The Secret Is A Joke?

Hmmm…I didn't see The Secret because I intuited exactly what you've pointed out, that it says the same thing that's been said for years and by many people. Too many people. How many different ways can you say the same thing and expect people to pay for it? 

Besides, there has to come a time in our personal evolutions when we stop turning to the words and experiences of others and find our answers within.

However, it also comes off, at least to me, condescending and divisive to call the film a joke. I have evolved beyond my parents' fear-based need to embrace fundamentalist Christianity, but I never think or speak of their beliefs as a joke. From an integral point of view, your “visionary” perception is built on and evolved from the worldviews that came before and which are apparently represented by The Secret. To truly integrate and evolve is to Embrace and Transcend. If you hope to connect to people with your own perspective, you might consider a kinder , more embracing way of responding to those whose perspectives came before you and those who need to take the step in the grid The Secret represents before they can evolve to the place on the grid that you are on.

Sorry you missed the point, Michael. Perhaps your boot camp got you too juiced on your own “stand” and you are seeking to have a position on this because your hormones are in high-ego gear? It was rather obvious to me that what you are talking about is something a handful of people can grasp, not most people however. Sure the Secret is obvious to many of us now, but the vast majority of the world is BLIND! So for those blind people that had their eyes opened by the movie, I say “BRAVO!” I have never seen such a well-produced, well-written, and well-marketed movie. Sorry you could not appreciate the state-of-the-art in mass consciousness marketing that this movie represents now. I hear you , Michael, but do not let those inflated prices on your workshops stop you from reaching the masses, try putting your own movie up online to get them to listen–BUT do not hide behind the money you make at your bootcamps and smugly criticize a needed message that is getting out to the collective mind faster than any message yet. Maybe the people who have not the money nor the consciousness to go to your workshops can appreciate getting to see 30 top motivational experts of all time, explain the simplicity of the Secret–especially if they got to see it online for $5. When was the last time you gave away something like this for $5?

And the “position’ you take about “marketing”? It is way out of line here. What marketing do you do that has better integrity? You still send me 4 emails everytime you blast, because you do not look at your list to see the duplicates. And most of the info you give me is one-sided, even when you ask for feedback, the actual dialog seems to end there. And what marketing do you use that is so much “better”?

I wonder if you are just jealous of the attention the Secret got, or if you are in a position that cannot see the stand you make in going against this part of “Your Self” which is what we all are, right? The Self. In fact, the Self waking up on Earth. Our collective mind needs to hear more “Secret” movies, but thanks anyway for your scathing commentary on the one movie of 2006 that has impacted the lives of so many people in an empowering way–And Michael, most of those people would never be able to afford the time or the money to go to your bootcamp, until they applied the principles of the Secret!

I stand as Earth, Evolution, and Humanity in this body. I am not seperate from anything and I love you. Just shut up about this before you make yourself look stupid.

Your friend and ally in Light and Ascension,
Neriah

Hi Mike,

I agree with Blessing Conspirator in his last paragraph.  However, I do understand that the concept being presented in the Secret are ages old.  I did'nt discover it until the early seventies when I read Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy and had a physical healing while actually reading the book.  Since then, I've read many books on the subject.  And most of them have changed my life in some way.

My point is, although this is an old concept that really does work, you will be surprised at the people that don't know how to change their lives or belief system.  It's a BIG number just looking at the people around me in my day to day life.  So many DON'T KNOW.  I saw the Secret as trying to get the word out.  Sometimes to grasp a concept, you need more than one vehicle.  It might be a movie, an audio a book etc.  We are always learning and some things come through clear in some material while others are vague.  We should continue learning therefore growing.

But anyway, as long as I have been practicing The Law Of Attraction, in watching The Secret, I did have an ah ha moment and was able to resolve a problem I had through one statement Hicks made.  So you get a little here and a little there.  

I ask my next door neighbor to watch The Secret and she was astounded and never new anything like this existed although she's a professional and it appears that her life is in order.  I wish you could have seen her excitement!  It was mind blowing.  You should see some of the changes she's made since then. 

And no, it was'nt called the The Law of Attraction back then, but whatever you want to call it, my life has changed so much because of it.  I certainly don't think it was a joke!

Blessings,
Ruth

I agree with Blessing Conspirator in his last paragraph and although I probably wouldn't have been as blunt as RPLothamer, I agree especially when he/she said, “Sure the Secret is obvious to many of us now, but the vast majority of the world is BLIND! So for those blind people that had their eyes opened by the movie, I say “BRAVO!” I have never seen such a well-produced, well-written, and well-marketed movie. Sorry you could not appreciate the state-of-the-art in mass consciousness marketing that this movie represents now.”

And I most certainly can agree with Ruth when she says, “And no, it was'nt called the The Law of Attraction back then, but whatever you want to call it, my life has changed so much because of it.  I certainly don't think it was a joke!”

So, my feelings are…

I don't see “The Secret” as a JOKE at all, Michael. I personally paid MY $5 twice to see it on my computer (which is an awesome idea to begin with!), I bought the DVD and I intend to watch it if it ever comes to TV or the movies and better yet - I intend to introduce it to all the BLIND people I can, simply because as RPLothamer says, “the vast majority of the world is BLIND” - still in the darkness! And everyone needs to start somewhere.

And most certainly, all the speakers in 'The Secret' - James Ray, Bob Proctor, Joe Vitale, John Demartini, Mike Dooley, Bob Doyle, Jack Canfield, Hale Dwoskin, John Assaraf - are all on a mission and are visionaries in their own right.  I have read their stuff as long as they have been around (as well as many others) so they must know that there are a LOT of people still lingering in the darkness. It took me half my life to come out of that dark place and I'm sure I'm not alone.

And Kudo's too, to Prime Time Productions and Rhonda Byrne, creator of The Secret and all the wonderful people (I would call THEM visionaries) who put up their money and time to make this movie because there will be a lot of people who will be awakened! 

Just maybe all the world isn't quite ready for Bootcamp yet. Open up your mind a little; not everybody is ready for 'the Visionary'.

The joke might possibly be on you, Michael.

P.S. If you go to  http://www.whatisthesecret.tv/  and sign up for their newsletter, you'll find some powerful, wonderful inspiration there! The Secret IS definitely changing people's lives and is definitely NOT a joke to everyone.

The paradigm shift has begun on planet earth!

PattyPA

Hey Mike!

I have made huge breakthroughs in my life as a result of my participation with Vision Force 101 and in attending and assiting at the Boot Camp.  Using the tools and techniques you teach I have found the power to move myself into action inside what is important to me. 

It is very powerful and I don't want you to get in your own way!

I was surprised to hear you put down this movie.  After viewing the movie I was totally energized and I have been sharing it with everyone I know.  I suggest it to everyone reading this blog.  You can view this 90 minute movie for only $4.95 at http://www.thesecret.tv.  Actually, I should thank you because now more people will want to see it!!!!

Most of the ideas presented in this movie can also be found in the book, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.  That book is old too but the ideas are powerful.  As you know, these ideas are not taught in school and the ideas presented are actually quite new to a lot of people.

Quantum Physics is showing scientific evidenence that our thoughts affect our reality and are cause in what we have and don't have in our lives.  I found the movie to be entertaining and a powerful reminder of some very powerful ideas that anyone can find valuable.  It's also easy for more people to access.

As a matter of fact, I produced some great financial results as a result of watching that movie.  I used the “Power of Attraction” to move more money into my life.  It worked for me - to the tune of $1,000 more a month!  Money showed up in totally unexpected ways when I took on the coaching provided in the movie.

And, it made a profound difference for many of my friends as well.  It is a great tool to get people present to the feeling of honor and to open up new pathways for their self development.  It also makes an awesome gift!

As I watched this movie I was also so glad to know about Vision Force because the technology you teach so compliments the message of the movie.  In the movie they teach that our thoughts and feelings are what creates our reality.  Through your technology you show people how to manage their thoughts and feelings in a powerful way by getting present to the feeling of honor.  You actually show people in a powerful and moving way how to utilize those ideas!

Rather than putting down this movie I think you ought to recommend it to everyone as a segway into what you have to offer! 

I am committed to a world that works for everyone and I don't think the world will work for everyone when everyone becomes a Christian or a Muslim or a Hindu or when everyone is a Democrat or a Republican or when everyone is an American or when everyone takes your courses! - no matter how much I love you and know your work to be powerful. 

I think it will work when we learn how to love and respect and honor everyone else who is our partner standing for a future that works for everyone.  That's actually what makes your program different.  It's not about having the “right” thing.  It's about vision and having each person get present to their own vision in the face of any and everything.

I would rather hear about the great and awesome work and results you are producing from the Vision Force work and know you as a partner acknowledging other groups doing the same thing!

Let's just say I wasn't left with a feeling of honor after reading this post!  - and, man, you are THE one to have people get present to that!  What's up with that?

I am your ally and I want everyone to know about what you offer and I look forward to working with you to share your message in ways that become more available to everyone.

I do acknowledge you for having the courage to stand up and speak in the face of any and everything !   You have guts, for sure.

I look forward to your further comments on this!

Darry

Michael,

Until two years ago, my life was guided by “Secret” thinking. After attending your boot camp and participating in the VF 101 course, both as participant and ambassador, the dynamics of my life have drastically transformed. The revolution  you speak of is happening in my life daily. I honor you for that. The best part of it is that is seems to continue to evolve without following you or any other belief system. The revolution is inherent in me. My vision is an ever-expanding dynamic system that I live as.

When I read your post about The Secret being a JOKE, I thought that “it's just nothing new,” to use your words, in terms of marketing. I imagined you delighted at the agitated responses you would get – thinking that for every person who posted a comment there were twenty more visiting your site to see what this new method or way of being is.

Lately, because of some of your colleagues, I have been reading spiral dynamics and Ken Wilber's work. The thought that quickly comes to mind is the inclusive qualities that the next level of evolution incorporates. Calling something a JOKE, occurs as incendiary and exclusive – positionary, as you would say.

Being a “defender of the human spirit,” I interpret to mean ALL human spirit. This is a stand I have heard you take again and again. Usually when I read your 'from the heart' writing I feel the feeling of honor. This piece left me initially feeling that frustrated feeling I have felt when I watch one of my grandchildren intentionally challenge their mother. Now, that I have said that, I realize that I secretly think “YES” when I watch them challenge the dominant paradigm – it just embarrasses me when they do it in public.

Venus Walking

Hmm.  One of my teachers once said that if someone hears a teaching they're already familiar with and claims to “not get anything out of it”, it has more to do with where they are inside vs. the instrument for the teaching.  Because, if we're in alignment with our Higher Selves, the message can't help but to penetrate in a different or deeper way.

That was my experience with The Secret.  I spent the first half of the film saying, “This is nothing new - I've seen all this before - I practice it!”  And then I made a choice to be open and receive what was available to me.  

I have to say that what I received was an incredibly powerful experience.  The reinforcement of the ideas (ancient wisdom) was amazing, but the most powerful part was in the energy of the film.  Being open, I received not only the ideas (again), but also a huge surge of a higher vibrational energy.  I always knew that books/movies/etc. carried an energy with them, but never could have imagined it could be experienced watching a movie over the internet!

i teach these same principles in my workshops as well.  So, how happy I was to see them shown to millions of people around the world in an incredibly approachable, digestable, and love-filled way.  The more people hear it - and in more venues - the more likely it is to truly reach them. 

We're not talking about “Right” doctrine here (implying there's a “Wrong”).  To make it possible for each human being to think and act at the level of vision sometimes means to present ideas for them to respond.  It's their questioning and exploration, after all, that leads them to the level of vision.   The teachings - ANY teachings - are merely fodder that can be used for our growth.  It's how we choose to use them that makes an impact on our lives and the world.

To me there is a lot of contradiction in, Michael's response to “The Secret”. First he says, “Sorry, Secret fans.  It's just nothing new.” Further along he says, “There can be plenty of advantages in finding a new belief system-such as the one presented in The Secret[…].

He seems to have a tennis match going with his views of this movie, first on one side then on the other side, and leaves the reader confused as to his motive. It seems to be a marketing piece for his courses, which is fine. But I got a feeling of “Now, now people I've known the secret for soooooo long…really it's such a bore…”

It's been my experience that people do not like to be “talked down to”.  Or have the feeling they are. Hence the adverse response. For me, I thought “The Secret” was great. I've read “Think and Grow Rich” numerous times and been involved in the personal growth industry for many years. But I am a slow learner and like to receive empowering messages in many different ways, over and over again.  

What I would like to add, or reiterate, to the movie's message is that perseverance is a main key to making your dreams come true. From what I remember about Jack Canfield's story about “The Chicken Soup for the Soul” books is that they knocked on hundreds of publishers and agents doors, went to book fairs, and were rejected over and over again. But their “belief” in their product kept them going. They finally found somebody who “believed” in their idea and the rest is history.

Bottom line: I like any message that says, “You can do, or be, or have anything you want. You have the power within to manifest your life in any way at all.”    

“Believe” in yourself and persevere with positive empowering thoughts, an inspired emotional connection to your dreams, decisive actions and watch your life unfold in a great new way.

As for Michael's response, thank him for it as it helped to seed “The Secret's” message more firmly in our minds, and wish him great success in his businesses and his life; that is part of “The Secret”.

Well wishes to you, Michael!

Brad
shaolin-kung-fu-for-life

If you are arrogant, then I am to.

I joined the Powerful Intentions forum (for the Secret), made one post and they refused to allow me to post again. My crime- question thier validity. As I often do, when I suspect people are not being the most honest. It is not that I do not think they are doing some good, but I really have trouble with those that believing that ignoring things will make them go away. In fact, ignoring things most often only build stronger. Such as my reslove to get truly accurate understanding, as related to the secret.

I think we have all experienced some form of manisfestation in our everyday lives that really seem related to our focused thoughts. However that does not prove beyond any doubt that thinking alone will do much. I see things issuing from a whole series of events, not just on the plane of “positive thinking/focusing”. The more of these things (mostly actions) that are aligned with ones thoughts the more powerful any such desired outcome can be realised, unless I am wrong?

After having made my post, I was attacked by many proponents and labelled one of “fear”. Apparently, I am to “low level” to be able to just accept the “higher” level they are alluding to and keep my mouth shut so as not to spoil the “brooth”. Instead of taking time to fully get to the bottom of this was not an option for them. Thier whole arguments were frooth with speciousness. Their replies were of disdain for any form of honest inquiry and instead chose to attempt to discredit me. Anything that is truly reality can not possibly be threatened by any critisism, real or not.

I questioned thier source, (some disembodied guru or something called Abrahim). Apparently the leader? was a channel for the messages… channelling?

The secret can be good or bad depending on how it is used. I really think they were doing more harm than good when they refused to entertain legitimate questions. Thier focus on exterior and unquestionable sources (for thier interior rational) is thier own power of intentions that have impeded any greater force behind what they share. So focused are they that the mind tries to duplicate thier picture of reality, (or should I say higher reality). Using thier logic, they created this entity with thier own mind and beliefs. But they refuse to own up to that.

Somehow I feel that if this “Abriham” was who they say the reaction to my questions would have been one of understanding and thier ability to recognise the awesome opportunity to show me and everyone else just how real and good the SECRET and this disembodied guru actually is. But NO, it was them instead who displayed “fear” in thier replies!

I think the Secret is dangerous in that it claims exclusivity of creation to thought and higher reality. They desire it to start and end there. It attempts to keep people in the dark and just follow. We all know the folly in that. We live with the devastating effects every day.

Isn't it time we all took full the measure of accountability upon ourselves, including the right thoughts and focus? Maybe the people at “the secret” should rally all thier troops and have everyone focus 24/7 on the masses becoming accountable to honesty, including themselves. Otherwise it is just the same old entanglement that has always confused and further stiffled the coming out party of each individual, and the resultant establishment of a sane world!

If I am arrogant then the people at “the Secret” have taken it to the next level……. I couldn't agree with you more Michael when you say, “Keep questioning everything… including The Secret!”

Michael…

I think you missed the point of the movie. When I first saw the trailers for this movie, I immediately thought of you and your “vision” for change.

I too watched the movie, and found that it was nothing “new” to me. However, for me it is a tool I am able to give my friends and family to explain the extreme transformation my life has taken in the last year.

I spent months researching and undergoing a personal transformation which included many things, including LOA. Michael, as you know, your academy was the starting point. “The Secret” has given me a tool to give my 11 year old son. Where there once was depression and despair, there is now hope and tangible results.

“The Secret” is for those who have no clue that they are getting what they are focusing on. It is nothing new for those of us that know this. And even those that see it, don't often get it right away. They want to get it but they often have trouble getting control of their often unconscious thought processes.

As far as you feeling like the producers are touting a new way of thinking, I never felt like that was promised. I was attracted to this production due to the fact that this was an “ancient” way of thinking. It is something that has been proven over the generations. I have done research in the history of this and where it “originated” … if it originates from anywhere at all (I feel we all default to this way of thinking if we are not poisoned by outside influences….I thought like this often when I was a child). This indeed goes way back…you are right, it is nothing new.

That being said, Michael…neither is your stuff. When introducing your visionary model to a personal development guru of 50 years, he said that there was value in your stuff but that it was nothing “new”.

I really believe there is a transformation taking place in the world….it is very exciting! I feel we are all just getting back to our connection with the universe, in one way or the other. We are realizing we are the creators of our own reality. I have created a life of unimaginable wealth, happiness, travel and career success in just 11 short months. Most of the change has happened in the last 4 months. The producers have asked to use my story on their web site because it is so dramatic! If telling my story allows others to see what is possible in their own lives, then that is my “vision”.

I am a beacon of light to others who wish to transform their lives into a life of “fun and joy”.

I also scrolled down and saw your comment on the fact that you are ARROGANT…well…you are passionate to say the least;-)

In Fun & Joy,

Christina