The Secret...
The big thing this Lent on Oprah and other shows is a DVD and book called the Secret.
Here is the link at a tech webpage: LINK
It claims that it is the secret in the "judeochristian" tradition, that few have ever known, but if you buy their book you too can learn it.
They even quote the Bible: Ask and you shall receive...
What's wrong with this picture?
Well, let's start with the initial premise:
The principle explains that we create our own circumstances by the choices we make in life. And the choices we make are fueled by our thoughts—which means our thoughts are the most powerful things we have here on earth.
Well, there are many things that we can control. Indeed, one thing that modern western philosophy and religion has that is different than Eastern religions is the idea that we have some control in our lives; in the past, this was called "Free will".
So unlike, say, an African who passively submits to drought, sickness and tyranny, a Westerner will rebel, or (like many of our ancestors) migrate to America, where we have freedom to live freely and create our own destiny.
So isn't "free will" good? Isn't the idea that we should live a comfortable life a good thing? Isn't having a positive attitude a good idea?
Indeed, there is not much in "the secret" that isn't idential to what psycologist William James calls the "healthy minded religion" or the name popular a hundred years ago, the "mind cure".LINK
This is good, but the problem is it is not The Good. And even William James points out it is merely one of many "Varieties of Religious experience".
There is a subtle twist between a healthy minded religion that cures the sick, strengthens the weak will, and helps a person to forgive himself and others and live a cheerful optimistic life. Indeed, if you read those helped on the Oprah website, you will find most of them are hurt children who learned to take responsibility for their self destructive ideas, and this is good.
But the danger is the twist can be found in those pushing the Secret, the idea that "the universe" will line up behind your positive thoughts and you will get what you want.
This is magical thinking, which in science is nonsense, in psychology is childish and immature, and in religion it is saying "Non servum", the idea that you want your will, not God's will for your life.
Ah, but which of us can really control our own lives? When the towers were destroyed on 9-11, many people were shaken to the core with the possibility that they might not be in control. Indeed, one wonders how much of the "Bush Derangement syndrome" is projection of fear rather than a rational dislike of conservative politics.
Yet some continue to think if they do this or that they will be in control, they will live forever. So many hope modern man will conquer not only sickness, but old age and death, using our technological skills.LINK
Here is the link at a tech webpage: LINK
It claims that it is the secret in the "judeochristian" tradition, that few have ever known, but if you buy their book you too can learn it.
They even quote the Bible: Ask and you shall receive...
What's wrong with this picture?
Well, let's start with the initial premise:
The principle explains that we create our own circumstances by the choices we make in life. And the choices we make are fueled by our thoughts—which means our thoughts are the most powerful things we have here on earth.
Well, there are many things that we can control. Indeed, one thing that modern western philosophy and religion has that is different than Eastern religions is the idea that we have some control in our lives; in the past, this was called "Free will".
So unlike, say, an African who passively submits to drought, sickness and tyranny, a Westerner will rebel, or (like many of our ancestors) migrate to America, where we have freedom to live freely and create our own destiny.
So isn't "free will" good? Isn't the idea that we should live a comfortable life a good thing? Isn't having a positive attitude a good idea?
Indeed, there is not much in "the secret" that isn't idential to what psycologist William James calls the "healthy minded religion" or the name popular a hundred years ago, the "mind cure".LINK
This is good, but the problem is it is not The Good. And even William James points out it is merely one of many "Varieties of Religious experience".
There is a subtle twist between a healthy minded religion that cures the sick, strengthens the weak will, and helps a person to forgive himself and others and live a cheerful optimistic life. Indeed, if you read those helped on the Oprah website, you will find most of them are hurt children who learned to take responsibility for their self destructive ideas, and this is good.
But the danger is the twist can be found in those pushing the Secret, the idea that "the universe" will line up behind your positive thoughts and you will get what you want.
This is magical thinking, which in science is nonsense, in psychology is childish and immature, and in religion it is saying "Non servum", the idea that you want your will, not God's will for your life.
Ah, but which of us can really control our own lives? When the towers were destroyed on 9-11, many people were shaken to the core with the possibility that they might not be in control. Indeed, one wonders how much of the "Bush Derangement syndrome" is projection of fear rather than a rational dislike of conservative politics.
Yet some continue to think if they do this or that they will be in control, they will live forever. So many hope modern man will conquer not only sickness, but old age and death, using our technological skills.LINK
posted by Nancy Reyes at
9:46 AM
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