I hate to write about books, positively or negatively, if I haven't taken the time to read them. SO I took the time. Actually, I finished 2 books this weekend, The Secret and Zen And the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, so wahoo for me. I'll critique The Secret today, as I am not skilled enough to have much to say about ZMM.Now, I assure I haven't read any reviews about this book (YET!), but I did once see a google link that mentioned it had less than glowing reviews. However, it was the book's tone that set me on edge right away. Tone is one of those things they tell you about in high school English, but you get it confused with style and miss it on the final match up section anyway. This book has a tone of complete authority and confidence; no humility whatsoever. And yet, it lacks any kind of bibliography to reference the "scientific studies have proven" examples, no references to psychological studies, not even footnotes for quotes. Sometimes it has a quote and doesn't even mention who the quote came from. The publishers, author, contributors, and editors should be ashamed of themselves, and might be, if they weren't wetting themselves, laughing at the millions (of which I am one) who bought their book.
If the smarty-pants-know-it-all tone and a lack of bibliography were my only complaints, things would be fine. I hate writing that bibliography stuff myself. But that's not all, folks. The book treated me like a slack jawed yokel. Telling me how science works, even quantum physics, but it tells me wrong. It uses the example of magnetism to "prove" its fundamental principle, "The Law of Attraction." Just like a magnet attracts another magnet, when I think happy, positive thoughts, I will attract more happy thoughts and good things and such. But the thing is, magnets have two poley things, and the positive side attracts the negative side (my two year old is endlessly fascinated by this in collusion with his train set). So, with a magnetic analogy, thinking good thought will bring bad stuff to me. That's no good. Now, I don't disagree with the basic principle, that thinking good thoughts brings good stuff, but it's not science, it's not a law of nature, and except in social psychology and biology, like doesn't beget like, does it?
Next criticism: This book and its authors leave no room in their universe for suffering. Suffering is completely unnecessary, it is result of being on the wrong frequency and attracting more of the crap we don't want. I disagree. Muscles don't grow without repeated resistance. Immune systems don't strengthen without being attacked. Faith can't grow unchallenged. When you learn a new skill, you struggle. When you give birth, there is some degree of discomfort, before, during, and after. It's not all joy and rapture. The universe isn't just your open, free catalogue where you pick out everything that will make you smile and go on living happily ever after. Nothing worth having is free and easy. Even Love, "the most powerful force in the universe," isn't free and easy. Yes, you love your spouse, but you have to work on your marriage every day; you have to do stuff and be nice or pay a price. Yes, you love that new born baby the instant you hold it in your arms, but you will be responsible and worry every day you and it share the planet (that is if you're a good parent, anyway).
The book sights "every major religion, teacher, avatar (whatever that is)" as knowing and practicing The Secret. The New Testament shows us how to use it: Ask and ye shall receive; but leaves out the whole "keep my commandments" bit. And I don't KNOW, but would Buddha have told me to expect a $25,000 check from the universe, that if I really really expected it, the universe would have to bend to my will.
The book likens the universe (aka God?) to a Genie in a bottle, but I guess I've read The Curse of the Monkey's Paw too many times to feel good about wishes. I could tell the universe to bring me $25,000, and end up with an insurance check after my kids die; I didn't tell the universe HOW to get me the money. In fact, the book says not to worry about the how, you just decide what you want and live like it's yours.
To be fair, there are aspects of the book that I found mostly reasonable and even, maybe a little true. Like how powerful our minds are over our bodies. I do think that we make ourselves sick or healthy, youthful or old, to some degree. Yet, as powerful as the mind is, genetics are pretty potent themselves.
I'll tell you what though, I did tell the universe I expect perfect, youthful, clear skin. And a $25,000 check with no dead loved ones within 30 days. I've made plans for that money, too, so the universe better not let me down, or so help me ... I also have a cold in my nose which could be from negativity (or, y'know, germs), but I told the universe I was healthy and felt great, and even though boogers continue to flow like manna from heaven out of my nose, I'm in a good mood. AND my husband has been complaining about all the snow ... I told his complaints were attracting MORE snow, the universe only recognizes thought of snow ... and it snowed 6 more inches overnight. Now that's some magnetic power my boy has!
So, was it a complete waste of time and money? I guess not. If nothing else, it encourages people to be more positive and to take control of their lives, even if it is by Mumbo Jumbo (that's the name of the Universe's Official Free Catalouge, btw). It's good to be aware of what you are thinking, thoughts do have some power, even if only over one's self, and people tend to be pretty hard on themselves, overly critical.
So, in conclusion (that's the conclusion I stole from Stephen Fulkes in 5th grade when I couldn't figure out how to start my concluding paragraph about the San Francisco earthquake, and it has never let me down!), I can't wholeheartedly recommend you buy this book, maybe check it out from the library or ask to borrow my copy (and don't worry about it if it gets lost - that's be the universe at work again, I wager). Or there's a DVD, maybe the movie version would be more convincing, no one expects a movie to have a bibliography.
4 Brilliant Bits of Inspiration:
Bravo. I think this is called the science of convenience and the religion of self service, but it is certainly not a secret. The rest of us know and see it quite plainly: GREED.
Right, but when it's dressed up to make one feel as though they are entitled to all that they want, it doesn't feel so bad as when you point your finger and say, "You are Greedy!"
It seems a lot of people are big on spirituality of the convenient sort and mock those whose religions require a bit of sacrifice and commitment.
But mostly, money is helpful to us all, and easy money looks even better. But what value does something have if it came with so little effort? (now that's a ZMM comment). No, I think the spirit recognizes the innate value of hard work, how it increases personal value. I don't think life is supposed to be easy.
I disagree - I don't think the underlying message was one promoting greed. I think the underlying message, once laid bare after removal of the Mumbo Jumbo (haha! Catalog name), is one of thinking positive and receiving good things in your life by first and foremost striving to be truly happy right now, with what you've already got. It then goes on to suggest that the strongest catalyst to happiness and positive thoughts is through the giving and receiving of genuine love - love for yourself, your loved ones, your enemies, ideally love for everyone and everything. Last time I checked, for those of us with a conscience, greed does not beget love nor good feelings.
I can totally see how the tone would put you off. I listened to the Audio Book read by the author, and she has a very airy, non-agressive, "nice lady from a kids show" kind of voice - she did not ever hit me as smarty-pantsy or arrogant at all - but now that I think about it, the actual things she says are spoken free from any doubt or burden of proof. Taken out of the context of her shimmery Mary Poppins vocal presence (and like you said, with the expectation of a bibliography), I can really see where you are coming from. Hmm...she should go into politics.
My biggest criticism of "The Secret" is that it is disproportionately laden with specific instructions on how to attract money (i.e. imagine checks in the mail), while a simple "Feel wealthy and thus be wealthy" would have went along with the rest of the book better and would have left a better taste in my mouth. The amount of this dialogue makes it plain that she is, after all (gasp!) out to sell copies. I'm sure there are plenty of people who pick up the book/movie because it promises to clue them in on how to get rich quick, but I would hope that those people get more out of it than that.
And get over it!! The lady obviously doesn't know how real magnets work. She is to be pitied. Love the stupid. That's what you need to do ;oP
This post made me laugh!
I haven't read this book and don't think I will put it on my list of things.
I think it is a good point that any overall philosophy re: life and outlook on life should include something about suffering, because it is inevitable and it sounds like a dangerous stance in that book... as if you didn't try hard enough to not suffer or something... we DO need to struggle sometimes and we also need to be compassionate to others when they suffer.
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