Customer Reviews

The Secret (Extended Edition)

5 star:		(1,212)
4 star:		(261)
3 star:		(158)
2 star:		(119)
1 star:		(289)

 

 

With all the hype about The Secret, I was eager to find out what everyone was talking about. I bought both the DVD and the CD set and watched with great anticipation.

Perhaps because I have studied and utilized for over 2 decades some of the most powerful mindset tools, processes and technologies for creating what you want, my expectations may have been skewed compared to those who have never heard of or applied such concepts as the law of attraction.

That is not to say the DVD/CD does not have value. I am sure there are people whose lives have been changed by it. I think they did an outstanding marketing job. An outstanding "packaging" job in creating The Secret. The attraction principles do work, and they provided a great introduction to those who have not been exposed to them before.

For me personally, my first disappointment was the fact that what was dramatically (and cleverly) built up as "a secret" - which to me something you know that I don't - was hardly a secret. These principles have been around for centuries, have been mainstream for decades, with thousands of books, seminars, etc. covering the same principles. I don't appreciate books, tapes, etc. that overpromise and under deliver. So, to me, hardly a secret.

My second disappointment was the lack of depth around the subject matter. If you want more in-dpeth and leading edge info about how our thoughts create our reality, invest in the DVD "What the Bleep?" It offers fascinating leading edge quantum physics principles, along with great animation explaining in simple layman terms, why and how we create our realities. In fact, some of the scientists on The Secret *first* appeared in "What the Bleep?" I almost felt when I was watching The Secret, that they copied "What the Bleep?" in many respects, although at a more superficial level.

My third disappointment/concern is how some Secret followers will interpret the messagge in the movie. Again my perspective may be slightly skewed because I trained in and work with NLP (Neurolinguistic Programmming) which works drectly with the subconscious mind for helping people create accelerated breakthroughs in their lives. The suggestions, recommmended processes, etc. in The Secret work primarily with the conscious mind. Yet it is our subconscious mind that drives 80% of our behaviors and outcomes in life.

Yes, if you practice their recommendations for months and months, the suggestions may eventually sink into our subconscious. However there are simpler, quicker ways to create what you want. The other piece of that, because the subconscious mind does drive our results, there are many blocks -- such as "secondary gains" for staying stuck, values conflicts, limited beliefs, etc. - below our conscious awareness that stops us from having what we want. Because the movie does not address the difference between the conscious mind and the subconscious mind, and treats the whole topic superficially as why some people manifest and some don't, it creates the illusion that as long as you practice their suggestions, you will change your life. There is so much more than what is presented as to what are the differences that make the difference to creating what you want.

While I am glad that so many people are becoming more aware of these principles, I am concerned about the fallout as well. I am hearing people do potentially harmful things like go into deeper debt, making dramatic life changes with blind faith, because the DVD tells them they can have what they want if they just believe, etc.

I would suggest if you buy the DVD to take a few things that most resonated with you, and apply them to your life, as long as you don't sacrifice or overhaul other areas of your life without looking at the big picture. Sort out the glitz from the message. Also check what is not true for you and let go of it.

I would recommend the movie "what the bleep?" It goes hand in hand with The Secret, although more in depth and was the original movie that brought these concepts mainstream.

Third, I recommend that you check out book on NLP (as well as hypnosis which is a sister discipline). Out of all the mindset tools and technologies I have used in over 20 years, I have found they are by far the most powerful. One of the best "beginner" books is: "NLP: The New Technology of Achievement".

Good luck and may your journey be an abundant one!

The good: The message is a good one and can be inspirational for certain segments of the population.

The bad: It will not easily convince those who require more rational and logical explanations for why "the secret" works (when it does). The overly dramatic presentation made the whole thing seem comical.

The first thing I noticed was the over-the-top opening scene with famous historical figures using this "secret" to attain their successes and the power-hungry ones hoarding this "secret" away from the masses (this is in the clip shown by Amazon). This set a tone for the movie (documentary?) that never allowed me to take it too seriously. It continues on to interviews with "experts" who elaborate on the secret, which was interspersed with silly dramatized scenes of people using this secret to attain their goals.

The message given by these experts is that the universe is governed by the Law of Attraction - that what we think shapes the outcome of our lives. This I don't have a problem with, except I would modify it to: "What we think CAN shape the outcome of our lives." These experts are so eager to deliver their message that they seem to dismiss reality. Just because I don't worry about not getting in an accident won't prevent one from happening (it will however, make the days leading up to the accident more pleasant and more productive). Just because I want to be the greatest golfer in the world won't turn me into the next Tiger Woods. Just because I want to cure cancer won't miraculously make me a scientist capable of doing so. And so on and so forth.

There is a valuable message here however, one that doesn't rely on unrealistic promises. Another way to talk about the Law of Attraction is to use the "self-fulfilling prophesy" idea from psychology. When we think something is going to happen (good or bad), we act in ways that actually help make it happen. It has nothing to do with brainwaves acting like magnets. It is true that our attitude determines the quality of our lives, so having a positive outlook on life would increase the likelihood (not guarantee) that good things will result. To have a more reasonable explanation for this can be found in the positive psychology movement. "Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life" by Martin E. Seligman is a good place to start for people who want a more meaty, academic take on this "phenomenon".

The reason I give it 3 stars despite such a negative review is that to me, "The Secret" is like the "magic" feather in Dumbo. The feather doesn't actually give Dumbo the ability to fly. He always had the gift to do so. What he lacked was the belief that he could and having the feather gave him the confidence to try. If this DVD helps people have the confidence to let out their inner talents/skills to attain their goals and take more risks for the sake of their vision, then by all means, use it.

As you go through life, the secret of life is hiding in plain sight, until one day the Law of Attraction tumbles into your awareness, as it did into my life about two years ago.

In my case I followed the Huna Philosophy, and one of the seven rules is energy flows where attention goes. In the Bible, and teachings of Buddha the principle is also contained. Mark 11.24 Whatsoever ye desire, believe that ye have it, and it is yours. So, I watched this movie featuring the eminent teachers of the LOA, not expecting to add much to my store of knowledge. Much to my surprise, I did learn a lot from this movie, and on that basis I highly recommend it.

Before watching this movie I knew that my thoughts created my reality. The missing link for me was the importance of feelings. When you feel good, good things tend to come to you, and when you feel bad, you attract bad things. So, it is important to have better ways of looking at situations, and then you will attract better situations. The other concept that impressed me was importance of gratitude. Gratitude rocks.

If you wish to buy a good book on the subject, I recommend The law of Attraction by Michael Losier, and, Ask and it is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks. My favorite quote from the movie: 'What you think and feel, and what you manifest is always a match. Every single time. No exception' Esther Hicks. My other favorite quote: 'Your wish is my command.' The Universe.

My own insight from watching this movie came from the Gratitude segment, and also ties in with the Huna: To be grateful is to appreciate, to appreciate is to love, and to love is to be happy with.

"As a man thinketh in his heart so is he." - Proverbs

"As you sow, so shall ye reap." - Jesus

"You have not because you ask not." - Jesus

"That which I fear most has come upon me." - Job

"A man of the way conforms to the way;
A man of virtue conforms to virtue;
A man of loss conforms to loss." - Tao Te Ching

The Golden Rule.

Karma.

This isn't new. Not at all. It's just an essence extracted from a broader range of "universal" principles, packaged and marketed in a slick production, given a materialistic bent sanitized of overtly religious tones.

Easy to view with moments of inspiration the message is clear quite early.

Wanna be rich, get a bigger house, drive a spiffy car, want that soul mate? Start with being grateful for what you do have. Then think about what it is you want, visualize it, really feel it and the universe will at some point give it to you.

Don't believe it? Well, there's your wish. Your wish is the universe's command.

All of the speakers were philosophers, authors, writers, metaphysicians and other uncommonly titled individuals. Where, I wonder, is the factory worker, the bus driver, the inner city schoolteacher or the saint who handles your trash once a week?

"We become what we behold."

Marshall McLuhan knew it.

"Everything that you do comes back to you."

Wet Willie knew it.

"If I can see it, I can be it."

R. Kelly knew the secret too.

Doesn't seem to be that big of a secret. Maybe that's the secret.

Pick up a Bible, a Qur'an, a book of Buddhist Sutras or a Tao Te Ching. You'll find "the secret" and a whole lot more.

While the information is good, I don't understand why everyone is acting like this is groundbreaking. These teachings have been taught in tons of best selling works such as "As a Man Thinketh", "The Great Within", "Message from a Master",
The Magic In Your Mind", "The Magic of Believing" "Think and Grow Rich", "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind" not to mention anything by Neville, Emmet Fox, Ernest Holmes, Earl Nightingale, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, Stuart Wilde, Louise Hayes and many others. I find their marketing of their product deceptive calling it "The Secret" and saying it's been hidden for ages until now. Baloney! The title should have been called,"Same Information, New Packaging."

The Secret is well produced and delivers a powerful message by many excellent teachers. The movie is providing the opportunity for large numbers of people to learn about the law of attraction and how to use these principles to attract the life they want.

In my opinion, there is one missing element. Law of attraction strategies will not work unless we overcome any inner resistance to our life dreams. This resistance, when it is present, is frequently operating at an unconscious level. I would like to have heard more discussion about strategies for overcoming inner resistance.

All in all this is an excellent movie and well worth watching many times.

Raymond Gerson, author of Create the Life You Want.

Generally, and in my opinion, the overall message of the Secret (Extended) presents it's conclusion without the emphasis on doing. For example, the 3 Steps: Ask, Believe, Receive. A component of receiving, I believe, is not just sitting on your backside and waiting, but rather considering what else you can do to reach your goal and taking persistent action.

We do receive, or rather experience, what we focus on the most, and by focusing on a particular goal (material or spiritual) will help generate the momentum of thinking, feeling and most importantly DOING what we are inspired to do as a result.

None of the presenters in the secret received what they wanted without doing something in addition to Asking, Believing, and Receiving.

When they went on Larry King, they got paid and increased their wealth because they did something: wrote and sold a book or 50, created seminars, developed business plans, talked with other people in the "game" to understand how they did it, learned more through education, and etcetera.

While watching the DVD (a few times) it seems to me that it does imply the "doing" but it doesn't emphasise it. For reasons that are unclear the editors/producers chose to de-emphasise actions/doing in favour of a more "magical" cause-effect (ask and it shall be given).

As a practicing psychotherapist and life skills counseller I don't think emphasising anything "magical" really helps people. However emphasising the development of a positive mental framework of thinking and feeling will encourage behaviour that when followed up with persistent actions will help us achieve our goals, now that's something that people can use. Also, you cannot ignore your environment and it seems The Secret doesn't even go there, which is unfortunate.

I generally enjoy the message of the DVD but in my opinion it falls well short of the mark in a few of the areas mentioned. Yet, at the same time, I don't feel pesimistic about the "message", I simply hope that most rational thinking people will not take the entire message "as is" but instead use their own brains to do some critical thinking.

The people who hate on this movie completely miss the point. In fairness though, Ms. Byrne does over-simplify the laws of attraction while bringing a hefty dose of hype. If you browse this website I'll bet you'll find 50 books that explain the same principle. More thorough and, in my opinion, better explanations are found by Wayne Dyer ("Power of Intentions," "Real Magic," and "Manifest Your Destiny"), Esther Hicks, Wattles, "The Science of Getting Rich," "What the Bleep Do We Know?", and Iyanla Van Zant just to name a few. In fact, I'm taking a business leadership course that states the same thing. They all essentially say that thoughts are the predecessors to actions and you create your own world through your thoughts and attitudes. (For example, does anyone know of a drama queen who sees everything as a slight? She is creating her own world and pain).

I think the problem some people are having is the way this message is presented. Ms. Byrne is very clever in recognizing that the U.S in particular is completely driven by its love of entertainment. (Ms. Byrne being a TV producer knows how to make you tune in!!). She correctly understands that 80% of America does not read books and will not watch anything that does not involve a sleekly produced action or mystery. But guess what America, this is the condition we created and you can't fault someone for using it to succeed. The fact that many people watch this and think it's something new or from the Devil proves that exact point. It is neither. Nor is it an invitation to sit on your behind and just wish for things. It lets you know that you are the creator of your reality and any success in life begins with the belief that all is possible and that attainment will come. That is what motivates people to action and to look for opportunities. Truly, the only limitations you have are in your mind.

If there is only one thing you take away from this movie, please let it be your resolve to express gratitude for your current circumstances and what you already have. This alone will create major improvements in your life. I am living proof of that.

I received this unsolicited email today:

"Unlock the Secret to the Healing Codes

Learn how altering your subconscious mind, your misconceptions and your beliefs can dramatically improve your health and change your life."

Dr. Ben Johnson, one of the teachers of "The Secret" will guide you through the missing piece of "The Law of Attraction" that was not shared in "The Secret."

Unless someone is illegally using Dr. Ben Johnson's name, this ad says it all. Why would anyone participate in the making of a dvd purporting to tell you "the secret" and then send out an email telling you that they didn't tell you the REAL secret in the last thing they sold you and that the REAL secret can only be found through purchasing more of the author's materials?

Enough said.

Would such a precious secret really be revealed for $35?

Why would something so IMPORTANT just be handed out to everyone.

...You know the answer to that.

I have been exposed to many "new age" and "spiritual" views. I have been a seeker of truth all of my life. My friends showed me The Secret one evening and it seemed very important for them to show it to me. I can see why they did. At first, even past much of the cheesiness, I loved it. I even bought it. Then after a few days reality hit me. Something was not right about it. They were leaving important things out, like accountability. The whole focus is on creating whatever you want for your own selfish fulfillment. Well how about the fact of what you want affecting others? The approach is so narcissistic. I don't remember much talk of helping others at all in The Secret. The whole video is about Self fulfillment. I'm sorry but there is already TOO MUCH of that going on the world. Especially here in the good ol' United States. Our addiction to things and money is ruining us.. isn't it obvious?

It is a wonderful dream to think that you can CREATE your own reality the way you want it. It is a wonderful fairy tale land that you could get lost in. It is not happiness though. It is not what anyone REALLY wants. It just can seem like it is.

They talk about being tired of getting bills in the mail. You should start visualizing money instead of bills. And the money WILL come.

Say what?! If you have bills, you brought them into your life by creating that debt. You can "expect" to get money in your mailbox all you want. What about your own accountability of the bills you have. The video talks about bills like they are just a result of your "scarcity" thinking. No accountability. Strictly self fulfillment.

This video shows quotes from great people of history, such as Einstein, Martin Luther King, and Mother Teresa. I wish they were alive today to speak about the selfish views of this video.

There are bits of truth in this video, don't get me wrong, otherwise it wouldn't be so popular.

The main message of self fulfillment and absence of accountability is disturbing. It is clever, but I am glad I saw through it.