book review: the secret by rhonda byrne

Thanks to my dbf, I have been able to read a self-help book called “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne. A compilation of inserts from various successful motivational speakers and multi-million dollar earning entrepreneurs, teaching its reader how to achieve their dreams in short chapters pertaining to life, relationship, money and so on.

Positivity is the best word to describe the intentions of this book. The Secret is a book that teaches us how to be accepting towards the Law of Attraction – where one good positive thought will cause a resultant positive effect from the universe. One half of the book explains to you the Law of Attraction and how to practise it, whereas the other half attempts to brainwash its reader into (positive) insanity.

There is a “The Secret to Health” chapter that tries to convince its readers that

"If our entire bodies are replaced within a few years, as science has proven, then how can it be that degeneration or illness remains in our bodies for years? It can only be held there by thought, by observation of the illness, and by the attention given to the illness."

Being a scientist, I am finding it hard to believe the fact that an illness would vanish from existence by mere thoughts. I was firmly taught that DNA is a blueprint to life and am skeptical that any form of mindset will be able to undo a genetic mishap. Lets rule out the possibility of a miracle here, which is all the book has as proof.

A book that takes gratitude:-

"Every morning, I do not get out bed until I have felt the feelings of gratitude for this brand new day and all I am grateful for in my life. Then as I get out of bed, when one foot touches the ground I say, “Thank,” and “you” as my second foot touches the ground. With each step I take on my way to the bathroom, I say “Thank you.” I continue to say and feel “Thank you” as I am showering and getting ready. By the time I am ready for the day, I have said “Thank you” hundreds of times."

and visualisation:-

"A game I created that helped shift my feelings about my pile of bills was to pretend that the bills were actually checks. I would jump for joy as I opened them and say, “More money for me! Thank you. Thank you.” I took each bill, imagined it was a check, and then I added a zero to it in my mind to make it even more."

to a whole new different level.

The book covers some well-known principles for success. Among our favourites – FOCUS. The Secret reiterates the importance of staying focused in visualizing and holding on to what you want in life using a vision board. I vaguely remember Oprah talking about vision boards on one of her shows but I’m not sure if the book had any influence on it.

All in all, this is a book ideal for those who wallow in self-pity and are experiencing a loss of faith and hope in the material world. You can’t help but wonder how many people out there who are desperate enough to bring this book into the Amazon.com Best Bookseller’s List (subject to change).

Post-read? After some incredibly doubtful life-stories and positive mantras, I’m left in a hippie state. Make love not war, people…Peace out!

If you are interested in the law of attraction and loved reading The Secret, then read The Master Key System by Charles F. Haanel (featured in The Secret) book for free!