'The Secret' - Fact or Fallacy?

[ladybird11]

I have just started reading 'The Secret'...

Just to fill in the gaps for some people:

"The Secret reveals the natural law that is governing all lives. By applying the knowledge of this law, you can change every aspect of your life.
This is the secret to prosperity, health, relationships and happiness. This is the secret to life".

It then occurred to me, there are so many times when I have thought about something and gotten it:
- I desparately thought myself as being thin after having DS (remaining larger wasn't an option in my mind) and I lost weight quickly.
- I have wished sooooo hard for certain colleagues to transfer / leave my work, and they have.
- I have thought of myself as having more $$$, then I receive two cheques in the mail - refunds. Both were supposed to be paid to me in 2 mths time, but they came early.

So I wonder, has anyone else read the book? What are your thoughts on 'The Secret'? Could it all just be a coincidence or is there something really behind 'like attracts like'?

[LimeSlice]

Fact.

To be honest, I am so amazed this man made so much money out of it - I thought it was a fairly well espoused theory that I cannot believe so many people paid so much money to 'learn' it.
The power of suggestion, visualisation and manifestation have been applied in so many fields for so many reasons, and are very successful techniques. The notion of "self-fulfilling prophecy" is based in this. It works both way - positive and negative.

I suppose those who doubt its power are those who are not swayed by such 'airy-fairy' attitudes and notions of universal energies lol But, yes, I believe it exists and know many people who have achieved all manner of things in their lives by applying similar techniques.

[AnyDream]

Yep absolutely true. It's the basis of a whole lot of other books and teachings that have been written over the last 30 years - lots of people teach the same thing, but The Secret really stripped it down to the bare basics. Like you Limey I was surprised at what a raving success it was given that it was already out in the public domain on such a big scale.

[MrsFabuloso]

I believe it too. I too have read the book and believe the laws of attraction are real. I have wanted for things and visualised and gotten them. I htink it all just opens you up to the opportunities that are about.

[BellyBelly]

I believe it as well. BB wouldn't be what it was without it. Very early on, I got to the point where I thought negatively about not being able to be successful with what I had, but after watching the Secret and going to some seminars (they came to Aus not long after - spooky ) I met some great marketing people and BB took off with loads of ideas under my belt. I truly believe it, and its led me to even bigger and better things.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Forgive me for being a nonbeliever

I've not read it, but I think I understand the idea behind it. What I don't get is how 'the Universe' is then responsible for any good/bad thing that you receive, because you've been thinking about it....I mean, and just as an example, certainly not picking on anyone, but Leesa - you said being bigger wasn't an option for you, and so you applied these principles and lost weight easily. Is that ALL you did - think about it, put it out there? Or did you work your butt off exercising and eating right?

Basically I think that putting what you want into the forefront of your mind is going to cause YOU to be constantly doing things with that goal in mind, and therefore YOU will achieve it. And by the same token, if you constantly doubt yourself and your abilities, well, you're not going to succeed, are you!

Maybe I'm just cynical though. I'm not trying to stir up an argument or anything, this has been bugging me since it all started

[LimeSlice]

The key to it though Berenice is that it is not a 'stand alone' theory - when you place it in context with other techniques and 'laws' it makes sense more naturally.
Have a read of the Celestine Prophecy and you will begin to understand the relationships between occurances and coincidence, how all the opportunities that come across your path are a chance for you to either further your goals or not - but you still need to recognise them for what they are and choose to follow the path.

Things don't just 'happen' - you need to make them happen, but the manifestation will be directly linked to your perception, conception and energies.

Have a read of it though - because you are not understanding the premise or more accurately, the methodology, behind it. YOU are responsible, not the universe - THAT is the point. A seek and you shall find mentality.

[ladybird11]

Things don't just 'happen' - you need to make them happen, but the manifestation will be directly linked to your perception, conception and energies.

\

Exactly, well said Limeslice....I made the weightloss happen physically - but there were so many times when temptation to break my healthy cycle was there - and I didn't look twice at it, it wasn't an option.

[Kitt3n]

I was curious about this book, but didn't have any money to buy it. So I kept visualising a copy on my desk.

It never showed up

However, I do believe in the power of the mind, just not to the extent of this book

[LimeSlice]

Completely not how it works!

[Kitt3n]

LOL I know LS, I am just being a smart ass :P

[BellyBelly]

Berenice - no need to apologise for having a differing point of view! Thats what its all about, sharing opinions in a respectful way, no matter what that opinion might be!

[~Trish~]

I haven't read the book, but I totally agree that positive attracts positive and negative attracts negative. I have seen it in my own life, huge things have changed for the better when I've changed my thinking (I started a thread quite some time ago about it in the Christianity section). I probably see it differently to some of you seeing as I'm a Christian and believe that God created the law, I hope that doesn't offend , I have no problem with anyone else sharing their own beliefs .

A funny example that happened to us - DH & I went to his work Christmas party a couple of years ago and were handed raffle tickets on the way in. We both laughed and said we always win these. Lo and behold - both our tickets were called out at the end of the night . It was truly weird!

[Babyluv]

I've seen the DVD version & I think it's rubbish, sorry no offence to anyone who thinks otherwise but it talks about thoughts, visualisations etc and how you impact positively or negatively on life occurrences.
So if you get cancer you mustn't have thought positively enough or if you are broke same thing.
I think it sets ppl up for disappointment.
Life happens to all of us, good and bad things happen every day some things are in our control but some aren't.

[BellyBelly]

If you had something like cancer though, do you think the recovery/illness would be different if you thought negatively and were sure you were going to die, rather than focus on the feelings of healing and finding happiness?

It's okay to agree or disagree, but we must remember to do it respectfully. Language is important.

[Babyluv]

Sorry didn't intend to offend just saying I don't believe we can control everything in our lives with thoughts and visualisations

[LimeSlice]

There have been some amazing studies done into the power of 'prayer' and positive energy on healing during illness, particularly cancer. Even remote prayer has been found to have massive results in improving outcomes for patients.

So yes, if you have cancer, attitude can make the difference between living and dying. I have seen it.

[BellyBelly]

I know babyluv, just a reminder to all really. Its like any belief system, no matter what we have, it's not rubbish, it's our belief system and it works for us - and we all have differing needs and beliefs depending on where we are at with our lives and who we are All good