It’s the ebb and flow of life.
Sooner or later the critics come flying out of their dark hiding places and start finding holes in anything that is popular. Start talking about global warming and eventually others will start talking about global cooling. And both will have sound arguments to defend their cases.
This is just beginning to happen with critics of the movie The Secret. One recent article even went as far as to say The Secret is a lie. And even dangerous. The article defends its position with mental images about the poor in Africa, or children dying of diseases.
It’s a pretty bleak view and a strongly worded emotional argument.
So, is The Secret a lie?
Of course not.
It’s no more a lie than anything else taken out of context and reinterpreted in a filtered, limited, negative way.
The movie is all about one idea. It doesn’t pretend to tell you the secret-s of the universe. Just one of them.
And is The Secret dangerous?
At most, it may be guilty of leaving out some important extra steps to creating your ideal life.
If I were involved in the making of the movie (I’m in the movie but I didn’t produce it), I’d also point out there is a law of right action, too.
Also, there are often counter intentions that need cleared for The Secret to work.
And I’d make sure people knew that feeling is more important than thought in creating your own reality.
But maybe those topics will be discussed in the sequel.
Still, the movie reveals the Law of Attraction in a powerful, inspired and inspiring way.
It’s not at all dangerous.
But it’s so easy to be a critic. Simply focus on the negative, find situations or people who the item won’t or didn’t work for, and then condemn the item.
I could take virtually any self-help, personal development, financial success, science of influence, rules of engagement, or any other book, course or topic out there and with little effort find situations where it won’t or didn’t work.
Critics do that all the time.
The media does that, too.
What would be the point?
It would be staying in the negative and keeping people feeling bad.
How would that serve anyone?
I prefer to inspire myself and others.
In fact, my next book, Zero Limits, explains that what you have to do to change the entire planet is change yourself.
My own take is that The Secret will work for anyone who will apply it.
What about the people in Africa?
Well, do you think they know The Secret?
Hardly.
What about children dying?
Well, do you think they know The Secret?
Hardly.
And what if someone who knew The Secret ended up in Africa or with a disease?
Obviously (as the movie points out), they could change themselves and their situation.
That’s the whole point of knowing The Secret.
Rather than condemning the movie by citing examples where people don’t even know the principle let alone practice it, I think a wiser stance is to find how The Secret works, demonstrate it in your own life, and let your life be a model for others to be inspired by.
I think that’s what the teachers in the movie, including myself, are trying to do.
All in all, I’d rather be a creator than a critic.
By creating a life worth living, I make a difference in the world — first in my own life, and then in the lives of others who are inspired to dare something worthy, too.
The Secret isn’t a lie; it’s a law.
You just have to apply it.
Ao Akua,
Joe
www.mrfire.com
PS – I got a traffic ticket a week ago. I attracted it to me — by not obeying the law. The law is there for me to obey or not. Follow it and I get good results. Don’t follow it and I may get results I don’t want. Traffic law can be considered less important or concrete than the law of gravity. But it’s still a law. So is the law revealed in the movie The Secret. Go watch it again.
TIP: Most people who criticize The Secret are doing so because they want it to work but can’t seem to make it work. One of the biggest reasons The Secret doesn’t instantly work for someone is due to lack of forgiveness. An entire culture can experience this. But it can be changed with one person forgiving. Namely you. I’m doing this myself, and constantly going through my mental files to see who or what needs forgiven in my life (including me). For help, consider the Subliminal Manifestation DVDs or of course Miracles Coaching. And dare something worthy, that will inspire yourself and others, rather than raining on a parade that could heal millions. Don’t be seduced by the dark side. Go toward the light.
71 Comments
Hi Joe!
First off, I think you’re the absolute BEST!! My husband is reading one of your millions of books now and even says that he finds it full of great ideas and so inspiring that it rivals “The Secret” itself.
Just thought I’d send a little bright note your way today – 🙂
This comment by this author about the Secret being a lie only furthers to reinforce what it was that was said on Oprah by James Ray when he said “Mediocrity always attacks excellence”.
This is only one of many more examples to come I’m sure.
All the best to you Dr. Joe!
Kristine
I agree with Kristine about James Ray’s comment.
And I want to thank Dr. Joe for his blog because it “hit home” for me. I watched The Secret last September and have been following the principles ever since, but I haven’t experienced the same fantastic results that others have.
I’ve been feeling especially discouraged the past couple of days, wondering “what’s wrong with me” and similar thoughts (not exactly aligning myself with what I want) and Dr. Joe’s words about forgiveness – of myself and others – really made a huge impression on me.
Thank you Dr. Joe, the makers of The Secret, and everyone else involved in broadcasting this valuable information to the world.
Anyaa
Hello Joe!
I would just like to say thank you for you continued efforts to spread the word of secret and your awesome outlook on life. You have been a true inspiration to my life and my family’s life for that i thank you just wanted you to know. Thaks joe by the way the secret is what you make of it who could condem something so positve in a world of such negativity!
Thanks again your friend Jerry F.
Hi Joe,
I love the Secret. It has become one of my favorite gifts.
As far as is it a lie?
T^hat’s just a hook for a story. Saying the secret is a lie is like saying that the law of gravity is a lie because you don’t understand it and see a helium balloon float.
It’s sad but people will really get behind the negative stuff. The proof – See how many people gather when a building is on fire vs the building that is being built.
Don’t stop Joe!
Thanks a lot
John Jaworski
http://www.everythingkeywest.com
hhhm.. interesting.
I would say the secret was made for the westerners, BY the westerners, so while it is not a lie it is not aimed at those who do suffer in places like africa.
I enjoyed the movie, I watched oit with my two young sons.. they are 12 and 14, they liked it and learnt something from it.
I felt the only bad point was the level of hype at the start, but the actual meat of the film was great.
Thanks.
Robsellen.com
Joe you are exactly right – as always… you can find holes in ANY work no matter how much effort is put into it.
What a human creates another human can uncreate.
But one of the Keys to The Secret is to focus on the positive and attract more positive things into your life.
The people attacking The Secret are the same group who will negatively attack any good that is offerred. Why? Because they are negative and continue to attract more negative situnations.
The Secret works. Period.
My children, Tyler and Destiny, were diagnosed with 40-60% hearing loss by age 3. By using The Secret they have achieved:
* Black belt in one year
* Championship baseball team
* Championship football team
* Championship softball team
* Multiple Gold medals in Gymnastics
* State/National Championships in Cheerleading
* A and B students
* Tons of friends
* And the list could go on and on
This is not luck. This is not just “thinking positive”. This is by using the power of attraction and The Secret.
It works… every time. 🙂
Take care, Joe, and keep up the Great Work that you do!!
Scott Britner
$10,000 Dad on a $250,000 Mission
http://www.PassionatePurpose.org
Hello Joe!
I can see why some would call the “secret” a lie…and as you suggest, those who want to find a negative can always do so…but the truth is…they are using the “secret” to create that as well!
I wrote an ebook called, “Golf’s Greatest Secret” and in it…talked exclusively how the law of attraction is, and has been used by all golfers at all levels…in fact, I teach the laws of human performance as the foundation of my program…although I don’t have to mention the law of attraction specifically, it is what i call the “mothership” of the 7 laws I do teach.
I think some people are also having an issue with the word “secret’ being used. Personally, I never thought of the law of attraction (or any other law) as a “secret” because they’ve always been with us and they always will. It’s only a “secret” because many are not aware of them.
I wish the folks on Oprah would have used more concrete examples of what a “law” really is…this is something i do with my clients and at presentations because I’ve never had anyone disagree with obvious cause and effect laws such as physics, sowing and reaping and gravity. Everybody “gets” those…what we don’t “get” is that we and our performances in life are under the influence of cause and effect laws that are just as precise and predictable. Once people hear this…they are hungry to learn what the laws of human performance are!
I agree with you…the program needed to include more detail and a simpler, easy-to-see provable demonstration of what a law is and how we are already under their influence…nobody operates outside of them…and it’s provable!
Blessings to you!
David Breslow
[email protected]
Hey Joe,
My wife and I have been dedicated to the Law of Attraction since our introduction to it through the Secret 6 months ago +/-. We KNOW it is true. We KNOW it is real. Anyone who ernestly and honestly applies it FULLY, OPENLY, AND HONESTLY, will discover the same. You are correct that the movie leaves out some important info, in particular the Law of Right Action…but then I assumed that what all the Oprah stuff has been about…to ‘fix’ the gap in what was delivered.
Kimberly and I are in both your Miracles Progam and the Executive Mentoring Program. We hav read countless of your books are have been listening to the two subliminal DVDs on an ongoing basis. I literally had my finger on the enter button waiting for the most recent release; =0)).
The Secret is NOT a lie. The people who say so, have not honestly looked within themselves. probably becuase they can not face the ugliness they have (as we all do) stored there.
You and your entire program is awesome. We just hope someday we can do as much good for others as you have done thus far.
Joe, Jay, Anya, Lee, and Robbin:
We LOVE you.
Steve & Kimberly
Hi Joe,
You are awesome! I hope that this note finds you feeling better. Those who are ready for this information will accept it and those who are not just wont hear it. Its all good and being that I consciously create my own reality, I will attract only those who have an open mind…any thing other then that is my clue that I have some inner work to do my self.
Jeanne
http://www.wealthmapsonline.com
Hi Joe,
I’ve personally had friends tell me h ow bad it is that “The Secret” is now becoming public knowledge.
Literally The Secret is like a gun. You need to be responsible when you carry a gun.
The Secret Key is that we are all “armed” all the time. Watching The Secret can illuminate you to that.
Watching The Secret allows you to take responsiblity for your life.
Let the critics be critics. They will attract their critical followers. Let the creators create. We will attract those who are ready to take responsiblity in creating their own lives.
Bless you my friend,
John Wingert
http://www.thesmokingsecret.com/truth
We think The Secret is fantastic. This is why we are starting a program to get The Secret in Prisons, the movie and the book!
http://www.thesecretbehindbars.com
Hey Joe!!
I honestly am surprised that it’s taken this long for the critics and media to start bashing The Secret!
John’s comment is right on the money! He took the words right out of my mouth!
I actually have some family members that I told about the movie who REFUSE to watch it! Those that did watch it have had instant life improving changes.
What’s sad is the people like my family members who wouldn’t watch it will be the first ones who stand up and applaud the negative talk and bad media attention!
Listen people…”The rich get richer and the poor get poorer” just as the “happy get happier and the sad get sadder!!
You can jump on this train or let it pass you by. Once it leaves don’t complain that the conducter didn’t give you enough time to jump on!
Tim
Since we all have free will (choice) there will always be those that prefer to focus on the negative.
On the positive side- because the secret is so much within our being, I believe it will just spread like wildfire throughout humanity, and eventually be known in the far reaches of Africa.
Thanks, Mr. Fire, for helping to spread that wildfire.
Betty
http://www.bjchristian.com
Hi Joe-
I was at a cafe yesterday posting a sign for a concert I’m about to give. I noticed a book left for the taking (a book exchange table), and it was your Attractor Factor. Interesting, since I had just seen Oprah, downloaded and watched the movie, typed up my “What I Want In Life List”, signed up on various teachers websites. I am a smart, realistic girl who has enjoyed a successful, satisfying life. I am ready for the next step for me, and for my daughter. I will take the lessons that I’ve learned and apply them happily to my life, because it’s all about positive thinking. There’s nothing wrong with that.
Best to you!
Natsaha
natashamillerweb.com
(listen to the music. It’s a whole catalog of songs written by the songwriter of “Unchain My Heart”. There’s a great story behind it. It’s “revealed” in my bio)
Hi Joe:
Thank you for continuing to make the changes in you, which inspires me to make changes in me.
The critic does so because he or she does not fully understand. Rather than search for answers, they prefer to stir controversy, and in their mind, justify their existence.
Little do they realize that they attracted the story about The Secret, in order to have something else to write about before they lost their job.
Stevie G.
Hey Joe,
First… a big kiss and hug.
I feel rather mixed about the comments to the Secret.
Of course, my entire life and my success is a result of using the principles of attraction, manifesting, inventing my future and experiencing it as real.
I dont understand why the Secret would be called a Lie, that is such a strong word.
But I do understand why it will create confusion for some people.
It is simple, true, and profound.
However, it won’t work for a lot of people because they have programs running below their awareness that are about unworthiness, self sabotage and at their core they dont deserve to have wealth, happiness or great health.
So, they will try the principles of the Secret and it wont work.
I also think that it is silly to attract a feather, and then say “wow, I attracted that” when the reality is you simply looked more closely for feathers and then you saw one.
But life, for me, is a matter of “sorting” for the things I really do want.
If I want a feather, I can be logical and say “wow there are a lot of birds who drop feathers”. I am gonna get me one.
The deeper Secret is about letting go of the old unworthiness beliefs, forgiving, releasing sabotage and becoming worthy.
When you are worthy (and the Secret is a place to start) you can attract good things, miraculous things.
Can a child in poverty attract good things? Maybe they can’t attract a banquet table of food, or a house full of furniture.
BUT, maybe they can attract a person who cares enough to bring a fresh water project to their village, or a teacher who devotes a year to creating better education, or a person who comes to teach them something useful that might change small parts of their lives.
If I want to be an astronaut, and I want to attract a trip to mars, it is probably as unlikely as the child in somalia attracting an abundance of food and water and housing.
But, no matter where you are in life, you can take your mind down either path- darkness or light, despair or opportunity.
Yes, I still have mixed feelings. I still feel it is not that simple and many people will be dissapointed. But it will also open a lot of minds and remind a lot of people how brilliant they are.
Wendi Friesen
http://www.wendi.com
Joe;
I suppose if I live in a universe of my own creation, and I say that what the Secret movie is about is a lie, than it is for me. I certainly prefer living in a world where I am creating my experience than one where I and everyone else is a victim. Funny, I have just as much evidence for my view as the skeptics do.
Regarding suffering in the world, here is what a 12th century poet had to say about suffering.
No One Will Begrudge Me
St. Catherine of Siena (1347 – 1380) Translated by Daniel Ladinsky
I talk about it sometimes with Him, all the suffering in the world.
“Dear God,” I have prayed, “how is it possible
all the horrors I have seen, all the atrocities you allow man
To commit when you – God – are ever standing
So near and could help us?
Could we not hear your voice say ‘No’
With such love and power
Never again would
We harm?”
And my Lord replied, “Who would understand if I said that I
cannot bear
To confine a wing, and not let it learn from the course it chooses.”
But what of a man walking lost in a forest
Weeping and calling your name for help, and unknown to him he
Is heading for a covered pit with sharp spears in it
That will maim his flesh when he crashes
Through the trap?
“Yes, why don’t I remove every object from this world that could
Cause someone to weep? Yes, why don’t I speak in a way
That could save a life?
I opened up my hand and the Infinite ran to the edges of space –
And all possibilities are contained therein, all possibilities,
Even sorrow.
In the end, nothing that ever caused one pain will exist.
No one will begrudge me.
The Absolute Innocence of all within my creation
Takes a while to understand.”
Both supporters and the critics of The Secret demonstrate various cognitive biases in their arguments, ways that our thinking leads us to inaccurate conclusions that we don’t see as inaccurate.
Look up “cognitive biases” at wikipedia.org and you’ll see them.
It’s not like we have a choice about these thinking errors. We’re practically wired to make them.
About 100,000 years ago humans developed an amazing ability to rapidly look for causes that would lead to desired effects (e.g. RUN from the saber-toothed bunny, EAT the regular bunny, QUICKLY figure out which is which).
Unfortunately, in gaining speed, we lost accuracy. And, to make matters worse, one of our biases is to staunchly support our inaccurate conclusions.
Consider this:
It wasn’t that long ago that a significant portion of the world would kill one of their own each sunset to “attract” the sun the next day.
In hindsight, it’s obvious that this was superstition. But at the time, it was as “true” as the “Law of Attraction.”
The advantage of dropping superstition is that we no longer waste our time, energy and friends on a belief that was never true. And this makes it easier to actually get what we truly wanted (in the case of the sun rising again, what could be easier than doing nothing and letting nature take its course?).
Maybe, just maybe, we’ll soon discover that what is described as “Attraction” is actually a misunderstanding of cause-and-effect… and finding out what reliably leads to what we *truly* want (which is RARELY if ever what we *think* will make us happy), will make attaining it even easier than trying to apply the tools of The Secret.
That doesn’t mean it’ll be easier to get the new car, or the promotion, or the house, or the… whatever. But, instead, we’ll have in the present what we hoped these “things” would ultimately give us in the imagined future.
http://www.anti-guru.com
Excellent insight, Steven.
You’re going to LOVE my next book, “Zero Limits”!
It takes us nto what might be the real cause and effect of reality.
joe
I read the post “is “The Secret” a lie?” and wholeheartedly agree with all except “I think that’s what the teachers in the movie, including myself, are trying to do.” I think they are actually applying The Secret in their own lives and letting their lives be an inspiration to others, not just “trying” to do so.
Hi Joe,
Well it never stops does it? As you know the critics will just keep attracting whatever they’re forcusing on and we all know what that is!!! Here’s a story for you. My 11 year old son watched the secret before Christmas. When he saw the boy in the movie who wanted that new bike, my son focused in on it. His father who has very little money and almost never has any money to spend on my son for Christmas (his dad does not even own a car right now) bought my son a bike (which looks very similar to the same bike in the movie)he took it on the train and when he got off the train he rode it over to our house. And there it was Christmas morning. My son never even mentioned to his Dad that he wanted the bike. Don’t tell me the Law of Attraction doesn’t work!! One last thing, my son’s father has never been interested in anything like the Law of Attraction and he’s now watched The Secret himself and is working on attracting a better life for himself. So thanks Joe, keep up the awesome work. Susan
Ahh, the ego self. The one that tries to justify a position – even a negative one. It’s so interesting that people would rather do that than try to apply something positive to their life. But if that were the case for them, they would have to tame the ego self and for many people, that’s just too hard. The path of least resistance for them is to disparage what they don’t understand. But truth abounds… and hopefully it’s true that any publicity is good publicity. Perhaps more people will be inclined to see it for themselves with an open mind. Keep on doin’ what you do, Joe! In the words of my 6-year-old, “You Rock Dude!”
Hugs,
Melissa K.
http://www.AttractingMillions.com
Dear Joe, we all know sceptics to these basic laws of the Universe will always exist, people tend to judge things they don’t understand, especially when their lives aren’t working. Failing to realize they need to understand these metaphysical truths more than most!
You can only wish then well on their journey. As for me I have been visualizing and materializing since 17 I am now 47 I don’t even want to imagine what my life would look or feel like if not for these truths.
Bravo!
Thank you for all that you do, and express in your blog.
Is it dangerous because it is truth or is it dangerous because it’s Law?
Or is the Secret dangerous in the sense that fire or water or oxygen can be dangerous? Growth or destruction potential in every moment. Mr. Fire too. O;)
I would offer that this new outrage has its roots in the same ground as the Secret – Outrageousness. Opportunity grows there. And maybe Oprah.
And outrageousness can be a very good thing.
It’s all about framing the message – and the messenger.
I’ve gotten so many questions from clients on the Secret not working, that I’ve just completed an article on “Does the Secret seem to work in reverse for you?”
We know it doesn’t – it can’t! It’s Perfection in Reality Creation.
So how do we get it out of what seems to be reverse – bringing us everything we don’t want – and “Drive” on the autobahn of our highest and best lives?
Well, if it’s not the Law of Attraction that needs a little help, then it must be us.
We can help ourSelves by clearing at every level – our thoughts, our energy, our environment – as many times as we need to with techniques such as EFT, WHEE, other meridian based therapies, energy work, Ho`oponopono –I’ve followed Dr. Len’s work for years – counseling …whatever works in that moment.
We have to be clear to hear it. To see it. To receive it. And we may find that the clearer we get, what we want changes. That’s more opportunity.
We have to allow our Divine Self to breathe.
And then we have to ACT on – breathe in – what the Universe offers.
It’s dangerous not to.
Hey Joe – I appreciate you! Keep telling Secrets! I AM Gratitude for your Gifts to the Universe.
JoAnne Scalise
Midwife of Spirit™
http://www.InfiniteYOU.com say YES to the Universe
http://www.AngelVision.CradleOfLight.com isn’t it Time to see yourSelf as you truly are?
Jesus said, “Ask, believing, and ye shall receive”, and “to those who have, much shall be given, and to those who have not, it shall be taken away”. Isn’t this the Law of Attraction in a nutshell? How can “The Secret” be a lie? Was Jesus lying? Just wondering.
Joe, I gotta tell ya… I just love you! But this time, you got it just a little wrong….The Secret is TOO a lie. It is for those who say it is. You said it yourself! Things mean what you make them mean, and in these people’s reality, the secret is a lie! (Which of course makes The Secret true, too, because they created it to be a lie, but let’s not split hairs..;-)
Hi Joe,
You know the part where you talked about the critics finding negative stuff, well isn’t that also The Secret at work?
You see, I mean, they want to find something bad about it and so they did. You can always find the bad stuff when you’re consciously looking for it…and when its already lodged in your subconscious mind, then you’ll find it anyway, isn’t it?
You probably know this already but I’m going to say it anyway: the critics themselves must be afraid (somewhere deep inside) that the Secret does work. And if it does then that would mean that they’d have to change themselves to get what they truely want…and most people really don’t want to change right?
I hope you’re back up again!
Have an Amazing day!
Sharon
P.S. due to a financial problem, at the time The Secret was released, I didn’t have the means (financial) to watch it online. And I thought “I wish I could just see it for free!” A few months later I did!
hi Joe,
thanks for your post on THE SECRET.
while i believe in the concept that one can attract what they want in their lives, i think it is wrong to potray it as a ‘solve-all’ formular. and the take on Africa and the potrayal by the movie that one does not get anything because they do not believe enough is in bad taste. you see i am from Africa, Nigeria to be precise. here in my country, there is a whole lot of poverty and suffering. And like Kevin Hogan said in his article which you can find here http://www.kevinhogan.com/secret-truth-behind-lie.htm
“God is *not* a slot machine.
And that is a fairly profound statement.
He doesn’t withhold the money from the people of the African continent because they are unable to “believe enough”, nor does he bless the Americans(or Australians) because they believe so much better.”
i am not trying to critisize. all i am saying is that in Africa very many people work hard, maybe harder than they should to earn their daily bread. that i believe is very noble.
and i think the reason why the movie is being critisized is because it was hyped out of proportions and you were among those who did that Joe. an african proverb says, “The man who brings home ant infested wood has invited lizards to dine with him and thus should not complain” This means that we often create situations that bring us problems and we should take whatever consequences that arise from them.
the way THE SECRET was hyped it became obvious that a group of people wanted to make money out of it.
after all any one can ‘attract’ what they want by telling other people that they can ‘attract’ what they want and charging them for it. Apt, don’t you think?
Ronald ‘Aikay’ Nzimora
Hi Joe
I recently received an issue of an ezine that included an article on ‘The Secret is a Lie’.
(I’m not into defamation, so won’t be mentioning names).
I respect that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but did not care for the way The Secret – and the great folks behind it – were ridiculed and shot down. This source made reference to sick & dying children, famine, etc. and offered no insights of his own into the cause or remedy for this situation.
I have unsubscribed from that list as I have no interest in
‘learning’ anything from that source.
People don’t always believe in the truth or the facts – they believe that which they want to believe. I know what I want – and The Secret shows me the way.
Thanks for bringing it to us, Joe.
All the best
Mark Semple
http://www.successfultogethercoaching.com
Joe,
The Secret reveals truth to a world that for centuries has been taught to believe The Lie! They have heard (herd mentality) The Lie all their lives and they live it as though it were true! Then,of course, they have to defend it. Only lies need defense – truth is self-evident.
I’m tired of the lie – let’s spread The Secret. It’s creating a better world and putting the critics out of business!
Namaste,
Dean
Of course you are dangerous! You are teaching people to think for themselves and take control of their lives! You all are spreading these concepts in a *very* well done and *very* attractive package and doing an excellent job at it! This should be your sign that you are doing everything absolutely right, man!
Just think if my ancestors, who were mostly common folk here in New England, including some downtrodden Irish and French, as well as English, had said, “gee, we should just pay them there taxes,” or “heck no, I’m not fighting in the Civil War,” what sort of country we’d have today.
Those same critics might now be living in a British colony and might not have the benefit of their free speech under the Constitution to form their small-minded thoughts, let alone speak them out loud in a free press society.
Quite frankly, I’ve had the same struggles and thoughts myself — resentments toward people who had everything and were telling me if only I did this or that, I could have whatever I wanted. And why should I want fine things when there are children starving because I was raised in a an age of GUILT and had followed a pattern of relationships for years that only reinforced these negative thoughts and feelings.
I didn’t miraculously appear whole and healthy and sound out of Zeus’ head and I wasn’t touched by Divine angels, man, I struggled! I read things, I talked to people, I listened to some really sad horrific stories, I lived in a town where I had crackheads coming up to my door begging for money, I’ve been on welfare and gotten myself off of it, and I even lived in a homeless shelter once. I’ve had two failed marriages and been beaten up verbally and physically and gone to therapy to get my head on straight. I’m not 100% “perfect” except in the way that I am unfolding my true self and casting off the shell of negativity to reveal the true valuable pearl that I know is the real me inside.
Could Oprah help people the way she does today if she’d wallowed in her upbringing and followed someone else’s beliefs about who she was supposed to be? She was practically jumping out of her seat with enthusiasm for her guests for validating her experiences and her beliefs, and she is open-minded enough to allow others to express their belief system and use The Secret in ways that speak to them.
And when I was being crabby and resistant and critical when my husband played The Secret here at home, I realized after a while that you have the most difficult task of all: proposing to people that they change their belief system.
People who enjoy being the source of power for others’ belief systems will be threatened by you.
“Dang, what will I do now if I can’t herd all these sheep into the pen and shear their wool for my own benefit?”
I’m probably one of the toughest nuts to crack when it comes to this sort of thing, because I’ve read so many self-help books and been disappointed over and over again. I’m a skeptic and I will question these things, but when I listened to you answer those hard-hitting questions on the Masters of the Secret interview with Bill Harris, I thought, this guy is the real deal. He’s not trying to make a buck out of blowing sunshine up my butt. He’s been down and out and brought himself up by his bootstraps and is just trying to share what he’s learned with the rest of the world. If he makes money at it, more power to him!
You send those critics my way and I’ll be happy to take the heat away from you all with a few well-chosen words of debate while you go about your business, man. I’ve gotten a lot of “gold nuggets of the mind” out of listening to you for free. I have the time and the motivation, and I’ve got my Irish up, so ease your worries and let the pigs wrestle with me. A little mud is good for tightening my skin anyhow, honey.
Hugs,
~~Marie
Uppity free thinker and damned proud of it!
Joe,
I so enjoy allowing others not to allow. I find it interesting that most criticism comes from people who only take a surface look at something that has much more depth.
If someone has a problem with LOA I’d be fascinated to see what they have to say about the Law/Art of Allowing.
To Your Best,
Dr. Houston Vetter
http://www.achieve-your-potential.com
“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident“
Arthur Schopenhauer
Just a matter of time, hm? Thanks for the update Joe. Glad to hear all this.
Korey
NeveleNetworks.com
Good day to you Mr. Vitale
I just wanted to mention how happy I am to see programs like The Secret starting to come out in a format for the general layman to comprehend.
I have spent my life working in various area’s of the occult and religious doctrine and all they ever come up with, be it string theory, The tree of life (Qabala), wicca or any other form of doctrine , is that we manifest all of the forms of reality around us.
Only once the majority of the population starts to realise that this IS how the world around us works will we see all matters like starvation and war disappear as if they never existed.
Thank you again for the positive message and keep up the good work.
P.S. If anyone is interrested in other documentaries in Physics that are a blast try “What the Bleep do we know” or Nova’s 3 part mini-series called ” The Elegant Universe “
Blessed Be to all
Hi Joe,
Great article, and great comments. I especially liked your take on the “starving people in Africa”, and how if they don’t know the Secret, how can they use it? I’d also have to say that if people are that concerned with them, go help them get fed! Then give them the equipment and a copy of the DVD. But don’t do it in reverse. It’s pretty tough to get your feelings in order when your belly is empty and warlords have a gun to your head.
And btw, I just (finally!) started listening to The Attractor Factor; I picked it up on audible.com. Outstanding!
Lyman Reed
Creating a Better Life
Hi, Joe
I don’t have a dark hiding place to fly out of. My views on The Secret have been out in the daylight for all to see for a long time. Ever since I first came in on the side of Wallace D. Wattles against the Abraham-Hicks Fan Club at The Secret online forum in March 2006.
Why was it, do you think, that, even though Rhonda Byrne said she was inspired to make The Secret by reading Wallace D. Wattles’ book The Science of Getting Rich, the movie’s online forum was dedicated to the teachings of Abraham-Hicks?
Why was the movie virtually all about the teachings of Abraham-Hicks, yet Abraham-Hicks was never mentioned?
Do you think the general public would feel differently about The Secret if it was revealed that the premise of the movie is based, not on the writings of Wallace D. Wattles, as Rhonda Byrne originally suggested, but on a perception of reality ‘channelled’ from a group of ‘higher beings’?
Do you think the general public would feel differently about The Secret if it was revealed that one of the two quantum physicists in the movie, Fred Alan Wolf, later said that he didn’t believe in a law of attraction and the first time he’d heard of it was in the movie?
Bob Collier
The Parental Intelligence Newsletter
http://www.parental-intelligence.com
AMEN! Excellent post. I just did a slight “rant” blog of my own a few days ago – except it was geared more toward critics saying The Secret movie was all about getting money and material objects. Still a skewed perception either way.
There are a lot of great comments here. I am grateful to share the planet with people who are raising their consciousness and reaching out to encourage and help others to do the same.
Yes, there are still plenty of people who would rather keep the planetary experience small, dark and frightening. If you think about it, many jobs depend on people negatively attracting and negatively creating. Where would the news media be without disasters and crime? What would happen to the medical profession if we all learned how to allow our bodies natural healing abilities? There will probably always be a need for those who facilitate healing, but what will happen to the pharmaceutical companies when we all understand how to work with our bodies and minds to achieve optimal health? They will all have to adapt and evolve. And humans are notoriously resistant to change.
I love Teddy Roosevelt’s comment about critics: “It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”
We can forgive the cold and timid souls, and be grateful that we are on the path to high achievement. When they see The Law of Attraction working, more of them will come around. That’s the way change has always occurred. The forerunners are considered crazy or eccentric. Then a few more catch on, and eventually an idea whose time has come becomes mainstream. Already, there is more acceptance for these ideas than there would have been a few years ago. And so many people have been steeped in negative beliefs for so long, that it might take a little time for them to come around. But I am confident we will manifest this together.
Hello Mr Fire!
I am from Africa (Morocco) and I can tell you that the Law works.
I experienced it when I ignored the Law and used to attract what I didn’t want because I used to focuse on what I didn’t want to happen.
Ans thanks to Joe, I now understand how the Law exactly works and accurately produces the results you want.
To be grateful to Mr Fire, I set up links in my blog, website ang yahoo group directing to Joe’s works :
See my blog : http://finance-personal-development.blogspot.com/
See my website : http://financeslocales.populus.ch/rub/17
See my group : http://fr.groups.yahoo.com/group/financelocale/
Thanks again Joe and I’ll never forget your contribution to mastering the Universal Laws.
Salah from Rabat.
35 years ago, not as far back as the green tablet, I made my first landings on an aircraft carrier. It was challenging, especially at night. To ensure we were focused on our tasks, we watched hours of footage of aircraft crashes on and around the flight deck. You can imagine how difficult the first night landings were after such immersion in negativity. Years later with considerable experience, I taught my wingmen a different tactic: focus on flying perfectly. They learned to do this and were considered to be very gifted and were fast-tracked to responsible positions.
There is little middle ground. People either perform well or lousy. The law of attraction was working before it had a name!
Hi there Joe,
I believe and have complete faith in the secret and since seeing the secret movie, i have begun my journey studying universal laws.
Your blog was extremely insightful in response to the critical article and i gained a lot from reading it.
My conclusion is to anyone out there with doubt you either have two choices you can go with the negative conclusion and hope for the best or you can go for the positive and really make a go at setting an example to others. Be the change you want to see in the world, there’s no harm in that!
Would love to hear more insight on forgivness as this is one of my biggest blocks right now.
Godbless you Joe, and can’t wait for the sequel;)
Lisa
Hey Joe,
I am glad you brought this up. The main thing that I noticed with people who criticized The Secret and called it a lie, dangerous, false, and so on was that all of these people had one thing in common, FEAR.
A lot of people are out there in their victim roles, blaming God, the goverment, the economy, their parents, their ex, their school… and when they see The Secret suddenly they are told it is not any of these factors, it is them. It scares them to think they are creating their life and so they attack The Secret without even thinking about it.
Just give them time, they will come around to seeing the light. In the meantime, it is still good publicity 😉
Tony
I am with you Joe! I have personally experienced the law of attraction at work in my life, so I know it works just as you do.
And I have seen in you the effect of extinguising negative thoughts and I see what has happened in your life. Thanks for sharing your own personal extreme do-over through the law of attraction.
What I find particularly ironic is that the Law of Attraction is working exactly as it should for the critics, and they don’t even realize it. Skeptic, critics, and nay-sayers are ALWAYS finding things to be negative about… and they’re never at a loss.
I was once a fairly skeptical person, and after seeing “What the Bleep?” and “The Secret”, I thought: What have I got to lose, except the negativity in my life? And since that day, I never looked back.
Now… I’m thankful for the critics!
–Terry–
..:: Resonate with Life ::..
You asked the question: What purpose does (generating negative thoughts) serve?
One of the greatest obstacles to innovation is the potential for a new concept, product or service to up-end a long-standing business model.
In the case of media, serious journalism is geared to “bad news”; anything else is merely fluff and filler.
The first piece of advice you’ll get from personal development trainers is “Avoid negative thinking – stop reading the paper; don’t listen to or watch the news for at least two weeks.”
Know what? Once you adopt a positive attitude, you rarely bother to read past the headlines long after the two weeks is up.
This is not in the best commercial interests of media.
As Tom Rath put it: We’ve been raised with negative psychology – what’s wrong with people – rather than positive psychology – what’s right with people. We’ve been trained to focus on behaviours that should be eliminated, fixed rather than those that should be adopted, emulated.
When people relate to life from a negative standpoint: Newsworthy items make them think: Glad that’s not me. Popular TV shows and magazines make them think: I wish that were me.
A passive role as observer. Bystanders in the spectator sport of life. Good training for audiences.
The Secret is about self-determination: I want/need/deserve/MUST GET that for me. A result intended: a decision demanded, a commitment required, an action called for.
As long as there are people who allow negativity to dominate their thinking, who are willing to wish but unwilling to act, there will be members of the media quick to condemn any new source of hope as hype.
It’s the law of attraction: their thoughts manifest a reason to justify their non-action. And collectively, it’s a pretty big crowd that’s screaming to The Universe.
Seek and ye shall find. Probably explains why I haven’t actually read any bad reviews of The Secret. They haven’t found me.
A former news junkie and recovered bystander,
Cheryl Blakeney
Well said Joe!
I finally saw The Secret for the first time 2 days ago and thought it was the best movie I’ve ever seen. Although it wasn’t a “movie” but rather more of a documentary, it’s the kind of thing you can watch over and over and just keep picking things up and applying them to your life.
As with the critics, just remember that ALL publicity is good 🙂
Jeremy
http://www.crazyfortea.com
By the way, the person that wrote what Joe talking about is Kevin Hogan. I get his newsletter as well. Now a lot of people that have responded on here may be just as guilty of reaction instead of response because I’m quite certain that very few of you actually read the article that Kevin wrote. Now I’m a fan of Kevin’s he has a lot of interesting things on persuasion and he has an interesting if not singular point of view. I know this. I believe in science. Eventually everything we’ve tried to explain ontologically will be explained scientifically as well. Quantum physics is a perfect example. This is the beginning of the law of attraction.
Here is where I stand. I believe both sides are right. And both sides are wrong. At one point in time we will be able to definatively say do this and you’ll receive this AND we will be able to explain EXACTLY why. It won’t be an hypothesis anymore. When? I don’t know. Probably a very, very long time from now. Almost certainly not in my lifetime and I’m only 40.
I know the law of attraction works. If I just remember back to anything major that’s happened in my life that I didn’t necessarily “plan” on, I see that the thoughts I had prior to the event are completely in line with the occurance.
For instance, getting fired at work. For months I kept saying “I’ve got to get out of here”, I’m working 80 hours a week”, “I’ve got to start my own business with Primerica” Wasn’t planning on getting let go. But one day the District Manager comes in we go at it, and of course who’s low man on the totem pole.
By the way, our performance at the store was still stellar. We were in the to 100 stores in the country out of 2900. We were in the top 25 of small stores. We increased profits 38 percent. This was not a firing because of performance.
I either saw it coming way in advance,(which has happened too me several times, for instance I saved my brother from falling out of a tree, and I saved a friend from getting crushed by a new york city bus) or I attracted it.
Because of these “strange occurances, to me it’s obvious that the law of attraction is real as well as time as we understand it, does not exist. How in the world can anyone see into the future when it hasn’t happened yet? And if it has happened then you can’t believe in the law of attraction because that in itself says that fate controls our paths and not us.
Now I believe all of this eventually will be explained, as I said scientifically. For example we know about the Reticular Activation System. You buy the car, all of the sudden everyone’s got the car. Did they all of the sudden go out and buy the car the same day? No, but now your brain is attuned to what you have. Lady’s how about that dress you waited and longed for. One of two things happen. You start to see it all over the place and it makes you want it more depending on your values and beliefs, or it makes it less desirable because “well everyone has one now”. No. it’s because your RAS is in action. Science, not mythology. Now I believe that it’s entirely the case that the RAS is activated which causes us to vibrate even more with what we desire and it will attract it even faster.
It has been my experience that when you want something with so much passion that it becomes this magnificent obsession that it shows up pretty fast. Is it the RAS that is highly charged and notices every opportunity to fulfill the desire, or Law of Attraction? At the end of the day, who cares? Are you completely focused on what you want? Are taking action in the direction of your goals? If so then it can only come true, or you will find something else that is even greater than what you originally planned and you will create a new obsession.
But this one thing I know for sure. For rapid manifestation it must be all consuming, all impassioned, and you must KNOW that it is only a matter of time before you will be in physical possesion of it. Anything less than that conviction will yield mediocre results at best and more than likely nothing, because humans are very easily discouraged now a days. If we can’t solve it in twenty-two minutes it’s really too big of a problem for any human to solve.
This is just my opinion/rant but I could be wrong.
Allen V. Burnsworth
Steven Sashen makes more sense than the supposed secret. (see his comment above)
“The Secret” doesn’t work for everyone because it doesn’t work. Other factors are working.
And certainly what we really want is not the bigger, better, more we keep chasing. Buddha figured that out. So did a lot of others.
Hi Joe,
Thank you for your thought-provoking, well-articulated post.
The Secret has been out for some time now, together with much critism, but Oprah certainly busted the lid right open with her show!
I do want to say that I don’t believe The Secret left out details about conscious creation. “The Law of Right Action” was very salient.
For example, in answer to a prominent vocal Internet critic of The Secret, I wrote
a blog entry that, among other things, noted:
“the film clearly articulated that once your intuition gives the nudge to act and you are clear on what you want achieve, then act — and act without hesitation.
The film quotes MLK, Jr., “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.”
There clearly is a second part of the equation.”
Thank you for using your platform to bring truth to light, Joe.
I also appreciate how you noted that contradictory intentions (what has long been known as “psychological reversal”) are powerfully at work and are potent obstacles to attracting what we (consciously) desire in our lives.
Thank you, Joe.
Love and Joy,
Tshombe
The Inspiration Nation
Dear Joe,
Firstly, congratulations and thank you for being such an inspirational person!
I think this can be seen as fantastic that the critics are trying to pick the Secret apart … they only do this when there’s fear about something! Fear that it might work for some people … fear that it didn’t work for them … fear that others might jump on the bandwagon and pass them by!
Also, by highlighting the Secret, they are also bringing it to the attention of even MORE people, some who may instantly start criticising without knowledge, but also some who might start investigating, and make huge positive changes to their lives!
I KNOW that since I was blessed to discover the Secret, I have had AMAZING and INCREDIBLE things happen to me, as well as interesting experiences, some of which I wonder why I attracted them, but all the while, accepting that I did indeed attract them into my life. My recent shoulder surgery being one of those things. As an experienced Clinical Hypnotherapist, I thought I could heal it myself, but was unable to at the time. However, I see the blessings I’ve had every day, and am grateful that I am more proficient in using my left hand for doing things! I was concerned that it may be hard to do everyday things, but have surprised myself with how I have adapted. And, I am even more truly grateful that my situation is only temporary … life really is fantastic with all its twists and turns.
Let the critics rave … they are putting more energy into the Secret, after all, by focussing on what they DON’T want!! And what will happen? It will keep appearing in their lives!! 😀
Love Celia
http://www.sleeptalk.com.au
http://www.OurSpecialPlace.com.au
AMEN BROTHA!
You said it! Many people don’t want to believe in the secret because they think they have been “thinking” about what they want and it hasn’t shown up.
What is often most likely going on is lack of focus, subconscious self-sabotage, lack of clarity, lack of emotion, lack of action!
If a person were to apply ALL aspects of the law of attraction, they’d see results and get excited. It really DOES work.
Hi, Joe,
This just gives us another opportunity to forgive the attactors and send them love. The gift is that the debate will allow more people to hear about the Secret and they can find out for themselves about! Thank you for your incredible work and your generosity!
Of course the law of attraction works.
It was taught back in the ancient mystery schools. It’s been taught throughout the ages.
Heck, I even taught it to my six-year old daughter.
Anyone who reads my ebook, Inspired Attraction, will know that the law of attraction works.
Check it out at http://www.inspiredattraction.com
Colin
It’s so obvious why there’s so much criticism of The Secret, isn’t it? I wrote a clear-cut article about cricitism of The Secret here.
Joe, I don’t know you, but everything you’re involved with inspires me and rings true.
Personally, every single accomplishment in my life has been “the Secret” in action.
It’s not some mysterious magic. But when you experience it, you sure do feel magical!
I like the example that kids do it all the time. It true! If a kid wants a skateboard, he papers his wall with pictures and visualizes himself carving up the sidewalk in a blaze of glory!
I tell my “skateboard” story at bluecollarglory.blogspot.com
Joe, you’re the best! Someday we’ll meet out there in the world!
Seth
Hi Joe,
Off course the Secret is not a Lie, it’s even a bigger truth most of mankind does not realize!!!
The reason the Secret is kind of ridiculed is because some don’t want the big public to ‘know’..
The Secret is just a small part of the bigger picture and in meantime it IS the beginning and the end of an eternal spiral called evolution, and known by the elite for eons..
And still they don’t want us to know.. devide and conquer… To learn more about the whole picture check this video, David Icke explains precisely what is tried Now with the Secret..
http://video.google.nl/videoplay?docid=-758681198696417932&q=david+icke
The Secret actually has been a secret for eons, and still tries to be secret, but as said; Many stones will be turned around in this time.. And they will.. And the Secret is so tremendeously important to get more conciouse, the secret will make you think and start asking questions to what is going on.. And the Secret is the entrance to a better, healthier, more spiritual, creative reality which we create ourselves.. But to know what is going on around the globe, you need to look even beyond the Secret and know history to know the future.. Hakuna Matata, namasté
Hilde M.Makkinje
MissM@c LifeStylezz
http://positiveworldspiritualmarketing.blogspot.com
hey joe,
thanks for the attractor factor, your part on the secret and everything else you work on. =o)
the secret is the basic foundation of a set of philosophies, or believes, on a successful life. even if they are not real, or are dismissed, or do not work for others; they are real to me, and that is the whole point. i might as well believe in something empowering, that puts me 100% responsible to my life. why not believe that i am co-creating my day with that of my creator? it beats believing that we are under a set of deterministic laws and have no control what-so-ever.
thanks again,
heath
heath.beltran@*nospam*gmail.com
Joe: Have you considered the traffic ticket (much like the surgery) was a metaphor for ‘slowing your life down’?
Heather
After reading this blog I must say that I am not skeptacle of the secret. Im affraid. It seems like fear is what is holding me from achieving my goal.
I will and continue to be positive and read up on anything that will help me.
Mahalo, Joe
Hey Joe,
Excellent post! I recently wrote about The Secret myself on my blog.
I must admit that I really enjoyed the movie and will be watching it multiple times because I know there are things that I missed the first time.
I usually make it a habit not to listen to critics. You can find something to be critical about with everything. I never understand why someone would want to make a career about finding something wrong with everything.
Thanks for the post Joe and I look forward to more!
Have a great day,
Shannon
http://www.s-cole.com
http://www.pixels4kindness.com
Hi Joe,
All this hype about the Law of attraction! Good-Bad! does it really matter.
But in reality aren’t we missing something here? Everyone or so it seems, is getting pretty excited that now they can really satisfy their huge Ego’s and get those things that they have always wanted. Nothing is impossible. They can have it all there is no limit! and maybe, just maybe, they can also learn how to attract everlasting health and live in this Ego world forever. But then in the end when they do live forever aren’t they going to get bored with themselves? Because now you have everything the ego ever wanted, and with my experience with the ego it can get bored very quickly and easily. So what is next? – here we are we have everything we wanted in the past so now what is the next thing to get excited about?
What is it that we are missing here! In the first place the ego is not real and it can never be satisfied? It is always searching for more and what happens then. Like with all highly developed civilizations it is going to self-destruct if we are not careful.
So what is the next step. To realize that this life is not real! And that we are all having a Lucid Dream, and as in any dream everything is everything is possible but everything is also an illusion. Sooner or later we will have to wake up, and when we do what will be awaiting us then?
It is my personal view that in this age of enlightenment we are becoming aware of what creative potential we all have, but we also need to realize that this is only the beginning of something much greater to come, and as such we should not get caught up in the hype and excitement of how our ego’s can be satisfied.
I am looking forward to reading your next book it will be interesting to see which way you are going.
All the best,
Johan Truter
It is for them if they think it is a lie 😉
Hey Joe
What do you know. My guess is that you attracted the critics.
Vieome
Hi Joe,
I just wanted to say thank you. I also wanted to say I am so grateful, for what your work has done for me, my business, and my family.
I recently quit my full time Job to start my online business from home. I made sure I had enough money to last me a whole year, before running out.
I was so focused on attracting money, that I attracted over $2,350 in 30 days. (More than I made per month, in my previous job)
After reading The Secret, The Attractor Factor, Hypnotic Writing, and watching the Subliminal Manifestation DVD, Vol 2: Increase Sales, all in the same month, I got several checks, and direct deposits from selling your books Online.
Your writing has inspired the artist again in me, and I am a copywriting machine.
I think people who are skeptical of the Secret, will attract just that. They will get more of what they are focusing on.
So It’s clear to me, that some people just get it, and some don’t.
I have been repeating, over and over again in my head, as I write this, those 3 magic words.
These 3 magic words are in The Heart of Sales, on the Subliminal Manifestation DVD.
Simply repeating these words, over and over in my head, has allowed the Law of Attraction to bring me the money I was looking for.
It was almost effortless, and I felt amazing when I looked at my bank balance.
My customers love your books as well, and you have helped so many of them, perhaps more than you know.
Thanks again,
Tim Welch
http://www.dreamcareersfromhome.com
Warning: “The Secret” about the movie “The Secret” they don’t want you to know about!
It is funny how we attract things to us without our conscious thought. I just got this movie called The Secret! I attracted this movie into my life because I am thirsty for knowledge on how to have the most fulfilling life possible. I mean why not! We are born at point A and are going to die at point B so we might as well have the best possible ride and journey.
The poem by Robert Frost spoke to me when I was young. It inspired me so much that I have always taken the road less traveled.
I have been criticized by some, because I have a lack of respect for the “WAY THINGS ARE ALWAYS DONE”. Well I have always said what if the “WAY THINGS ARE ALWAYS DONE” is flawed? Wouldn’t you like to know what is on the other side? How deep the rabbit hole actually goes.
Sadly, most people do not want to know and do not have the guts to find out just how far the rabbit hole does go! They would rather criticize others who try to attempt greatness. Take a look at anyone in history who attempted something great and you will find people standing around him telling them why it can’t be done, or he is crazy and should just give up on a dream that will never come true!
So what does this have to do with secrets they — the critics — don’t want you to know about the movie “The Secret”?
In my journey for a 3rd way I ended up going to a well known and respected Bible college in America. There we were taught certain things about faith. On one particular day a speaker kept talking about — SEEDTIME AND HARVEST NEVER FAIL.
How does SEEDTIME AND HARVEST relate to the movie “The Secret”? I am glad you asked!
James Ray talk about how we are not the person we appear to be rather we are the person brought forth from past thoughts, words,actions,habits, and if we want to get off the treadmill of unhappiness then we need to start thinking new thoughts(this is a paraphrase, but it is the jest of what was said). In essence we need to plant new seed in the soil of our minds and cultivate it with gratitude.
Being thankful you are the most unique person in the world. No one is like you and will ever be like you! Being thankful where you are today is not where you will be tomorrow. Being thankful if you are not where you want to be then at least you are not where you once were.
Just like all the rigid people who will tell you the “WAY IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN DONE” the critics of “The Secret” will love to point out all the reasons, why it can’t possibly work, why it is all a bunch of lies; However, just as there is more than one way to skin a cat there are 100 reasons backing up how “The Secret” works!
Dr. Joe keep shouting from the rooftops the vital message!
Thanks, Joe, for providing a place to air this. The Secret has had an amazingly polarizing affect. People either believe in it deeply, or are very against it. I don’t get the latter. Among other things, The Secret helped pull me out of a deep depression, something no one else was able to do. There is something to say for there being other laws in the Universe, and I agree that the movie doesn’t cover that as well as it might. I love the world today as it is, and that includes free will. As long as I respect myself, others, and this wonderful planet I can attract many many good things. And I need to be open to those things and experiences that seem “bad,” as I am slowly but surely learning that the things I didn’t know I wanted in my life often contain important lessons (like your speeding ticket -;). Gotta love the packaging! Keep up the good work!
Hi Joe,
When I read your tip at the end of this post, I told myself, Yes! I am going to start going through my mental file cabinet daily and “clean” them –erase these old files (memories) of anyone that no longer serves me.
It was a wonderful intention, but I didn’t do it.
It’s not that I haven’t done this work before. I have done it many times – pulled them up, one after another, held them up to the light, forgiven and moved on, often, lighter than before.
For some reason, this time, each day I said to myself: “I’m going to start that today and on and on every day, but I didn’t do it.
Then on Friday, I asked my boss/self for the rest of the day off to go look at houses (something I love doing) She/I consented and off I went.
It was a glorious day, my energy was soaring, as I drove. I appreciated everything I saw. “Life is Good” I said and felt.
All of the sudden I looked to my left and saw a street sign “Schell Street.”
Ah, I felt that file cabinet opening. The word “Schell” took me back about 8 years to a situation with a lawyer, named Schell, that had been a low point for me with a lawyer that I felt acted with less than integrity.
What did I do? I said: I love you (to the memory)
I’m sorry (that for awhile back then, so long ago, I forgot Who I AM)
Please forgive me (for forgetting my own Magnificence)
Thank you (for our Divine Appointment today)
I had a choice in that moment when I saw “his” name, and because of Ho’oponopono, I chose to stay in JOY & Love.
Thank you for the file cabinet tip Joe. I will probably use it some day.
But when I’m feeling good, I don’t want to dredge up old memories that don’t feel good.
I AM finding that staying in JOY and Love is working better for me, as Love easily arranges Divine Appointments for me, with people, situations, memories, that need cleaned, erased.
On friday, I watched other memories that were attached to “Schell” fall like dominoes… Woo Hoo!
Yes, n that moment, I had a choice.. to clean, erase surrender…or not. I chose Ho’oponopono. Yes!
I want the whole world to know about Ho’oponopono.
I love you.
Love,
Joanie
http://www.foraword.powerfulintentions.com/forum/hooponopono
First, I’m thrilled that “The Secret” polarizes people. As a nationally-recognized expert in mass appeal, I have found in my years of research that if a person or product DOESN’T polarize people, it won’t have staying power. As someone who believes a lot of people could benefit from reading this material, I want it to have staying power well beyond the recent publicity it has received.
Secondly, I witnessed a rather hilarious segment on The Today Show where James Ray was defending The Secret, and two nay-sayers were vehemently spouting their disapproval. James was smiling, calm, composed, relaxed. In a word, peaceful. The one opponent — although slim and good looking — appeared tense, uncomfortable and ill-at-ease. The other was sweating profusely and seemed on the verge of a heart attack because he was so out of shape. (If ever anyone could benefit from some self-help, this guy was a good case.)
Hmmm…quite a disparity there. I couldn’t help chuckling at how well the nay-sayers unwittingly advocated the validity of “The Secret” through their tense body language and demeanor.
It’s amazing to me how many defenders of The Secret have to stoop to personal attacks and other ad hominems rather than responding to the very real concerns and criticisms.
“Well,” the defenders say, “The people who don’t like The Secret are in fear or are uncomfortable or, gosh, even SWEATY when they appear on TV.”
I am all for positive thinking and positive energy. I do not believe that every negative thing that happens to you is your fault.
Nor do I believe that you will attract horrible things just because you’ve had a negative emotion. And the funny thing is, even Michael Beckwith said right in the movie that negative thoughts don’t have as much power as positive ones.
Am I in fear? Absolutely not. In fact, I believe I am in a lot less fear than a lot of Law of Attraction people. I accept my life, and I am more and more at peace with what is, rather than constantly working feverishly to “attract” something different.
Byron Katie I like. But not the so-called “Law” of Attraction.
http://www.feelgoodgirl.com
Hello again Joe,
Due to some of the opposition rhetoric on one of your threads I followed a link to a site authored/owned by a guy named Skeptico.
In short order it was clear these young kids were bent on how right they were and how wrong the secret was.
The most interesting thing to me was MOST of them had never read or seen “the secret”. Like lemmings they were simply regurgitating information posted by one or another of them. Honestly the logic of critiquing something you know nothing about escapes me.
I entered the fray and quickly got booted off the site. The booter Skeptico said “This is not your playground. If you want to rant and insult freestyle get your own blog.”
So I did exactly that. Within a few days Skeptico’s visualization came true. Now if that is not a great example of how the LOA works I do not know what is and so fast! … lol
Skeptico and his group are NOT HAPPY with this visualization. What can I say but better learn to focus a little better and perhaps get a sense of humor in the process 🙂
http://skeptical-lunacy.com
Have a great week everyone 🙂
Kat