The Secret Remixed: It’s Not About The Stuff!

The Way of The Peaceful Warrior The Secret Remixed: How Does The Law of Attraction Work?

April 1st, 2007 by Nneka -- Bookmark on del.icio.us

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Ever since Steve Pavlina wrote about the Law of Attraction almost a year ago now, I’ve had mixed feelings about the cat getting out of the bag. You see, I was taught the Law of Attraction (thoughts held in mind produce after their kind) growing up. When I saw that post I was exuberant that someone else, not from my family or church (a normal person), got wind of it and was telling the world about it. So, as news of the Secret spread on the Internet, and now in the real world through Larry King and Oprah, I’ve reserved judgement about the presentation. Until now…

But first, I’d like to know how you feel about the Law of Attraction. After all, this is Monday Musings

I’ll be back later on in the day to share my thoughts.

I’m back!

Like the early commentors I think that the Law of Attraction is real, but the Secret grossly oversimplifies it and presents it out of context. So, I started to write about some of the ideas that should be presented with the Secret and the essay became longer than a post.

So, I’m breaking it up. I hope you don’t mind.

Part 1: It’s Not About The Stuff!

This was the most glaring problem with the Secret. Most of it was about getting more stuff for me. Now, before you start accusing me of having problems with wealth and ideas of money, take a moment to think about it. You are endowed with the great gift of being able to manifest things by your thoughts. Do you use that ability solely to manifest your dream car, dream house, dream man, and dream body?

It’s about taking responsibility for your life. Rather than say that your life is hell because of your circumstances, you now have information that you can use to change your life. It’s not as much about getting the car, as it is about expanding your ideas about where money comes from and how much of it there is available in the world. You can now turn your attention from not having enough, to seeing just how much you have.

I’m not talking about starving children in Africa. Leave them out of it. I’m talking about you and me. The folks who can afford to sit at computers and read and write at liberty. At the very least, that means that we have shelter, clothing and electricity. If you don’t know where your next meal is coming from, take a look around at the resources available to you.

Chances are if you’re reading this post you know where your next meal is coming from, but I’ll hand it to you, you may not know how you’re going to make your house payment. The Law of Attraction is about taking a look around you and noticing all that you already have. And yes, by recognizing what you already have available, you might just stumble upon some resources that you weren’t aware of. A talent that you weren’t using, like babysitting the neighborhood kids for parents night out. Or, money you didn’t know you had, like clothes in your closet that you wore once 5 years ago and are holding onto.

It’s not magic. It’s just a shift in your attention.

It’s about creating your world. Given that you have this precious gift: to create the life that you want by changing your thoughts. Why stop there? Why not create the world that you want? We’re always talking about erradicating hunger, global warming, and poverty, why not use our ability to create to do something about these issues?

I’m not one to jump on every cause, but one that I firmly believe in is peace. I had to ask myself the question: How much peace can I expect in the world when I’m constantly bickering with those close to me? Not much.

Ask yourself, how can I expect to eradicate world hunger when I throw left overs into the garbage every night? How can I prevent global warming when I drive my SUV 2 miles to the grocery store for toothpaste?

The Law of Attraction doesn’t just work with your thoughts and your words, it works with your actions. You can use it to align your thoughts, words, and deeds to create the world that you want. At the very least, stop complaining about the things you are not willing to change. You are only making it a bigger issure than it already is!

Put the stuff aside for a moment and just contemplate the magnitude of power that you have within you if you can indeed change what you see on the outside by changing your thoughts. Does it just mean that you can manifest a million dollars? And what next? You can manifest a million more. Think about the true implications of being able to create the life that you want for yourself, your children, and the world.

It’s hardly about the stuff people.

In Spirit,
Nneka

Entry Filed under: Spirituality, Personal Development, Monday Musings

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21 Comments Add your own

1. Steve Olson | April 1st, 2007 at 10:52 pm

I’ll just say the popularity of “The Secret” doesn’t insure people will be able to use it. Simply knowing there is a law of attraction and practicing it is quite different.

The biggest issue I have with the current packaging, is that it is over simplified. It has also overheated.
2. Rick Cockrum | April 1st, 2007 at 11:56 pm

The way it is often presented is, as Steve said, oversimplified. I’ve never much liked the label itself. The way it is often expressed seems like an attempt to create changes in circumstances without creating meaningful personal change. It’s kind of like shopping for a new stove while your roof is leaking.
3. Attila Borcsa | April 2nd, 2007 at 9:10 am

It is a secret that everybody knows by now. The way it is presented is just hilarious. Besides agreeing with Steve and Rick on the oversimplified issue, I would add that it is presented in a quite infantile way. Using the cheapest marketing tricks. Basically I see it as a rephrasing of the ancient thought of “ask and you shall be given”. Usually I am a fan of actualization, but this secretive one is an unsuccessful attempt.
4. Nneka | April 2nd, 2007 at 3:39 pm

Hi guys, so you all agree that it is grossly oversimplified, what do you think should be added to make it more complete?

Cheers,
Nneka
5. Steve Olson | April 2nd, 2007 at 10:13 pm

Nneka,
While my initial comment my have sounded negative, I am not critcizing Oprah and Rhonda Byrne. I think the over simplification was required to reach the masses.

Everything humans create starts with thought. EVERYTHING! There is not a murder or a good deed that didn’t start first with a thought. There is not a skyscraper or sod home that didn’t start with a thought.

So if “The Secret” gets more people to be aware that they have some control over thier thoughts and therefore thier lives, I think it’s a great thing.

The problem right now is that the LOA is overheated and is becoming a caricature of itself.

“The Secret” reminds me alot of KISS in 1979. If you were young back them you’ll know what I mean. I saw it today on an end cap at Target. Hardly the place you’d find a real SECRET.
6. Walks The Edge | April 3rd, 2007 at 5:12 pm

I hope it’s not rude to stick an URL in a comment, but I posted something the other day that supports and expands on what you’re saying … It’s called the Five Pricless Pay-offs from Reading the Secret and guess what, not one of them is about money. It’s about the life-transforming process of following principles like taking responsibliity, which you mention in your post. Here’s the link if you’re interested in checking it out. http://walkstheedge.com/?p=49
7. Paula | April 4th, 2007 at 7:32 am

Thanks Nneka and Walks the Edge for sharing other payoffs from the principles of The Secret/LOA. Every
day I am amazed by how my simple intention for “the highest good” transmutes a seemingly negative situation into something positive. How sweet it is!
8. The Secret Remixed: How D&hellip | April 4th, 2007 at 10:34 am

[…] The Secret Remixed: It’s Not About The Stuff! […]
9. Belle | April 4th, 2007 at 2:03 pm

I like to think that LOA is about “more than just the stuff”. One thing that LOA has taught me is that it’s okay to like having the stuff. It’s okay to desire far more than that, too. For me it’s definitely been a spiritual road, learning the art of allowing.

I’m not sure if you’ve seen the first version of the Secret, the one which featured Abraham-Hicks. I found that there was more of a “it’s about more than just the stuff” tone to it as a result of Abraham-Hick’s participation - there definitely was a glimpse of the more spiritual aspects of LOA.

It’s kind of an odd thing, really. I think the way the movie is now, without Abraham, makes it more mainstream and acceptable, but the way it was, with Abraham and Esther Hicks, was a more encompassing examination of LOA for beginners. Abraham easily answers all the “tough” spiritual questions that naysayers of LOA reach for to stump the Secret speakers, but at the same time, if Abraham had been in it, the movie probably wouldn’t have gone so mainstream and wouldn’t have attracted all that criticism to begin with!
10. April 8th Edition is Up!&hellip | April 8th, 2007 at 10:14 pm

[…] It’s too bad that Nneka’s outstanding post The Secret Remixed: It’s Not About the Stuff! didn’t make it into the edition… may have been a blog carnival hiccup, an oversight, or a hosting decision. Whatever the reason, it’s been featured now. The article and the conversation that follows it is just too good for me to leave out. […]
11. Joanna | April 9th, 2007 at 7:48 am

When I first watched the Secret, I was all for it. And so were my friends, everyone were wanting to earn more money within next 2 months or a new car or something. But with time the “stuff question” appeared in my mind and didn’t stop nagging me. Sure, I want a decent level of life. But there’s so much more to have than the stuff…thank you for this post Nneka
12. Vertegram&hellip | April 16th, 2007 at 2:57 am

How much of a secret is The Secret?…

After being asked by quite a few people about The Secret.tv’s product, here is my take on it. From the beginning, I am stating that this article is not about the actual law of attraction. The formula of the law of attraction is valid and everybod…
13. Evolving Times » La&hellip | April 17th, 2007 at 3:00 pm

[…] Nneka presents The Secret Remixed: It’s Not About The Stuff! posted at Balanced Life Center. I’ve been telling people “It’s not about the stuff” for years. So reading Nneka’s entry was a great reminder and reinforcement of this important but sometimes overlooked aspect of the Law of Attraction. […]
14. Shama Hyder | April 18th, 2007 at 10:47 am

I agree with Steve Olson 110%. Simply knowing the Law of Attraction and being able to apply it are two completely different things.
15. Andy Schmitt | April 19th, 2007 at 3:19 pm

You must admit that The Secret is a great way to get the information out in a format that can reach and touch millions of people. It is our responsibility to take that information and then dive further into the meaning. Once we get past “the stuff” there is so much more to the Law of Attraction.

All the best,

Andy
16. OptimistLab&hellip | April 20th, 2007 at 1:54 am

The Carnival of Deliberate Creation #4: 4/19/07…

Welcome to the fourth edition of the Carnival of Deliberate Creation. This carnival is all about providing resources for those interested in the Law of Attraction. This week we have an excellent (and extensive!) collection of articles and posts present…
17. Cardin Routh | April 20th, 2007 at 2:25 am

Hi Nneka,

Thanks so much for your article, it was a pleasure to include it in the Carnival of DC.

One of the coolest things I learned from Abraham-Hicks is that “the stuff”, as fun as it can be, isn’t the main event–it’s choosing to be happy, empowered, good-vibe-y, and focused on the present moment, no matter what happens (and knowing that you can) that is the real point of working consciously with the LOA. The stuff is just sort of “dessert”.
18. Alison Lee | May 5th, 2007 at 10:12 am

Belle is right. The original version of The Secret was better appreciated by beginners.

Many people do not really understand the real secret, Law of Attraction. Most of them just think that by having positive thinking is all that is needed.

By having positive thinking is only a start. We need to inject emotion and more into our thoughts before any manifesting can occur. Manifesting can occur in many ways, like opportunities turning up unexpectedly. But if you do not take action on it, it is as good as none… however when you have that passion and belief in it, I am sure you would have jumped at the chance!

Your readers might be interested in this Bob Proctor interview report in which he shares with us what he thinks of the Law Of Attraction :
http://www.abundanceattracting.com/bob/

Keep up the great content in your blog!

Love,
Alison
19. Carnival of Healing 101 &&hellip | September 1st, 2007 at 3:01 pm

[…] In the Doing category, which is a part of Being, is another interesting blog as we are re-organize our realities, Nneka’s blog has the same philosophies about the Spiritual Movement, or Human Potential Movement as she writes about The Secret in her article The Secret Remixed: It’s Not About the Stuff. This is not a critique discrediting it, it’s a critique and exposition about what was not included. She has other topics that gives a more in-depth view about certain popular ‘truths’ that are out there and offers bringing in the divine and being grounded as well, or as other Teachers of The Way say, “first learn to walk on earth, before trying to walk on water.” […]
20. Sharmila | September 2nd, 2007 at 12:31 am

Hi!

I really liked your site, I liked it so much I included this article and your blog in a carnival that I’m hosting this week, Carnival of Healing #101.

Thanks for the work that you do and for being your marvelous self!

Sharmila
21. Janet G | December 24th, 2007 at 7:08 pm

I was given The Secret by a friend & shelved it for a couple of months til another friend told me I should watch it. I am a very skeptical person & watched the DVD with, well, skepticism. However, it really had me thinking because there was no avoiding the reality that everything I own, do and/or have in my life I thought about it, worked for it, acquired it, brought it into my life and gravitated to it …on my own.

Anyway, at the time I was having some relationship issues and was willing to try anything, so I went out bought a slew of magazines & cut & pasted photos & words pertaining to what I wanted to draw towards myself. It worked. I got everything I wanted.

I then bought 5 copies for my friends. Two of them are avid Secreters now & they too are having results.

A few things about the Secret is that you cannot “dream”, “want”, “wish”, “hope”, or “doubt.”

Some things take time, even months, others are instant. The mind also thinks in “absolutes” & its best to never to Secret words or ideas with two meanings (no idioms.) When I started Secreting I started with a few small material items, which came to me within days. This gave me confidence & I was inspired & motivated.

The main thing to me was my relationship, albiet, I took into account that I may not attract the person I had my heart set on, so I stayed open to the fact that so long as I aligned myself with the “truth” and Secreted the “right person for me”, then I’d be happy with that as well. Also, you have to remember that when Secreting relationships, it’s a completely different vibration & energy, so you have to constantly Secret & shape the ways it will work for you.

Also, people who Secret things which seem way too out of reach for them, should start by Secreting the way in which they will attain their goals. I heard of one woman complaining she Secreted her “dream car” & “a dream home in Italy”, then she lost her job & lost all hope. Maybe she lost her job because the universe was guiding her to a new job which paid better so she could afford the car, or maybe it was her opportunity to move to Italy. Also, she used the word “dream” in front of each goal. The mind will translate “dream car” into precisely that, a dream.

Also, never Secret using the word “you”, instead use “me” and “my” and “I.” It’s tricky stuff but through trial & error I am still perfecting it and am now moving onto other things which I will soon have, do and enjoy. Hope this helps. Happy holidays. Janet