All the Buzz about The Secret

[This entry was originally posted in Julian Walker's provocative musings here at Zaadz. You'll find a link to that dialogue at the end of the entry.]

I appreciated the various thoughts you've shared regarding The Secret, and the more recent debate over it. I, too, had been hearing about it from a variety of people fascinated by the more monodimensional 'attraction' circles (applied materially, separate from larger context, spiritual practice, etc.). I finally watched it when a friend, visiting from out of town, brought the DVD with her.

Aside from the Dr. Rev. Michael Beckwith, whose work as a spiritual leader I've long respected, the movie only intensified my concern over a purely materialistic and rather crass application of 'the laws'. And for anyone familiar with both the Law of Attraction or enduring spiritual teachings, the premises are no secret at all.

Though the critiques I've read have often seemed to mask a deep cynicism, sometimes an outright hostility, which I don't think is much better than the more superficial New Agey avoidance of anything 'negative', they're a welcomed contribution to a more thoughtful debate.

Visualization does work (ask any high-performance athlete, and the scientists who've studied their approaches). One's perceptions and predominant thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and habits do form a filter through which we conceive, perceive, and experience. There is more than a little bit of anecdotal 'evidence for Grace' and the power of prayer.

But a frenzied focus on repeating affirmations only for the purpose of getting a "status" car or some other 'keep up with the Joneses' acquisition -- without shifting the underlying beliefs, patterns, habits, self-absorption, etc. -- provides only transient 'happiness'. Sometimes not having something, or delaying gratification, is a purposeful gateway to deeper understanding of our 'addictions to the external' and our more heart-centered priorities, not to mention greater wisdom.

And the suggestion that an individual's thought alone is the only factor in what shapes his or her experiences is misleading. While thought can be powerful, there are often other influences and factors, not to mention priorities, which some critics of The Secret have rightly emphasized.

Irene asked about origins of the sort of thinking that is presented in 'Law of Attraction'. Ernest Holmes' 'New Thought' work provides a good synthesis of the origins in both philosophy and spiritual traditions, or you can go straight to the sacred teachings of the traditions themselves.

For example, this is attributed to the Buddha:

"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make our world."

Or you can turn to the Wisdom literature in the Old Testament, and the Jesus teachings in the New Testament, or another tradition's wisdom texts. Ultimately, a focus on service and wisdom, and embodying qualities such as loving-kindness, compassion, grace, faith in goodness and life, awe, appreciation, and so on can have a much more significant -- and positive -- effect on the quality of thought and life. Be the change...

Thanks again, Julian, and to all who have contributed to a thoughtful, spirited dialogue that can only help guide people towards the more substantial aspects of wisdom residing under the surface-gloss of movies, etc., like The Secret. It's a great contribution.

Sincerely,
Jamie

Read the full dialogue  and find other links on the debate at Julian's Zaadz blog.