The Secret & the Law of Attraction

[Katinka Hesselink]

I could have started the first discussion of books with one of the all time theosophical favorites like 'The Secret Doctrine' which I've recently been rereading.

Instead I thought I'd ask how many of you have read The Secret or seen the movie?

[Kathy Gann]

Hi Katinka,

I haven't seen the movie, but have listened to the audio CD version of "The Secret." Though it's certainly not a complete system, I sometimes use it as a constructive reminder to keep my thoughts flowing in the directions I choose, rather than randomly. And I'm happy that it's been so widely embraced, because it shows that the world is eagerly receiving the idea that our thoughts are truly creative, that they help to form our reality, and that we therefore have a great responsibility to keep them constructive. The material may not be of the highest spiritual quality, but it did serve to introduce the concept to the world at large, in a way that spiritual groups such as the TS have not been able to do . . . yet, at least. The ideas presented are universal, so people can apply them in spiritual and/or material ways, as they see fit.

As one of our TS members often says, "We're all manifesting with our thoughts every day . . . it's just that we're not very good at it. So as long as we're doing it anyway, we might as well learn to do it well."

In any discussion of manifesting reality with our thoughts, I'm always reminded of something one of the masters wrote to Henry Olcott when he was feeling the pinch of poverty. It was just after moving to India, and he harbored the idea that the masters would somehow come riding in and save them from starvation if it came to that. The letter from Master M. said something to the effect that if he couldn't bend circumstances to his will, then he was totally unfit for further trials. In other words, Henry Olcott was expected to be effective at manifesting with his thoughts.

I believe HPB explained in the Secret Doctrine that Fohat was the mechanism/means by which ideation becomes materially manifest. Though she was explaining it at a cosmic level, "as above, so below."

[Katinka Hesselink]

Interesting.

Of course Olcott's intention (or motive in more classic theosophical terms) was proved to be totally pure. The issue I have with The Secret is that it seems to be all about money and physical circumstances in many of the ways it gets approached. 'Get rich quick' and all that.

[Kathy Gann]

Yes, it is applied in a material way, so it's easy to dismiss it at first blush. But look at what they've done--they've grabbed the public's attention and taught that thoughts are real, that we are creating with our thoughts, and that we must take responsibility for what we create. Few groups, books, or seminars have ever reached that many people with the basic message about thought power. Granted, the teachers in The Secret apply it materially--that's a reflection of where their interests lie. But now the idea is out there in the public mind . . . and it's a universal principle that can be applied in any area of our lives, whether material or altruistic. I've noticed that more and more teachers are now promoting these ideas in non-material and spiritual ways.

HPB grabbed people's attention first with phenomena and spiritualism, then got down to the real business of theosophy once she had their attention. The Secret has grabbed people's attention by telling them that they are in control of their circumstances, and thought is a tool they can use; later, as they delve more deeply into it, they'll discover more spiritual uses for it, if they're so inclined. I'm very encouraged that this principle (known to us as karma) is so wildly popular . . . less concerned that people's application right off the bat may not be the highest and purest. They will apply the principle to their own lives, right where they are, however they think best, just as they would do if they read it in a theosophical book. They can improve their health, their relationships, and even their finances, learning about themselves and how the world works all the way. And I think most will apply it constructively to improve their lives.

These ideas are becoming mainstream--The Secret, What the Bleep, Masaru Emoto's work--they're all telling the world at large what the wisdom teachings have told a small audience all along, but they're saying it in a way that's very appealing. Because it's more material, it grabs the attention of more people. That's one type of work in the world, and it's valuable. Then there's the work of the TS, offering the message in an altruistic, non-material way, for those who are ready.

In the parable about "teach a man to fish," it doesn't say "teach a man to fish for others." First, just teach him how to fish. Then later, when he's really good at it, he may have enough fish to give away. But first he has to learn how to do it.

[Katinka Hesselink]

That is interesting, yes.

One difference between the Law of Karma and the Secret is that the law of attraction is said to work very much short term - whereas in the Law of Karma usually long term is stressed.

[Kathy Gann]

One of the shortcomings of "The Secret" was that much information was missing (still an impressive effort since Rhonda Byrne was new to this way of thinking). Many of the teachers featured in the film have expressed their regret that the film makes it look too easy and fast. And they also stress that it takes more than thought and feeling to change one's circumstances--you must also take action. If we get what we give, then we must give value in order to receive value. We must give friendship in order to receive it, must give something of value in order to receive financial compensation, etc. The action piece was not stressed in the film. But anyone who has tried to employ the law of attraction a/k/a karma (different names for "cause and effect"), knows that it does take awhile, whether it involves changing ourselves or changing our circumstances. Which, I suppose, is why the Masters keep using the word "TRY." ;-)

[Sarah Westbrook]

Hi Katinka, I've seen The Secret a few times and have read The Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks. I'm a firm believer of Cause and Effect/Law of Attraction and enjoy anchoring that mindset in. I've been a Religious Scientist since 2003 through which I learned most of what I know about the Law, however, the Hicks book answered specific questions in a way that made sense and satisfied me unlike any other answer I received during my queries.

[Alex Morgan]

I saw the movie, it was interesting but nothing new, we know that a like attracts a like and we know what black magic is. So I think the movie is a disaster, most will focus on the abuse and try to manifest things.