"The Secret" Laid Bare

My first glance of this book a few weeks ago already raised some warning bells. Last Sunday, the book was mentioned by the preacher. I decide to take a second look at the book, and true enough, it only confirms my initial suspicions. I have been reluctant to give this book any more attention than it already has. However, with the rising interest and the runaway sales at major book stores, it is becoming more of a concern that people are starting to show interest in such a book that enthrones the self almost completely. Here is my take on the book.

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It has sold more than 7 million copies, made into a film and even recommended by Oprah. Touted as an ancient ‘secret’ waiting to be discovered, the author Rhonda Byrne, brings together a host of success, motivational speakers with famous people from ancient times under the guise of ‘The Secret.” Riding on the credibility of 24 contributors, and many prominent people from history, and selected testimonies from the public, she provides a formula on the secret toward all kinds of things people desire in this life.

• Secret to Money
  
• Secret to Relationships
  
• Secret to Health
  
• Secret to the World
  
• Secret to yourself
  
• Secret to Life

What exactly is the secret? It is the way to persistently think one's thoughts into tangible things. No reference to any need to renew the mind. No teaching about the need to love one's neighbour. Everything about the secret is self-fulfillment to the power of self interest.

THE CONTROVERSIES
In June 2007, ChristianityToday published a scathing criticism on Byrne's book, arguing that Oprah and millions of readers can be wrong. The main problem lies with the overwhelming obsession with the self. This is very true. For example, the 'secret summaries' in the book lists some very disturbing narcissistic teachings. Let me quote from the book:

• "You get to fill the blackboard of your life with whatever you want.
  
• "The only thing you need is feel good now."
  
• "Do what you love..."
  
• "....Whatever you choose is right. The power is all yours."

[Rhonda Byrne, The Secret, NY: Atria Books, 2006, p184]

The Australian online newspaper recently published a "Secret to Rhonda's Secret" that reveals the controversial author's legal problems.
Newsweek magazine's senior editor Jerry Adler is not very forgiving in his review of Byrne's book.

Adler concludes that on an ethical level, “The Secret” appears deplorable. It concerns itself almost entirely with a narrow range of middle-class concerns - houses, cars and vacations, followed by health and relationships, with the rest of humanity a very distant sixth. And on the scientific level, the law of attraction is preposterous. Two of the “teachers” in the film are identified as quantum physicists, which they are, although on the fringes of mainstream science. One, Fred Alan Wolf, is mostly an author of science books with a quasi-mystical bent, and the other, John Hagelin (who has run for president on the Natural Law ticket), is affiliated with Maharishi University of Management, in Fairfield, Iowa, which does research on transcendental meditation. Both of them, contacted by Newsweek, distanced themselves from the idea of a physical law that attracts objects such as necklaces to people who wish for them. “I don’t think it works that way,” says Wolf dryly. “It hasn’t worked that way in my life.” Hagelin acknowledges the larger point, that “the coherence and effectiveness of our thinking is crucial to our success in life.” But, he adds, “this is not, principally, the result of magic.” (Quoted in ReligionNewsBlog)

Dr Donald Whitney of BiblicalSpirituality commented that

The Secret is nothing more than Name It-Claim It, Positive-Confession, Prosperity Theology (without God and the Bible), built on a foundation of New Age self-deification.

The Law of Attraction
Basically, the book is about a self-help device that uses the mind to call upon things that one desire. This law claims that you can essentially think your way into getting what you want. The mind is like a magnet that one can use to attract things using thoughts. If one think positive things, it will eventually become reality. These positive thoughts exist on a secret frequency that when summoned will flow into the hands of the one thinking it. Weird isn't it? Not to many people who are believing the book contents log, stock and barrel.

MY ANALYSIS
This book belongs to the library of New Age spirituality. In a world where people are increasingly unhappy, they will grab at ANYTHING that offers some glimmer of hope.

1. Rhonda is an experienced TV producer. She knows how to attract attention via skillful use of the media.
   
2. Her book includes 24 popular success personalities. "The Secret" is like a Yellow-Pages of Success helpers. The so-called contributors (who are currently alive) of the book have included their web contacts for readers to call them. Are they 'attracting' more gullible people to buy their wares too? Pages 185-198 are not simply bibliographical material. They look more like advertisements.
   
3. There is a disclaimer on the book which states clearly: "The information contained in this book is intended to be educational and not for diagnosis, prescription, or treatment of any health disorder whatsoever. This information should not replace consultation with a competent healthcare professional. The content of the book is intended to be used as an adjunct to a rational and responsible healthcare program prescribed by a healhcare practitioner. The author and publisher are in no way liable for any misuse of the material."
   
   By including this, the author essentially protects herself and her contributors when anything does not work from the book. What exactly is 'educational?' Is grabbing things for self-sake at the expense of others educational?
   
   
4. How do we explain situations which did not work? What about the timing in which it can or cannot work?
   
5. There is no mention of God, though there were some references to a mysterious unknown force. Any god is most likely the god that one wants to be. The anything that one can summon includes the deification of self.
   
6. It is deceptive. Marci Shimoff seems to be suggesting that having an inner life is more important when suggesting a backward format. She claims that the outer things in life, do not guarantee happiness. Only after getting inner peace, inner vision and inner joy can one obtain the outer things. In a nutshell, she teaches that one uses everything in one's arsenal to get what you want, including inner spiritual stuff.
   
7. The book tells the self-absorbed reader all that he/she wants to read/hear. What if it is wrong? What makes the attainment of something right/wrong? How will anyone know what he/she really needs? Isn't this a case of looking for fulfillment in yet another wrong place?
   
8. Don't buy the book. It is not worth it. If you want, borrow from the library.
   
9. There are already many selfish people in this world who think only of themselves. We don't need books like this to create more.

After all the hype and publicity, I think the secret is nothing more than another self-help book that credits the author/contributors when things go well, and cleverly shifts the blame to the reader when things does not turn out as expected. Simple formula isn't it? They take the credits if any, and you take the blame if any. Why will anyone want to buy such stuff? It baffles me.