The Secret

[princess_of_pain]

Not having read the book I can't give first hand testimony on its contents, but I have been paying attention to the debate between its advocates and critics. Those who voice concerns have said that The Secret (essentially) places blame for life's negative occurrences squarely in the lap of the individual (i.e., "It's your fault you got cancer/become the victim of a violent crimes/ lost your jobs and home/etc., by virtue of your negative thought processes.") Which in my humble opinion, could be sufficient reason for concern when considering the fragile emotional/psychological states of individuals most likely to be drawn in by such outlandish promises.

[fantazmaster]

Ah,yes another book on the secret to personal success and true happiness in life.Just the latest in a historical string of personal success books.Let's see here we have Emile Couee in the 1920's who wrote several of these self improvement books advocating various success creating exercises ,"Self Mastery Through Conscious Autosuggestion" and "How to Practice Suggestion and Autosuggestion".Follow this with the works of Norman Vincent Peale with his
"The Power of Positive Thnking" or David Schwartz "The Power Of Thinking Big"
And then.......ah well you get the idea here I hope that not long after the advent of the modern book publishing industry,there has always been somebody selling a treasure map in book form to the keys to personal success,wealth and happiness.This Secret book being perhaps the latest of the species.

[cadence]

Not having read the book I can't give first hand testimony on its contents, but I have been paying attention to the debate between its advocates and critics. Those who voice concerns have said that The Secret (essentially) places blame for life's negative occurrences squarely in the lap of the individual (i.e., "It's your fault you got cancer/become the victim of a violent crimes/ lost your jobs and home/etc., by virtue of your negative thought processes.") Which in my humble opinion, could be sufficient reason for concern when considering the fragile emotional/psychological states of individuals most likely to be drawn in by such outlandish promises.

I have just finished reading the book, and yes it does seem to promote that negative thinking creates a negative life.
The book almost seems to create the fantasy that if you wish hard enough, you will get what you want.

I can understand the power of positive thinking thus creating better self esteem, self confidence and and a healthier more positive approach to life.

I find it crass that they tout it to be a new and marvelous idea that will definately change your life forever.

And thank you Alex, I hope my brother does get better, he has had the best doctors working for him, but when the odds are stacked against you, there are no secret methods that can help. I am there for him when he needs me and that is the best that I can do.