Debunking the Secret - Why You Don't Need to Waste Your Money

Secrets of the Secret Revealed

By Pam Gaulin, published Feb 22, 2007
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If you loved The Secret, then you'll hate this article.

The Secret claims to reveal an age-old, and tried and true secret of how to achieve health, wealth, love, happiness, and anything and everything else you might want.

The book and the movie both claim to piece together not just the secret but "The Great Secret" that has been right before our eyes, in our literature books, our religions, our philosophies, and in our past. According to The Secret, the secret itself has beenresponsible for our cultural advancements, and was known and practiced by people like Plato, Jesus, Newton, and Einstein an many others.

Oh, and The Secret will "change your life."

The book, the DVD and the online movie all claim that The Secret was purposefully kept a secret. Until now that is.

Secrets of The Secret Revealed

# 1 Secret of The Secret Revealed: You already have this secret power.

The concept that you, as an individual, already have the power within you to create the life you want is really no secret at all. If you believe at all in yourself, your abilities, your skill, you education, or wherever your personal strengths lie, then you know that you can change your life.

Even Glenda the Good Witch told us that in The Wizard of Oz, when she told Dorothy that she always had the power in her to go home.

#2 Secret of The Secret Revealed: The Secret is a mixed up bag of new age pop philosophies.

The Secret draws on such a broad base of philosophies, old and new, that it is no wonder it seems to ring true with people. The same concepts can be found in The Bible, in the works of Deepak Chopra, and many other new age writers and motivational speakers.

#3 Secret of The Secret Revealed: Everyone quoted in The Secret has something to sell, not to teach.

The most revealing aspect of The Secret is that most of the living people quoted all have something to sell. According to the publisher, the book draws on "wisdom from modern-day teachers." These savvy self-promoters are put behind the literal podium as teachers, but many also have products to sell you.

#4 Secret of The Secret Revealed: The Secret is a self-help book.

 
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The Secret is one big marketing bonanza.

Credit: Beyond Words

Copyright: Beyond Words

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Takeaways
  • The "teachers" quoted in The Secret all have something to sell you.
  • The real secret is that we all have the power to change our lives.
  • The Secret will all sound very familiar, because you've read it and heard it before. It's not new.
Did You Know?
Even Oprah Winfrey stated on her February 2007 broadcast, "I've always lived by the secret and didn't know it was secret." Very good, Oprah. That's because it is not a secret.
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Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 10 of 10
 
 
"It might not be the Law of Attraction, but is the law of calories." Loved this sentence! Great article. I have tried the laws of attraction experiment and that was when I found AC and discovered people would actually pay me to write. Does "the secret" deserve all the credit or did I just happen to find AC just as I was trying it out? Don't know but I figure, it couldn't hurt. It would have hurt had I have forked out the cash for the book or the movie!

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Posted on 04/26/2008 at 4:04:38 AM

 
Excellent article, Pam. There are tons of these self-help books composed of visualization and self-affirmation strategies. "The Secret" is simply a rehashed version of "secrets" revealed before. Only with one hell of a marketing campaign. You want a better, happier, more productive life? Get the hell up off that sofa, put down the book, and make it happen. Inspiration can only go so far... .

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Posted on 03/30/2008 at 12:03:21 PM

 
I think "the secret" is dangerous for debt-a-holics in search of what they perceive to be an easy quick fix to their problems. Forget paying the bills, just ask the universe to grant you the money and you won't have to worry anymore. maybe I can get the universe to do my laundry, wash the dishes and clean the litter box! Now that's a secret I would pay money for!

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Posted on 10/27/2007 at 11:10:00 AM

 
One positive thing about the Secret is that it may actually inspire some people to start thinking about their dreams and desires. Just look at the people around you, at work, at schools, grocery stores - how many people are living the lives of quiet desparation, basically living on auto-pilot, no dreams, no passion, angry, frustrated, tired and resigned on life in general. That inspiration alone may well overshadow all the other stuff mentioned in the article.

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Posted on 07/17/2007 at 9:07:00 AM

 
Thanks everyone for your thoughtful responses. David - I understand what you are saying about it being a starting point for good.

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Posted on 05/17/2007 at 5:05:00 AM

 
In some ways I agree in others I do not. I think there is a lot more to the Law of Attraction than is posed in the movie, including what you say here about action. But I also completely disagree that our thoughts do not affect our reality. Positive thinking, active mental association, universal laws of attraction, positivity, belief... all these things are researched concepts that were not born yesterday nor with The Secret. However, I will say that The Secret has been a changing point for a LOT of people, myself included, and I cannot understand why some feel it necessary to "debunk" something that has done thousands now a great deal of good. Or at least has been a starting point for that good.

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Posted on 05/17/2007 at 12:05:00 AM

 
The Secret was called "garbage" by Deepka Chopra on Real Time. And it is; a very beautiful package full of stuff you can find just about anywhere else. It's no Secret and most of it is in the wrong context anyway.

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Posted on 03/22/2007 at 1:03:00 AM

 
Thanks for saving me the time of watching 'The Secret'. Great expose. :)

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Posted on 03/09/2007 at 8:03:00 AM

 
Thanks Dave! The low rating definitely lets me know I am spot on with this article.

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Posted on 03/09/2007 at 8:03:00 AM

 
Even though I loved "The Secret" as entertainment and I think it is a great reminder to people, I believe you are right on, Pam. "The Secret" can actually divert you from doing what you need to in life, because it sounds so easy, the way they put it. And yes, your point about marketing is right on. It's a paradox, because the more you think you have to buy stuff, the more you will be distracted by that and won't focus on your own abilities. The Secret to me is designed to fit and perpetuate our consumer culture. Sigh. Your article was rated low when I read it, but I am sure that was out of disappointment, not quality! Great article.

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Posted on 03/09/2007 at 8:03:00 AM

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