Editorial Review:Product Description:
Amazon.com:Not really a movie or documentary,
The Secret is more of a video seminar, a presentation featuring a series of authors, philosophers, doctors, quantum physicists, entrepreneurs, and spiritual practitioners expounding on the powers of The Secret (probably the most well-known of the presenters is Jack Canfield, author of
Chicken Soup for the Soul and
The Success Principles). What is
The Secret, exactly? 'That principle can be summed up in three simple words: thoughts become things,' proclaims writer Mike Dooley, author of
Notes from the Universe. Put it another way, it’s The Power of Positive Thinking and how it can be applied to attracting more money, better health, and relationships; in short, happiness. (There is a rundown of topics on the DVD Chapters menu).
Most of the material here is given in a straightforward manner, with the presenters simply talking into the camera to address the audience directly, which is good because it avoids the trap of pretense. On the other hand, the quick edits between presenters (would it hurt to let them say more than one sentence at a time?) don't help because it reduces many of their points to palatable sound bites and aphorisms. To many viewers, this may make the program come across as a series of nice ideas not rooted in reality. Plus it's somewhat spurious to claim that The Secret was well understood and practiced by specific individuals like Plato or Shakespeare (it's well known that some of the historical figures noted didn't exactly live happy or even prosperous lives, despite their achievements). But still, the primary message is one of positivity and hope for everyone. So what to make of it? In the end, programs like this generally find an audience that is open to the message, and many will probably find it to be a source of inspiration. Others will approach it with a good deal of skepticism or dismiss it as another way of marketing happiness the masses. It simply won’t resonate with everyone, but if it resonates with you, you're likely to enjoy it and get a lot out of it. Those looking for more on The Secret might want to check out the companion book by Rhonda Byrne.
--Daniel Vancini
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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THIS WORKS
This movie is so easy to watch/I tried it and next thing I know my re-fi went thru and more opportunities came my way to earn money-Wow-if you are looking for something positive for an attitude adjustment well honey this will do it!
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Worth it to watch it :-)
* I like to watch this when life is feeling a bit difficult, the secret wakes me up and puts my focus on life in a new light. ...
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Great for those who forego common sense (most of us)
Who doesn't know about The Secret by now? It's a wonderful tool for those [of us] caught up in the intricacies of every-day life and the artificial complications within it to be used as a grounding agent. I watch it once a month in order to enhance my focus and sharpen the mental images I have in my mind, and I'll do so until they are habitual (as suggested in the film) and no longer need to review the DVD.
Many of the things suggested in the film/book are common sense, such as following what you WANT, regardless of what it is, and are so simple that they may be overlooked. The point of this exercise is that life is so much simpler than we think, and with some fine tuning anyone can achieve ANYTHING. I highly recommend it.
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Exactly what was expected.
* I used the Secret (both the book and this video) for a Wednesday night Bible Study at my church. We were doing a 10-week Cult Study. So, I chose the Secret for one of my resources while discussing the New Age Religion. It was exactly what I expected and was actually very clear regarding the \"gospel\" it is preaching. The basic line runs: you are in control, you control your destiny, you can even control your environment. One of the ladies interviewed actually said plainly, \"you are god.\" You can't get much clearer than that. Nor can you contradict the Gospel of Jesus Christ more severely than that. Be aware when you purchase this product, you are not hearing a neutral \"spiritual\" talk. You are hearing a gospel that does not lead to life. Anyone who is willing to be honest with themselves will admit, even if to only themselves, \"I am not in control.\" Look to the King of kings, Jesus Christ and be saved. ...
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Magical thinking and the problem with expectations
Imagine yourself actually doing that job you want so much. Keep that image in your mind. Think positively about it all the time; do not allow doubt to enter your thoughts. Send out an earnest request to the universe to give you this thing you want. And supposedly it will happen.
I am not a spiritual person by any stretch of the imagination, but at least with religious beliefs, you don't always get what you want, and you don't necessarily find out why you didn't get the thing for which you prayed. God works in mysterious ways, and it is not our place to question.
In _The Secret_, all that can be said is that one has not put enough effort into the scenario/beliefs, so it's one's shortcomings as a full-on, no-questions-asked believer that cause one to fail.
Here is the essential problem with expectations. We will not get what we want all the time. Often we will get things we don't want, like miserable marriages or cancer. And no amount of positive thinking can circumvent some of this stuff. Yes, I understand the mind over matter principles, but to say that faith in the universe and a positive outlook will result in a happy life is purely magical thinking.
Expectations are not always met. In my view, it's far healthier to stop expecting anything in particular. When things happen that we like, we rejoice. When unpleasant things happen, we can handle that that, too; it's the luck of the draw and not a personal vendetta against us.
