THE SECRET (2006 FILM)

'''The Secret''', a film — authorized by TS Production LLC, the copyright holder for the official site, theSecret.tv produced by Prime Time Productions, consists of a series of interviews and dramatisations related to "The Law of Attraction". Distributed through DVD, books, and online (through streaming media), the film has attracted interest from media figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and Larry King as well as criticism from the mainstream press.

Synopsis

''The Secret'', which is described as a self-help film, uses a documentary format to present the "Law of Attraction." This law is the "secret" that, according to the tagline, "has traveled through centuries to reach you." The film features short dramatized experiences and interviews of a "dizzying dream team of personal transformation specialists, spiritual messengers, feng shui masters, and moneymaking experts". ''The Secret of'' The Secret Greg Beato
As put forth in the film, the "Law of Attraction" principle posits that people's feelings and thoughts attract real events in the world into their lives; from the workings of the cosmos to interactions among individuals in their physical, emotional, and professional affairs. The film also suggests that there has been a strong tendency by those in positions of power to keep this central principle hidden from the public. The previews or "clues" to the film, show men who "uncovered the Secret...".

Chapters
Chapter 1	The Secret Revealed
Chapter 2	The Secret made Simple
Chapter 3	How to use the Secret
Chapter 4	Powerful Processes
Chapter 5	The Secret to Money
Chapter 6	The Secret to Relationships
Chapter 7	The Secret to Health
Chapter 8	The Secret to the World
Chapter 9	The Secret to You
Chapter 10	The Secret to Life

''Deleted Chapter''	Science of the Secret	Available on DVD.

Tenets

Julie Ann Storr, founder of Nibbana (Sydney) in a how-to of the film's tenets, reports, "it all starts with gratitude" Open the Gates of Manifestation Julie Ann Storr and Stephanie Whittaker of Montréal's ''The Gazette'' notes, "proponents ... talk about a universal intelligence that responds to our desires. The film encourages the viewer to see "the Universe [as] 'a catalog' that we can flip through and shop" and advises surrounding oneself with "positive" people. Visualization and Vision boards—anything on which one has placed images of what one wants—are recommended as aids for manifesting desires. Paul Harrington, the co-producer, uses his computer's screen saver as a vision board. ''The Secret'' lists three required steps — "ask, believe, receive" — as the essence of the Law of Attraction:

Step	Commentary by Gazette	Commentary by Nibbana
Ask	Know what you want and ask the universe for it.	This is where you need to get clear on what it is you want to create and visualise what you want as being as 'real' as possible.
Believe	Feel and behave as if the object of your desire is on its way.	Focus your thoughts and your language on what it is you want to attract. You want to feel the feeling of really 'knowing' that what you desire is on its way to you, even if you have to trick yourself into believing it – do it.
Receive	Be open to receiving it.	Pay attention to your intuitive messages, synchronicities, signs from the Universe to help you along the way as assurance you are on the 'right' path. As you align yourself with the Universe and open yourself up to receiving, the very thing you are wanting to manifest will show up.

In the earlier (first) edition Ester Hicks listed the three steps as: "ask, answer, receive". In the first edition, she describes the step "answer" as "an answer to what you're asking ... what the universe does for you". (Hicks declined to continue with the project, mentioning contractual issues in a letter to friends.)

Teachers of the Law of Attraction

The film interviews "professionals" and authors in the fields of quantum physics, psychology, metaphysics, coaching, theology, philosophy, finance, feng shui, medicine, and personal development, which they refer to as "secret teachers". Some of these individuals, at their Web sites, promote the film and their connection to it. A few of the individuals with only brief appearances do not specifically speak of the "Law of Attraction" in their interviews, so their support of the concepts is based on viewer assumption.
Individuals who focus on the "Law of Attraction", are interviewed in the film, and have later been featured on prominent American TV shows, are: John Assaraf, Dr. Rev. Michael Beckwith, Dr. John Demartini, Bob Proctor, Jack Canfield, James Arthur Ray, Dr. Joe Vitale, Lisa Nichols, Marie Diamond, and Dr. John Gray. Other people involved in the film, who have spoken of their strong belief in the Law of Attraction include Esther Hicks ''Shaking Riches Out of the Cosmos'' Allen Salkin (original edition only)^[1], Mike Dooley, Bob Doyle, David Schirmer, and Marci Shimoff. Others interviewed in the film, and who voice very similar views without actually using the phrase "Law of Attraction" include: Lee Brower, Hale Dwoskin, Cathy Goodman, Morris E. Goodman, Dr. John Hagelin, Bill Harris, Dr. Ben Johnson, Loral Langemeier, Dr. Denis Waitley, Neale Donald Walsch, and Dr. Fred Alan Wolf.
The film also includes quotes by historical figures who the film claims were "secret teachers". Rhonda Byrne, the producer, said in that context in a voice-over in the film, "I can't believe all the people who knew this; they were the greatest people in history," referring to them as "past secret teachers." The people identified include: Hermes Trismegistus, Buddha, Aristotle, W. Clement Stone, Plato, Isaac Newton, Martin Luther King, Carl Jung, Victor Hugo, Henry Ford, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Robert Collier, Winston Churchill, Andrew Carnegie, Joseph Campbell, Alexander Graham Bell, and Ludwig van Beethoven. The secret teachers — page at official website of ''The Secret'' film.

Historical foundations in New Thought ideas

''The Secret'' has been cited as having roots in New Thought ideas that began in the late 19th century.
:''Essentially, The Secret is ... touting the principles of New Thought and Unity Christianity. The teachers of The Secret have been regulars on the New Thought/Unity, Religious Science circuit for years - now more "prosperous" than ever.''
The New Thought book ''The Science of Getting Rich'', the source of Rhonda Byrne's inspiration for the film, was preceded by numerous other New Thought books, including the 1906 book ''Thought Vibration or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World'' by William Walker Atkinson, Thought Vibration or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World, , William Walker, Atkinson, Cornerstone, , (Out of copyright, published on the Internet) editor of ''New Thought magazine''. Other New Thought books Byrne is purported to have read include,
:''...self-help gurus, like Charles F. Haanel’s “The Master Key System” from 1912; Prentice Mulford’s 19th-century'' Thoughts Are Things;'' and Robert Collier’s ''Secret of the Ages'' from 1926.''
The fast-paced, opening sequences of the film portray the alleged history of ''The Secret'' — showing:
:''In a sequence titled,'' "'''The Secret was Buried''':"
:
★ The text of the Emerald Tablet being copied on to a scroll and given to a priest.
:
★ The Emerald Tablet being buried near the Pyramids of Giza.
:''Followed by a sequence titled,'' "'''The Secret was Coveted''':"
:
★ A Knight Templar giving the scroll to a Catholic priest.
:
★ Scroll with text of the Emerald Tablet being analyzed by alchemist St. Germain.
:
★ A drawing of the Azoth of the Philosophers in the alchemist' shop.
:''Followed by a sequence titled,'' "'''The Secret was Suppressed''':"
:
★ A series of brief scenes at a meeting in a contemporary board room.

Portrayal of ideas preceding the New Thought movement

''The Secret'' website cites the Emerald Tablet, purportedly by Hermes Trismegistus (purportedly a "secret teacher"), "as one of the most important historical documents known to mankind". Byrne posits that the earliest trace of "the secret" occurred in the Emerald Tablet, ''The secret to self distribution'' Kerry Sunderland followed much later by the Rosicrucians — a "secret order that espoused many of the ideas of The Secret." Mention is made of Victor Hugo and Ludwig van Beethoven's supposed membership in the order as well as Isaac Newton's purported work in translating the tablet.
Carolyn Sackariason of the ''Aspen Times'', when commenting about Byrne's intention to share ''The Secret'' with the world, identifies the Rosicrucians as keepers of ''The Secret'':
:''The Mastery of Life" [ a Rosicrucian teaching similar to ''The Secret'' ] is not difficult to grasp, but the secret of the Rosicrucian tradition has been protected and preserved for thousands of years, shown only to those who have proven a true desire to know.'' ''The big 'Secret' is finally out'' Carolyn Sackariason
Neither the words "Emerald Tablet" nor "Rosicrucian" are spoken in the film, however, at key transition points — in a subliminal flash — the screen image rapidly zooms in on the word "Rosicrucian".

Elements in opening sequences

Many elements pass quickly in the cinematic, historical sequences at the beginning of the film and are not explained or otherwise mentioned in the film (listed in the order in which they appear — excepting Rosicrucian element):

Element	Related detail	Significance
Page in a book, showing chapter title: "The World's Greatest Discovery"	From book: ''The Secret of the Ages'', by Robert Collier (appears during the first minute of the film)	Reported to be one of the books Byrne read in researching the Law of Attraction.
Book: ''A History of Egypt''	Shown for less than a second	Byrne's voice-over: "I began tracing the secret..."
An illustration in ''A History of Egypt''	Labeled, "Fig 13. The Emerald Tablet"	Initial mention of Emerald Tablet
Emerald Tablet	Authored by the "mythical deity," Hermes Trismegistus	The website claims, "perceived as one of the most important historical documents known to mankind"
Scroll	The film shows the text of the Emerald Tablet being copied on to a scroll	The film shows the copy being kept by a priest.
Book: ''The Life Power and How To Use It'' The Life Power And How To Use It, , Elizabeth, Towne, Kessinger, 1997, Use this link for an online version of the book.	by Elizabeth Towne, published in 1906 — wrote about New Thought ideas	First image in the sequence titled, "The Secret was Coveted"
Alchemist Saint Germain	Shown probing the secrets of the Emerald Tablet	Alchemy, the transforming of mind into matter.
Azoth of the Philosophers	A meditative emblem used by alchemist' and first published in 1659	"'Azoth' ... is one of the more arcane names for the One Thing" The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation, , Dennis William, Hauck, Penguin Arkana, , Use this link for an online extract from the book.

"Rosicrucian", as text — Note: the word "Rosicrucian" is not spoken in the film.	Appears briefly, 12 times in the film, at 0:22:43, 0:22:50, 0:45:16, 0:53:26, 0:53:30, 0:59:41, 0:59:45/46, 1:08:55, 1:08:59, 1:15:36, and 1:22:14	Described by the official website as "...a legendary and secret order that espoused many of the ideas of ''The Secret''"

Production

The film was created by Prime Time Productions of Melbourne Australia with Rhonda Byrne, executive producer; Paul Harrington, producer; and Drew Heriot, director. Gozer Media of Collingwood, a suburb of Melbourne, is the design house
responsible for the visual style and feel of the film and book. The Secret ''Press Release'' Gozer Media visual effects & graphic design — navigate web: motion > The Secret The Secret, , Rhonda, Byrne, Beyond Words, , Byrne's company TS Production LLC, a Hungarian company, is responsible for marketing and distribution of the film and book. Byrne commented about the research she did prior to making the film:
:''So I sat down and did a huge list of everything I had read ... and when I finished the list I handed it to them [the film production team]. They said that’s impossible, you couldn't read that many books in a year, two years, and I had read all of those books in two and a half weeks - and well, that's The Secret.''Two part interview of Rhonda Byrne made before the release of the film: ''The Secret will be revealed in 2006 - part 1 interview'' Julie Ann Storr and ''The Secret has been Revealed - part 2 interview'' Julie Ann Storr
Byrne's inspiration for creating ''The Secret'' came from reading the 1910 book ''The Science of Getting Rich'' by Wallace D. Wattles. The film was done as a project for Channel Nine an Australian TV Network. Nine put up less than 25% of the $3 million project ''Not a secret for long'' Jacinta Le Plastrier Aboukhater with additional funding from mortgaging Bryne's home and from an investment by Bob Rainone, "a former Internet executive in Chicago". Rainone became the CEO of one of Byrne's companies, The Secret LLC, and is described by Byrne as, "delivered to us from heaven". The Secret, , Rhonda, Byrne, Beyond Words, ,
Shooting of the interviews was done in July and August of 2005 with editing "effectively completed by Christmas time". ''A Conversation with'' The Secret ''co-producer Paul Harrington'' Betsy Chasse — this is an interview by one of the producers for the film, ''What the Bleep Do We Know!? About 55 teachers and authors were interviewed at locations including Chicago, Aspen, Alaska, and a Mexican Riviera Cruise (interviewing Esther Hicks). The film uses 24 of these teachers in the "Extended Edition" of the film. The first edition featured a 25th teacher, Esther Hicks, known "as the most prominent interpreter of the Law of Attraction". Since the first release of the DVD, Esther Hicks declined to continue with the project, mentioning contractual issues in a letter to friends. ''Letter to friends'' Her 10% share of sales netted the Hickses $500,000. As a result of this, scenes with Esther Hicks, are instead narrated by Lisa Nichols and Marci Shimoff. No other "secret teachers" received compensation for their appearance in the film — revealed by Bob Proctor in an interview ''Transcript With 'Secret' Contributor Bob Proctor'' Cynthia McFadden on Nightline. ''Science behind 'The Secret'?'' Cynthia McFadden
Betsy Chasse, one of the producers, directors, and screenwriters for ''What the Bleep Do We Know!?'' interviewed Paul Harrington, the co-producer of ''The Secret.'' In the interview, Harrington gave this description of Byrne's production methods:
:''We used the law of attraction during the making of the program. We went very unconventional, in terms of scheduling and budgeting. We allowed things to come to us... We just had faith that things would come to us.''
Channel Nine, after viewing the completed film, chose to not broadcast it. A new contract was negotiated with all DVD sales going Byrne's companies (Prime Time, and The Secret LLC). In hindsight, Len Downs of Channel Nine commented, "we looked at it and we didn't deem it as having broad, mass appeal". The film was eventually broadcast by Channel Nine on 3 February 2007. Downs reported that "it didn't do all that well".

Marketing

Packaging

The film has been described as a "slick repackaging" of the Law of Attraction, ''It's mind over what matters'' Denise Flaim a concept originating in the New Thought ideas of the late 19th century. '' Oprah Winfrey, New Thought, "The Secret" and the "New Alchemy"'' Terry Melanson In producing the film, the law was intentionally "packaged" with a focus on "wealth enhancement" — differing from the more spiritual orientation of the New Thought Movement. One of the film's backers stated, "we desired to hit the masses, and money is the number one thing on the masses' minds".

The Genie during a dramatization of "Your wish is my command."

Choosing to package the film's theme as a "secret" has been called an important component of the films popularity:
:''"It was an incredibly savvy move to call it 'The Secret'," says Donavin Bennes, a buyer who specializes in metaphysics for Borders Books. "We all want to be in on a secret. But to present it as ''the'' secret, that was brilliant." ''
Critics—in seeming descriptions of the film's packaging—describe the film as:

★ a "breathless pizzazz" for a tired self-help genre.

★ "emphatically cinematic" and "driven by images and emotions rather than logic"

★ a blend of Tony Robbins and The Da Vinci Code.

★ "the ''Unsolved Mysteries'' of infomercials"

Marketing campaign

The movie was advertised on the Internet using tease advertising and viral marketing techniques in which ''The Secret'' and the specific details of the film were not revealed. Additionally, Prime Time Productions grants written permission to individuals or companies, via application at the official site, to provide free screenings of the film to public audiences. Optionally, the DVD may be sold at these screenings.

Aggressive marketing

While continuing to speak highly of the film, Esther Hicks (presented as "secret teacher" in the first edition of the film) goes on to say "Jerry and I were uncomfortable with what felt to us like a rather aggressive marketing campaign (just not our style, nothing wrong with it)... allowing them to edit us out was the path of least resistance."

Reception

''The Secret'' has been reported as a "self-help phenomenon", ''Not sold on ''The Secret Reverend Vilius Dundzila
a "publishing phenomenon" '' 'The Secret,' a phenomenon, is no mystery to many '' Jane Lampman ,
and a "cultural phenomenon". ''Pop culture's best-kept Secret'' David F. Dawes
Several critics reported on the self-help phenomenon:

★ Julie Mason of the ''Ottawa Citizen'' (Canada) reports that
:''News of ''The Secret'' has spread like the Norwalk virus through Pilates classes, get-rich-quick websites and personal motivation blogs.'' ''The secrets of the secret'' Julie Mason

★ Jane Lampman of the ''Christian Science Monitor'' reports ''The Secret'' is becoming a brand with 'secret teachers' providing secret related seminars and retreats.

★ Jill Culora of the ''New York Post'' reports:
:''In countless Internet blogs, supporters of "The Secret" tell how shifting from negative to positive thoughts radically improved their lives.'' ''A 'secret' Oprah Craze Hits New Yorkers'' Jill Culora
The film became a publishing phenomenon in 2007 — helped by being featured on two episodes of ''Oprah'' — and reached number one on the Amazon DVD chart in March 2007. A book version, also called ''The Secret'' reached number one on ''The New York Times'' bestseller list. For much of February through April both the book and DVD versions were #1 or #2 at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Borders. The book's publisher, Simon & Schuster, did a second printing of 2 million — "the biggest order for a second printing in its history". ''Time'' reports brisk sales of the DVD through New Age bookstores, and New Thought churches, such as Unity, Religious Science and Agape International Spiritual Center. ''The Secret'' of Success Jeffrey Ressner

Cultural phenomenon

''The Secret'' is reportedly being discussed in "e-mails, in chat rooms, around office cubicles, [and] on blind dates". It is recognized as having a broad and varied impact on culture and is likened to a "Hollywood phenomenon". — ''New York Post''

Spoofs and parodies in TV shows

★ In the March 17, 2007 episode of ''Saturday Night Live'', cast members spoofed "The Secret" in a sketch with Oprah Winfrey (Maya Rudolph) interviewing Rhonda Byrne (Amy Poehler). SNL: Oprah on The Secret Includes a scene of a man in Darfur being scolded for his lousy attitude. Self-Help's Slimy 'Secret' Tim Watkin

★ The film was parodied in the ''Boston Legal'' episode "Brotherly Love," where Denny Crane tried to use the "Law of Attraction" to draw Raquel Welch to him (he was planning to move on to world peace if successful).

★ On May 16, 2007 the concept was parodied on ''The Chaser's War on Everything'', a satirical comedy program on Australia's ABC network. Official site The show provided an analysis of ''The Secret'', with various themes and theories of the film tested to see if they work in real life. It was the first subject of the segment "Nut Job of the Week".

Critics having satirical fun

★ Pulitzer Prize-winning political columnist Maureen Dowd invoked "The Secret" while wondering if wishful thinking could lead to a change in the White House.

★ Greg Beato, of ''Reason'', imaginatively reported:
:''...if you think really, really hard, say, about vigorously cavorting with Salma Hayek on a soft, fluffy bed of Google Series A preferred stock, you will emit a magnetic signal to the universe that will make your vision a reality.''

Public response — favorable quotes

★ ''Some say they watch the DVD repeatedly, and have uncovered new secrets within "The Secret" with every viewing.'' — ''New York Post''

★ ''"I was resistant at first," says Julia Holmes, a Los Angeles resident who saw the DVD on the day after Christmas. "But after watching it, I decided to play a game. I was late for a yoga class and I thought about a particular place in the room next to a wall that I wanted to be in. When I got there, the space was open. I went through the rest of the day smiling to myself and thinking, this stuff works."'' — ''Time'' magazine

★ ''Cathy Jacobs -- owner of Angels Cappuccino and Ice Cream Cafe, a small operation ... has sold nearly 1,400 copies of the DVD. Jacobs says customers buy several copies at a time to give as gifts.'' — ''Calgary Herald'' ''The Secret is out'' Tonya Zelinsky

Public response — unfavorable quotes

★ ''Critics of ''The Secret,'' and even some fans, are bothered by its obsession with using ancient wisdom to acquire material goods.'' — ''Time'' magazine

★ ''...the whole idea that any of this is a "secret" is widely considered a joke.'' — ''New York Post''

★ ''To some this seems laughable, like the Tooth Fairy or Ouija boards. To others it’s downright offensive — where does God fit into this DIY [do-it-yourself] existence?'' — Beliefnet

Broadcast coverage

''The Secret'' has been featured on national talk and news programs for TV and radio.

Talk show circuit

★ Two special episodes of the ''Larry King Live'' Show on November 2, 2006 The Power of Positive Thoughts — transcripts. and November 16, 2006. The Power of Positive Thinking — transcripts. The episodes are called "The Power of Positive Thoughts" and "The Power of Positive Thinking."

★ On December 1, 2006, comedian Ellen DeGeneres followed suit by presenting two of ''The Secret'' teachers on ''The Ellen DeGeneres Show''.

★ Oprah Winfrey presented two episodes on ''The Secret'': "Discovering The Secret". - text summary on February 8, 2007 and "The Reaction". - text summary on February 16, 2007.

★ ''The Montel Williams Show'' presented Jack Canfield and real life stories of the Law of Attraction in an episode titled "Unlocking Secrets to Success" Unlocking Secrets to Success on March 12, 2007.

★ On March 29, 2007 Oprah Winfrey invited Law of Attraction expert and channel Esther Hicks to discuss the controversy of "The Secret Behind The Secret" - text summary on her radio show, ''Oprah & Friends''.

★ On April 5, 2007 Winfrey interviewed Hicks about her involvement with the original version of "The Secret" and questions "non-physical entities Abraham-Hicks" (channelled by Esther) about the 9/11 terrorist attacks, disease, children, and how they all relate to "The Law of Attraction — on ''Oprah & Friends'', titled "Esther Hicks and the Law of Attraction". - text summary

News shows

★ ''The Today Show''^[2] with Matt Lauer interviewed James Arthur Ray and reported that Byrne had canceled her appearance at the last minute the day of the show, February 27, 2007.

★ The March 25, 2007 edition of ''Nightline'' with Cynthia McFadden discussed the universal Law of Attraction and "The Secret" criticism by mainstream institutions with secret teacher Bob Proctor.

Interviews of purported "secret teachers"

Contributors featured in the film have been interviewed on various TV shows. These comments have been made by them:

★ '''James Ray,''' interviewed by Harry Smith on ''The Early Show'' (CBS), aired Mar. 1, 2007: Early Show: Experts Debate Self-Help Phenomenon Harry Smith
:''SMITH: If I get this straight, the secret of The Secret is, "ask — believe — receive". Is it as simple as that?''
:''RAY: Well that's one of the author's interpretations. I believe that you have to think, feel, and act...''

★ '''Bob Proctor,''' interviewed by Cynthia McFadden on ''Nightline'' (ABC), aired Mar. 23rd, 2007:
:''McFADDEN: Given the fact that so many of these ideas have been written about before...why do you think this book [and film] has struck a chord?''
:''PROCTOR: ...I think she [Rhonda Byrne] has an understanding or a way with this that no one’s ever had before. I’ve been in this [ New Thought ] industry for thirty-eight years and I have never seen anything that will even come close to this''.

★ '''Joe Vitale,''' on ''Larry King Live'' (CNN), "The Secret" episode aired Mar. 8th, 2007: Larry King Live Larry King
:''CALLER: I'm just curious, where does God come into the whole "Secrets".''
:''VITALE: God is all of us. God is the secret and everything about it. This is a law from God.''

Criticism

Editorial coverage

Catherine Bennett, of the London based ''Guardian'' compares the behavior of the leader of the UK Conservative Party to the principles espoused in film. Touching on themes of greed and blaming-the-victim, Bennett asserts the film is a "moronic hymn to greed and selfishness" and that it "nastily suggests that victims of catastrophe are the authors of their misfortunes". ''Only an idiot could take'' The Secret ''seriously'' Catherine Bennett
''Slate'' Human Guinea Pig, Emily Yoffe, experimented with living according to The Secret's precepts for two months, concluding that the film/book's message was "pernicious drivel." Yoffe found it particularly "repulsive" for its tendency to blame the victim and its suggestion to "not just blame people for their illness, but to shun them, lest you start being affected by their bummer thoughts, too."
Journalist Jeffrey Ressner, reporting in ''Time'', writes that some critics are concerned with the film’s attitude toward "using ancient wisdom to acquire material goods." In one example in the film, "a kid who wants a red BMX bicycle cuts out a picture in a catalog, concentrates real hard, and is rewarded with the spiffy two-wheeler."
Jerry Adler of ''Newsweek'' notes that despite the film's allusions to conspiratorially suppressed ancient wisdom, the notions presented by the motivational speakers who make up the film's cast have been commonplace for decades. Adler notes that the film is ethically "deplorable," fixating on "a narrow range of middle-class concerns — houses, cars, vacations, followed by health and relationships, with the rest of humanity a very distant sixth." Noting that the scientific foundations of the movie are clearly dubious, the ''Newsweek'' article quotes psychologist John Norcross, characterizing it as "pseudoscientific, psychospiritual babble." ''Decoding The Secret'' Jerry Adler
In an article for the Chicago Reader, Julia Rickert questions the validity and authenticity of certain quotations attributed by the film to "past secret teachers". The article describes the extensive, unsuccessful efforts by Rickert to verify a quote claimed to be by "secret teacher" Ralph Waldo Emerson — "The secret is the answer to all that has been, all that is, and all that will ever be". Rickert also examines a quotation in the film by Winston Churchill. She claims Byrne has taken it out of context in order to suggest Churchill held beliefs in accord with The Law of Attraction — “You create your own universe as you go along". Rickert points out that the full context shows that Churchill found such ideas "perfectly useless".
Karin Klein, editorial writer for the ''Los Angeles Times'', called The Secret "just a new spin on the very old (and decidedly not secret) The Power of Positive Thinking [book by Norman Vincent Peale (1952)] wedded to 'ask and you shall receive'." The editorial, in one of its strongest criticisms, asserted Rhonda Byrne "took the well-worn ideas of some self-help gurus, customized them for the profoundly lazy, [and] gave them a veneer of mysticism..." ''Self-help gone nutty'' Karin Klein
Tony Riazzi, columnist for the ''Dayton Daily News'', also questions the merits of ''The Secret,'' calling Byrne's background as a reality TV producer a "red flag." He also said that "The Secret's" ideas are nothing more than "common sense. Take out the buzzwords and pseudo religious nonsense about what you 'manifest' for yourself, ignore the vague prose and you get the message that thinking positively serves you better than thinking negatively." '' 'The secret' secret: just be happy'' Tony Riazzi

Criticism of health claims

ABC news referred to claims that the mind has power over our health as "perhaps the most controversial" in ''The Secret''. They quote Rev. Michael Beckwith, founder of Agape International Spiritual Center ''The Secret'' of Success Jeffrey Ressner in Culver City, California, and one of ''The Secret'' "teachers" as saying: "I've seen kidneys regenerated. I've seen cancer dissolved." ''The Secret'' to Success? Frank Mastropolo The film features one man who was paralyzed, mute, and on a ventilator after his spine and diaphragm were crushed in an airplane accident. He credits his full recovery to the power of his mind. A similar story is told by another interviewee whose breast cancer went into spontaneous remission without medical intervention.
Several critics have expressed concern about detrimental effects the film may have on the health and well-being of individuals. Dr. Richard Wender, president of the American Cancer Society, worries that guidelines in the film will prompt others to "reject helpful therapies in favor of positive thinking", even though the film verbally asserts that traditional medicine should be pursued for serious illness.^[3] Julia Mckinnell of Canada's Maclean's Magazine in a commentary about the film and book titled, "Some people are finding the self-help phenomenon is actually screwing them up", cited several real-life cases of alleged detrimental effects. She closed with a line Oprah used when urging a guest to seek medical attention for cancer: "The Secret is merely a tool; it's not treatment." ''Some people are finding the self-help phenomenon is actually screwing them up'' Julia Mckinnell
On the spiritual side, Valerie Reiss, in a review for BeliefNet, expressed concerns that others might get into "head-tripping" on negative thoughts as she did when younger.
:''I would realize I was thinking negative thoughts, which would trigger more thoughts about how awful I was for thinking negative thoughts and how I was ruining my life with those thoughts, and so on and so on, until my head was ready to explode with all the bad juju. The only thing that freed me from that loop was something else I also learned that summer at the ashram, meditation.'' ''The Hubris of 'The Secret' '' Valerie Reiss

Religious criticism

Mark Earley—president of Prison Fellowship, a group of ministries founded by Charles Colson — in a commentary titled "New Book, Old Lie", claims "Byrne’s hot new trend" repeats "the oldest lie there is — 'You shall be like God'." Earley asserts this is a prescription for "misery". ''New Book, Old Lie'' Mark Earley
''USA Today'' reported on the impact ''The Secret'' has had on New Thought churches, such as First Unity Church of St. Petersburg, Florida, led by Rev. Temple Hayes. The church uses the film and book as a teaching tool. James Trapp, CEO of the Association of Unity Churches, calls 'The Secret' "superficial" and Mr. Hayes amends ''The Secret''s promise of everything-is-yours-to-have with "...you may face some pain along the way. Nothing comes easy." ''Secret history of 'The Secret' '' Marco R. della Cava
Prof. John Stackhouse, Professor of Theology and Culture at Regent College in Vancover, Canada, in a commentary at his blog, calls the film "the newest packaging for gnosticism". He portrays the film's message as just another choice among many religions to choose from, not the "Lowest Common Denominator of all religions". And notes:
:''[The film] is wishful thinking that does not correspond to the way things are. Some of it does, yes, which is why people can honestly testify to good things resulting from it. But some of it does not...'' ''Oprah’s Secret: New? Old? Good? Bad?'' Prof. John Stackhouse
Stackhouse finds the good in the film "genuinely nourishing" and the bad "genuinely toxic". He makes it clear he is "...all for proper positive thinking" — the alleged good aspect of the film — and finds fault with Christian culture for not being better at it:
:''By God’s grace to us, we know better, we know Christ and his Gospel of new life, and yet often we have failed to speak to the spiritual realities so skillfully addressed by proponents of The Secret.''
The alleged toxins are, in Stackhouse's eyes, a spiritually lethal concoction. The identified "poisons" include:

★ "blaming the victim"

★ "refusal to admit" that life has worthwhile "trade-offs ... [and] sacrifices"

★ "It’s all about me and it’s all up to me"

Criticism of the Law of Attraction

Main articles: Law of Attraction#Criticism, l1=Law of Attraction

The Law of Attraction is the essence of the film's message. The film's presentation of the law has been criticized for claiming "quantum physics is a part of the Law", Secret attraction Stephanie Whittaker for not getting it right according to New Thought practitioners, and for mistakenly usurping the role of God.

Criticism of society

A number of critics wrote hard hitting satirical comments about society's relationship to the film.

★ Karin Klein, of the ''Los Angeles Times'', on greed:
:''Americans are never too jaded for another get-rich-quick chimera... My sister says I'm over-intellectualizing. She, after all, had manifested a fine leather satchel. And I have to admit, if there were designer leather goods to be had out of this, I was interested.

★ Emily Yoffe, writing for ''Slate'', ran with a quote by one of the "past secret teachers" — a quote from Einstein that never made it into the film:
:''Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.'' ''I've Got ''The Secret Emily Yoffe

★ Catherine Bennett, writing for the ''Guardian'' describes adherence to ''The Secret's'' "law of attraction" as:
:''[a] creed so transparently ugly and stupid that it seems impossible that anyone could take it seriously.''

Legal controversies

The Australian Nine Network's A Current Affair—an Australian TV tabloid show—on 14 May 2007 segment titled, "''The Secret'' Stoush", interviews Australian author Vanessa J. Bonnette. In the interview, Bonnette—when referring to the book version of ''The Secret''—asserts, "that is my work and Rhonda Byrne has stolen it". — requires Windows platform. Bonnette and a reporter compare her book to Byrne's on the use of the "TV transmission" analogy. Although similar, Byrne's text is not a copy of Bonnette's. Bonnette submits the plagiarism is in the form of having the "exact same analogy, exact same concept". Bennette's book, ''Empowered for the New Era'' (2003 Empowered For Life) is out of print. Bonnette, at her website, claims 100 instances of plagiarism. Secret Scandal Byrne's marketing company, TS Production LLC, has responded with a lawsuit to restrain Bonnette. From the statement of claim:
:''Analogy between frequency transmissions, including a television station transmission via a frequency, and humans and human thought is used by many persons in the field of self-help and motivation.'' Self-help gurus take plagiarism battle to court Russell Robinson
David Schirmer, the "investment guru"—and only Australian—in the film, has his business activities under investigation by the Australian Securities Investment Commission (ASIC). This was reported on 1 June 2007 by A Current Affair in a segment titled "The Secret Con" with those words and ''The Secret'' logo appearing in the background behind the newscaster. The show initially confronted Schirmer in a segment titled "The Secret Exposed", aired on 28 May 2007, with complaints from people who say Schirmer owed them money. — requires Windows platform.

Releases

Paul Harrington, the co-producer for the film, reported that broadcast TV—instead of the Internet—was initially planned as the medium for the first release:
:''...we had as our vision to go out to the whole world in 24 hours on television. It was a grand vision, which we weren’t able to pull off for various reasons. We were trying to force, to control the “how” of the universe, when what we were supposed to do was just focus on the vision...''

Release dates

''The Secret'' premiere was broadcast through the Internet on March 23, 2006 using Vividas technology. It is still available either on a pay-per-view basis via streaming media (or on DVD at theSecret.tv, the official site for the film). A new extended edition of ''The Secret'' was released to the public on October 1, 2006. The Australian television premiere was on Nine Network on Saturday, February 3, 2007.

Future releases and spin-offs

Plans have been announced to produce a sequel to ''The Secret'' and a spin-off TV series. ''Syndication 'Secret' Revealed'' Chris Pursell An August release is planned for the sequel [source dated end of 2006] and "spinoff books expected in 2007 are The Secret Workbook and a collection of The Secret Success Stories".

'''Regarding film's theme''' ★ Law of Attraction ★ Intentionality ★ Gratitude ★ Propositional attitude	'''Related academic research tools/concepts''' ★ Heuristic ★ Affect (psychology) ★ Attitude (psychology) ★ Anchoring
'''Regarding negative criticism''' ★ Magical thinking / Wishful thinking ★ Just-world phenomenon ★ Victim blaming ★ Affect heuristic	'''Related lists''' ★ List of cognitive biases ★

References

1. "Esther Hicks" explains the secret behind "The Secret."
2. "What's ''The Secret'' to Happiness?" The Today Show - Video
3. "The Secret", , Rhonda, Byrne, Beyond Words Publishing, 2006, ISBN 13: 978-1582701707

External links

★ Official website for the film

★ 'The Secret' is out" — Courier Post serving South Jersey (New Jersey)

★ USA Today article, "The Secret"

★ CBS Eye to Eye with Katie Couric: "''The Secret''"

★ "A Secret That's Spreading" — ABC's World News

★ "Exposing ''The Secret''" — Listen Up TV. "Listen Up" is a Canadian television newsmagazine that addresses Christian issues.

★ "The Secret" Community

★ The Toronto Sun article, "Milking it?: Three authors are following up on''The Secret''"

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