What’s Really Behind The Movie, The Secret?
Have you ever seen the movie The Secret? Well, I had the most absolute pleasure of attending a workshop by the two original people behind The Secret, who never made it into the movie. In fact it was a bit controversial how Rhonda Byrne let them fall onto the cutting room floor. I found this out by reading a fascinating article in the New York times about them. I had no idea about how connected they were with the whole law of attraction concept and all the incredible work not to mention all the books they’ve written. In fact my first taste of the Law of Attraction came from reading Napoleon Hills, Think and Grow Rich, which is a classic that was written in 1936. I have to admit this whole concept was very new to me over 2 years ago. I never grew up in an atmosphere where I was taught that anything was possible and to think and be positive. So I won’t go into my life history, suffice to say these books helped me incredibly and have opened my eyes to a new way of being.
So I thought it would be worth it to shed some light, especially because of of this dim outlook the world seems to have lately. Before I go any further, I do need you to open your mind on what I’m about to tell you about Esther Hicks. You see she didn’t write the books, or the teachings behind the Secret. Esther channels an entity of energy which calls itself Abraham. And Abraham is the one who’s written all the books and all the teachings of the law of attraction. For some this might be hard to swallow. This concept of channeling is a bit woo woo and requires you to stretch past your logical mind. Hence Rhonda didn’t want to take the gamble and their piece wound up on the cutting room floor.
I love new and different things and love to be open about new things. So when I saw they were coming to New York, I went by myself to see their workshop. It was a simple one day workshop where Esther speaks as Abraham. The audience members ask tons of questions and Abraham speaks and answers them all. I have to say it was the most fascinating workshop I’ve ever gone to. I learned so much about myself and about others there, it was incredibly worth it. The gist for me is that I need to pay attention to whatever I’m thinking at all times. I need to focus on my emotions and feeling good. When the world is trying to bring me down with doom, gloom and falling stock markets, I focus my attention to things that make me smile like my business and my wonderful clients who I’m enjoying helping make their businesses incredibly successful.
The teachings here to take away from this blog are very simple- to have a more positive outlook on life,- life is an exciting adventure, don’t get caught up in the complaining mode. Slow down, be nice, be loving and kind to all of those you meet. And realize this ONE thing- you can’t control what others think of you, what you can control is NOT to CARE what they think!
So if you want to discover more- check out their latest NY Times Best-Selling book- Money & the Law Of Attraction. It’s a wonderful read and I promise, you won’t be disappointed, in fact, I think you will walk away somewhat enlightened. Let’s all work to shift our own minds and the sheer force of that outlook will most certainly have an impact on the world.
9 Comments
John Curtis
The Secret is the latest and by far the worst example of a HIGHLY profitable trend where self-help gurus with fabricated new age titles and little relevant education, credentials or legitimate expertise brainwash us into believing that they know what is best for us, our marriages and our families.
Often their only contribution to society is introducing some exotic sounding, new age philosophy. However, they often cleverly form an incestuous group of like-minded “experts” who cross-promote each other by swearing their success is due to following the beliefs of another member of their “cult!” All the while, they ply the airwaves jockeying for an ever-larger audience by appearing in the national media to garner third-party endorsements.
The Self-Help Movement has become the Self-Destruct Movement by diminishing or destroying our critical thinking skills to choose and evolve on our own. We have given up the freedom to build healthy lives, marriages and families based on our unique history and life experience. Instead many victims, blinded to the value of their own life experiences, are attracted to the latest secret in self-help, in an attempt to find out what they should think, feel and how they should act… this is the definition of a cult.
The solution is a return to our (common) senses! The best way out of this learned “self-helplessness” is to go cold turkey. Stop following ALL self-help gurus now. Begin, instead, to reclaim your natural, God-given ability to think for yourself. The common sense that was once readily available to all of us is still there free of charge and waiting to be applied to just about any challenge we might face in life… all you have to do is use it.
Please, let’s all work together to stop the flock of “sheepeople” who blindly move from one UNPROVEN concept to the next, looking for the answers to life’s challenges that you already possess and that is the OBVIOUS!
Shannon
I welcome everyone’s opinion on my blog and that’s one of the many liberties we enjoy living in the US is that we have free speech and can speak our minds. Hence I will politely disagree with you on your opinion about self-help gurus. I’m not one to judge others and I don’t think anyone else has a right to judge either. I don’t think it’s fair to lump all self-help gurus in one category. And the other thing I disagree with is we all learn and we all are motivated and are inspired by many different things and many different people.
I think there are plenty self-help gurus out there that are helping a great amount of people and who are you or anyone else out there to judge that or make an inference of the impact these folks have had on people. I also disagree that someone needs to have some of lengthy or degree or credentials before they can have an impact or help others. Look at Bill Gates, and many other successful people who don’t even have a degree that are doing great things and inspiring people. In fact, it’s usually all the people who have many degrees and NO practical experience with what they’re talking about that are the “frauds”. I for one want to follow and listen to someone who’s been in the trenches, walked in my shoes and knows where I’ve been and can help me get to where I’m going.
And I don’t recall in my blog where I mentioned any pros or cons behind The Secret. I think it became so popular because of many of its underlying messages which Esther & Jerry teach. The solution here to help people is to give them many options and show them what’s actually working and let them decide. We are all adults and can make up our minds, we don’t need someone else telling us what to do. Not one size fits all when it comes to self- help, hence there’s so much out there and people are searching for something that works. The other reality is that there are times where we need help, we need mentors and we need people to guide and teach us. I applaud those who seek out many solutions because it means they want to grow, change and have the best life that they can.
Debbie Phillips
Jerry and Esther are totally awesome. I listen to Abraham in my car every single day! It keeps me floating downstream:-) Great post, Shannon.
Shannon
Thanks Debbie! Me too, just signed up for their monthly CD program and got one in the mail yesterday. I just love listening to Abraham, it helps keep me feeling grateful and thankful for my amazing life.
harmonichearts
Hi Shannon,
I am a lifer of the Abraham group. I have been working with these principles for over 10 years now and they really work. Just this year I have created a new incredible relationship, website called harmonichearts, a great little dog, named Kobie and the list goes on. But what I really want to say is… it is not about getting stuff it is about
being conscious… awaken and aware … Being happy in alignment is of the upmost importance. We are all incredible beings capable of more than we realize. But it all starts with Love…
Have a awesome day!
Love and Blessings, Sollena
Shannon
Hi Sollena,
Thanks for your great note! I love to hear from people who have been following Abraham for a long time. There’s so much to discover and learn from his teachings. I agree with you that it’s not about money or possessions. The real key is to be in alignment and in touch with your own feelings- to be happy, and the best person you can be and share that with everyone you come into contact with and watch miracles happen!
Lilja
I have truly enjoyed the book Think and Grow Rich. I have the audio version and it’s great to listen to it every now and then in my car’s cd player. A good use of the time it takes to drive to work 🙂
And I really liked the Secret and think it’s good to watch again from time to time. It’s not possible to take in everything at once. But to listen motivational people is always good.
Earlier this year I had the change to listen to Jack Canfield for one day – truly inspirational.
Thanks for your great note and for sharing!
Shannon
Hi Lilja,
Love your pictures from Iceland on your blog! Thanks so much for your wonderfully thoughtful note. I’m with you on audio versions- I call my car- my rolling university. In fact I’m leaving tomorrow early to go work with a client in Boston. I always make time to pick some really good audio from my shelf to learn along the way. I just got come audio CD’s from Esther & Jerry Hicks- they always make me smile and feel good. Plus I love Jack Canfield and lucky you for being able to listen to him for a day! And you are so right- Think and Grow Rich is a wonderful inspiring book- maybe I ought to get the audio of it too! So glad you stopped by and left a comment-thanks.
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