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So this post is mean't to be a pre-reading review and prediction of what I can expect from a book I will be reading. I promised my friends I would read the self-help book "The Secret" written by Rhonda Byrne in 2006. For the record I am not reading it because I think I need help, (although who knows haha) only because my friends recommended it. The book received critical acclaim after appearances on the Ellen DeGeneres show and Oprah.
"The Secret" seems to me to be just like every self-help book ever made with the central theme being, positive thinking. I can hear the adults of my childhood repeating the phrase in various forms like a mantra. "If you set your mind to something, you can do anything!" "If you think positively, you can accomplish anything!" The formulations are endless. I do understand the possible effects of a positive attitude and positive action. If you do set your focus to a task, oftentimes you can achieve what you desired! However, there is a grave difference between this loose association with positivity and declaring such assertions as fact. Most adults can recognize such anecdotal phrases as the feel good nonsense it is. However, the dangerous aspect of Byrne's book is that it is rooted in "science." I put science in quotations because the "science" Byrne quotes can truly not be regarded as such. "The Secret" described in the book relies on the Law of Attraction, which is another misguided title. This theory is ANYTHING but a law of nature. In fact, from what I have read of it, it seems to be somewhat of a joke amongst the science community for the exact reasons I will describe shortly. There is, however, a trend in this modern age of science away from religious belief into a kind of faith in all that is science. That is, such a faith in science that anything labeled as science automatically becomes like that of the word of a God. When in fact science is mean't to be a continuing doubt about all that we supposedly know. Nietzsche and Richard Dawkins, great minds of the 19th century and modern day, both warn against making this kind of a religion out of science. The word "law" in general has all but been tossed from the scientific vernacular in favor of "theory" which is far more acceptable due to its lack of definitude.
So, the "Law" of Attraction and "The Secret." From what I am told of this book, by following four principles you can achieve anything! Yes folks, ANYTHING! Props to wikipedia for the exact wording of the principles:
- Know exactly what you want.
- Ask the universe for it.
- Feel, behave and know as if the object of your desire is already yours (visualize).
- Be open to receive it and let go of (the attachment to) the outcome.
Well what can be said about something that is in no way verifiable. Just as prayer operates, reported results and testimonials to the truth of the theory of attraction will always affirm its truth! Very few people who believe in a deity, when their prayers do not come true, reject their belief. In the same way, when a prayer does come true, the success will be attributed to the deity. It is a win win situation for the deity, he/she can truly do no wrong! The same principles hold true for "The Secret" and the theory of attraction. (Although, as any reader of this blog may know, I would much prefer a belief in "The Secret" than a belief in a deity.) Thinking really hard about your desires in the four manners above does not "manifest" your desire!
Now why would I use the words "moral depravity" in regards to this book? I mean it is just mean't to help people! Right? I see it vastly different due to the discussion I had with my friends about their perceptions of "The Secret." The most overwhelming perception of the theory of attraction was that if you had it on your side there is no such thing as something that is impossible! The example I used to debate against this position was a small child who lives in a third world country, suffering from poverty, starvation, war, and all manner of horrible pain and suffering. Now, the application of "The Secret" here holds that if that boy knew what he wanted, asked the universe for it, visualized his goal, and was open to it, the universe, in all of its bounty would grant his desires. And how can we imagine such a boy as doing anything other than all of those things. It is quite impossible for someone to tell me that boy most obviously wants better things for himself than war, poverty, and starvation. One principle down. I can imagine the same boy looking deep into the sky, (much like someone praying to a God would) and wishing for a respite. Two principles down. The same boy most definitely can imagine what it feels like to eat a lot, to be hungry, to have money, to not live in wartime. I would equate visualization to imagination. Three principles down. And as for being open to receiving such things, I can say again with confidence, that boy would have no problem. Well it seems that he has satisfied the qualifications to be provided for. But wait, such conditions persist, and the world still spins round, suffering and all. The only principle from this formula that makes sense is the first one. In terms of self-help the notion of knowing what you want is indeed important.
Now, I was told, that boy basically just must not be doing it right. There is something deprave to me in a book that teaches the lesson that nothing is impossible! It seems like a sentiment that goes against all things good and proper. Who would say such a thing! That just reeks of a lack of ambition, a quitter's mentality. Quite the opposite to me! The sentiment that nothing is impossible reeks to me of an exorbitantly wealthy outlook on the world. No it is another cold reality that nobody is willing to realize. We most definitely live in a world of limited free will, where our choices are entirely dependent on the many socioeconomic factors of our lives. So on that note I would call the positive thinking that "The Secret" describes, positive bulls*#t. But I will report my feelings after reading the book.
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