The Secret by Rhonda Byrne Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Secret
Book Review: A Beginning Intro To Metaphysics
Summary: 4 Stars
There is really nothing new about the Secret. Even the author would be the first to tell you that. What it does do, is it is a good jumping off place to find out about other authors such as Wallace Wattles, Emmerson and Einstein, etc. It also puts in your mind a sort of brand recognition to other authors who are very good at conveying this sort of thing. Such as Jack Canfield, Hale Dwoskin, Lisa Nichols, James Arthur Ray, Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, Joe Vitale, etc.
Most of these people have their own works and not a single one of them will tell you that if you just imagine your success - without any practical application that you can just sort of click your heels three times and get anything you ever dreamed of. That isn't how metaphysics works, that isn't how life works. But what The Secret and other books in that vein do is underscore the importance that we can do what we set our minds to IF we apply ourselves and having a positive mindset, taking responsibility for one's own life and NOT blaming our circumstances on just about anything you care to name, then so-called miracles are possible. Even Hale Dwoskin, author of the "Sedona Method" says you cannot stay in fantasy land all of the time. Even someone like Jack Canfield knows that you have to do the work, too. Visualization is only PART of the equation, but it is an important and integral part. The Secret is just a jumping off point - that's all. There are thousands and thousands of wisdom texts out there and you only need open your eyes to see that there is a consistent message - that you can do the things you dream of. It is possible, but it begins and ends with that person.
Book Review: A Beneficial Book
Summary: 5 Stars
The huge success of Rhonda Byrnes book "The Secret" speaks for itself. In reading some of the reviews I must admit it appears that some are simply "reactions" rather than true reviews. I found Ms Byrnes approach to be remarkably engaging and certainly provokes thought. Her references again and again to "Avatars.Teachers, and great Leaders through the ages shows she has painstakenly researched the truths that have had some of the greatest impact in the lives of significant numbers of people. She is not offering her insights or rather her restatement of old truths as a new manuscript of reference to compete with or replace the Bible. To me what she covers in the book are things many of us have discovered in our lives or the lives of others to be true. This is the crux of the matter, if something is true, there is a reason why it is true. If something works it becomes an established principle that repeats itself again and again when the principle is applied. It does not matter who said it or how it was said if it is effectual in it's results then it has special significance. In watching the video and also reading the book, I was impressed with the energy and inspiration that was being expressed. It certainly was not negative energy or blasphemy against God. It was a treatise of encouragement in positive thought, faith, love, and expectation of doing more, experiencing more, achieving more and with an almost childlike faith an obvious confidence that good things will come forth. Without going into detail the emphasis on the "law of attraction" proves itself in the lives of people everyday and has done so through the ages. I liked the book and found it beneficial. Does it cover all the points of doctrine or my personal beliefs in ways perhaps I am accustomed to? No but that does not appear to be its purpose. With one broad sweep the book covers some of the most important truths that can bring some of the greatest changes for good in peoples lives. That seems to be the real issue, has it helped anyone? Apparently, it has helped thousands in many different ways. We may have our various religious positions but sometimes some things are presented in ways that differ from our personal approach and yet they may produce enormous beneficial results. To me "The Secret" is one of those things. No one is asked to leave their church, turn their backs on the Bible or become members of any new kind of cult, they are simply reminded of things that have been known by some through the ages that are powerful when applied in one's life. Thurman L. Faison, Author To The Spiritually Inclined (Volume 1)Book Review: A Bit Superficial, But a Great Achievement
Summary: 4 Stars
"The Secret" is an excellent beginner level book on the power of the human mind and the Creative Potential we all have in our lives.
That said, the operative word is "beginner" level. As numerous reviewers have pointed out, there are far more profound and detailed works on "manifesting," "power of the mind," etc. Still---how many people have ever READ or even HEARD ABOUT Wallace Wattles, F.W. Sears, Charles Fillmore, or even Esther Hicks, aka "Abraham?"
The genius of this work is that it has made these concepts palatable to mass consciousness---and I believe that is a very good thing.
Once people, who until now would never have entertained these ideas have "tasted" them, they can go on to more real in depth "how-to" material.
My personal favorite is the work of "Abraham," channeled by Esther Hicks. "Abraham" gives a far more comprehensive and really usable set of principles for effectively using the Law of Attraction in everyday life. The "Law of Attraction" CD set by Esther and Jerry Hicks is absolutely fantastic--with extremely clear distinctions and guidelines for people who really want to practice this material.
Many reviewers seem to be put off by the idea of "positive thinking"---and seem to feel that it doesn't work.
Well, a careful reading of The Secret will reveal that the real key is Positive FEELING, which is the result of CONSISTENT positive thinking. It is the power of our vibrational core energized by coherent positive feeling states that can really begin to make changes in our world.
Rhonda Byrne's The Secret just gives a taste of these principles and ideas. I would recommend interested readers go on to "Abraham's" Law of Attraction CD's mentioned above, or to the work of F.W. Sears for more in-depth usable information.
While some have commented that LOA principles are simply "feel-good" pap for Upper Middle Class Americans, I have personally known people (myself included) who have consistently applied these principles in real life with amazing results. So I absolutely know "The Secret" works when applied in a coherent manner over time.
All in Secret is an elegant, though somewhat superficial statement of LOA principles. But it has obviously struck a chord with the mass market---and hopefully will be a harbinger of a rise in mass consciousness. I liked the CD set equally---an excellent way to keep your mind and intention "in tune" while driving or throughout the day.
See my review on The Secret DVD for some more comments.
Book Review: A Book For Everyone
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent book for anyone. Just keep an open mind and be willing to change your life for the better.Book Review: A Book of Revelation
Summary: 5 Stars
In my opinion, this is a book of inner awakening. It is a confirmation of who you truly are. It confirms a realization of having the ability to create your lives in a very positive and affirmative way by the law of attraction which has existed from the beginning of times. It's very soul searching and comforting.