A colleague of mine and I sent this letter to Abraham Hicks in response to our concern about the recent movie, The Secret. Also included is the reply we received from their office:
July 14, 2006
Dear Esther,
We have both been profoundly impacted by the work you have done, and the wisdom of Abraham through your tapes and books. We’ve integrated many of the principles – and, of course still have work to do!
Given our natural affinity for your work, we awaited with anticipation, The Secret on DVD. We are unhappy to report though that we are very disappointment with many of the messages contained in this film. We are writing this letter with the intent to communicate our concern regarding this movie, in a respectful and loving way.
From our perspective, the messages in the movie, The Secret, seemed disproportionately slanted toward the attainment of material wealth and we are curious if this was your intention for the movie.
We realize that this may be one way to reach to the mass of people who are not familiar with the Law of Attraction, and yet it saddened us to see such a high percentage of examples on obtaining cars and houses. Not that there is anything wrong with these examples – however, we feel there were great opportunities to inspire viewers to consider the Law of Attraction not only for material wealth, but also to attract fulfilling work, spiritual growth and development; better relationships; community development; and even peace in the world. These topics were covered at the end of the movie, but not integrated throughout the film.
We both appreciate and love your contribution to the world’s spiritual development which is evident in all of your books and tapes. The movie, The Secret though, seems to have missed an opportunity to remind us of the traps in focusing on outward signs of happiness through the attainment of objects instead of developing our internal core.
Thank you for taking the time to read our letter which is sent with love and appreciation for all that you have given to the world. We hope we are serving the greater good by sending these concerns to you. We would appreciate hearing back from you.
With respect and gratitude,
Stacy and Andrea
Stacy K. Waltman Andrea S
Integration Coaching Coach Coaching
President & CEO Leadership Development Consultant
www.integrationcoaching.com
ic@integrationcoaching.com
Their reply:
Dear Stacy,
The Australian producer of “The Secret” has been inspired by the teachings of Abraham as well as many other remarkable teachers. What was aired in this special was as much a “secret” to Jerry and Esther as it was to everyone else. Jerry and Esther were merely invited to participate and accepted the invitation. It was not produced by Abraham-Hicks Publications, and we are not currently marketing the DVD.
Although Jerry & Esther appreciate many aspects of the finished film, it ended up being quite different from what they had originally contracted to participate in. So when the producer recently insisted on further significant changes in their agreement regarding marketing, distribution, and theatrical rights, Jerry & Esther opted instead to be cut out of the film altogether. This is still in negotiation.
Thank you for your feedback. We will pass it along to Jerry and Esther.
Have a great day,
Jeanne
I must say that I agree with this assessment of the movie “The Secret”. One of my students gave it to me to view (which I did) and then wanted me to hand it off to another student. Upon doing so, the comment I had about the film was that I thought the basic premise of the movie was in line with some of the beliefs we share, but that the emphasis on money and material goods was what made it look a little…well, cheesy. I mean really! Who the heck needs a house bigger than the Ponderosa?
The fact that the folks with key interviews in the film were not too happy with the finished product is cause for a little skepticism.
[...] About a week ago, I ran across a blog post at Get Wet! in regards to an email they sent to Abraham Hicks about how they felt that “The Secret” was very materialistic with it’s examples and failed to let people know that LOA (Law of Attraction) also works for all other aspects of your life as well. The main push of the film was about money and getting things. [...]
Personally, I don’t have a problem with the “materialistic” parts of the movie. I didn’t even think it was the majority of the movie. However, I think if somebody has a “problem” with that, then that’s what they’ll notice.
The reason I don’t have a problem with it is because that’s where the majority of the human race is coming from at this time. It’s what most people have been taught – that things are important. And honestly, we all like certain things… if it makes us happy, then why shouldn’t we have it? It’s judgements from others that these things are “bad” that make us feel “guilty” and then keep us from integrating The Secret.
I just saw it for the first time today, and am happy that they focused as much as they did on the material stuff. THIS is what will get my husband interested in *really* learning how to use the Law of Attraction.
And if everybody’s happy with what they have, can’t that only make this world a better place?
I don’t have a problem with how the movie’s main focus was on material things, especially money… Lets face it… without this wonderful energy we just happen to call money… we could not survive, for, if you have no money = no food, no house/home, no car, no…. I am sure you get the idea here… this energy- “money” allows us TO BE FED, CLOTHED, HOUSED.. EDUCATED…ETC…… THUS – WE ARE HAPPY… and that happiness brings more of the same…and more of the same…etc…etc…. People who saw negative in this movie… well…”hello”.. maybe, just maybe you were vibrating at “negative” to…”see negative”…the universe delivered exactly what you vibrated at… Ahhh, yes… “LOA” SEE, IT DOES WORK!!!! ;o)
I have to agree about the material focus in the film. I must say I was dissapointed from that aspect. However, the message is bigger than the creative liscense the producers took. I do believe the impact would have been greater had they balanced that aspect of it properly.
I agree to a certain extent that the materialistic aspect was too big a focus in the movie. The amount of resources consumed by people in the industrialized countries, and especially the U.S., is unsustainable.
Remember, money isn’t evil, it’s just another form of energy. The LOVE of money (greed) is the problem.
That said, I did really enjoy the film, it inspired me to put these priniciples to work in my life on a different level. I don’t want a huge house or a fancy car – I want enough to share and help make the world a better place. I want to manifest an abundance of love, peace and good health. I also want to build a modest, comfortable, environmentally friendly home in the country and drive a Prius
Namaste,
Suzanne
Well said, Suzanne!
You mirrored my message beautifully and it is lovely to know we are on the same thought-wave.
Thank you for being so clear.
Best,
Stacy
I enjoyed watching “The Secret”! It’s a brilliant way to explain to people about the “Law of Attraction”. I first read about that in Lynn Grabhorn’s book “Excuse me your Life is waiting”. That lead me to Abraham (Hicks).
I live in Ireland but have managed to go on 2 cruises to Alaska with Abraham.
I was sort of sorry to hear about Jerry and Esther’s “problems” with the people who produced “The Secret”. (They were on the Alaska Cruise in 2005 filming for Tv – not “The Secret”). Another way to look at it: Law of Attraction works all the time perfectly…”The Secret” and Jerry and Esther attracted each other….The movie wouldn’t be the same without Abraham.
I enjoy watching the movie! I learn from it!
As Abraham says: “You make too much of all this! Relax, take it easy and have fun!”
Helga
Oh what a beautiful site you have and what a wonderful public service message!
It was slick, had sub titles while they were speaking English and I didn’t like Abraham grouped with all those media speakers.
Thank you for posting the other side of “The Secret”! My name is Judy and my husband sometimes calls me judge Judy….hahaha!
I have a strong gut feeling about most everything important to me.
I have been an avid Abe “follower” for years.
When I watched a “viewing” of The Secret in a friends packed living room, I couldn’t make it to the intermission.
I got up and without saying good bye, I stepped over whoever was sitting on the floor and rushed for my car.
The movie was hard for me to watch. I got ansy!
The content of the movie was extremely basic and obvious LOA, at least the first twenty minutes or so.
I had felt like someone from the fairy tale, “The emperors new clothes” till others came forward.
I even spoke to my on line coach and she said this was a way to bring LOA stuff to the public and create better lives for the uninformed. I felt I had a very unpopular view till now. : )
It feels so good to hear the other side and I applaud E&J for following their gut.
If you got this far, (smile).
Many thanks for listening, Judy Barnhart
I believe The Secret might have taken the right approach by focussing on the materialistic stuff. 99% of ppl want stuff – but as you start connecting more and more to Source (by being happy) the less the materialitic stuff becomes important to you.
Why focus on the perceived Negative aspects of what is ultimatly a great Introduction to the Law of Attraction – very good for general comsumption.
For anybody that has been part of LOA for years, the movie might be in “bad taste” – but for somebody like me where it was my first exposure to LOA – it changed everything…
Even Abraham talks about the materialic side of things…
I saw the movie twice, the first time had Hicks in it, the second, borrowed from a friend, did not. I wondered why. Thanks for clearing that up.
I have learned that it doesn’t matter which door you use, the spiritual or the material; each one opens to the inner garden of God. As a member and near-practitioner of Religious Science, I’ve seen people use the Law from both avenues, and if they deny one or the other, they are not whole in their experience. I’ve seen folks come at this spiritually and not be healthy or wealthy until they deal with their inner judgment of the material side of nature. I’ve also seen people come at the material, with gusto and many manifestations, but that wasn’t completely fulfilling, so they moved into the spiritual.
As Osho said on one of the Zen tarot cards, we are both Zorba and the Buddha, the material and the spiritual and in the process, we become whole when we know both aspects of ourselves. We are called to wholeness, in spirit AND in form.
I can understand that the Abraham/Hicks didn’t want to be deceived or misled regarding their participation in the film…but I think they may be slightly overlooking the bigger picture:
MILLIONS of people are now either talking about, thinking about, and/or learning about the Law Of Attraction because of The Secret.
I totally agree that a large emphasis was placed on money but the truth of the matter is: most societies are driven by money. Sometimes money is a great ‘door opener’ to get people interested in something else that they may normally have turned a deaf ear to.
I’m a marketer and have been in marketing for 15 years now. One thing I learned early on from a very smart man is that you have to SELL people what they want and GIVE them what they need.
For example: If children’s medicine didn’t taste good…(like Flinstone’s vitamins, Ovaltene, etc…a LOT more kids would be sick. Because they’d never take medicine.
So there is value in ‘hiding’ real value underneath superficial value to get it to the masses.
I don’t condone deceptive practices, but when the value is there…I don’t think it’s deceptive.
I’m not Hicks/Abraham so I don’t know all the inside details…but I think they may have been a little too sensitive about this and missed the bigger picture.
To put a dollar figure on my experience…I’ve spent about $150 on Abe/Hicks products as a direct result of The Secret. I know it’s not about the money, but I wouldn’t have learned about them when I did if it weren’t for The Secret.
My 2 cents.
Peace and Love to you all,
Antonio
Control Your Thoughts…They Control Your Future
Yes, many of the messages were spiritual truths. I wished there were more women involved, since at this time in our human evolution we are striving to achieve a balance of our male/female energies.
My disappointment with so much focus on the material overwhelmed me, since it was a constant throughout the movie.
What really was not addressed was that this film appeals to a person living in an industrialized western capitalist society. For the millions who live in third world conditions, this message is bereft of any resonance since the intense focus on materialistic abundance is not a realistic vision. Instead, these people are the ones who have to work within the limited structure of their reality; that said, certainly it is within the realm of possibility that some of these people may find joy and acceptance of their existence in a place where many may only find suffering, and the only way would be through spiritually finding grace.
One thing the movie’s message insinuated is that those of us in this western model have a sense of ENTITLEMENT…that it is fine and dandy to want and to desire the material trappings of life, without connecting our material wealth to the exploitation and conquest of other peoples in other parts of the world where the resources are extracted, and where so many of our goods are mass produced in sweatshops.
Why do we delude ourselves to believe that we have the right to abundance, and to not think of these other people whose lives are miserable because of our desires?
The answer to this question is connected to the idea put forth in the movie that we are not to focus on negative or stressful thoughts. How are humans going to evolve if we do not develop compassion for our fellow humans?
Yes, we all need to come to terms with our material reality since we live on the earth. When are we going to realize that our western lifestyle is built on the backs and the sweat of others.
Gratitude is easy on a full stomach.
Thank you for your musings, Tsiporah. It is wonderful to have your viewpoint reflected in this Blog.
With gratitude,
Stacy
As one who lives a limited existence (in near poverty) in a ghetto of Gary, Indiana, the emphasis on materiality in the original version of “The Secret” was what grabbed my attention and held my interest. Spirituality is wonderful, fine and dandy when all of your basic needs are being met; however, when the utility companies have shut off your electricity, gas and water for nonpayment, the mortgage company is threatening foreclosure on your home, you have neither medical, dental nor homeowner’s insurance, you are unable to pay your real estate taxes and there is no employment opportunity available, spirituality does not come close to filling the gap. People in my situation really need to know that there is a way out … and “The Secret,” with its emphasis on materiality, got that message out across! Jerry and Esther Hicks … touring the USA in their big “Monster Bus” … charging more than the average “low to lower-middle income” person can afford for their high-priced workshops … and the rest of you who are generally living the good life … have a lot of nerve talking about too much “materiality” when thousands of people, right here in this country, are walking around homeless and hungry!!
The whole idea of Abraham is that we create our experience in life through our thoughts. What I have personally observed in my life, from living with little to nothing and to now having lots of money (and hapiness) is that when I did not have money I also had lots of poverty awareness. My thoughts were focused on what I did not have, how there was not enough, how I could never get ahead, how so many people were suffering. Guess what, when I changed my thoughts to what I did want and started focusing on builing my dream-everything shifted. The people who focus on wealth-get it. The people who focus on lack of it-get it. Really very simple. People who focus on all the misery just attract more of that to validate the experience. Big shift in thinking really-takes a leap of faith, but I am walking, breathing proof it works.
I’m writing from South Africa where I’ve just attended a public screening of “The Secret” and a talk by Dr John Demartini. He’s talk was the best part for me because I own the original DVD with Esther Hicks. The DVD screened tonight here in Johannesburg was with her edited out. A small disappointment because I do enjoy her words of wisdom, especially the part where she talks about how this world is made up of well being.
Anyway one thing that I disagree with completely is selling a book that is in the public domain i.e. a book that is free. On the official website and I discovered, the people who have the South Africa agency is selling Wallace D Wattles’ Science of Getting Rich. On the website they slap on their own Foreword/Introduction and now they’ve Copyrighted it? How is that possible. A book that is available for free on many websites. I’m writing to the local team and the international team to raise this concern. And for those people who are in extreme financial difficulty that book could be a way out. But when its being sold for profit you must ask what the true intentions are here…?!?
The wealth portion of “The Secret” was not just about acquiring massive amounts of money, big houses and fancy cars. To me it, simply, illustrates that one need not live hand to mouth or paycheck to paycheck as so many folks do. From this prospective, I believe the film was well balanced.
Hi Ramon Thomas from SA.
Where can I buy the movie from in Jhbg???
Im new here and eager to watch it.
Thanks
Mogi
Yes well, very interesting conversation… I am really excited how the LOA is being communicated… For those who want to find the problems in things (ie the movie) just remember that is exactly what you wll be getting more of PROBLEMS.. thank you so much for being the mirror of my past thinking…And Alee from Gary… Live these principles.. I understand your struggle and Yes you deserve all the blessings this world has to offer..including financial security and beyond.
Thanks to all… for all your comments… Contrast is an amazing thing that helps us realize our dreams!!! Aloha
I just watched the film for the first time and I loved it. And I’ve listened to Abraham for years.
I didn’t see that the film was heavy on money and “getting stuff”. I was inspired by the man crying with his son over realizing he achieved his dream, and about the man who walked out of the hospital after his crash and the woman who healed herself from cancer… and about how that guy sat in his armchair and pretended he was driving his favorite car and even though he was still in his bathrobe he got up with a grin on his face.
But I knew Esther Hicks was in the first cut of the movie but not the one I saw and I was curious why… which is how I found this blog.
I want to say, after reading this blog, what’s wrong with loving money? If you feel love, you feel love. It’s up to you to find what inspires you, motivates you, and makes you feel connected to source energy (i.e. feeling inspired and motivated). And to say that you can love health, and spirituality, but not a big house or money is just limiting – judging – resisting what others are doing – saying what makes them feel inspired is bad. Nothing is bad – just appropriate or not appropriate for you.
And I’m SO GLAD that I think this right now – because I’ve had lots of thoughts of poverty or resisting debt or resisting “rich people” and it’s gotten me where I am today… living in a one bedroom apartment with a husband and kid, driving an old car… and now I know that I’m shifting, and my future is shifting, because I don’t resist that guy having that million dollar house.
I think it’s awesome it makes him happy – and I’m excited to see what makes me happy, too. And if my visualization is a 10 million dollar home, awesome. Or if it’s a “modest” home, awesome. I don’t care. I’m done judging what I want. I’m ready to take the brakes off and embrace it – whatever it is – and ride the wave.
Yeeehaw!
The way I see it, no one owns the Universal Law of Attraction. Neither created it nor discovered it for all of humanity. Let’s not allow ego to distract from the message.
The Law of Attraction is discovered through our evolutionary personal journey… for ALL of us. Each of us lighting the candle of the next, helping to illuminate our path.
The value that each (Abraham-Hicks vs. The Secret) is providing is very different… and could be complimentary to one another.
Abraham-Hicks has mastered the art of application. They provide clear examples of and guidance in how to apply the principle to our lives, very specifically… over and over again.
The Secret has brought it to the main stream. The people involved in The Secret (the guests on the Oprah show) touch a wide range of people… speak in different voices… convey their varying experiences of this Universal Law… represent different segments of the population… and will be heard and received by differing audiences.
Where is the conflict? Who owns The Law of Attraction? Who determines how it should be applied?
If people apply the Law of Attraction with a purely materialistic focus… without a spiritual foundation, spiritual awareness or consciousness… it will be no different than any other personal journey. They will experience an accelerated thrust towards having what they think they want. They may find happiness… or not… and, either way, they will continue along in their learning.
Let’s not allow all of this to distract from the Truth… from the message. If anything, perhaps it will help us become clearer in our vision and our understanding of personal freedom and The Law of Attraction.
It’s all good, I think.
Personally, I feel that the film was intended to convey a message to a very widespread audience, many of which are not familiar with Abraham’s teachings or any teachings of enlightenment. It was a great starter coarse for human beings who are largely influenced by shows watched in the United States, which are hardly geared toward world peace or higher learning.
For those serious about making changes in their lives, families and world, it opens you up to possibilities to explore further, therefore, allowing your eyes and heart to be opened up, one layer at a time. Look at it like an onion. If they had put out a DVD with all the layers present, it would have freaked out a huge percentage of the world who might have scurried out to reclaim their comfort zones, therefore rejecting potential opportunities for growth and expansion and everything wonderful about the teachings offered.
I’m not sure this is the appropriate space for this but I have some questions about the Secret and I am an admirer of Esther Hicks work. A friend of mine gave me the Secret the day before my husband went to surgery. I have to say it really helped keep me positive and hopefully the past several months. I was a bit turned off my the dramatic commercial quality, but I tried looking beyond to the bigger picture. One of the things i’m struggling with now is that it seems like so many of the teachers are really cashing in on this. So, is the message real, or is it something that’s popular and teachers are preying on the vulnerablities of others. I’m not new to the positive thinking aspect of all this, but am new to the LOA. I worry as well about the bad feeling vs. good feeling aspect. If we never feel the bad feelings aren’t we then suppressing emotions. This is not always good is it. Especially when there is something tragic going on in your life at present. How do you handle that with LOA. I want to believe. I want to know more.
What’s the most effective way to discredit LOA?
Generate a massive buzz to a novice public, raise their expectations to unrealistic levels, and then provide only enough information to ensure that the majority of LOA first-timers will fail. The higher the public is led, the harder it will fall, the less likely it will return.
Why the pessimism? One video and a few attempts at using LOA are no match against 10, 20 or 50 years of negative thinking. Most of us have negative beliefs and pain that stretch back to childhood. You can sincerely and consistently ask for abundance…but if you have deep feelings of unworthiness, victimization, or other mental baggage, then your new positive desires will likely be blocked by these older, stronger beliefs. The LOA simply listens to the loudest voice in your head.
I don’t recall The Secret warning us of the critical first step to discover and change our negative beliefs. It takes time and effort to remove these branded demons. Not just band-aids of positive thought. One of my favorite books on the subject is The Nature of Personal Reality by Jane Roberts. Does anyone else have any other suggestions for books on belief change?
Hi Daniel,
Did you have a chance to read this blog posting?
http://integrationcoach.wordpress.com/tag/yogi-haeckel
I believe there are a few suggestions included in that text which may be of benefit to you. Additionally, hiring a coach – someone who is your advocate and has the ability to listen well – can help you with identifying your blind spots as well as teaching new tools that are in alignment with your aspirations.
Please let me know if you need more information.
Wishing you the very best,
Stacy
http://www.integrationcoaching.com
what about social and economic justice? If martin luther king, jr or other leaders cared only about getting more of whatever they wanted for themselves how would OUR experience look? how do i disconnect from the fact that those with larger amounts of wealth ARE having it at the expense of others? where do we think the immigration problem comes from? how do we leave behind the homeless and elderly and mentally ill? it doesn’t feel true to me that i only see these things because i want to. they are there unless i choose to deny them. i love the idea of wealth and i would like to know how to integrate that with an economically and socially unjust system in which many suffer everday and struggle to meet the most basic needs whether i choose to ignore them, blame them for bringing it on themselves or acknowledge and wonder how to create a new possibility that embraces them. I feel we could all go for whatever if that was in place. the farther we are from it, the easier it is to deny. if we all applied our wanting to a just and loving global community with the loa couldn’t we get that instead of just new cars and houses? maybe we could even affect global warming or is that also something i imagine due tomy focus? thanks.
one more question that comes up for me frequently…are there any examples of teachers of african american or mexican american bodies who went from dire poverty ie welfare, family history of welfare, chronic poverty and used the law of attraction to achieve radical lasting change? i ask as i love the idea of the law of attraction and these questions feel like honest contradictions i want to integrate. most or all of the teachers i see promoting are white-bodied. does this work only for people who fit into or are part of the groups who actually designed/beat out the cultural norms/rules for who gets wealth and power in western culture. what are the opportunities available to minimum wage, minority workers, single mothers, immigrant families? i do not intend to provoke defensiveness, from our nonphysical objective view, how do these physical conditions integrate? i would love to hear any actual experiences. blessings. thank you again.
You have asked wonderful and thoughtful questions. Thank you for thinking so clearly and considering your impact on others. I am very curious about what our community has to say about these ideas.
Blessings,
Stacy
Soul,
An answer to your question in one word….
OPRAH.
Namaste,
Sandi
I know I am late in posting this, but thank you so much! I am profoundly disturbed by many of the messages promoted in “The Secret.” (“don’t look at fat people”? wha??!!?? How horribly bigoted!) It is so nice to see those walking a spiritual path expressing concern over the materialism presented. Bless you!
What concerns me about The Secret, isn’t the materialistic issues brought up in this blog. It’s the format in which Law of Attraction is presented.I’ve been studying Law of attraction for over 12 years, and it was never kept from the public, and there isn’t a shred of evidence anywhere to support this. It was the producers “spin” on this information, that made this film take off.
That aside, if one is discussing this powerful law, it must include the fact that we live in a vibrational universe, where everything is vibrational. this concept was left out of the film. I wrote to the producers, asking them why they left out the whole concept of “vibration”, and they’re response was: “some people don’t think it’s important”.
I think the best blog here is by DanielFilip, where he brought up the issue of just watching a 90 minute DVD, after years of negative programing, is setting someone up for faliure.
He mentioned BELIEFS…which are so important in creating your own reality. Seth said it best in “The Nature of Personal Reality”…to change your reality, you must first examine your beliefs about it.
Without the full understanding of Law of Attraction, and how it works with our vibrational point of attraction, it leaves people with nothing more than the Postive thinking movement back in the 60’s.
The basic premise to law of attraction is: YOU GET WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT, WHETHER YOU WANT IT OR NOT.. In other words, there is no such thing as exclusion, in this attraction based universe….whatever you’re giving your attention to, you’ll get more of. I highly reccomend listening to the Abraham Tapes, or attending one of their workshops….where you will learn about Law of Attraction in it’s purest form.
Oprah had a few shows on this film, but again, when it’s presented to the masses like this, the concept of Law of Attraction is watered down. James Arthur Ray on the show was pointing out the importance of taking “action”, and then OPrah said:”Oh, I get it, without Action, this all seems to be foo-foo”.
What they don’t realize is, before you take action, if your energy isn’t lined up, then all the action in the world won’t amount to anything.
This is why Esther hicks, in the New York Times said (Feb.25 2007) “They will destroy this information, because they do not really know it”
I found much of what is said here very similar to thoughts I have had about manifesting in the past.
I now feel happy when I hear about people manifesting material wealth for themselves. I hope they get all the “stuff” they want very quickly because I believe they will then find that material wealth will not make them happy and they will begin to look at the bigger picture and get interested in their spirituality.
I’ve found that my negativity about others gaining wealth had to do with my own issues with money. I feel that when we perceive resources as being limited we become jealous of those who have or want a lot. This blocks abundance in our own lives.
Unfortunately, those who have written about how our wealth is connected to the poverty of others are creating that reality. It’s hard to understand this aspect of the law of attraction but it’s important to see how we create this life-all of it.
I was also surprised to hear so many comments about how our abundance hurts others when I’ve repeatedly read and heard Abraham say that we are not here to fix the world. I believe we cannot change the world with judgment of others and a limitation mentality. When we focus on the joy and love inspired by our desires, as a byproduct, we spread good things into the world. And I believe when we become conscious that we are constantly creating our reality with our thoughts we contribute to the awakening of the Universe. If negativity and limitation were going to accomplish this task it would have worked by now.
In conclusion, I think the movie The Secret was created by a person who’s consciousness is not yet ready to focus the power of the law of attraction on her spirituality so she focused it on what mattered to her=money, success, relationships. This is just what it is. I chose to take the principles from the The Secret and focus it on what matters to me=my connection to Spirit, abundance in all areas of my life, increased joy and peace. I try to avoid the trap of saying my desires are better or more worthy than hers and I suggest that others do the same, it feels good.
Blessings.
this message is for daniel filip.
a good book suggestion is Abraham’s (esther hicks’) Law of Attraction..where it explains in detail how law of attraction works.
i also feel the seth books are a great primer for anyone interested in creating your own reality. your point about first timers was well put.
My friend and I also listened the hype and rented the movie. We could not get beyond the first 20 minutes, and shut it off. I am sorry but material things do NOT bring permannet happiness, anyone who thinks this is in a dream world. the Movie was very focused on material things.I was hoping that it would help in a way that would help us to change negative behavior we have made in our lives and develope positive things to apprciate. We all need basic necessities, food, place to live, a sense of self, self esteem, self worth, compassion toward others, to list a few. Not all is under our control.
feel free to comment…..
Regarding Material Desires
While I agree that often we see Law of Attraction used in relation to material gain, I think there is a hidden key here that is easy to miss. It’s not simply that people are superficial when they talk about wanting a “thing” and learning how to attract it. Focusing on something material which you have not yet been able to afford helps to create a new vibration, and can be part of bringing the creator to a new level of function in the world. For example, if you are driving a car which is unreliable or poor on gas mileage, you might expand your whole world by manifesting a better car. This better car is part of a whole vibrational world which you have attracted by focusing on the car itself. We are teaching ourselves how to change our vibration and move to the level we prefer. Other things which might be on that new vibration are new capacities for helping others. Perhaps with that new car, a person has the confidence and reliability to help someone else. I think often what people are doing, without even realizing it, is attracting the abilities of the higher income level which will come into being along with the manifestation of those material things. Perhaps in The Secret, people who currently are only focused on material things will find themselves opening to whole new ways of being, more connected, more outreaching, as they discover how much power they actually have to create their life experience. I do still believe people are good and want to help each other. I also think money stress tears people apart. Having things and having money, within reason, can mean a better community over all, because it means the community members have learned to manifest.
with great love and optimism,
Suzanna “Bell” Stinnett
Author, “Little Shifts” and “The Quiet Victory”
I’m surprised by the degree of negativity displayed here. As some others have noted, there something quite ironic about that. The Law of Attraction dictates that the movie will inspire those who are ready to receive inspiration. Likewise, it will disappoint those expecting disappointment. It’s funny to me that the people professing to be oriented toward more “spiritual” concerns seemed to see only a “materialistic” focus in the film… Oh well!
There is a wonderful Buddhist phrase stating, “Who knows what is good and what is bad?”
As we become more aware, it is very helpful to watch the judgments which play out in our minds. Self righteousness is a very tricky prankster.
I hear a lot of people talk about how the money aspect of all this is just okay and to just move on with it, but I can’t get past my own concerns about there being definately too MUCH focus on money lately.
It reminds me of when I read the short story, “The Rocking Horse Winner”, where the house that the boy in the story lived in kept getting more and more things and kept getting better and better lives, but still in the air hung the feeling of “There -must- be more money”. They were unsatisfied despite their great wealth in there, like as if there was a hole in their soul that could not be filled that they were trying to fill with wealth.
Also, material things tend to weigh you down the more you have, just like a ball and chain on your soul, just like a heavy bundle on a traveler’s back. So, in observing that material objects tend to have this effect, the fact that all of western society and then some is getting more materiallistic is concerning. (Especially considering the ever shrinking environment and resources of this world.) With more people coming into the world everyday, and more people always wanting more, I think people need to shift their focus from wealth, shift their focus from teachings that endorse it a bit too much (Like how “The Secret” tends to do in certain parts) and learn to look within themselves and find a way to acheive balance, and thus become content, and thus true joy.
The Secret was a bit camp and a bit wealth oriented, but learning to look at it objectively and taking only that which really resonates with yourself is one of the best ways to learn from it, and also a great way to avoid being mislead by it all. Trust in your own inner guidance before you go trusting in the advice of others. Even when listening to disembodied spirits like Abraham. The answers are inside of all of us, if only we take the time to open up and listen.
~Peace out yall’
I love the work Ester and Jerry does. I hated God for more than twenty years. After Listening to the LOA and attending their seminar, I started going BACK to CHURCH!
I was blaming God for problems created by my negative thoughts.
I see many diamonds and pearls to be had, among much talk that my church would object to. I don’t accept everything either side has to say and that’s ok. I totally expect the comments made here from religious extremists to non-believers.
We all are imprisoned by our belief system.
I want to learn from all sources and trust the Holey Ghost to sort it out for me. “If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who…”
I would love to have Ester & Jerry as personnel friends.
10/25/08
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