The Secret - Law of Attraction --- Have you explored this?

[RiverStone]

Just heard about it...have not paid for anything yet. I hear there is a movie out on the subject. I'm interested if any DUers have purchased the DVD or heard a review from a friend on the whole concept.

Is this another commercialized fad - or is there something substantive about it? :shrug:

Sorry if this is old news, I'm not a T.V. watcher.



peace~

[grannylib]

1. I caught just a bit of some interviews on Larry King tonight on that, I had

never heard of it either. I did hear one guy (sorry, didn't catch any names) say that it's not just positive thinking; it must be followed up with action, but that's about all I got.

[SeattleGirl]

9. I think it was Joe Vitale who said that. He also said there would be

a sequel which would address more of the "taking action" aspect of it, whichis, of course, very important.

I think a lot of people have the wrong impression; that all we have to do is think the right things and our lives will be transformed. But the thinking leads to action we can take, and if they ARE going to do a sequel, I'm glad they are going to emphasize that more, because I think it makes it clearer to people.

The info in The Secret is not new, and the woman who put together the book and movie says that right at the outset.

[Mojorabbit]

2. Well it works in

RNA
Like Attracts Like: Getting RNA Processing Together in the Nucleus

Joe D. Lewis, David Tollervey *

Structures visible within the eukaryotic nucleus have fascinated generations of biologists. Recent data show that these structures form in response to gene expression and are highly dynamic in living cells. RNA processing and assembly require many factors but the nucleus apparently lacks any active transport system to deliver these to the RNAs. Instead, processing factors move by diffusion but are concentrated by transient association with functionally related components. At sites of high activity this gives rise to visible structures, with components in dynamic equilibrium with the surrounding nucleoplasm. Processing factors are recruited from this pool by cooperative binding to RNA substrates.

Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, ICMB, King's Buildings, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, Scotland, UK.
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/288/5470/1385

The law of attraction has been around for several hundred years(I have a copy of the writings of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa from the 1500's and the concept is in his collection on esoteric matters) and is being recycled again with the movie. I liked it though many here do not care for the concept. As a pagan it fits with my worldview in many ways but that's me.
It was on youtube for a while and bits of it was on google videos but I don't know if it is still there. If so you could watch a bit and see if you want to see the whole thing.

[RiverStone]

4. Whew - that first paragraph is a doozy!

What? :think:

'Structures visible within the eukaryotic nucleus' has not exactly come up at the dinner table anytime recently.

Is it applicable in a more down to earth fashion?

Kinda reminds me of the theory behind the movie What The Bleep Do We Know?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_the_Bleep_Do_We_Know!%3F


I think....?

Thanks for sharing Mojorabbit :)

[Mojorabbit]

6. I was kidding with the first part :)

though it is an actual article. I liked what the bleep do we know. It was a good movie.

[solara]

21. Very similar... nt

[solara]

3. Yep. The movie is pretty interesting

No need to buy the books or whatever they are selling though.. unless you want to. Once you watch the movie and if it resonates for you.. you can do it all on your own. I didn't even know about "The Secret" until someone gave me the DVD.. and I discovered that it isn't anything new really. Changing your perception to attract better energy and experience into your life is one of the Laws of Karma. I am simplifying the message of "The Secret" but that's pretty much the premise.

There are lots of different schools of thought that teach the same or similar thing. Meditation, Buddhism, Quantum Physics etc. I liked the movie...but I have been doing this sort of thing for years now. Waking up.. going back to sleep..waking up. But that's just me.

Enjoy the journey

:hi:

[beltanefauve]

7. I like your outlook

and thanks for the clarification. I heard of this for the first time last weekend. I suspected as much: helpful but not necessarily new information.

[solara]

18. Definitely helpful...it is always a good thing to have a reminder of the importance of

energy and personal responsibility.. the energy we create and put out there is the energy we are going to get back. Simple. And it is just as true for the neo-cons and BushCo .

So, now that I am awake again I am going to focus more on the positive push. Yes. BushCo's mess CAN be fixed. Yes. There will be consequences for them for their actions. Yes. There will be justice done. Yes. I trust that the Law of Karma is just as real as the Law of Gravity. Yes. The Dems (and some Repubs) are going to do the right thing. Yes. I have faith they will NOT fail. Yes. We are ending this war and bringing our troops home. Yes. The earth can be healed and will be balanced again. Yes. Darkness can NOT exist in the Light. Yes. Truth is more powerful than a lie. Yes Yes Yes

I am pro peace and Yes. Peace is more than a possibility, it is a requirement.-personally and globally..

I am just changing my focus to the positive. Being angry and hateful, which has been my reaction to the BushCo crimes and the reality they have created, is just not healthy and it is not attracting any good stuff into my life. I am still adamant about my views and I will continue to work hard for change and for an end to the BushCo obscenities but I don't need to do it with spite and constant rage.

Our country.. our world has taken a "nightmare pill" to quote "The Secret"... and for me, waking up is more than just realizing the truth about the things that have been going on.

So yeah.. the movie was helpful... but we ALL know this stuff on some level.

:hi:

[Carni]

55. Wow! Your comments are like a mirror of my thoughts this AM

I caught Larry King last night on the topic of "The Secret" and I kid you not I was thinking the same as the below if I may quote you!

"I am just changing my focus to the positive. Being angry and hateful, which has been my reaction to the BushCo crimes and the reality they have created, is just not healthy and it is not attracting any good stuff into my life. I am still adamant about my views and I will continue to work hard for change and for an end to the BushCo obscenities but I don't need to do it with spite and constant rage.

Our country.. our world has taken a "nightmare pill" to quote "The Secret"... and for me, waking up is more than just realizing the truth about the things that have been going on."

Pre Bushco I was really into positive thinking and I for the most part had a very happy sucessful life-- post stolen election and then of course 9-11 (which I think was MIHOP) I have been about the most negative, defeatist of thinkers on the planet and I realized this AM it has brought me NOTHING but misery.

It was like a switch went off in my head this morning and I thought "what has happened to me and this entire country?'

It occurs to me that the only reason they have gotten away with so much for so long is because the collective negativity of the country as ALLOWED them to turn our world into a nightmare scenario.

Out there? I don't know...I am thinking maybe not.

[solara]

62. I don't think your feelings are "out there" at all. And I totally agree

More power to you and to your journey! :hi:

[RiverStone]

8. Are you the dream or is the dream you?

Thanks for sharing solara - while you were awake :)

I appreciate your review.

I'm working at enjoying the journey everyday.



peace~

[undergroundpanther]

13. The dream?

"But Yaltabaoth had a multitude of faces, more than all of them, so that he could put a face before all of them, according to his desire, when he is in the midst of seraphs. He shared his fire with them; therefore he became lord over them. Because of the power of the glory he possessed of his mother's light, he called himself God. And he did not obey the place from which he came.

Beware.

[solara]

19. Heh. I still haven't worked that one out... maybe they are one and the same? nt

[Carni]

54. Does anyone remember the Silva mind control books and tapes?

I read the silva mind control book a long time ago and to tell you the ttruth I thought his theories about creating your own reality were pretty interesting.
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:IbiSZUP_cqcJ:skepdic.com/silva.html+silva+mind+control&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&ie=UTF-8
"According to Silva, he began using his method in 1944 on family and friends, but the program that now goes by his name started in the 1960s. He called his program "subjective education" and psychorientology, which he defined as "Educating the mind to function consciously within its own psychic dimension....becoming aware of the enormity of human potential and learning how to actualize this potential for the better of humanity."

The instruction emphasizes positive thinking, visualization, meditation, and self-hypnosis. One key element of the course "consists of 'visiting' absent persons imagined by students and performing diagnoses on them" (Randi, 218). Silva became convinced that most personal and world problems are due to "using only logical, intellectual, objective means to correct problems."* He claimed that "only 10 percent of humanity think with the right brain hemisphere" and these 10 percent are geniuses. The other 90 percent "use only the left brain hemisphere to think with."


Is this "the Secrets" movie similar to the above does anyone know?

[Maat]

5. Yes, the Law of Attraction has been a central belief in my faith ..

Church of Religious Science for years ( www.rsintl.org ). It's a core belief in several faiths, I believe.

[undergroundpanther]

10. I cannot

Control reality by thinking happy thoughts. This is sick.

Because if that were so I wouldn't be transgendered, I wouldn't have PSTD, I wouldn't see loved ones die, life would not have to destroy life to live and die anyway, I wouldn't even BE here.

Secondly far more accomplished or should I say convincing yet self delusional people like "avatars"would have already FIXED these problems.These same ideas have been around forever . So how come these beliefs and positive think and make yourself a new reality have Failed so spectacularly? Because we are not gods. Forgetting on self's godhood is like waking up and forgetting you have an ass attached to your backside. Do you ever forget you have an ass so how can you forget your own divinity?. Puh Leeze.

Ever hear of"just world hypothesis? It is a double edged sword . So,be careful of how you use it and"spread" it's influences you might end up hurting yourself and everyone with that Soma. Beware of that NLP too.It is very manipulative and subtle.

Wisdom is required to see through this..

[Mojorabbit]

12. Perhaps it is how one views the world

I believe we all have a spark of divinity in ourselves. My esoteric studies have been pretty involved over many years and the movie is a very simplistic presentation of what I have learned. In a way I think the movie is a glass half full or half empty type of philosophy. You choose how you see it. I have been down in the pits and made a choice how to handle it. You have to work for it but attitude really helps. I am sorry for all the pain you have experienced. I wish you all the best. Hugs. Mojo

[undergroundpanther]

16. We all do NOT carry a spark

Some do ,some do not. Psychopaths for example do not.That is why they cannot feel love, empathy ,care or remorse but think they are already perfect and can do NOTHING wrong.
.
Also thinking positive might help YOUR mood a bit maybe.But it never stopped a hurricane ..(I bet lots of people were trying to wish away Katrina)or a criminal from harming whom he harms or anything like that. You are not a reality creator controlling everyone else. That is arrogant delusion. It's a lie. And the dead beings that create through our sparks they cage,systems of domination on this Earth . These kinds of spirits will twist anything around to appeal to ego and material desires to get you to lie to yourself and fetter yourself deeper..Soma is like that Pronoia..Ever hear of it's origins?

Pronoia is the suspicion that the universe is a conspiracy on your behalf, the opposite of the popular sense of paranoia. It seems to have been invented by the sociologist Fred Goldener the in an article in Social Problems in 1982, in which he defined it as “the delusion that others think well of one”, the unreasoning belief that your superiors think you are indispensable, that your colleagues adore you, and that you are doing brilliantly in your work. He was warning against the dangers of the rose-tinted view, in which an over-positive view of oneself and the world around one can lead to fatal mistakes. It was later taken up by the short-lived group called the ZIPPies (the Zen Inspired Pronoia Pagans) invented by a London club promoter named Fraser Clark. The word has a small continuing niche, though its adjective pronoid is less common.
Ever hear of Agnoia?

Agnoia; Literally "ignorance" or the act of not paying attention.

Agnosia; The state of not having insight or Gnosis.

This world is not our real home if you carry a spark.

[soothsayer]

38. I dunno, Art Bell or Noory did that 'mass thinking' experiment with

a hurricane and it went from a cat 5 to a cat 1 or something (whichever radio host it was had his audience all direct their thoughts to reducing the strength) so who knows.

[SeattleGirl]

14. I think you may have misunderstood or misinterpreted what The Secret

is saying. However, I also think the book and movie could have been clearer on some things, particularly for people who may be new to the ideas (though the ideas themselves are not new).

IMHO, The Secret is essentially about changing our mindset. Changing it from feeling like a victim of all that comes our way, to realizing that we do have a lot to do with what happens in our lives. Ah, I wish I could explain it better. To me, it's not "magical thinking", but rather, something very practical. I'll try this as an example. Say that I'm unhappy with what I do for a living. I could do one of two things: I could spend my time ruminating about everything I hate about my job, how the people I work with suck, my boss is an ass, etc. Or, I could start thinking of what it is I WANT to do. What kind of work would I be happy doing? What would fulfill me? What would draw on my real talents? From that thinking can come an idea of what I DO want to do. And from that, comes ideas of HOW to do it. And that's what I focus on, including seeing myself doing it. Now, just :seeing: it isn't enough. I have to take action. Do I need to go to school? Do I need funding to do that? Do I need a license or certification to do what I want to do? It's basically the difference (again, IMHO) between letting life lead us, and us leading our lives.

As to the other stuff in your post, you are putting the onus on things happening on others (the "avatars" as you put it). What can YOU do? Is there something you are concerned about (the war, voting issues, etc.) that you can come up with ideas about, things you can put into action? Think of what happens when like-minded people join together. The sum is always great than the parts.

As far as manipulating people, that is NOT what The Secret is all about. Let's say I see my :dream man: across the room. Can I make him want me, love me? Nope. Ain't gonna happen. The Secret isn't about manipulating people or circumstances; that's a very negative thing, and I do agree with you that manipulation is not a good thing. And I believe that if we get what we want by manipulating people, it's going to come back and bite us big time.

Now, having said all that, I'm not trying to "convert" you. People will react to The Secret in many ways, and it's not up to me or anyone else to "make you" accept it. It's something that resonates with me, something that works for me. But I'm not you, and if it doesn't to it for you, then it doesn't.

:hi:

[undergroundpanther]

20. Sounds like Word/Faith crap

in a New Age dress?
Smells Evil to me. Sorry.

[SeattleGirl]

22. To each their own, undergroundpanther.

As I said, I was not trying to "convert" you. I REALLY hate THAT! Just giving you my take on it. Everyone sees things from their own POV, first and foremost, and to me, if something doesn't speak to you, or if it seems to be a negative thing, then the best thing to do is steer clear of it.

No need to be sorry. You are expressing your opinion. I'm not one of those folks who think it's my way or the highway. :hi:

[undergroundpanther]

24. Word faith ideas can harm you

Really. I tried it before.. and I was seriously hurt psychologically from taking on these sorts of beliefs,At first it felt good, like a miracle confirmed, but as time wore on my attention became selective and my mind just blocked out certain things until they piled up and broke through the dream and it was a crushing blow..,When the pronoia was forced to break under the weight of the lie and reality came back and I saw what my beliefs had caused.. it hurt..bad,and nearly drove me to suicide.
Just saying,If it tastes sweet it ain't always good.Sometimes it's sweet bright green anti freeze to the spirit. Be careful. I'm saying.

[SeattleGirl]

26. I've not heard of this particular thing before (word faith).

Is that a particular group? Sorry for my ignorance. Just not sure if you are referring to a specific group, or not. Nevertheless, I am sorry to hear that you had such a horrid experience. I wouldn't wish that on anything, and it certainly explains a lot about your thoughts on The Secret. Believe it or not, I'm actually a pretty skeptical person; I don't buy something someone says, just because they say it works.

A little more background from me: I've read many things over the years along the line of The Secret. For me, The Secret comes down to taking responsibility for oneself, as much as possible, which is something I think that a lot of religions, and other things also teach. If The Secret was purporting to just hand me something with no effort on my part, I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole.

Again, I'm sorry that your experience was so awful, and I'm glad you were able to get out of it. There's nothing wrong with a big, healthy dose of skepticism, especially if you've gone through a negative experience such as the one you described.

[RiverStone]

27. Trying here to figure out what works....

SeattleGirl - you said:

Or, I could start thinking of what it is I WANT to do. What kind of work would I be happy doing? What would fulfill me? What would draw on my real talents? From that thinking can come an idea of what I DO want to do. And from that, comes ideas of HOW to do it. And that's what I focus on, including seeing myself doing it. Now, just :seeing: it isn't enough. I have to take action...

Actually, your words reflect exactly what I'm -attempting to- do with my well worn career. And as it all relates back to the Law of Attraction, it's hard to separate wishful thinking (or some might call it mass hysteria) from the power to initiate change through taking initiative creatively and boldly. I appreciate you sharing your spin on things SeattleGirl, buy in or not - it comes from a caring place. And frankly, I say as long as one is not hurt (or ripped off financially) what ever works - I say go for it! To each his/her own eh?

Back to my situation. I have been reading up being an entrepreneur, life shifting, self coaching, even how to use the internet - all in the hopes of reinventing my vocational self. I'm already doing ALL the things you said - usually at late at night when things are quiet. And practically, as much as I want it GET OUT of a job I'm no longer very happy in - I'm a dedicated divorced dad , to two wonderful teenagers and my responsibility to and for them takes precedent. All the 'Secret' knowledge understood won't pay the bills. That reality is a constant (for now. So the beat goes on...

I'm open to trying new things and yet there are no short cuts, IMHO. Is this self-help or hype? Not sure - but I'm asking around.



peace:)

[Buttercup McToots]

37. I like you...

:hi:

[mwb970]

36. You are absolutely right.

I cannot control reality by thinking happy thoughts.

Your belief is that the Law Of Attraction does not work. The funny thing is, that attitude will attract into your life "proof" that the Law does not work, thus proving that it does!

And by the way, your reference to "thinking happy thoughts" demonstrates clearly that you have not read (or understood) any of the many books and articles written on this subject, which explicitly reject the childlike interpretation you have leaped to.

[KittyWampus]

64. Yes, but you can control reality by studying it. By controlling your emotions, objectively

making observations and then subjectively making hypothesis, testing and verifying and then harnassing ones emotions to help drive us towards action that is in accordance with ones world view.

The closer ones world view is towards an accurate objective understanding of Reality, the less turmoil.

[Kiouni]

11. I think its a fad that is dangerous,

humans have a funny way of convincing themselves that something is working. We get told if you think happy, happy thoughts all day good things will happen. When we find a quarter, we think, "oh my god it's happening!" There is an excellent answer to why this fad is so catchy, and it is that humans inherently believe what they are told, its a confirmation bias. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias

Don't get me wrong this idea of focusing on good things is an excellent concept...in moderation.

Being a buddhist this practice is commonly invoked to train the mind to be more compassionate and to discover altruism but you cannot let one concept rule out all the other aspects of life. Life is suffering and in this suffering some of the greatest human accomplishments and trials are witnessed.

If you want to read a whole book on melancholy check out Pamuk's Istanbul!
http://www.amazon.com/Istanbul-Memories-City-Orhan-Pamuk/dp/1400033888/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-5238247-7483260?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173424193&sr=8-1

What I am trying to say is, look before you leap, and there are ten times better books out there then this pseudo-intellectual crap. I highly recommend the Dalai Lama's "How to expand love."

http://www.amazon.com/How-Expand-Love-Widening-Relationships/dp/0743269691/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-5238247-7483260?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173423959&sr=8-1

[RiverStone]

15. I saw the Dali Lama in person...

A few years back when he was in Portland, Or.

Now there's a world leader who walks his talk! Maybe one of the rare few (living) leaders who have NOT been seduced by power or influence. His message is humble, simple, powerful, and funny. I was very impressed by the man, even more then his words. What it is---he "gets it."

My religion is simple - my religion is kindness

says the Dalai Lama

[GeorgeGist]

33. Unfortunately ...

it's cruel to be kind when it perpetuates victimhood.

[Old_Growth]

17. I don't believe you...

j/k :)

Come to think of it some of my saddest days were in Istanbul too.

[undergroundpanther]

23. Be careful with the detachment

I have run into some really desensitized buddhists.
Buddhism has some flaws that if you are not aware of them can hurt your own spiritual insight..and dull love. The empty void is not spirit it pretends to be..Be careful. I agree with you about the dangerous fad thing tho thanks for your input!.

[Kiouni]

25. Wise words,

I agree with you completely about the desensitization of buddhists. I have experience this and continually have to take breaks from my practice.
I believe in my previous statement I may have been too harsh when applying the concept of a confirmation bias to the law of attraction, because you can apply this skepticism to all aspects of life. I have been withdrawing from my current practice because I think I may be applying this very same mental fault in seeing something in the practice that is simply not there. But then again will you ever find a religious organization that truly reflects your values and beliefs? I wish you luck in your own religious endeavors.

[silverojo]

28. You can find all this info on the web

It's basically all about the power of positive thinking, a concept which has been around for ages. Hop onto Google, do some searching, and save yourself a few bucks. ;)

[eShirl]

29. from Wikipedia (on the DVD you are considering purchasing)

"Karin Klein, editorial writer for the LA Times, called The Secret "just a new spin on the very old (and decidedly not secret) The Power of Positive Thinking wedded to 'ask and you shall receive'". The editorial pointed out a few of the common criticisms of The Secret, characterizing the film as "another get rich quick chimera" and a recycling of "well-worn ideas of some self-help gurus" customized for "the profoundly lazy" and repackaged with "a veneer of mysticism." The editorial also gives voice to the common criticism that the film provides a dubious recipe for material greed, social apathy, and blaming the victim.<2>

"Journalist Jeffrey Ressner, reporting in Time Magazine, writes that some critics are concerned with the film’s attitude towards "using ancient wisdom to acquire material goods". In one example in the film, "a kid who wants a red BMX bicycle cuts out a picture in a catalog, concentrates real hard, and is rewarded with the spiffy two-wheeler."<6>

"Jerry Adler of Newsweek notes that despite the film's allusions to conspiratorially suppressed ancient wisdom, the notions presented by the motivational speakers who make up the film's cast have been commonplace for decades. Adler notes that the film is ethically "deplorable," fixating on "a narrow range of middle-class concerns - houses, cars, vacations, followed by health and relationships, with the rest of humanity a very distant sixth." Noting that the scientific foundations of the movie are clearly dubious, the Newsweek article quotes psychologist, John Norcross, characterizing it as "pseudoscientific, psychospiritual babble." "

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_%282006_film%29

[greyl]

30. It's crap. Nothing new or "secret" about it, but plenty of misleading BS.

Simply, it is a commercial product, first and foremost.

[fasttense]

31. This is a feel-good, state the obvious, and watch the suckers pay,

promotional gimmick being pushed by the Oprah.

It allows for people to blame victims because the victim is putting out all these negative thoughts or vibes and attracting negative events. You know, like Oprah herself put out when she was molested as a child and then rejected by her mother.

Seems people who have billions and an open mike on corporate media have nothing better to do then hype a think positive and all the worlds your oyster bunch of crap.

Since of course there is nothing more important to promote. You know like ending world hunger, preventing global warming, dealing with Aids, helping children of the uninsured get medical attention, and getting out of Iraq.

But hey, if it makes you feel good then what's the harm? Look over here. Look over here. Don't pay attention to the man behind the curtain pulling your strings.

[Berry Cool]

32. Let us not forget

It seems to be all about taking personal responsibility, but when you take personal responsibility for every single thing that happens to you in your life, you end up having to blame yourself for everything that goes wrong. Your company has a big merger and you get laid off? Your fault. Your husband leaves you for another woman? Your fault. You get a cancer diagnosis? You must have "attracted" it to you somehow. Your father dies a slow, painful death from Alzheimer's? Your fault. Hurricane destroys your home? Your fault.

They have a name for people who think that everything that happens to a person is that person's responsibility, and that that person should have to deal with it on his or her own, without any help. They call them "Republicans."

[JCMach1]

35. BINGO! That is why this pop-pseudo-psycho self-help babble

is so farkin' dangerous...!

It turns everyone into a HELPLESS consumer...

[KittyWampus]

56. Personal Responsibility is for grown ups and its not popular. However, the GOP doesn't REALLY

espouse personal responsibility. Theirs is just a rationalization for running roughshod over others and ignoring our fellow men. Existentialism and Social Darwinism run amok.

But on the otherhand, while Liberals naturally want to take care of their fellow man, we tend to rely on seeing ourselves and others perenniallly as the Victim.

The more you accept personal responsibility, the more you empower yourself.

This is the essence of Karma. A poorly understood term that is grossly misused.

Your husband leaves your for another woman, what attracted you to him in the first place? People always show their hand in the beginning of a relationship but we all too often subsconsiously ignore the warning signs.

If you have cancer, maybe your diet or emotional life or environment needs adjusting. It's great to use allopathic medicine but the human body has a remarkable capacity to heal itself which western medicine ignores.

Your father gets Alzheimers, maybe his past life karma and recent past lead to it. We all pick our families upon incarnation. Claiming victimhood takes away our capacity to deeply understand situaions and really changing them.n

[Buttercup McToots]

34. Yes it works...

It has changed my life...and also watch
"What the "Bleep" do we know or "Down the rabbit hole"
It gives you the background in science...quantum phyics...
:grouphug:

[Connie_Corleone]

39. There is no "secret". It's positive thinking with a marketing gimmick.

Also, if you fail at whatever you are trying to get (wealth, new career, healing, relationship, etc.), then it's your fault.

[mwb970]

44. Welcome to Oversimplification Theater. /nt

[Connie_Corleone]

46. I watched the DVD, The Secret.

What I stated is what is normally called an opinion. That's basically what they said is the reason why people don't get what they want. It's their fault.

The DVD even tells a story of a man who walked again after the doctors told him he would never walk. But, his situation can't be applied to everyone who thinks positively. If that was the case, Christopher Reeve would've walked again and not be dead instead. He definitely had the intention of walking again someday.

Call it oversimplification if you want. I call it the reality of what the people on the DVD said.

[SoCalDem]

40. Remember E.S.T.?

These things come and go..people get all psyched up, and eventually go back to the way the always did things.

Self examination is always a good thing, but remember...

Your parent's/grandparent's "suggestions" usually end up ringing true...and that advice came free :)


.and that guy in Africa who wants your help with a banking matter is to be avoided at all costs :evilgrin:

[OneGrassRoot]

41. Hmmm, I see both sides of the discussion here

I agree with SeattleGirl and her description of the basis of The Secret here (haven't seen it; like Solara and others am familiar with the quantum theory of the Law of Attraction). I also see where undergroundpanther is coming from.

Taking responsibility for one's thoughts and actions can indeed lead one to feel they are a failure when there are obviously things which occur in our life experience that are beyond our immediate control (hurricanes, etc.).

To me, it's rather simple (though not easy): does it make us GENUINELY feel better to focus on what we choose to experience in this life, or does it make us GENUINELY feel better to focus on what we don't like about our lives? How we react to things is usually under our control (there are times our emotions are not able to be controlled...the pain may be too great).

I'm not saying to ignore or positive-think the difficulties in life to death....no. But, as I think SeattleGirl explained, examine the situation and see if there are active steps you can take to change things. To me, that may include diving into the depths of the hell of the situation to get to the other side. Not avoiding it.

This human thing can be so damn hard. We're all doing the best we can. Everyone just needs to be honest with themselves and allow for change. How I approach life now at 42 is different than at 30 and 22. And that's perfectly okay.

I don't have any answers. I'm simply sharing that I understand what's being shared and thank you all for doing so.

[Buttercup McToots]

42. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change...

“You create your own universe as you go along” Winston Churchill

[OneGrassRoot]

43. I hear you, and I see the wisdom in those words....

and I try to live my life that way. Yet I also see how those words are so very, very annoying - even harmful - when someone is in a very dark place and it's hard to find something positive to focus on. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it's very difficult and that should be acknowledged.

The idea is to not feel like a victim nor a failure, to BE empowered, but for many - at various times of our lives - that is oh so very, very challenging.

[Buttercup McToots]

47. I have been there...

Trust me...
And words and teaching like this pulled me out...
“All that we are is a result of what we have thought” - Buddha

I always thought the worst of things...
I decided I wasn't going to live in the dark anymore...

Now...things happen, chaos distrupts my life at times...
It is easier to flow thru it...to the other side...
I smile alot now...

[OneGrassRoot]

48. I believe you, and I applaud you....

and I have been there as well and this path also helped me.

All I'm saying is it's important to acknowledge that rather than pulling others out of their hell, being so firm with this approach can have the opposite effect. It can create more negativity in someone's life if they interpret it as "My life is shit and you're telling me I created it. It's my fault. I can't find anything positive and I'm angry with the world right now (hurricanes, war, death of loved ones, illness, no work). So, I guess this shit continues."

It evokes a negative response from many people when all they hear/see, from well-meaning people is "Change your attitude and you'll change your life!" It's coming from a good place, but it doesn't land the way it's intended. It does just the opposite.

I reacted that way, even though I believed (still do) in the power of my thoughts. For some of us, when we're down, others telling us just to get up pisses us off. Acknowledgment of others' situation and wishing them well on their path - and leaving them alone if they don't ask for help or guidance - is sometimes the best gift we can give. Believing in them when they can't believe in themselves or the world, but doing so quietly. LOL.

Does that make sense? I do agree with what you're saying, I'm just trying to explain the other side of the coin and how those words can inflict more pain even though that's certainly not what's intended.

[Buttercup McToots]

50. I understand...

what you are saying...
But there is nothing we can do for them
but just be ourselves...be helpful and supportive.
Just because they take the message to be something
that sends them to a darker place, doesn't
mean that we should turn off the light...

There will always be people like this...
like Seattle Girl said...the cup is half empty...
"My life is in the toilet and it is all my fault
because I am worthless"

I can't do anything about their thoughts other
than have positive thoughts of them...and hope that
the light bulb goes on at some point.
Ye kin?

[OneGrassRoot]

45. Also, I think people respond to these things differently.....

One person may be in the depths of hell (living in NO, post-Katrina; a loved one with a terminal illness; on the verge of being homeless or already there)....they hear words such as that and a lightbulb goes off and they slowly start to focus on any positives they can grasp onto, whatever that may be. And, doing so, slowly lifts their spirits - or perhaps an immediate turnaround - and indeed their life experience starts to change.

Another person may be in the same depths of hell and hear/read those words. What they take from it is, "Great. I suck. You're saying I've created this with my negative attitude and that you're better than I am."

I'm sure that's not your intention. But I feel very, very strongly that we can't assume what works for us and helps us on our path - no matter how strongly we believe in it and no matter how empowering (not controlling) we feel it is - is the way for others. It really does make others feel as though we're judging them if we say it's all a matter of how you look at it.

[Buttercup McToots]

49. The message

The message worked for me.
I know that it may not work for others...and I can't make it work for them.
It's all about what works for you as an individual.
I don't look down on anyone...each will follow their own path...
But I am happy and look forward to each day...and perhaps this
may be contagious to others.
I feel a sense of peace now, knowing that I am not
at the mercy of things out there I can't control...
No more fear...
I haven't received my million dollars that I am intending...yet
But I have received an uncanny amount of money from unexpected
places.
Synchronicity? An alignment of positive energy?
Some kind of energy for sure...

It makes me feel excited about each new day...
What is going to happen today...?
How/what am I going to create TODAY?
I create love and blessings for my family and friends...
I create thoughts of wellness and health for those
who are not well...
Just like that, I sit down each morning and
think of what I love and what is good in my life...
And I focus my thoughts and send them out...
And I feel good

Works for me...

[lukasahero]

67. Try telling that to the victims in Darfur. eom

[Carni]

59. I agree with you

I see both sides but I do think being positive vs being negative (or should I say having a defeatist outlook) is healthier for a person.

It's like the one poster said about bush and company--why have I (personally)
been sitting around daily saying and thinking "oh they'll get away with this they always do" -- I have done that for literally YEARS now!

It just dawned on me this morning, that every time I do something like that I am probably giving someone else the same bad idea/attitude...there is no reason why we can't do something about him--he isn't omnipotent.

I can understand the cynics of "think happy thoughts" but I am 100% convinced that just adopting a negative stance about everything, does not improve one's life and makes bad situations even more unbearable.

JMO

[enki23]

51. christ, it's not even a NEW fucking scam

some days, i just want to start my *own* little scheme to sell bullshit and make outrageous speaking fees.

here's REV. ENKI'S REAL LAWS OF ATTRACTION: positive charges attract negative charges. if you want to attract "negative energy" then the best way to do it is by thinking positive thoughts. if, however, you want to attract positive energy, you have to think negative thoughts. be careful, however, not to think them too strongly, because if you reach a critical coating of positive charges on your negative core, those positive charges will themselves attract negative charges, and you'll have to start all over again.

think about what i'm saying people. DNA is NEGATIVELY CHARGED. this is NOT AN ACCIDENT. it's DESIGN. there is a clue here. positive thoughts are against nature. thinking too many positive thoughts will throw your system out of balance. your water molecules will no longer hydrogen bond correctly, and will be in danger of becoming unclustered. your neurons will depolarize, toward threshold, and your stress levels will increase immensely. your pineal body will no longer hold its correct oscillatory quantum wavepattern, and you WILL RUN THE DANGER OF LOSING CONNECTION WITH YOUR SOUL. that's right, YOU CAN LOSE YOUR SOUL BECAUSE OF UNBALANCED POSITIVE THINKING.

send me sixteen weekly installments of $14.97, and i can teach you my whole-life secret to wrapping yourself in a balanced core of positive energy through negative thinking. your wildest dreams will come true.

[Buttercup McToots]

52. Of course it's not new...

It's always been there...
I bought the secrete CD and the "What the Bleep" book...
That's all I've spent...
You sound very angry.

[mwb970]

53. What a strange posting.

Are you mad about something else perhaps?

[enki23]

57. believe me, i'm not the strange one here.

and there's plenty about this misbegotten spawn of amway bullshit to be mad about.

[Buttercup McToots]

58. Go Away...

You don't like this topic...so go find one that you do like
instead of leaving nasty comments...

"Whatever it is you are feeling is a perfect reflection of what is in the process of becoming"

[enki23]

61. since when are we only allowed to comment on what we like?

.

[hang a left]

60. Here is the first twenty minutes. All 3 videos used to be available through google.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1279084763732767570&q=The+Secret

[stubtoe]

63. There is definitely something to this - it's an old belief - but beware of the Law of

Unintended Consequences, aka the "be careful what you ask for, you might get it" principle. If you're selfish about this stuff, it has a propensity to bite back.

[KitchenWitch]

65. This is way over simplification, but think of a rose, for example

What do you choose to see?

Do you choose to see the thorns and ignore the flower, or do you choose to see the incredible beauty and ignore the thorns?

[Buttercup McToots]

68. Little video...

Exactly...
What do you choose?


http://www.videosift.com/story.php?id=1667&where=index

[gravity]

66. I wouldn't call it a law

I believe that the law of attraction might help motivate people. If you actually believe in yourself, you are more likely to work towards obtaining your goals and dreams, although it isn't always guaranteed.

I believe all the New Age theory behind it is a bunch of shit though.