"The Secret" takes a beating

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
"The Secret" takes a beating
5
Sun, 03-18-2007 - 2:30pm

As a firm believer for many years that we create our own reality by the choices we make in our interactions with the world, I was fascinated by "The Secret" when it was released.  I even bought a couple lottery tickets, something I haven't wasted any money on for years.  The basic premise if the Secret is "Ask, Believe, Receive" and the Universe will provide all that you ask.  My take on "create your own reality" was a bit simpler and far less materialistic:  I tried to see everyone as eternal souls rather than physical beings, met other's anger with gentleness, smiled instead of reacting to negative influences, and so on; these actions could be categorized more as positive responses to my world then simple reactions.  You get the general picture.  On that level, The Secret was validating.


Now it's becoming obvious to me that The Secret is about materialism, not spirituality; greed, not humanitarianism; elitism, not spiritual oneness; and blaming the victim.  Oprah Winfrey's involvement and love affair with the author and her "experts" leaves me feeling a bit queasy.  It seems to value the physical rewards of life far more than anything else. The Unity Church that I used to attend is very big on teaching it right now, and that's one of the reasons I don't feel comfortable going back there again.


There are some excellent articles on the web that I'm not comfortable posting here as links, because I don't want to step on any Terms of Service lines.  If you do some Google research, I'm sure you will come up with a couple on your own. 


I look forward to your comments.


Bink


Not really into Siggees...
 
Not all who wander are lost.
(J.R.R. Tolkien)


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 03-18-2007 - 9:02pm
Wow, Bink. I don't agree with you. It is like everything else I am reading. " keys to the kingdom, " old wisdom. even Susie Orman was talking about finance and women. I thought she was talking about the secret, same stuff. she even went on to say, clean out your house and all you don't use. I believe thoughts have great power. I am surprised people at my work, not into the things I am into, are talking about having read the book, seeing the DVD and their positive comments. i have no idea who Oprah is sleeping with, but this is a different thing.
It is about feeling, beliefs, thoughts connecting. Staying in the flow and being positive. Unity church and new thought Christianity is the closest thing I have ever found to make sense. It's OK to disagree.
Because people feel they could be more successful following this does not make it materialistic, abundance is woderful whether it is money or love. Spiritual people can be rich and not poor and meditating all day. Yes, it will make people more abundant in all ways. Love ya, Leila
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Sun, 03-18-2007 - 10:21pm

I agree with most of what you said.


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2001
Sun, 03-18-2007 - 11:58pm

Queasy is a good word. I had a bad feeling about that the site, that it was a bogus scam when I first read up on it. I just couldn't bring myself to accept it as genuine.

Maybe for some it will work. I dunno. At first I thought it was more along the lines of "The Celestine Prophecy." I believe in synchronicity as well as sending out the kind of energy I want working in my life. Some call that Magic. :) I do. It is not about money or riches. It's about Spirit. And Karma.

I just wasn't attracted to this "Secret." There is no easy way to manipulate reality and energy. "Magic" is not the Hollywood version. ;) Neither is real life. Anything presented too simplistically is questionable, IMO. It takes hard work, hard effort, practice in focus through meditation techniques and just plain hard work to change a life, you know? There are no "free lunches..."

Maybe because I don't think the answers are "out there" any more. I have come to think the knowledge I need, the wisdom, the answers are within, and my life is about uncovering it all. I have many, many spiritual books, collected, read, and re-read over the years, but no answers were in any of them. The answers I "excavate" within myself.

Would you call this a kind of on-line "cult?"

Hugs,
Gypsy
)O(



Blessings,

Gypsy

)O(



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2007
Fri, 03-30-2007 - 3:44pm
Wow, I love the unity church. I was buddhist 1 year.. wiccan 4 years.. all good paths but when I found unity. I was home.. they taught all the things which I came to in my own conclusions over the years. I have no local church to attend but find tons of audios to listen to online in streaming and podcasts.. Unity is way to go!..
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2007
Fri, 03-30-2007 - 3:55pm
You know money isn't the root of all ignorance aka *eviL. Its what you do with it. Bible teaches John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Which abundance can be health, and money and many other avenues.. Life can be made to be balanced and it does come from the intent of your thoughts.. God created with intention else we wouldnt be here and if God had any lacking thoughts.. nothing would exist. Since we are in image of God we llose out if we too don't have these unlimited abundance thinking. Wanting financial freedom isnt evil but clinging to that money as a God is. Be fruitful and multiply.. The secret is that what you think you manifest in your life. For it all comes from cause and effect and intention. I would like to be financially free but haven't made it yet. I could use that money to help others as well.