I watched the movie “The Secret” last weekend and am happy to have a clearer understanding of its main message.
Here are some of the movie’s points:
- A practitioner of The Secret starts with the question, “What do I want?”
- The practitioner must visualize that desire in their mind and hold to it.
- The universe exists to serve your desires. Like the Genie that emerged from Aladdin’s lamp, “Your wish is my command,” says the universe to each of us.
- Our thoughts call forth the resources we need from the universe to have our wants fulfilled.
- Thoughts are things, so the more pronounced the thought the more likely you get the thing you want.
- You have to remain in the spirit of joy and love to receive the positive blessings you desire. Depressing and sickly thinking brings forth depressing and sickly circumstances.
- The law of attraction brings to you what you focus on whether good or evil.
- You are the creator of your own destiny.
Jack Canfield, co-author of “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series was used as a shining example of The Secret in action. He told how he lived in a 4½ million dollar house, had a wife to die for, vacationed in all the hot spots of the world and had achieved celebrity status by putting The Secret into practice.
A young teenager was shown cutting out a picture of a bicycle he wanted, and then worshipping the pictorial image until the bicycle was manifested in his experience, showing up on his doorstep one day.
A gay man’s story about feeling condemned and picked on all the time was used to show how when he dropped his negative feelings about co-workers and neighbors, they started treating him nicer.
As I watched the movie, the words animal magnetism, which is a term used in Christian Science to signify mind with matter type thinking, came forcefully to my attention. Testifiers in the film referred to being a magnet, and having magnetic thought-waves flowing out into the universe calling forth the fruition of their desires as being part of understanding how The Secret worked.
It was refreshing to hear that depressing thoughts bring forth depressing experiences. Who could argue with that? And contrariwise, positive joyful thoughts spawn happy experiences. But through it all I felt uncomfortable with the underlying premise that life is all about getting what we want and the human mind, or brain, viewed more or less as a god. All goals surrounded self, feeding the ego, and satisfying personal desires. People become gods unto themselves.
To have all our life goals start with “What do I want?” brought other questions to my attention.
What if we wanted the wrong things? What if what we want is not in our best interest to have or in the best interest of humanity? Is a life centered on self going to benefit the greater good of the world?
In raising our children, my wife and I work hard to help them think unselfishly. We don’t start the reasoning process with the question “What do I want?” but with asking the question, “What is best? What does God want?” We explain that there are moral and spiritual imperatives that need to be learned and followed to live a decent life and contribute to the well being of the world.
If everyone on the globe started their decision-making with “What do I want?” where would that leave everyone else? I was wondering….
I’m glad I watched the film so I am more informed about all the talk surrounding The Secret. I can see how people find beneficial ideas in its message to uplift their perspective and stay out of the gutter of negativity and self-pity. But the constant barrage of “Seek what you want,” left me doubtful that what the movie’s experts claim to be “The Secret” is really the ultimate key to life and happiness in the long run.
The things of matter are temporal, fleeting, and short-lived in the big picture scheme of things. To center one’s life on finding happiness through material conditions and circumstances is not going to set one up for long run joy when the material sense inevitably gives way to the allness of Spirit.
Yes, seeking joy independent of things is a worthy pursuit, as suggested by the film, but the prevalent linking of joy to things and worldly conditions, leaves one mentally still in a universe of matter and spirit rather than in a reality of All-Spirit.
The greatest riches in the world are not material things we acquire or status we achieve, even when we think so, but is found in the truth and love of God that keep us spiritually centered and grounded in a life of genuine unselfish giving.
I’m inclined to believe that knowing and understanding God, infinite Love, is The Secret to success in life. This truth has been taught by many religious traditions for untold eons, and, interestingly, that fact is no secret at all.
Bravissimo! Nailed it. Thanks for pointing out the flawed logic of “The Secret.” A further danger would be the focus of a “Secret” practitioner on what he or she might perceive to be “good” for another. Thanks, but no thanks to that kind of “help.”
To O Susannah,
Great point! Yes, the human mind is not capable of figuring out Truth on its own. The one Mind is the better director, and it seems to me the safer prayer is “What is Thy will, O God?” rather than “What do I, the human mind, want?”
Evan, Thanks for saving me $30 bucks to buy the book! As a Christian Scientist I have been getting a lot of “Hey, this book is what you guys do? Right?” Well, it may start a conversation on CS and I am grateful for that however when I comes down to “visualizing” something whether good or bad, that is mortal mind and not God’s Mind. I recently gave up a sport that I had done for 35 yrs because I was practicing elements of the secret and made the sport into a mini-god, so much so that it completely ruled my conciousness. A key element of CS is God only knows good, not bad or evil. You make a great point that if you can visualize for something good, why not something bad. This has happened down through the ages in the form of the Romans, Hitler, and Hussein. We must stand guard against this type of thinking.(The Manual says to pray against hypnotism everyday) Thanks so much for making this clear.
Good article based on what was presented in the movie.
The big problem though is that the movie did not reveal the true secret which really is the Law of Attraction. It is that which allows us the ability to use our thoughts to create our world.
The movie leads everyone to believe that our thoughts when focused are the creative secret. Unfortunately that is only a small part of the Law of Attraction. If it were that simple then many more people would be healthy and wealthy and exist in loving relationships. Some would even say there would be World peace, that I am not so sure about because unfortunately selfish people also have the ability to use the Law of Attraction. I do believe though that as more people learn to use it unselfishly and for the good of mankind that it will eventually bring about World peace via the 100 monkey theory (When enough people reach that level of consciousness then everyone will follow).
The movie leads everyone to believe that our thoughts when focused are the creative secret. Unfortunately that is only a small part of the Law of Attraction. If it were that simple then many more people would be healthy and wealthy and exist in loving relationships. Some would even say there would be World peace, that I am not so sure about because unfortunately selfish people also have the ability to use the Law of Attraction. I do believe though that as more people learn to use it unselfishly and for the good of mankind that it will eventually bring about World peace via the 100 monkey theory (When enough people reach that level of consciousness then everyone will follow).
Back to my point that the movie left out. he Law of Attraction only works thru the reality is that it is our subconscious mind. Doing that is not an easy thing to do. It can only be done by getting to are deep subconscious beliefs and finding a process that will allow you to change at the subconscious level.
If you can learn to change those beliefs formed during our infancy, early childhood and adolescence, which we than validate as adults. Those created subconscious thought are what creates our lives and relationships. Only when we can change them will our lives change, as they are what sends out the vibrational energy that is the creative force.
In order to bring a change about you need all the will, determination, patience, and persistence to allow this process to develop. Things that will help will be your allowing a change to take place, as well as learning forgiveness, true compassion, and learning to trust your intuitive self. Your intuitive thoughts are really your higher mind (not the physical brain) which is connected to the Universal energy that will help you to change the subconscious mind and allow you to be all that you can be.
bobdec
Thanks bobdec for sharing your thoughts and adding more to the discussion!
Hello Evan. I was blessed by reading your article on Spiritualiaty.com about how you recovered from being bonked in the eye with a tennis ball. Inspirational!
So I came over here to see what else you have to share on your blog. I’d like to be seeing better myself.
I think Jesus was sharing his own The Secret when he said to his followers, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail …” (Luke 12:32-33).
These treasures, according to my understanding, are the intangible spiritual treasures that can be carried in our thoughts – like faith, peace of mind, wisdom, kindness, gentleness – and an assurance that the living God – “Thy word is truth” – can and will take care of our daily needs (daily bread) when we’re trustingly standing on the side of Love and Good-will towards all.
Unlike the Laws of the Old Testament where it was a sin for the Hebrews not to obey Moses’ words, following Jesus’ teachings for Christians is free-will, voluntary obedience, done through faith and confidence. Jesus said, “If a man loves me he will keep my word …”
So, as I read these words of Jesus, it is a blessing if we trust and obey, but a missed opportunity, not sin, if we have second-thoughts about complying with a portion of Jesus’ sometimes rather unworldly teachings – and there are quite a few that may seem difficult at first.
I haven’t seen or read The Secret, so it would be speculation for me to comment on it. But I have read some of the reviews and they sound mostly positive. And, or course, I read your review with its balanced insights. I like the part best where you said, “In raising our children, my wife and I work hard to help them think unselfishly. We don’t start the reasoning process with the question “What do I want?” but with asking the question, “What is best? What does God want?” We explain that there are moral and spiritual imperatives that need to be learned and followed to live a decent life and contribute to the well being of the world.”
It is good to have an understanding of metaphysics, I think, and to realize the ups and downs of concentrated believing. But it is best when the focus is on eternal Truth, you will agree, which is always present – can’t lose for winning here.
I came to this understanding, unfortunately, quite a while after I had learned the power of believing. So in my ignorance I was guilty of some mental-trespassing in my early days, and received in kind from some others who also should have known better. But in time I was lead to a better understanding of Jesus’ teachings, of the One Spirit, and of the great goodness for all of us that is everlastingly present in the Kingdom of God, which is “at hand.”
Even without reading the book, however, I can speculate the authoress of The Secret probably was not familiar with Jesus’ insight regarding the benefit of “Sell your possessions, and give alms.”
Best wishes.
Hey Evan – thanks for your thoughtful response to the movie. I watched it recently as well, and had much the same reaction. Yes, it’s certainly true that you’ll tend to attract what you hold in thought. But the movie was overwhelmingly focused on getting stuff, not on spiritual growth.
I am reminded of studies I’ve read that very clearly point out that once a person has food and shelter, his/her happiness is only marginally increased with the acquisition of more material goods. I know that’s true in my experience.
What brings me joy and a feeling of success is spiritual growth, learning about God, expressing Love. Sometimes that’s internal, sometimes it’s expressed in some creative cooking, a great move on the soccer field, or a productive interaction at work.
Thanks for the inspiring work… I’ve been reading for a while, but haven’t stopped to say thanks before.
To Gary and Scott above,
Some excellent thoughts and observations. Thanks for sharing!
I had some additional thoughts
If you are able to achieve the difficult task of restructuring the subconscious mind even alone will not bring the Law of Attraction into action. You will then need to bring your actions into alignment with the subconscious mind, unless that is accomplished you will not create what you want.
I loved where Scott stated “that once a person has food and shelter, his/her happiness is only marginally increased with the acquisition of more material goods”. If more people thought like that this world would be a much better place to live in for all humanity.
He also stated ” the movie was overwhelmingly focused on getting stuff, not on spiritual growth”. Which was also true. but I think that was done so that it would appeal to the more people. Even that had value as gave thousands of people who were totally in the dark about how one of the Laws of Gods Universe can work and hopefully opened them to other of Gods Universal truth.
In my personal struggle to grow spiritually I try to apply some great words of wisdom (taught to me by a teacher who passed on great teachings about how the Universe works) those words were;
Anytime you have to make a decision about something you are about to do, ask yourself these two things.
Would I do it if nobody knew I did it.
Would I do it if everyone knew that I did it.
To Robert,
I like the two questions!!! Excellent…
As to the two questions I forgot to mention an important part that some people might not be aware of.
That part is:
If the answer is yes to both questions, then you are doing it for the right reasons
bobdec
I’ve always thought it was interesting that “to want” means not only to desire, but to lack.
As I grow Spiritward, I am working towards not wanting what I lack, but to want what I already have.
I just came across this today it is a free 55 minute download called:
Masters of the Secret.
It talks about the Biggest Secrets that were stripped from the movie.
I have not listened to it yet but it sounds intresting.
Here is the link
http://www.mastersofthesecret.com/index.php
Thank you, thank you for your “to the point, right on ” comments re: THE SECRET. A loving Christian Science Practitioner told me it’s a must read, so I purchased the CD audio book to listen in my car while traveling. I have not heard it yet, however I had already experienced hearing about THE SECRET on Oprah and other TV programs. Being a Class taught practicing student of Christian Science for over 50 years I find myself thinking that this book may enlighten and move thought a step upward however it is still ME-ME, whereas the study and practice of Christian Science is the love of and for all mankind. As we love, we live. God is LOVE and as we individually express that Love in our own lives we demonstrate a higher sense of spirituality and love for our fellow man. You have expressed it beautifully in your comments.
I so enjoy your website. I read it every day. We’re on the same wave length! Expressing God’s goodness.
Hi again Evan – I commented previously on your post “God’s law of Attraction” – Vern here.
In discussion with cyber and face-to-face friends, I have been considering getting the dvd so I can understand it better.
Then I read your summary after having seen the movie, and wondered if I need to see it.
but in re-reading some of your previous blogs, and the comments, I came across this:
“ou may not have known, but The Secret also focused on love, gratitude, worthiness, physical healing and the fact that we should not bemoan unhappy, present circumstances as it will not bring change.” – from Catherine Gold.
I also noted that Penne said there was ‘so much more’ to the movie.
would you comment on these views, please ?
thanks loads, Vern
Questions about “The Secret”? This week’s Lesson has the answers!
“The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne is still getting plenty of buzz, including a timely article in yesterday’s Christian Science Monitor. I’ve appreciated your previous posts making the distinction between Christian Science and Byrne’s “create your own reality” message.
It seems to me that the notion of human beings creating their own reality is rooted in the belief that the human mind has intelligence or creative power of its own, and that we can use this power in any way that we fancy. For folks who study the Weekly Bible Lesson from the Christian Science Quarterly, this week’s Lesson on “Reality” provides a powerful rebuttal to this belief. In particular, the Lesson clearly explains that reality is spiritual and has a divine – not a human – origin. It also makes it clear that there is only one creator – God, the divine Mind – not a bunch of human minds dreaming up whatever reality they want. So, while “The Secret” may be helpful in introducing a new audience to the idea that all causation is mental, Christian Science goes way beyond the mental to the divinely spiritual.
There’s no question that improving the human mind improves our human experience. At the end of the day, though, the human mind is the problem, not the solution, since it is powerless to redeem itself. That’s why “The Secret” falls short – it overlooks the human mind’s absolute need for a Redeemer beyond itself (see Science and Health 151:4). Like medicine and psychology, “The Secret” would have us exchanging one state of mesmerism for another. Christian Sciences does just the opposite. It gives us a divine basis for breaking out of the mesmerism altogether. Now, that’s a secret worth telling!
Some excellent observations, Roger. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, the human mind is not its own savior. The human mind’s destiny is to yield entirely to the divine Mind, and this is done, not through focus on mortal self, or in trying to improve mortality, but through divine reflection.
God is the Doer, and we are the doing…