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I just finished reading a great post at Change Your Thoughts called The Secret? - There is no Secret. In essence, the article resolved the power of the Law of Attraction as discussed in the book The Secret as actually being derived from the power of Positive Thought.
As a firm believer in the Law of Attraction, I’d like to share a couple of thoughts I had as I read the article. First of all, to believe in the ability to manifest one’s intention requires a leap of faith. Just like the belief in a particular religious doctrine, at some point the believer will be confronted with a logical disconnect and will have to make the decision to either except some tenant as beyond his/her ability to understand or find themselves unable to keep the faith. Accordingly, believing in the Law of Attraction is not the same as believing in the power of positive thinking or believing in NLP, all of which have similar aspects and promise similar results. SO…arguments discrediting the Law of Attraction are like the myriad of arguments against Positive Thinking (a bunch of pollyannas) or NLP (tricked by Tony Robbin’s psycho-babble) or the religiously faithful (religion is the opiate of the masses).
The common thread in those belief systems is that you gotta believe! I have personal real examples of manifesting that have made me a believer. However, each of those examples could be debunked by any number of arguments. I know this because I’ve made the arguments to myself. I’ve resolved the arguments by acknowledging that the positive outcomes might have been the result of maintaining a positive outlook, unwittingly applying the principles of NLP, or maybe I received a blessing from God. In my mind, the Law of Attraction combines all of these factors but gives me “a name” for it. And with that, I let go of intellectualizing it and take that leap.
Tags: "law of attraction", "the secret", manifesting, nlp, spirituality
February 10th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
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!
February 10th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Actually, I find many things in this comment that I agree with. But unfortunately, in a capitalistic society, there is nothing that escapes the attention of marketers. This includes not only self-help trends, but religion, diets, education, etc. Some argue that even universities and other higher ed institutions are in on the game offering devalued degrees to students returning to school later in life that are subsidized with fed. loans that are defaulted on as the recipient found that they were unable to secure work.
However, that being said, despite the fact that someone will sell you a miraculous diet pill that doesn’t work shouldn’t stop someone from going on a diet. Similarly, just because some people have made self help a cottage industry doesn’t mean we should reject the knowledge to be gained completely.
Think of the Gospel of Thomas, with the cleave a stone and Ill be there passage which many have interpreted as speaking out against organized religion. Think also of how that gospel has been found be some to be heretical by, suprise, surprise, organized religions that depends on tithe to operate. If you believe the gospel of Thamos in authentic, do we stop going to Church.
So the real question is, how do we protect the “sheepeople” anymore than we already do with the laws and regulations already on the books…censorship? cancelling John Edward’s crossing over? subordinating free will and free choice to our own infallible judgment on what is authentic and what is not?????
February 10th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I really appreciate your thoughtful response. My primary goal is to help fortify the critical thinking skills that we all need to make wise choices. The Secret is full of half-truths and lies. Why couldn’t the concepts simply be stated honestly and then let them stand or fall on their own merits.
Censorship and laws will not achieve this for “sheepeople!” Instead, it is learning to rely on our ability to “see” and then to be willing to challenge those who (for a price) tell us THEY have the answer.
No one has conducted a single scientifically valid study on the concepts in The Secret. Instead, we are asked to accept on faith that IT works. Someone needs to point this out… point there seems to be NO ONE who is willing to say the emperor is naked.
Capitalism without a consensus can lead to a greedy desire to do and say whatever is necessary to separate someone from their money.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:42 am
“Self-Help” can be a misnomer. Too many people buy into “self-help” philosophies not to help themselves, but rather as they would buy a crystal to hang around their necks in hopes that cosmic energy will flow through the crystal and change their lives. Too many are too willing to surrender personal responsibility for success to voices from beyond the grave, spirit guides and the ageless get-rich-quick scheme.
The point is that the only person responsible for your success is the person brushing his or her teeth in your bathroom mirror each morning!
Whatever you want to call it, self-help, self-improvement, personal development, there are some tremendous and valuable resources available. Don’t condemn all because of the exploitive actions of a few. It’s relatively easy to spot the frauds: they’ll sing one of three songs:
1. You can’t do it without me, or a variation of the theme: you may be close but you need me to finish the job.
2. My way is the only true way.
3. It’s easy.
The fact is that success is simple, but it’s not easy. Maintaining a positive attitude and mindset is essential, but not easy. Books, seminars and other informational media are tools, not talismans. However, sometimes for the price of a book you may find a bit of wisdom or a teaching that YOU can use to change your life.
The price of a book or the cost of a seminar may be cheap compared to the educational value you get when a sincere teacher shares information, experience and sometimes wisdom. Someone else’s experience can save you years and thousands of dollars.
Still, it’s up to you to do the work.
In closing I’m going to recommend a book! To be sure to avoid any appearance of being exploitive or insincere; it’s not mine. If you want to change your life and open your mind and heart to the potential of life read: Zorba the Greek!
Best thoughts,
Jim Bouchard
Author of Dynamic Components of Personal Power
February 11th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Just a quick comment. (That’s all I have time for at the moment.) I agree with Jim Bouchard. Admittedly, I haven’t even read The Secret and I’m not all that familiar with the Law of Attraction. But I am an explorer of ideas, especially those relating to how I can make the best of my life. I’ve attended the services of several religions and I peruse the writings of others, including Wiccans. I read “self-help” books and listen to tapes. I dabble in yoga and meditation. Politically, I waiver from left-of-center to libertarian. I teach high school and college. I have attended the opera and played rugby. (A long time ago.) I have traveled a littled and imagined a lot. I like Led Zeppelin and Sheila Chandra (check her out!).
My point? Not to boast of my adventures - there are many who have done far more. And not to highlight an inability to form convictions and stick to them. (Although I question that about myself, at times.) Instead, it’s to emphasize that curiosity about anything and everything is a good thing. And anything and everything that moves each of us forward on our individual paths is a good thing. But I will add a caveat to that. I agree with John Curtis that we need to use the thinking skills that God gave us. (Whoever or whatever he, she, or it is.) And we need to encourage each other to use our thinking skills. We don’t have “sheepeople” because we have cults; we have cults because we have “sheepeople.”
One last thing. (Okay, so this is longer than I initially set out to write.) I remember a religion/philosophy class I took way back when I was in college. The professor (a priest) explained that, according to some religious tenets, if an individual makes a decision that he believes, after informing himself on the issue and reflecting upon it, is the best decision, then there is no “sin”, regardless of the outcome or “rightness” of the decision. I.e., he is entitled to a clear conscience.
However (and this is what burdens me to this day), he MUST seek out all available information. No blinders allowed. The sin is in failing to do this. The devout must listen to the atheist and the atheist must listen to the devout. Science and religion must sit at the table together. Etc., etc. I sometimes feel like Sisyphus when I think I have finally resolved a dilemma. Is there something more I should consider? Is that my final decision?
The exercise of free will is not a choice; it is an obligation. To ourselves, to each other, to society. This demand, this responsibility sometimes seems too much to bear, depending on my perspective. At those times, I seek ways to change my perspective so I can be an optimist rather than a pessimist. And, therefore, I sometimes turn to self-help books and gurus, such as Dr. Wayne Dyer who (I believe) said, “Be open to everything and attached to nothing.”
February 18th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Quite a great conversation you have going on here. I have to say that I agree with Jim Bouchard. The biggest part of “self help” is the self. You can read all the books, watch all the movies, and buy all the gimics in the world and they will all fail unless you actually do something to help yourself.
I’m a fan of the LOA, it works for me. But that certainly does not mean that I sit back and wait for for things to happen to me. I actively work to maintain a positive outlook which does help me to gain the things I need. Yes, it is be common sense. But for some people trapped in a cycle of negative emotions we need a push from an “expert” to get us out of the cycle. For me it was the Law of Attraction, for others it might be something else. But none of the pushes will work if you don’t get off the couch yourself.
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