The Secret
Sound Waves – June 13, 2009

A good friend introduced a book a few months ago, probably over a year ago. The title is THE SECRET. He had mentioned he had referred to it many times because it offered good advice on how to live happily.

Because he had mentioned it so often and spoke so highly of it, I decided to buy it. There is also an unabridged CD version and a DVD of THE SECRET.

Why do my friend and so many other people, including the famous Japanese brain specialist Kenichiro Mogi, recommend the book? The reason is that the basic message of the book is that you have control of your live and your future, that you can make it a good, successful and happy life or a miserable and poor life. The SECRET is belief in yourself, positive-thinking and that you can communicate and use the energy of the Universe. What you think is what you are and will be.

The main author, Rhonda Byrne, together with scientists, counselors, teachers, self-promotion specialists, etc introduce the SECRET of the Universe which has been passed down in oral tradition, books and other methods throughout the ages, stretching back 5,000 years. The book begins with the quote, “As above, so below. As within, so without,” from The Emerald Tablet of about 3000 BC. As one reads the book, the significance and meaning of this quote becomes very clear and I suppose is the key to the SECRET.

All of the authors firmly believe in the law of attraction which controls our life. The SECRET is this law of attraction and how it influences our lives. If one knows this one can control one’s life. “You are the one who calls the law of attraction into action, and you do this through your thoughts.”

The book says that the power of thought over one’s life is enormous and a quote in the book from the Buddha illustrates this theme very well; “We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make our world.”
And, “Thoughts become things,” is a quote from Mike Dooley one of the authors. And Michael Beckwith says, “Everything that has been invented and created throughout the history of mankind began with one thought.”

I felt that the message in the book has something in common with the Buddhist concept of karma, that one’s soul will be rewarded according to one’s thoughts and deeds. The book’s idea of the law of attraction is very similar to the law of karma. While with the latter one’s soul is rewarded in its reincarnation, with the former, the authors tell us we will be rewarded in this life in a material way such as by becoming rich and successful, buying the house of our dreams, and by having good health, etc.

The book also gives the impression that if you follow its teachings you will be guaranteed unlimited rewards, that you can achieve the American dream. I have seen thousands of people losing their life savings, having their lives ruined by believing that their future will be guaranteed, that their investments are guaranteed, etc. You have to read this book with some discretion.

I do agree with a lot of what it recommends; the power of thought, positive thinking, self-confidence, possibilities are unlimited. I also agree and recommend some of the practical advice it gives to help one live happily and positively. Things like; repeatedly reminding yourself every day, either verbally or in writing, of the things you should be grateful for; of making sure that you before you go to sleep, you look back on the day and find something you should feel happy about, finish the day on a positive and happy thought. I realized that I had been doing this for the past few years, though not every day. Now, I remind myself everyday of all the good things I have and am grateful for them. THE SECRET does have some good practical advice and if you can find something in it that can help you, it is worth reading.

THE SECRET is available in English, Japanese and Spanish, perhaps other languages, too. There is a DVD version and an unabridged audio book on CD. This audio book CD might be a nice present for someone who is visually impaired. It’s an easy book to read and I’m sure you’ll find something worthwhile in it.