Last year's film release,
The Secret,
makes no secret about it's intentions: to let the world know that
humanity is on the brink of a new era. This new era will open up to
humanity unleashed power, riches, creativity and all that we ever
dreamed of. A "secret" that has been locked away for centuries is now
available to all.
The film, available only on DVD or online, is promoted by celebrities
like Oprah and Larry King....
News & Observer explains just how this "Secret" works:
"In the film, viewers learn to ask for
what they want. And, if they believe it, they will receive it.
"It sounds simple enough, but here's the catch: If you're cynical,
sad, depressed and resigned that nothing will change, nothing will.
Thoughts are so powerful, the teachers insist, that you attract what
you think about, even if you don't want it. Get it?"1
It's these "teachers," both ones from the
past and present day ones, that The Secret uses to reveal this
hidden knowledge. Present day teachers include
Jack Canfield
... and an assortment of philosophers, writers, and visionaries who
share their insights on the "Secret":
"We have a magnificent inner calling,
vision, mission, power inside us that we are not honoring and
harnessing," says philosopher and "Secret" teacher John Demartini....
"This movie brings it to the forefront that we can [harness that
power]."2
Larry King calls the DVD the "most profound
information he has run across in 40 years."
The film focuses on the "law of attraction" and was produced by
Australian-born screenwriter and producer Rhonda Byrne... came to
believe that it "was part of every religion, including Christianity,
Hinduism and Buddhism."
In the trailer of the movie, it begins by showing a genie from a lamp,
who tells the beholder "your wish is my command." Research analyst Ray
Yungen explains this concept:
[T]the genie represent[s] the Higher
Self, who was reached through meditation by staring at the flame of
an oil lamp. It was believed that a person could have whatever he or
she wanted, once in touch with it. Our word genius comes from this
Latin word for spirit guide and now means a person with great
creative power.3
The premise of this is that we all have a
divine essence within us, and we just need to get in touch with it. In
other words, as panentheists teach, God is in all of creation, including
all human beings, and once a person becomes aware of this, there are no
limits to what he can achieve. Yungen elaborates:
Once a person merges with the Higher
Self, he is on his way to empowerment, meaning he is capable of
creating his own reality. Basically, all power is within the Higher
Self, so when one is in tune with it, he can run his own show....
Metaphysicians believe that we all create our own circumstances
anyway, so when we are guided and empowered by our Higher Self, we
can consciously co-create with it.4
What is so alarming about The Secret
is that it shares the same mystical view as the contemplative prayer
movement, which is that all is one. The Secret film constantly
makes reference to "the universal mind." This is the same mindset that
Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, and Tilden Edwards had. Listen:
"The human family is one in God's
spirit"--Edwards5
Thomas Merton said he believed that all religions share "the
experience of divine light"6
Nouwen believed that "it is in the heart of God that we can come to
the full realization of the unity of all that is"7
...meditation is becoming an integral part
of our society, in every facet: education, business, government,
entertainment, health and religion. And with most Christian leaders
promoting contemplative spirituality to at least some degree,
Christendom is being affected dramatically....
Now the Spirit expressly says that in
latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving
spirits and doctrines of demons."
The endnote references are listed at
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=208
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