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The Truth Behind The Secret: A Reasoned Response to the Runaway Bestseller

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According to the article on The Secret by James A. Beverley in the October 2007 edition of Charisma magazine, Walker & Waldrep's book, at the time, was "the best of the explicitly Christian replies now available. The authors provide both comprehensive background and critique to The Secret." Although I agree with Beverley that this book is better than The Secret Revealed by Garlow & Marschall (which "hurt their cause by reading Rhonda Byrne and her fellow Secret teachers in their worst light") and There is More to The Secret by Ed Gungor (both of which I've read), I disagree that the authors provide a sufficiently comprehensive background. One gets more background details from Garlow & Marschall's book than this one. However, one will have to go to other, even non-Christian, sources to get a more comprehensive background as well as a more neutral approach to the topic, although I recommend James Herrick's The Making of the New Spirituality (2004) as one of the better Christian resources. I agree with Beverley's recommendation of the following books as resources for more complete background details: New Age Religion and Western Culture (1998) by Wouter J. Hanegraaff, and A Republic of Mind and Spirit (2007) by Catherine L. Albanese. I also recommend The American Myth of Success (1969) by Richard Weiss which traces the concept of success in popular American culture, and The Secret of "The Secret": Unlocking the Mysteries of the Runaway Bestseller (2007) by Karen Kelly who touches on the same topic as Weiss. Weiss mentions the law of attraction in the context of New Thought as a corollary to the principle of non-resistance (pages 168 - 169).

The term "law of attraction" has its early roots not only in 19th century New Thought but also 19th century American Spiritualism. Spiritualism is overlooked by the authors who should have introduced it in Chapter 5 (The Secret Seance) as the precursor to contemporary channeling. According to J. Stillson Judah in his book, The History and Philosophy of the Metaphysical Movements in America (1967), Andrew Jackson Davis (1826 - 1910), the primary theologian of 19th century American Spiritualism, was the first of the American metaphysical philosophers to teach that "religion is scientific" and to "stress the primacy of law and man's harmony with it as a means of salvation" (page 39). He was influenced by both Emanuel Swedenborg (1688 - 1772) and Franz Anton Mesmer (1734 - 1815). Judah ties the law of attraction to Davis by stating: "The law of attraction, so important to Spiritualism and to other metaphysical groups, also had its basis in Swedenborg's doctrine of correspondences. This was the name which Davis gave to his theory that effects correspond to and represent the essentials of their causes. Like attracts like. In Davis' application it meant that after death a person would be attracted to the spirit plane corresponding to his development and progression in this world. Conversely, Davis maintained that thoughts of love and kindness would attract spirits of the higher planes to the seance... The metaphysical healing groups add a further interpretation to this law: each person's conditions, e.g., health, sickness, prosperity, poverty, etc. are attracted to him according to his thinking" (pages 39 - 40). More attention should also be given to Franz Mesmer's historical significance in America along with his theory of "animal magnetism" as applied to healing. The concept of magnetism underlies the law of attraction, and the role of "faith healing" and/or "mind cure" for health in 19th century America (which was fueled, in part, by mesmerism) preceded any excessive concern for wealth, even among both conservative and liberal Christians. Human need (not just greed) and the hope of satisfaction drive popular interest as Karen Kelly touches on in Chapter 2 (The Culture of Hope) in her book on The Secret. This should have been given significantly more attention in Walker & Waldrep's book.

Extended consideration should also have been given to how the law of attraction, as taught by advocates today, compares to or contrasts with the law of karma, on the one hand, and the Biblical principle of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7 - 9) on the other. William Walker Atkinson (1862 - 1932) in his book The Law of The New Thought (1902) is one of the first to relate the law of attraction and the law of karma. Although Chapter 3 of his book is dedicated to discussing the law of attraction in particular, in Chapter 13 (The Immortality of the Soul), he states: "Some schools teach the doctrine of Metempsychosis, or Reincarnation, as it is more generally termed. They believe that after death we return to occupy another earthly body, to which body we are attracted by the law of attraction or Karma... It is indisputable that in the theory of Metempsychosis there is found the only possible explanation of the inequalities and apparent injustices of life. It is the only theory that squares with Justice." James Allen (1864 - 1912), an influential New Thought author who mixed Protestant liberalism with Buddhistic thought, believed in karma and saturated his books with the concept as he believed it related to "Eternal Justice". His most famous book As A Man Thinketh (1902) assumes the truth of karma (without using the term) and relates it to attraction in Chapter 2 (Effect of Thought on Circumstances): "The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors; that which it loves, and also that which it fears. It reaches the height of its cherished aspirations. It falls to the level of its unchastened desires - and circumstances are the means by which the soul receives its own." He also stated in this chapter: "Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are." It is one thing to "blame the victim" which some critics accuse The Secret of doing, but it is another thing to address the question of Divine or "Eternal" Justice.

One other issue: magic(k). The authors of this book misplace their comments about, and quote from, Bryan Lankford, a leading Wiccan practitioner and author of Wicca Demystified (2005), in Chapter 3 (The Secret Cynics) that provides various quotes expressing caution or criticism of The Secret. Their comments and quote are located in the last section titled "Incompatible with Major Faiths" among quotes from religious authorities from the monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam expressing criticism of The Secret. The location is inappropriate not only because Wicca is distinct from these religions but also because the authors state that Lankford "was careful not to criticize Rhonda Byrne" when asked about The Secret. Their quote from Lankford's book shows that he embraces the law of attraction concept that "thoughts are things" as "one of the basic principles of magick". The topic of magic(k) as it relates to the law of attraction and New Thought in general deserves its own chapter. The phrase "thoughts are things" is the title of a book published in 1889 which contains selected essays by Prentice Mulford (1834 - 1891), taken from The White Cross Library collection of his essays. Byrne has mentioned the influence of Mulford on her thinking, and the authors introduce him in their book in Chapter 12. The law of attraction is specifically mentioned by name and expounded on in Mulford's essay titled "Some Laws of Health and Beauty" which is included in the book Thoughts Are Things.

It may surprise some to discover that none other than the famous American Philosopher and Pragmatist William James (1842 - 1910) stated: "Modern mind-cure literature - the works of Prentice Mulford, for example - is full of sympathetic magic". This is found in his influential book The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902) as a footnote in his Conclusions (page 497). Hanegraaff's book on New Age Religion and Western Culture documents the connection of mesmerism to esotericism and modern occultism (see pages 424 - 435) and states: "Mesmerism was embraced by a whole range of illuminist and occultist movements (including 19th century spiritualism) as a theory which could serve to unify esotericism and modern science" (page 434). The mesmeric connection to magic or "magia" is also made by Hanegraaff who states: "Mesmer's theory may legitimately be regarded as a modern presentation of magia naturalis" (page 433). A chapter on magic(k) should also include Atkinson who I referenced earlier. The authors mention him as a possible "unnamed architect" on page 108 (but misstate his middle name) in terms of his influence on The Secret since he authored Thought Vibration: The Law of Attraction in the Thought World (1906). They think Byrne may have read it although she doesn't reference him as an influence in her book. Atkinson has significantly impacted modern occultism through his anonymous authoring or co-authoring of The Kybalion, an influential occult text. He is also the author of Mind-Power: The Secret of Mental Magic, first published in 1907. This book not only mentions the law of attraction, calling it "the Law of Mentative Attraction" and "the great mental Law of Attraction" but also ties magnetism, especially personal magnetism, to magic.

I want to again emphasize that I agree with Beverley's article in Charisma magazine that The Truth Behind the Secret is better than some other Christian books on the topic, but take into consideration what I've said above. It was only through reading some of the New Thought literature myself over the last few years, including The Secret, that I came to better understand the New Thought Movement as well as its critics. I also recommend The Secret Things of God (2007) by Dr. Henry Cloud as a conservative Christian approach to The Secret that, according to Cloud, "is not a Christian argument for or against The Secret" although "it sometimes agrees with and sometimes differs with it" and "affirms the deep spiritual hunger that the success of Byrne's book has shown all of us to have" (page vi). This book helps fill the practical gap left by The Truth Behind the Secret.

Reviewed by Vicki Landes for Reader Views (11/07)


Just as "The Da Vinci Code" had its skeptics, so does the more recent bestseller, "The Secret." Authors James K. Walker and Bob Waldrep release their counter to this current phenomenon titled "The Truth Behind the Secret." And it's much more than you think...

"The Truth Behind the Secret" is a well-organized, comprehensive discussion covering several aspects including its primary origins, paranormal sources, its science, and Oprah's big role in its popularity. Appropriately self-described as `a reasoned response,' "The Truth" explores these points with a professional, mature, and educated tone. Initially, I expected that this would be a book of emotional lash-outs. Instead, Walker and Waldrep convey a calm and measured style - respectfully enlightening their readers and backing their points up with substantial research.

"The Truth Behind the Secret" is an eye-opening jolt into what "The Secret" teaches, both on the emotional and supernatural levels. Most surprisingly is that it's not a new concept. "...[The Secret] appears with some regularity about very five years or so. It just changes names. Ten years ago it was `The Celestine Prophecy.' Five years ago it was something else. They keep appearing... The astonishing thing is that every five years it comes out and jumps to the top of the best-seller list." Another surprising point Walker and Waldrep point out is that the concept behind "The Secret" allows and even promotes inactivity. "The broader concern is that it encourages an incredible kind of passivity. You don't actually have to do anything. You don't have to work for something. You just have to think it, and it will come your way." I'm no expert but I imagine this is not a good attitude to pass to a society already struggling with health, weight, and `couch potato' issues.

"The Truth Behind the Secret" is the perfect read for the Christian, those looking for a composed and alternative analysis, or simply more than just Oprah's endorsement of the emotional bestseller. Walker and Waldrep write a rational and articulate clarification of this trend that's both easy to read and quick to absorb. Before getting caught up in the sensationalism of "The Secret," balance your information with "The Truth Behind the Secret."

Book received free of charge.

This book is a very well researched and precisely presented answer to Ms. Byrnes book "The Secret". Mr. Walker and Mr. Waldrep do not merely express an opinion about her book, but have carefully documented the interviews and references that fully rebut her claims.

I would strongly urge anyone who has read "The Secret" to read "The Truth Behind The Secret" before you throw away your prescriptions and abandon your chemotherapy, if you are a cancer patient, for instance.

Her book is alluring and appealing at first glance, but like your Mama always said, if it sounds too good to be true, it just might be. Read "The Truth Behind The Secret" and you will know the real deal.