Beyond the Hype of "The Secret"

In the event that you missed Oprah's show a few weeks ago on this topic, or don't have a friend who's encouraged you to see "The Secret," and have not a clue what I am talking about, allow me to bring you up to speed.

The Secret introduces, in a 90 minute film, the notion of the Law of Attraction (LOA).  In simple terms, what we think about and focus on expands, and draws more of the same to us, whether that be something we desire, or something we absolutely do not want.

I find myself muddling waist high through a sea of ambivalence in selecting this topic to write on.  I could tell you that I've mentally written several post versions about The Secret since viewing it.  Yet I'd much prefer to clean my bathroom than attempt to write this post.  I'm torn between what I like about it, and the good it can do, and my skepticism with slick formulas (which says something about my take on it that I'm reluctant to go public with).  Because I've been practicing this material for several years, I'm familiar with the challenges inherent with this tool.

In a nutshell:  I saw this movie at a friend's home in late January, several months after it came out.  Overall, I like it.  In an entertaining way, it reinforced what I've been practicing.  I felt more positive and upbeat after I saw it, in spite of the hokey title, and melodramatic beginning.  In fact, I liked it enough to purchase a copy through their website (currently the only way to see it).  I've viewed it a couple more times with my husband and a friend.  I'll share it with my daughters the next time they come home.

Here's the caveat.  The Law of Attraction is a tool, not a magic bullet.  On the one hand, anything that helps me become more conscious, awake, and encourages me to proactively choose how to respond to life, and become a co-creator, is a good thing.  It's not necessarily easy or automatic.  Nor, in my opinion, is it the only answer. Meditation, prayer, and the practice of stillness are also tools that can produce similar results.

My primary annoyance with this film centers on how it feeds into our culture's insatiable need for the "one" golden answer to life. 

From a marketing perspective, the film succeeds brilliantly in laying out the "one" formula to ensure you have everything you desire.  Do this . . . and voila!  Pul...eeze, life is full of mysteries, nuances, and things that may never be explained in one's lifetime.

And yet, the film puts forth a truth that resonates for me.  It is this.  We are more powerful than we give ourselves credit for.  When we stop living on automatic, we have more choice in what we think, and as a result, what we feel.  We can choose to become proactive in our lives, instead of blaming others.  As we "condition" ourselves from within, we create space for our higher guidance to come through.  We take guided action, leading us closer to desired results.  Jack Canfield, of Chicken Soup fame, illustrated this in the film with examples from his early days as a new author.

Keep an open mind, while understanding everything in the film must be taken with some grain of salt, so to be speak - there is truth in the film, but not all truths.  For example, in the film two people spoke of compelling medical miracles in their own lives through the practice of LOA.  They impressed me.  I also know that other people, using the same tool of the law of attraction, would not necessarily create the same results.  Prior conditioning, belief systems, and other factors play a role.

Two careers ago, I earned my keep as an oncology social worker.  I still cringe when I recall cancer patients who were expected, by family and friends, to "cure" themselves through positive visualization.  While it's true that tools such as these can help, they shouldn't be used as sticks to prod or beat somebody with.

Therein lies the rub.  Use the information presented in the film in a way that serves you.  Take it light and easy.  One of the things that sticks with me most in listening to the Abraham material (on the Law of Attraction) is the advice not take these "laws" so seriously.  Rather, they encourage us to focus on what helps us to feel good.  Have some fun with it!

Here's a mundane example from a couple of weekends ago.  On our way home from Hilton Head, we stopped for gas along the Interstate.  I got all bent out of shape because the gas cost about 12 cents more per gallon than the previous exit.  Within a minute or so, I could feel my stomach tighten.  Big clue for me.  I realized I was focusing on lack.  I looked at the messages I was sending myself.  I made a conscious choice to shift.  I chose to focus on the fact that we could easily afford to pay for gas at just about any price and how good that felt.  I turned to the sunny warm day and how much fun we had enjoyed at Hilton Head.

The above example proved an easy shift to make.  Yet 3 days later, I found myself in a very demoralized state over something else and found it took much longer to shift - like all day!  And that's okay.  Because even in that demoralized state, I was noticing my thoughts.

I give credit to the film for encouraging people to become conscious and mindful.  In order to manifest, we need to start with the inside stuff - the thoughts we imagine and focus on.  For this reason, I give the film the proverbial thumbs up, with viewer discretion.  Just remember to pair the mental preparation steps with eventual action steps.

While this post was still in draft form, I rec'd an email from a friend.  She shared a newsletter from a mutual colleague of ours who wrote about The Secret.  With his permission, I've excerpted a piece of what Mark Albion (author of Making a Life, Making a Living, and True to Yourself), wrote because of his reminder of our interconnectedness:

"Again, like anything else, the Law of Attraction, if taken too far gets us in trouble, in my opinion.  Taken in other ways, it can, and obviously has, been helpful to many people.  Still, I suggest that life is not about you or me; it's about us.  It is not about what you get, but what you give.  It's about how we serve each other and an unearthly concept that all of us -- all of this - is more than just 'us,' but something we call 'G-d' that we do not control, but instead, we serve.  Happily."

To view other comments about this movie, see Halina Goldstein's post.  From there you can also click on additional links.  Rick Cockrum has a short and sweet take on LOA in a recent post.  Or you can read Steve Pavlina's latest post on a related topic, "The Science of Success."  I dare say a google search would come up with innumerable links on this topic.

You can purchase the DVD here, or view it online for a $4.95 charge.  In the end, it's your take on it that matters the most.

Comments

[Rick Cockrum]

Hi Debbie,

I haven't seen The Secret, and probably never will, so I can't say anything about the film itself. It has, however, got people thinking and talking. In my book, that's always a good thing.

[Deb Call]

Well put, Rick. Books, films and other venues that stimulate discussion and exchange of ideas serve us all and can teach us to appreciate differing viewpoints (if we allow it!).

[Halina Goldstein]

Hi Debbie

Thanks for the valuable post and links. I added it to the list at http://www.halinagold.net/blog/?p=91

Many warm greetings -

Halina

[Deb Call]

Thanks for the link, Halina. And warm greetings back to you in Denmark!

[Maria Palma]

Yes, the gas thing has got my stomach in a knot as well! My boyfriend and I had a conversation about it and I brought up the fact that we were placing to much energy and thought about the gas going up when we should be focusing on making more money instead....

But anyways, on the topic of The Secret - you made some very good points here and it's so true - what you give is way, way better than what you get! "The Secret" should just be a guideline and not the end all and be all for the way you live.

[Kirsten Harrell, Psy.D.]

Hi Deb,
The Secret sure has become a loaded topic! I have started to write some thoughts about the movie myself. I have some mixed feelings like you. On one hand I love it! I think it is awesome that it is touching so many people and helping them to be more aware of their thoughts. That can only make a positive difference in the world. The fact that it is moving like wildfire through the masses is amazing.

On the other hand, the DVD doesn't take into account all the other laws of the Universe and the great mystery. I think there has always been a problem in the personal growth/new age movement with people feeling guilty and blaming themselves for illnesses. I think there is a danger of this with the Secret as well. I hope that people will come to realize that there can be many other reasons for illness, injury, and tragedy (including karma, soul lessons, etc). Sometimes, there is no apparent reason... and perhaps we are not meant to know.

I think that it is more important to focus on living happily and peacefully regardless of our health status, rather than trying to cure an illness. Sometimes a side of effect of focusing on happiness is better health, but even when physical healing doesn't occur the person can enjoy life more.

I got a little long-winded, but this topic is on my mind a lot these days. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[Deb Call]

Maria - I'd also like to think it's also good to "get." The key lies in how we "get" and how that plays out with the giving part. They're often intertwined in inexplicable ways. And for both of us, may gasoline prices be a non-issue!

Kirsten - I like the way The Secret has stimulated many of us to think for ourselves, to come to our own conclusions. Your comments (valued, not "longwinded")highlight the idea of stepping back to avoid getting only a "microscopic" view. Thanks for throwing your opinions in the ring!

[Andy Hun]

Hi Debbie,

I agree with you the movie is not a magic bullet to all our woes. But it's good to have more people viewing it and hopefully spread the spirit of positiveness in the midst of all the violence and decadent age we are in now.

Here's a free report on an interview with Bob Proctor
http://www.personaldevelopmentgoal.com/attraction.pdf

[Deb Call]

I agree with you, Andy, that the more people who view "The Secret," the better chance we have at making the world a more positive place to live. Thanks for the free report as well.

[Chester]

Hi Debbie,

I have seen the much talked about SECRET movie 3 weeks ago. I think it is awsome and I really am encouraged to see that it manifest in your real estate deal. I am sure the energy charging, mindeset refreshing "THINK and GET WHAT YOU WANT" principle works in many ways. I put on paper $100,000 per month income, and I meditate on it every night. While it has yet to be fulfilled, I feel more positive and I see better inflow of money already after 3 weeks. I learn to apprecaite more, and I express my gratitude on things I have. It is a great feeling. Feeling love, feeling success, and feeling that SUCCESS is ATTRACTED by Me. Many people are now practicing. Join us at :
http://www.thesuccesssystemthatneverfail.com.
Get the report, take steps. Good Luck.

[Deb Call]

Chester, thanks for stopping by and sharing your enthusiasm for the Secret and LOA.

The mind is a very powerful tool. As humans we are still learning how to use it in ways that propel us forward in positive directions. I'm now reading a book that was published back in the 60's - called "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind" and it follows a similar theme. All good stuff!