Book Review - The Secret
The book and video are flying off the shelves. Oprah Winfrey embraces its creator and its protagonists wax prophetic. Even Newsweek Magazine offers a fair assessment of "The Secret." That "The Secret" professes to being the law of attraction not only is not a secret, the law of attraction has been known by many names, by countless numbers for countless centuries. So why is the new and brilliantly marketed incarnation attracting so many to it today? The answer is that people are always looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow-The American Dream.
Australian author Rhonda Byrne, and her talented chorus of motivational speakers have tapped into this dream by telling us the universe doesn't distinguish between negative and positive. The universe knows precisely what to do at precisely the right time. Whatever is in our life is there because we have invited it. When a person complains about something he doesn't like, he is sending negativity out and he gets more of what he doesn't want. On the other hand, when he thinks and acts in a positive manner, he will get what he wants, absolutely. Despite the miracles featured on Oprah, what they don't tell us is that to think this way consistently is a learned process over time.
The often-quoted Dr. Wayne Dyer, "Our intention creates our reality," fits in nicely. But let's not forget that Dyer did not kick back, think positive thoughts, and wait for the universe to shower him with goodies. He worked hard and long for his rewards. I fear "The Secret" might be sending the wrong message, particularly to the self-absorbed YouTube generation that features itself, incessantly talks about itself, has absolutely no interest outside itself, and is convinced it is entitled to everything it has and more, and that work has nothing to do with getting whatever it wants. This mode of thinking is already causing problems in my own family and on campuses around the nation.
Byrne tells us we need only to imbibe three things in our lives: Ask, Believe, and Receive. In the documentary, a boy fantasizes over a bicycle and Shazam! It appears at his door. A girl obsesses over a necklace; lo and behold, it appears around her neck. Just ask for that Mercedes and really believe you will get it. Somehow the universe will make it happen. Well I believe in positive thinking, and I don't hang around with negative people. But I don't know of anyone who ever got anything of value in an honest way unless they inherited it, won it in a poker game or worked for it. The theme of "The Secret" focuses on getting material objects. Well, maybe that's what the American Dream is about.
But here's what I believe. Our thoughts are stronger than elephants. Our thoughts are the most powerful entities in the universe. So yes, when we tap into those positive, compassionate and loving thoughts that already reside within us, we are bound to attract them on the outside. When you walk into a crowded room, why are you attracted to a particular person? It's no secret.
The Secret
Rhonda Byrne Atria Books Beyond Words Publishing 2006
ISBN 13:978-1-58270-170-7
Meanwhile, you can find me at http://newagejournal.com/2007/spirituality/the-eternal-search-for-who-am-i
You can also read two chapters of my novel, The Sword and the Chrysanthemum, Journey of the Heart at http://www.samurai-archives.com/guestart.html
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