The Secret

[crytsprospect]

A bit overly harsh aren't you. As one who suffers deeply from depression and one who has bought tons of self help books I can say I have taken something good from everyone of them. My journey through depression is not going to get better or worse from reading a book. This book is really not worth getting so worked up over. Its a simple book with a simple message and a great marketing campaign. It will never compare to the books I get the best advise and strength from, my Bible, My Book of Mormon and the great talks givin by our leaders.

Blessings and enlightenment to all

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by crytsprospect

A bit overly harsh aren't you. As one who suffers deeply from depression and one who has bought tons of self help books I can say I have taken something good from everyone of them.

I sincerely am glad to hear that.

My journey through depression is not going to get better or worse from reading a book.

Exactly my point.

This book is really not worth getting so worked up over. Its a simple book with a simple message and a great marketing campaign.

Again, exactly my point.

It will never compare to the books I get the best advise and strength from, my Bible, My Book of Mormon and the great talks givin by our leaders.

Once again, exactly my point.

Blessings and enlightenment to all

A beautiful and generous message. I'd rather hear that from someone like you than read it in a book.

Elphaba

[crytsprospect]

And I do get your point. I am going through my peace and harmony phase right now, or mabey its that I don't have the energy to object like I use to. Every day I come to this site and learn, think, laugh . I don't feel so isolated with this site as I live in the mountains 50 miles from town, 8 miles from our kids school . I love it but enjoy the interactions with you all.

I "ll be writing and reading and learning.

See Ya

[brechelt]

I have not read the book, but I saw the movie.

I was not offended about the message or the manner in which it was presented. I believe the film has two purposes: 1. to get a message out there, and 2. to make money. I do not believe any publisher will work for free or good principles, so that answers the PC issue. They want to reach as many people...not just religious or scientific people...but ALL people.

Now, if you believe God created everything, and that the Universe is governed by His laws, wouldn't one assume that the Law of Attraction is one God installed? And if God did create this Law, wouldn't it be a good law? I think people feel offended because they perceive a sense of evil in this idea. But if all things that our Heavenly Father created are good, then how can this be evil? it can...

Its interesting how all good things have opposition, or evil. Sacred marriage covenants have devilish "open" relationships. Light, darkness. The list can go on and on. If fact, isn't a major reason for existence to learn good from evil? Thus, if God created a Law, which may have an opposite, wouldn't it be wise for one to learn the good from the bad of this Law?

It seems that many have felt the evil in this message. As for the video (can't speak for the book), there is a unsettling greedy overtone which is probably what is felt in the book. Comments are made to the effect of, "If you want more money, ask, believe, and see yourself with more money," and other material things. But, if you were to see the application of how good the Law of Attraction can be, and if you replace your desire with something like, "If you want a stronger testimony, ask, believe, and see yourself with a stronger testimony." ...Then it may be beneficial.

This does sound New-Agey, but I think there is a lot of truth in this. After all, how differently does this sound from, "Ask, and it will be given you," "Seek and ye shall find?"

Could it be that God wants us to be happy (duh!) and that He wants us to ask for things to make us (truly) happy (See D&C 93 for what true happiness is)? And aren't we promised that if we ask we will be given the desires of our hearts? So, wouldn't a God who wanted these things to happen create a way (or Law) for these things to happen? And wouldn't He also allow opposition to be a part of this, since there is opposition in everything? And aren't all his Laws (physical ones, outside the sacred laws) for all mankind to enjoy? After all, there are a lot more people than Mormons who enjoy the benefit of gravity.

So, it seems that the Law of Attraction is a medium designed to carry some aspects of the Plan of Happiness. The way I believe God would want this to work is like this:

1. Have righteous desires (Think these, and allow the physical energy inside you rely these desires)
2. Ask for these things, not of the Universe, but of God through Christ
3. Believe that they will be given to you, show faith that you will have it
4. Act as if God cares about your desires, and that He is already making your desire happen
5. Show gratitude that you are going to be taken care of.

This seems in harmony with the Gospel and with the manner in which we are to desire. Now, maybe this Law is what Heavenly Father uses to grant us these desires, but I am not sure at all...this is just what I got from the movie

Tommie

[Mykdiver]

I have, and I have found some of it's concepts very interesting. I have followed some of the ideas, and it seems to work. I just think it is the Lord's way of tieing the universe together.

[georgia2]

I've wanted to read the book.
I do know that our thoughts are powerful aspects in our daily life.
The parent of each action is a thought.
Self talk, (thought) governs our self image, our mood, our actions, our reactions.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Elphaba

There is no sense of decency to me when these self-appointed "guru"s write such books while making a profit.

Did her book help anyone? Yes, I'm sure it did. Did it harm anyone? Absolutely. And yet the author made a profit from these people. It's despicable.

Elphaba

Ah, so you are saying that the book is pure and simple priestcrafts, right?

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by Rico

Ah, so you are saying that the book is pure and simple priestcrafts, right?

I don't believe in "priestcrfafts," so no, I am not saying that.

Elphaba

[drjme]

I think this book is a bit of a joke. Most people I know who have adhered to this book have ended up in some sort of strife or another. Why? because it teaches neglect; Neglect of negative emotions that serve as a warning. Most ignore these warnings because in their words "I dont want to spend any time focusing on anything remotely negative because I will attract more of it to me."

I'm all for self help and personal development, but this one is superficial and lacking in depth, yeah it's got some feel good stuff in there, but there are plenty of far better sources out there than this 'quick cover up the bad stuff and don't focus on it lest you bring more upon yourself' ideas.

2 of many instances. Friends had a child born with multiple sclerosis, after indulging and following this beliefs system came to somehow believe they had bought this upon themselves and were guilty for their sons sickness and started beating themselves up over it.
Another friend was doing well in property development Earned himself $200k in a year on top of his business profits. did not focus on any problems at the time, ignored the market in his next development, because he only wanted to 'attract the positive'. No one else was positive about the market. Now? Lost all his income (over $200K), his business, and owes about another $100K to creditors. (these people are not religious by the way, and don't have the gospel principles to anchor them)
Yeah maybe a philosophy to adapt If you want to feel better about yourself without having to improve yourself. eg. If you don't like how you are overweight? don't focus on it because you will get fatter, just ignore it and become indifferent to it and you will feel ok. It's ok if you are not actually going to do anything, but bad if you want to live a 'big' life.

Enthusiasm and positive thinking is no substitute for real personal betterment and becoming greater through hard work and effort everyday by confronting the 'negative issues' and overcoming them.

my 2c