The Secret

I am regularly asked if I have seen "The Secret" and what I think about it. My take is that I am sure it has done a lot of good for people, and that the power of intention is similar to what Mrs. Eddy meant when she wrote, "Desire is prayer." One thing I would caution enthusiasts of "The Secret" is to be careful what you wish for -- because you might get it. Meaning, I would warn them of the consequences of human will. I believe we can will ourselves to get what ever we want, but that does not mean that it is what we most need or that is what is best for us. The question: "What is my motive here?" Is what one should regularly ask themselves. Determining one's motive helps one discover whether it is right or not. For example, an individual is putting out to the universe their desire for a house, a certain career, car etc. and saying when I have that in my possession then I will be happy -- they are not acknowledging that they are already complete. They are denying that right now they are whole, lacking no good thing. What happens when that house, relationship, career, or car is taken away? If their happiness and fulfillment comes from that which was just lost then they are no longer happy or complete.

Don't get me wrong, I believe everyone deserves a fulfilling career and relationships; as well as a beautiful home and car. Part of my job as a Christian Science practitioner is to help others realize these things in their lives -- to realize that we lack nothing and that it is God's good pleasure to give us those things. In my opinion, the emphasis of obtaining material things was a bit overemphasized in "The Secret." To me that aspect was not much different than a sales seminar where one is taught the secrets of success...where you set a goal, learn to prioritize the steps to obtain that goal, and then drive forward to it.

Personally, I subscribe to a couple quotes from the Bible in regards to this topic.

"Father...not my will, but thine, be done." 1 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."2

Trust me, I have learned this the hard way. There are several examples in my life where I felt that I was destined and deserving of a certain possession, relationship, or a specific job. Once I acquired what I had desired (or willed myself to obtain) I was miserable. In retrospect, while I was moving forward in the process of acquiring what I was hopeful of, I was ignoring the red flags -- the reasons why I should not pursue what I wanted.

Again, I do admire how "The Secret" has motivated many not to accept the concept of lack. I just think there are some misleading aspects to the message that could bring unnecessary challenges or frustration.


1 Luke 22:42
2 Proverbs 3:5,6