The Secret

Do you want to know The Secret? There's a lot of people seeking answers in the world, and they all watch Oprah. haha Just Kidding. I've heard about this movie/book for some time, and finally got around to watching it.

While I liked some of the ideas, most of the movie used material examples, which I didn't really relate to. This is one criticism of this movie; the modern focus on materialism and wealth. My religion (Christianity) teaches that material "things" are to be given up, and should never be a focus in one's life. Wealth, least of all.

Jesus said, "It would be easier for a rich man to fit through the eye of a needle than to enter the kingdom of Heaven."

One would need to be rich in the spirit to enter into Heaven, a type of success far beyond any here on Earth. Jesus ordered his disciples to give up all possesions and follow him, because He was Truth, and Life. What more do we need? In our consumer-driven society, of course we have "stuff" that we cling to, perhaps too much. I have collection after collection of "things" that I love, and can't give up. But after therapy, and after reading The Purpose Driven Life, I've come to realize that these "things" cannot complete me, and can only provide a temporary happiness. Sooner or later, I look for a deeper happiness.

The primary idea behind The Secret is the Hindu idea of "The Law of Attraction." This idea states, simply, that positives attract positives, the universe is one great inter-connected energy field, and we can make our own Fate by positive thought, which will lead to positive actions for us.

The most influential modern book on the subject in the English language is As a Man Thinketh by James Allen (1864 - 1912), which was published in 1902. The title derives from the ancient Jewish Book of Proverbs, chapter 23, verse 7: "As [a man] thinketh in his heart, so he is." (Wikipedia)

While I agree that all is One, all is connected, and positive energy is akin to spiritual completeness, I don't agree that we can instigate positive actions by our thoughts. Being driven, working toward goals, and believing in yourself are all important, and I believe they all contribute to our success. But I believe that Fate (God) has our lives written (The Bible alludes to this), and we cannot change the things that will happen to us. We do have Free Will, which means that we can choose certain paths, and we can learn and grow and change.

As an example: We can learn how to be a compassionate person. This comes from our Free Will. But, if God intends for us to mate with a certain person, we will find that person, regardless of what we do. If a child is intended to be born, it is God's decision, not ours (this is why I am Pro-Choice).

I believe that Jesus (God) is everywhere (also a Hindu idea), and in everything. And He is all that is Good. He is all that is positive. I could never take credit for positives in my life; they do not come from me. They come from God.

So, The Secret gave me mixed feelings. In the end, the message was that we must find inner happiness, in order to reach the best place in our lives. This, I agree with. I think every religion tells us we must love ourselves. Not Ego...but our spirit selves.

I wonder if we'll ever really do that, any of us. I hope so!

All in all, an interesting film. If you want to stretch the mind, I recommend it.