I am starting to see a disconcerting phenomenon with all the "buzz" around The Secret on the talk show circuit - more and more, it is coming up in casual conversation on shows such as The View on ABC, and of course, as the topic of the day as seen on Oprah or Larry King Live, and others.
What is happening is this: Someone will mention it, and then try to summarize the concept into one sentence, something like...
...It says that if you think about something long enough, that thinking makes it so, or
...It's just about positive thinking and imagining what you want to get it - you imagine a bike and then you get a bike, or
...You can have it all by thinking about having it all, or
...It's about positive thinking - you just have to think about something you want, and poof!
(I am actually paraphrasing Barbara Walters from The View this morning with that last one - she went on to say that she "wants to look like Angelina Jolie, but it hasn't happened...")
For those of you who are regular readers, I know I don't have to tell you, but, THAT IS NOT THE POINT!!!!
That is not what the Law of Attraction is about! Yes, thinking about something you'd like or an experience you intend to have IS a component, but the real essence is in seeing it as ALREADY true for you - imagining it SO FULLY that your sub-conscious mind TRULY believes it to be REAL for you right now! Then, your vibration of that reality literally magnetizes events, meetings, happenstance, and inspiration to right action that all serve to make it true in your experience. It is about experiencing joy, love and gratitude for life NOW and attracting more!
But you all know that.
What I am wondering is what, if anything, can be done about it? Can anything be done to influence to burgeoning global MIS-understanding of a principle that WE all know to be so powerful?
I suspect that those who are spreading around the inaccurate representations of what is being communicated in The Secret either haven't really seen it, or, have given it a try but have done so incorrectly, got frustrated and gave up, and are now justifying themselves by calling it a "flash in the pan" (see my 3/18/07 post). Another possibility is that the current version of The Secret (which is the only one readily available, and, most likely, the one that the majority of people are exposed to (see my 3/5/07 post)) IS actually watering it down, and not communicating the actual principles as well? It's hard to say, because we can never know what someone else is understanding, or even specifically what IS working and what is not. But...
My intention in speaking out by crafting this post is to encourage everyone who reads it to cultivate the faith in the process: Learn about using the Law of Attraction effectively, read, ask questions, meditate, ALLOW it to work for you, adjust the "recipe" for what your current thoughts are manifesting in your life rather than giving up... Time is an essential ingredient in the process! Let it work for you and then BE the walking example of how it REALLY works! Quietly SHOW the naysayers that their "rules" don't apply to YOU! Use this powerful Law well, and HAVE the joy-filled life of YOUR dreams! Let your example be the teacher to all who wish to understand!
...And then, if we are all living our own versions of heaven-on-earth, it won't matter what "they" say anyway!
Showing posts with label The Secret. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Secret. Show all posts
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Why doesn't "The Secret" work for me?
Larry King did another show with some of the folks from The Secret a couple of weeks ago, this one specifically on The Secret (3/8/07). The first two broadcasts were entitled "Beyond the Power of Positive Thinking", but all the shows explored the ideas presented in The Secret surrounding the Law of Attraction and answered questions about how to use it in one's life. (If you did not catch one or more of the shows, you can watch any or all of these episodes online for free at JamesRay.com, or you can purchase a DVD of the CNN broadcasts from Voxant for personal use.)
Although the shows were provocative, informative, and quite thorough, there is one question that seemed to come up in various forms, again and again, without ever being fully answered, and that is: Why isn't The Secret working for me?
The truth is that there are many, many reasons why it might not be working even if your are actively applying the principles. It could be conditioning, bad habits, the presence of unconscious beliefs that are working against you, competing intentions, the influence of naysayers around you, a negative environment, a lack of action, or a lack of right action, timing, the lure of the safe comfort zone, tuning out your intuition, disbelief, or not believing long enough, or simply not being clear enough about what it is you really want... But I believe that a big reason why it may not be working is the tendency we all have to inadvertently be focusing on NOT having it rather than truly focusing on having what we want!
This is a very subtle but essential point. Allow me to try to explain:
The experts on the show, including Lisa Nichols and James Ray talk about the necessity of applying action steps when you are struck with an intuition or insight, and that IS absolutely true! Action IS necessary, however, action steps taken in the wrong direction (in answer to the thoughts about the LACK of what you want) will most likely serve to bring you more of that lack - more of what you don't want!
Take a good look at what you want to manifest for yourself, and WHY... Now, when the ideas that come forward seem to illustrate images of not yet having what you want, begin to turn them around, one by one: What does the opposite of what you don't want look like? What is the opposite of "in debt" and what does it look like? What would 180 degrees from "overweight and in pain" feel like? What are some antonyms for "looking for love"? Begin a practice of being vigilant with regard to the images you are creating for your future!
Make sure you are truly picturing and imagining HAVING what you DO want - *NOT* NOT having what you DON'T.
Although the shows were provocative, informative, and quite thorough, there is one question that seemed to come up in various forms, again and again, without ever being fully answered, and that is: Why isn't The Secret working for me?
The truth is that there are many, many reasons why it might not be working even if your are actively applying the principles. It could be conditioning, bad habits, the presence of unconscious beliefs that are working against you, competing intentions, the influence of naysayers around you, a negative environment, a lack of action, or a lack of right action, timing, the lure of the safe comfort zone, tuning out your intuition, disbelief, or not believing long enough, or simply not being clear enough about what it is you really want... But I believe that a big reason why it may not be working is the tendency we all have to inadvertently be focusing on NOT having it rather than truly focusing on having what we want!
This is a very subtle but essential point. Allow me to try to explain:
- When you think of money, what is the very first thought that pops into your head?
- When you think of your body, what is the very first image in the mirror of your mind?
- When you think of love and relationships...
The experts on the show, including Lisa Nichols and James Ray talk about the necessity of applying action steps when you are struck with an intuition or insight, and that IS absolutely true! Action IS necessary, however, action steps taken in the wrong direction (in answer to the thoughts about the LACK of what you want) will most likely serve to bring you more of that lack - more of what you don't want!
Take a good look at what you want to manifest for yourself, and WHY... Now, when the ideas that come forward seem to illustrate images of not yet having what you want, begin to turn them around, one by one: What does the opposite of what you don't want look like? What is the opposite of "in debt" and what does it look like? What would 180 degrees from "overweight and in pain" feel like? What are some antonyms for "looking for love"? Begin a practice of being vigilant with regard to the images you are creating for your future!
Make sure you are truly picturing and imagining HAVING what you DO want - *NOT* NOT having what you DON'T.
Monday, March 5, 2007
The Secret: "Original" vs. "Extended" edition
Many people have been confused lately about the two different versions of The Secret DVD that are floating around out there in circulation now...
Well, I have the answer! I took it upon myself to get the skinny on the facts and bring them to you!
Sometime late last year, the producers of The Secret re-edited the film to replace scenes that were originally done by Esther Hicks (The Teachings of Abraham / Abraham-Hicks) with scenes featuring other teachers from the film. This new version is the only version currently available when purchasing the DVD or streaming from the web site devoted to the film, and it is classified as "the extended edition" when purchased through other vendors (including the Applied Inspiration resources page.)
The "Original" edition of The Secret is the one that we are most familiar with, and it includes large portions which feature and/or are narrated by Esther Hicks, including many of the basic principles of the Law of Attraction as explained in The Teachings of Abraham. This version is still available, but only in the secondary market (used) and, considering it is no longer being released, it comes at a price. If you do want to purchase the original version of the film (or check the best going rate) you may also do that from our resources page. It is the The Secret icon with no image available, and Esther Hicks listed as the primary author.
And, just to clear up the last bit of confusion, the "extended" edition is not really extended - it is just different. It is the exact same length as the original edition, and has the same ideas/images/information, it is just that some of the wording, phraseology, explanations, and narration has been changed.
UPDATE: The newer edition of The Secret is actually 1 1/2 minutes longer than the original edition. I have gone through it to try to summarize the points throughout where the differences occur, but they are numerous, and a significant portion of the narration has been changed.
The long and the short of it is this: If you DO ever have a chance to see the original edition, I highly, highly recommend it!
Also, so you'll know it if you do get lucky enough to come across the original edition - you can tell which is which by looking at the box as well as the disc:
Well, I have the answer! I took it upon myself to get the skinny on the facts and bring them to you!
Sometime late last year, the producers of The Secret re-edited the film to replace scenes that were originally done by Esther Hicks (The Teachings of Abraham / Abraham-Hicks) with scenes featuring other teachers from the film. This new version is the only version currently available when purchasing the DVD or streaming from the web site devoted to the film, and it is classified as "the extended edition" when purchased through other vendors (including the Applied Inspiration resources page.)
The "Original" edition of The Secret is the one that we are most familiar with, and it includes large portions which feature and/or are narrated by Esther Hicks, including many of the basic principles of the Law of Attraction as explained in The Teachings of Abraham. This version is still available, but only in the secondary market (used) and, considering it is no longer being released, it comes at a price. If you do want to purchase the original version of the film (or check the best going rate) you may also do that from our resources page. It is the The Secret icon with no image available, and Esther Hicks listed as the primary author.
And, just to clear up the last bit of confusion, the "extended" edition is not really extended - it is just different. It is the exact same length as the original edition, and has the same ideas/images/information, it is just that some of the wording, phraseology, explanations, and narration has been changed.
UPDATE: The newer edition of The Secret is actually 1 1/2 minutes longer than the original edition. I have gone through it to try to summarize the points throughout where the differences occur, but they are numerous, and a significant portion of the narration has been changed.
The long and the short of it is this: If you DO ever have a chance to see the original edition, I highly, highly recommend it!
Also, so you'll know it if you do get lucky enough to come across the original edition - you can tell which is which by looking at the box as well as the disc:
- The original edition is © and ™ 2006 PRIME TIME PRODUCTIONS
- The version without Esther Hicks / Abraham is © and ™ 2006 TS Productions LLC, and, it has the words "extended edition" underneath the "The Secret" logo on the back of the case, just above the language options/Dolby Digital logos as well as on the disc itself
Monday, February 19, 2007
What are you focusing on?
No, REALLY, what are you focusing on??!
Try this little exercise: Think of a couple of areas in your life in which you have goals and/or ideally you wish some improvements were made… Perhaps your job, the state of your home (I mean its organizational appearance as opposed to the area of the country you live in – but either, if a problem, will do), maybe how much fun & recreation you are getting these days, your health, your social life/personal relationships, money, money, money, finances, money…
Now, for each one of those areas that you’d like to improve a bit, what is the FIRST image that pops to mind when you think of it?
Be really honest here – it is a matter of life and death to your true desires! ...WHY does that aspect of life need improving?
If you are like most people, myself included, the chances are that the VERY FIRST image that comes to mind when you think of those areas (on the subjects that need some improvement) is what is wrong with them, or, what you DO NOT have.
- When I think of my house, the FIRST thought that comes to mind is that it is a mess…
- When I think of money, my mind instantly races to the bills that need to be paid…
- When I think of my body/health, I can just feel the little roll over the top of my jeans and my sore back…
THAT is what you are focusing on! (And, THAT is what you are creating more of!)
The Law of Attraction states that like attracts like, and that what we think about expands. If you have seen The Secret, you have heard the expression that "where attention goes, energy flows". Well, those pictures, images and feelings that flash across your mind when you think of a subject ARE where YOUR ATTENTION is going! …THAT is what you are focusing on, and, consequently, it is what you are getting more of in your life. Bummer.
The antidote is to start to form pictures in your mind of what you DO WANT in those life areas… Each time you catch yourself snapping to the depression inducing woes of what is wrong, say to yourself: “That is not my reality! My reality is ______” and form a vision of what it might look like if it already WAS they way you DO WANT it to be!
- Envision what your house would look like if it were neat and organized…
- Picture your “accounts payable” box as empty and a lovely sum on your bank statement…
- Imagine what it would feel like for your clothes to be loose, and to be totally healthy…
- Compose an image in your mind of being with that special someone and filled with joy…
It’s easier said than done, I know. But it has GOT to be better than spending the kind of time I have been spending picturing (focusing on) exactly what I don’t want and expecting the opposite of that to suddenly just appear!
...I'll let you know when my house is clean.
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