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The Secret Movie aka The Secret DVD
I enjoy the idea of revealing secrets. After all, there is nothing hidden that will not become revealed. I was therefore excited when offered the chance to see the much acclaimed "The Secret DVD". The first minute or so looked exciting, however after that my enthusiasm rapidly declined.
The presentation of the DVD was far too much like an infomercial to make watching it pleasurable. Although fans of "The Secret" zealously defend the product as "selling nothing" and "giving away wisdom" it still comes across as a "hard sell" of the contributors beliefs. Caveat emptor.
Okay, informercial tactics aside, there are some redeeming features to this DVD. The stories of some of the presenters are actually worth listening to. There is one or two who are quite inspiring, amongst the others whose spiritual success is measured in by the multi-million dollar home and trophy wife (hence my statement regarding the infomercial style of the presentation).
And "The Secret" itself - well, that is no secret. They are "selling" the concept of the "Law of Attraction". This basically fits in with the whole "Positive Mental Attitude" and "Power of Positive Thinking" school of thought that is popular amongst many self help and new age devotees.
So, my caveat emptor - don't expect too much from this "Secret Movie". You have probably read or heard most of it before.
Consider the following: The "Law of Attraction" (is this trademarked yet?) is only one part of the equation. The supposed "secret" revealed in this presentation does not take anything below the superficial mental aspect. Little, if anything, covers learning about the factors that actually influence thinking, and the powers of emotions and feelings. From a magical perspective, nothing is particularly mentioned about the use of the Will. Yet, without the will, there is no way.
Try This At Home
Do you believe that just thinking positively will attract all the wealth and power you desire? Think again!
Try this simple exercise to experience the implications of thinking and doing - the doing part being critical for actually putting the "The Law of Attraction" into practice.
- Stand up, and stand comfortably.
- Allow your hands to just hang by your sides.
- Now, think about your arm raising out in front of you.
- If you like, visualise your arm raising out in front of you.
- Get a sense of what it feels like for your arm to be raising up.
- Now, lift your arm up and hold it out straight in front of you
Ok, now did thinking or visualising your arm raising actually cause it to raise? For most people the answer is no. And if you went right ahead and raised it, then please consider whether you did more than just think or if every suggestion made to you causes you to actualise it - if so, please think about and visualise sending me large amounts of cash so I may buy my own multi-million dollar home like the other "successful" new age gurus.
Okay, so what was missing for your arm to raise? The Will. Without this activating ingredient there is no achievement. "Where there is a will, there is a way". However, caveat emptor, caveat emptor, caveat emptor.
The true secret lies deeper than just the power of thought, the law of attraction, and the use of the will. These things are shaped and filtered by our beliefs. We can do all the thinking and visualisations we choose to, however if our core beliefs are limited, and concrete, then we are still spirtually impoverished - trapped in a prison without (physical) walls. Repeating something we don't truly believe is actually impotent. We either need to believe it, or utilise our will to suspect disbelief (temporarily disengage the belief which is limiting us).
And just so I can use caveat emptor one more time: caveat emptor - simply having a belief, or suspending disbelief, to achieve some mentally stimulating notion doesn't automatically equate to spiritual success. Plenty of people have the flash car, expensive house, and trophy spouse. It makes them successful financially and undoubtedly skilled in the modern worlds ways and means of achieving status and rank in society. However, it doesn't automatically equate to spiritual success or happiness.
Oh, and by the way, you may lower your arm and sit back down now!
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Review Date: 25th May 2005
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