I've been watching Oprah for, well, a long time, and I know that she's talked about this stuff over and over again. The Secret is just new packaging. Oprah has talked for years about how she keeps gratitude journals, the power of positive thinking, taking responsibility, etc...
I think the article is pretty harsh. On The Secret shows, Oprah featured people who've had very practical examples of how The Secret helped improve their lives. For instance, the married couple on the verge of divorce who decided to make a concerted effort to be grateful for one another, look for the good in each other, and visualize a happy marriage. That's not hocus pocus, it's what any marriage councilor worth their salt would advise.
Similarly, the young woman who was fired from her job...she was very depressed about it, then watched The Secret and realized that she should be grateful. She never liked the job anyway, and getting fired allowed her to move on to other things. None of that is "ask and you shall receive." It's more "every cloud has a silver lining." I don't see what the big deal is about.
|