"The Secret" (discussion)

[Arctic_Slicer]

Has any one else ever seen this movie? I first saw it a couple of months ago and thought it was one of the most inspirational movies I have seen in awhile. while the movie might seem kind of ridiculous it's message is an important one. Even if don't believe the movie; it doesn't hurt to have a positive outlook on life and focus on the things you want rather than the things you don't want. This is a movie I recommend everyone to see as it really is worth watching.

Anyway you can view the official website here.

[Aredhel]

I haven't seen it, but all of my buddies have and they're trying to get me to sit long enough to do it.

I don't agree with everything they've told me, as you say, but there are some good things about it, to be sure!

[Vlawde]

It doesn't really say what it is..seems real vague and "mysterious"...and of course expensive. Add to that the fact Oprah has been touting it...bleh.

I'm guessing it's a touchy-feely self motivation/positive thinking thing.

[Arctic_Slicer]

Originally Posted by Vlawde

It doesn't really say what it is..seems real vague and "mysterious"...and of course expensive. Add to that the fact Oprah has been touting it...bleh.

I'm guessing it's a touchy-feely self motivation/positive thinking thing.

Not really. It's more of a philosophical kind of film. Basically all people have the ability to attract the things they think about. If you think about debt a lot; you will attract more debt. I f you think about war; you will attract more war. However if you focus you thoughts on money or peace will begin to attract what you want instead of more of what you don't want.

I am a pessimistic person by nature and it's easy for me to dismiss the whole thing as a load of bull. However the movie has some really good points and just a simple change of attitude can do a lot for a person. Ever since I saw the movie a couple of months ago I decided that I would try it because after all it couldn't hurt. I am still not convinced it really "works" but the simple act of thinking more positively has made me much more aware of opportunities I most certainly would have missed had been in the pessimistic mindset that has me believe I am not worthy. Granted I am still a far way away from being a truly optimistic person but working trying to be has really changed my life.

[RandomPixie]

The thing is, I have tried this approach, and it DOES work. We're in a physical realm, where it takes longer to manifest our desires, thoughts etc. But it DOES work. Positive thinking has a lot going for it.

[Ysharros]

Even for skeptics it's difficult to deny that you are what you think, to mis-quote Descartes and various diet gurus. That principle is one of the bases of cognitive therapy (not to mention lots of eastern philosophy) and works extremely well for most people - generally better than lying on a sofa for an hour a week telling someone about your mother.

(Apologies to the Freudians in the audience. I am not one.)

I have not seen this movie and most likely won't - an excess of self-helping zeal can make me just as suspicious as an excess of cynical jadedness... but mostly I just don't watch as many movies as I used to. (Books are another matter!) However, there's absolutely nothing wrong with motivating oneself to become a better person -- how else do you change the world but by starting with yourself? It beats the heck out of being complacent and expecting the world to "do for you" as so many do.

For an optimist, I'm really cynical. Or vice-versa.

[Aredhel]

You're just.....Ysh! Nuff said!

[Vlawde]

As the old saying goes.."As a man thinks, so shall he be"

Not 100% accurate quote, but you get the idea. Yeah, I agree with that concept

[Kethra]

I think therefore I am?

[Ysharros]

Or, as W C Fields put it, I drink therefore I am!

Who took the cork out of my lunch?!

(This from someone who can't tolerate alcohol as she gets older. Did I mention that getting older... etc etc)