I recently wrote an organized outline of The Secret, because I wanted to get clear about what it was saying. Here is my conclusion:

 In the end, I have become what I am calling “a loving secret  skeptic.”   I have a healthy skepticism about the ‘science’ behind The Secret. I think there is some truth there, but I don’t know if the evidence is as strong as the makers of the movie would like you to believe.  .  I think there is some truth there, but I don’t know if the evidence is as strong as the makers of the movie would like you to believe, but then again I am not a scientist and would have no way of determining the validity of the evidence and how it supports their conclusion.  Therefore, I will remain open but somewhat skeptical about the evidence that is presented in the movie. 

Likewise, I’m not so sure that this “Law of Attraction” is actually a Divine, Universal, Immutable Law. I’m sure that G-d does want us to have lives full of joy and good things, materially and spiritually, but I have trouble believing (among other things) that He wants every one of our  daydreams for money, gadgets, fame or power to be fulfilled. I don’t  think  He set up the universe so we can automatically fulfill our every wish any more than I believe it is my job as a parent to give my child every toy or piece of candy that he desires.   In other words, there are parts to the philosophy behind The Secret that are not in line with my personal and religious beliefs.

Regardless of those issues, however,  I still think that, on the whole, it is a very positive and useful movie.  Now that I have looked at the movie up close, and as a whole, I can see the tools in The Secret (the steps and techniques) as a very practical way of creating your own success. Granted, the language I use (i.e. “creating your own success”) is a more active idea than that of  passively “attracting” success to you, but regardless of the language, the tools remain the same -- and I think the tools  and techniques that the movie the provides are both positive and useful.

In interviews, James Arthur Ray says that instead of describing the steps as “Ask, Believe, Receive.” He likes to describe the steps as “Think, Feel, Act.”  I prefer those words as well. 

“You've got to have your thoughts, your feelings and your actions all firing and in alignment...You look at anybody who's not creating what they desire and deserve, and they're missing one of those components. You've got to go three for three.” - James Arthur Ray on Larry King Live

It makes sense. When you actively achieving a goal by getting crystal clear about what you want and believing that you can achieve it; then you prepare  yourself mentally to follow through on ideas or opportunities to get what you want. Sometimes that thing just falls in your lap because you are ready to see them in the environment around you. Most of the time you have to take action. Regardless, using the steps in The Secret, you can begin to take control of your life by “training your brain” for success. There doesn’t have to be anything mystical  or scientific about it. It makes sense to me. I’m just not going to make a religion out of it.  (I’ve got one religion already and believe me - that’s enough!)

In short, I think The Secret is a beautifully made work of art and inspiration and I will keep my DVD and use it as a reminder to:

*Get clear about what I want to achieve with my life.
* Visualize myself enjoying the thing I want to achieve.
* Believe that (with G-d’s help) I can achieve it (or something even better!)
* Remember that, (if my goal is truly appropriate for me) G-d will take care of “how” I will get it.  I have to trust Him.
* Be ready to act on “inspired ideas” or “opportunities” that come me.
* Reframe bad situations in a positive light.
* Be grateful for what I have every day.
* Enjoy my life as it is right now, and know that more good things are coming!
 

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment. 

Update on Sunday, March 18, 2007 at 04:23PM by SolutionDIVA

If you liked my review of The Secret then you will really like this article:

Two Parts of The Secret No One Talks About—  and Why The Secret Won't Work Without Them  - By Bill Harris

 It's a bit long, but it fills in the (rather wide) gap that the movie left between magic and science as well as the gap between action and results. To really make The Secret work for you, take the time to read this.

http://www.themastersofthesecret.com/letter/