"The Secret," a best-selling DVD, is also available as an inspirational book, written by Rhonda Byrne. The basic tenant is that the things upon which we focus tend to become our reality, as we allow things to happen and do things, consistent with this structured focus, in order to manifest our desires. Furthermore, "The Secret" emphasizes the power inherent within the "Law of Attraction" and "The Power of Intention." Although all the ideas shared within this remarkable program are not necessarily based in science, one can nonetheless benefit from acting "as if" the ideas are all-true, in order to facilitate success. I believe that the true wisdom of "The Secret" is its ability to captivate a world's imagination, by offering its heartfelt reminder of the true nature of limitless possibilities and the power of human perseverance.
Scranton's John Norcross, Ph.D. on CBS News - March 1, 2007
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In my opinion, 19th Century German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer, seemed to have summed it best by having declared "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
James Arthur Ray's website.
Click HERE to watch the entire DVD version of "The Secret."
3 comments:
The Secret is the latest and by far the worst example of a HIGHLY profitable trend where self-help gurus with fabricated new age titles and little relevant education, credentials or legitimate expertise brainwash us into believing that they know what is best for us, our marriages and our families.
Often their only contribution to society is introducing some exotic sounding, new age philosophy. However, they often cleverly form an incestuous group of like-minded “experts” who cross-promote each other by swearing their success is due to following the beliefs of another member of their “cult!” All the while, they ply the airwaves jockeying for an ever-larger audience by appearing in the national media to garner third-party endorsements.
The Self-Help Movement has become the Self-Destruct Movement by diminishing or destroying our critical thinking skills to choose and evolve on our own. We have given up the freedom to build healthy lives, marriages and families based on our unique history and life experience. Instead many victims, blinded to the value of their own life experiences, are attracted to the latest secret in self-help, in an attempt to find out what they should think, feel and how they should act... this is the definition of a cult.
The solution is a return to our (common) senses! The best way out of this learned “self-helplessness” is to go cold turkey. Stop following ALL self-help gurus now. Begin, instead, to reclaim your natural, God-given ability to think for yourself. The common sense that was once readily available to all of us is still there free of charge and waiting to be applied to just about any challenge we might face in life… all you have to do is use it.
Please, let's all work together to stop the flock of "sheepeople" who blindly move from one UNPROVEN concept to the next, looking for the answers to life's challenges that you already possess and that is the OBVIOUS!
Although I have trouble putting faith in the blind following of "The Secret", I do agree with it's concept, and Mr. Solfanelli's interpretation of it.
I believe he is saying that "The Secret" allows an individual to focus upon the POSSIBILITY of obtaining that which is desired. Being open to a concept that oppertunities are "out there", no matter what ones life experience has been, provides one with hope where there may have been no hope before. Being mindful of what one is focused upon, however that is to be accomplished, allows one to be watchful of the oppertunities to its end.
As Dr. Curtis states, getting back to common sense and the obvious, is not necessarily the same for everyone. As each person posesses their own, unique, life experience, they also posess their own perceptions, based upon passed life experiences. It may be obvious to someone looking in from the outside, to tell another to remove themselves from an unhealthy situation. However, the person within the experience itself, may not posess the skills, knowledge, or FREEDOM OF CHOICE to SIMPLE DO IT. A spiders web can be an infectious entanglement if you are not the spider.
I do not believe all people benefit from self-help, but it is often a "good place to start" and/or a way to raise awareness that other choices - or in fact any choice at all - does exist. I also believe that "self-help techniques" should be fascilitated by a qualified professional. As I stated, survivors don't always posess the "God-given ability to think for themselves". That CHOICE was manipulated out of their existence. Regaining it cannot always be accomplished through mere words.
I am pleased to see that this post is stimulating such passionate discussion! I would hope, however, that those with a definitive opinion have at least read the book or watched "The Secret" video. It is easy to dismiss new ideas, when all the facts are not fully understood.
Jerry Solfanelli
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