Compiled By S. E. Ray

People around the world have been talking about a movie and book so powerful that it can change the course of your life. The Secret was created by Australian Rhonda Byrne, and she says that if you follow its philosophy, you can create the life you want—whether that means getting out of debt, finding a more fulfilling job or even falling in love. A greater awareness has arisen since the February 8th, 2007 Oprah Winfrey broadcast and follow-up on the 16th. Ophrah, who is steeped in New Age Spirituality and has 49 million viewers, is a supporting advocate along with Larry King and Ellen DeGeneres.

Rhonda defines The Secret as the law of attraction, which is the principle that "like attracts like." Rhonda calls it "the most powerful law in the universe," and says it is working all the time. "What we do is we attract into our lives the things we want, and that is based on what we're thinking and feeling," Rhonda says. The principle explains that we create our own circumstances by the choices we make in life. And the choices we make are fueled by our thoughts—which means our thoughts are the most powerful things we have here on earth.

To help teach her discovery, Rhonda created the DVD The Secret, which features self-proclaimed experts including the Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith founder of the Agape Spiritual Center in Los Angeles, James Arthur Ray a personal wealth coach, Lisa Nichols who is a teenager motivator and Jack Canfield creator or Chicken Soup for the Soul series. The Secret is a movie about our emotions and energies affecting others and how we can change our surroundings and world by controlling them.

The law of attraction is a real principle that everything that happens to you—good or bad—you attract to yourself. "All of that affects how we feel, and the feelings actually send out a wave into the universe, and anything that's vibrating in a similar level gets attracted into our life," Jack says. Jack says that everything in the world is made up of energy, which is controlled by thoughts and feelings. According to Jack, thoughts can travel long distances, so you are sending out signals to many people without even knowing it, and these signals attract like energy to you.

Michael says that spiritual growth does not mean religion but our "real identity." "The love, the peace, the joy, the wisdom, the harmony—these are all qualities of the spirit that it's seeking to express through us," Michael says. "And so as we become more awake, more aware of that, our life is filled with that kind of vibration, that kind of feeling tone. To grow spiritually is to actually become more aware of who you really are." The book clearly promotes a Western Esotericism (Hermeticism), a magical/occult doctrine sourced from the Ancient Mystical Order of the Rosicrucian’s. Similar to Freemasons, Scientologists, Cabalistic, Theosophical, Illuminist and similar occult organizations.

The philosophy behind this material earnestly promotes a New Age Spirituality and can easily lead people astray from factual reality into fantasy and delusion. It's already being reported in the LA Times that therapists are saying regarding the teaching such as The Secret "...they're starting to see clients who are headed for real trouble, immersing themselves in a dream world in which good things just come." There is a difference between thinking positively and believing your thoughts completely control your universe. In the movie, speaker James Arthur Ray, describes God with the same words he uses for energy. He says "You are extensions of source energy... You are god force; you are that which you call God." "You have god potential and power." The pantheistic teaching promotes a materialistic and superficial angle which is essential introduction to the esoteric self-knowledge as taught by the heretical Gnostics of long ago.

How does The Secret work? Just name it and claim it! Ask for what you want, believe it, and you’ll receive it. For the pessimist who is resigned that nothing will ever change, then nothing will. Metaphysicians believe that we all create our own circumstances, so when we are guided and empowered by our Higher Self, we can consciously co-create with it. Professor Robert Thompson of Syracuse University calls it “at best, silliness” and “good old-American snake oil salesmanship.” The ultimate self-seeking philosophy the world constantly looks for.

Essentially, The Secret is how to focus on the whole universe with you as the center, only in a way to generate positive outcome. Certainly some of what is taught is fully applicable and viable. However it is set against the backdrop of "Man is ruler of his destiny" which is directly in conflict with Christ's message that "Man is a fallen soul in need of redemption." The philosophy is applicable within limits, but only on the earthly plane, not at all effective to remedy the inner canker caused by our fallen nature. The material applies a temporary band aid over the human condition stroked with inner confirmations to make the decay smell good.

In the book, the author of Conversations with God, Neale Donald Walsch states "There is no blackboard in the sky on which God has written your purpose, your mission in life...your purpose is what you say it is. Your mission is the mission you give yourself. Your life will be what you create it as, and no will stand in judgment of it, now or ever." What shall we say then, the Jews were concentrating on persecution, therefore they were rounded up for incineration? That the 8 year old who was raped by the 50 year old male was focusing on the opportunity? The fetuses that are killed by sexual selection in India were wanting eliminated? Did the African nation will themselves into the slave trade? Did the diabetic bring into reality their life-long disability?

Like all pseudo-spiritual teachings, The Secret is a mixture of half-truths and easily discernable error. It contributes to the ongoing legacy of opportunistic New Ager’s who steal the mystical teachings of various religions and appropriate them to suit the materialistic mentality of the 21st century Westerner. As always, instead of teaching humanity how to “comprehend” the sources of their desires and suffering - through prayer, meditation, or honest introspection - the contributors to this philosophy simply teach us how to further enslave ourselves to these sources. Like a drug, these pseudo-truths do have its payoff, but in the end, the deception will enslave the deceived.

Rhonda was mentored by metaphysical occultists Jerry and Esther Hicks. She especially thanked Ester’s help who since 1985, channels a group of disembodied spirit guides called ‘Abraham.’ Rhonda doesn't reveal anything that has never been said before, she simply repackages the book "Law of Attraction" into modified rhetoric to grant it an appeal to a world quickly departing from faith in Christ to the Gnostic "divine spark" of God within, “therefore I am god” philosophy. First there was the film "What the Bleep Do We Know" and its mystical pseudo-science and now this philosophical relic plagiarizing teachings from the past 6 millenniums.

The Secret is pure metaphysics and is the total manifestation of the unholy that easily ensnares the vulnerable. Jesus said "I tell you the truth, I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:7-10 . It is through his holy life and sacrifice, not through self-seeking metaphysical positive thinking that the world system holds in esteem. First Timothy 4:1 foretells that “in the latter times,” that is, the time near the return of our Lord, “some will depart from the faith.” This is supported by other verses such as Luke 18:8: Jesus asked, “...when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, declares under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that a “falling away” from the faith will characterize the Last Days. The rest of the verse, however, indicates a condition that is unique to our present day. Those who profess to be Christians will give “heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”

Important Note: The majority of the material found in this book has been plagiarized word for word from the program "The Ultimate Secrets of Total Self-Confidence" by Dr. Robert Anthony published 1986. His presentation is much more sound and does not promote new age mystical delusions.