoughts from negative to positive, depending on where you currently sit on the emotional scale. Whether you are feeling depressed, angry, or just bored, there is a specific exercise to help you climb higher.
Why You Should Read This Book
You should read Ask and It Is Given because it hands you the keys to your own happiness. Here is why it stands out from other self-help books:
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- It removes the victim mindset. This book stops you from blaming your boss, your ex, or the economy for your problems. It shows you that you hold the power to change your life, starting right now.
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- It values your emotions. Many self-help books tell you to suppress “negative” emotions. This book does the opposite. It teaches you to welcome your emotions as valuable feedback.
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- It is incredibly practical. It does not just tell you to “think positive.” It gives you step-by-step tools (like journaling, visualization, and appreciation games) to actually change how you feel.
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- It brings profound relief. Reading this book feels like a warm hug. It reassures you that you do not need to struggle, fight, or force things to happen. You just need to get happy and let life flow.
How This Book Can Help You
If you practice the teachings in this book, you will notice changes in every area of your life. Here is how it helps:
1. It reduces stress and anxiety
You will stop worrying about the future because you will realize that your thoughts create your future. By focusing on the present moment and finding things to appreciate, anxiety naturally melts away.
2. It improves your relationships
When you stop expecting other people to make you happy, you free them from a heavy burden. You will start looking for the best in people, and they will respond by showing you their best selves.
3. It unlocks financial abundance
You will stop focusing on “not having enough money” and start focusing on abundance. This shift in mindset helps you spot new opportunities, take inspired action, and welcome prosperity.
4. It boosts your physical health
The authors explain that physical illness is simply a reflection of blocked energy and chronic stress. By using the processes to release negative emotions, you allow your body’s natural healing energies to work.
The Ultimate Takeaway
Ask and It Is Given teaches us a beautiful, simple truth: Your main job in life is to feel good.
When you prioritize your own joy, you align yourself with the energy of creation. You stop swimming upstream against the current of life. Instead, you turn your boat around, drop the oars, and let the gentle current carry you toward your dreams.