Why The Secret Is False

[Robbensalter]

Here is a small mental exercise explaining why 'The Secret' is not a true law...

Two people join the gym...
Bob and jack...

jack sits in his lazy chair all day, sending out 'intentions' to the universe...
he imagines himself buff and fit, with six pack abs, huge biceps, with little body fat...

Bob does that same thing, bob's never heard of the secret, however bob loves personal development, goal setting, and believes in the statement made by Aristotle

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.


Which person is going to receive a fantastic body?
(Hint: if you say jack, you're delusional)

Now, this is where 'secret fans' will counter my arguement by saying that I have misunderstood "The Secret"...

They'll go on to say that the secret is merely the concept of
"You become what you focus on" or that

"you achieve what you think about most of the time"

Those two statements fit perfectly with Aristotle's statement about forming habits...

The ideas in the secret are nothing more than pantheisim, and eastern religion/newage repackaged as self help advice...

We've mixed 'real' self help princples, with ancient religion, making a mockery of both concepts...

PS... don't feel bad if you've fallen for ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥... it happens to the best of us...
follow Aristotle 's advice and you can't go wrong : )

(PPS... Intention works, when you combine it with action, and make your actions habits, anything else is magical thinking)
(PPPS... Beware of any belief system that say's "it isn't working because you don't believe it"... a law should work regardless)

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by Robbensalter

... Intention works, when you combine it with action, and make your actions habits, anything else is magical thinking

Hello and welcome aboard Robbensalter...

Powerful, well said on so true... faith without work is dead... there are no free lunches... and there is no Santa Claus...

I feel that you will be a tremendous asset to this board... and I thank you for joining...

I will be looking forward to reading your posts... to sharing with you and hopefully learn and grow together...

.

[fourthdan]

well, i'll grant that you've misunderstood the secret, but you're also wrong about
the secret is not merely "You become what you focus on" or that"

Have you watched the dvd? james arthur ray actually says - u cannot get anything done if you're only going to sit and visualise. Action is extremely important - it's only most people's interpretation of it that sounds like there's no action involved. it's feeding off thier desire for instant gratification. there's a part where Dr. Joe vitale says "if there is an instinct telling you to act - follow that instinct. it is the universe's way of guiding you to that desired result".

the secret isn't as bad as you make it out to be. only lazy people's interpretations of it are. you already know the truth from what you posted - just try to see it's the same truth that the secret also tried to tell you.

[JMononoetoe]

You definately indeed misunderstood the Secret, but not in the way that you describe in your post.

Originally Posted by Robbensalter

They'll go on to say that the secret is merely the concept of
"You become what you focus on" or that
"you achieve what you think about most of the time"

No they will not and the Secret isn't merely that. In fact, it is clearly stated on the DVD that you can't get anything done if you don't take necessary action.

Just like fourthdan says:

Originally Posted by fourthdan

the secret isn't as bad as you make it out to be. only lazy people's interpretations of it are.

[Akashic_Librarian]

Which person is going to receive a fantastic body?
(Hint: if you say jack, you're delusional)

Actually the one I choose to recieve the fantastic body, will recieve the fantastic body, because reality is just a projection of my consciousness.

Oh and by the way, just to annoy you, I choose Jack to get the body

Viva la laziness! haha.

We've mixed 'real' self help princples, with ancient religion, making a mockery of both concepts...

What is real? If you can answer me that, then I will believe you, but you make a rather stupid statement and assume western self-help philosophy is somehow better than eastern philosophy, and I have a theory, the primitive part of the brain wishes to believe in only what is real, it cannot understand the concept of non-existance, how can something seemingly intangible effect what is widely considered wholly tangible...?

Thus alot of people get confused because they think that The Law of Attraction, or The Secret, or Subjective Reality, is merely wishful thinking based upon unproveable assumptions. Thus it is belief in something intangible, thus it is incomprehensible to the "Primitive-Man" Vis a Vis Humanity as a whole, and is thus rejected as false, stupid, or in some way delusional.

PS... don't feel bad if you've fallen for ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥... it happens to the best of us...
follow Aristotle 's advice and you can't go wrong : )

I always laugh when people say this, because...how do you know YOU havn't fallen for it? Just because what you are saying is agreed upon my a lot of "sane" people, doesn't make it actually right...



/breath

[Chet]

I put an article in blog about this, the implications of the secret if you follow them through to the consequences possible of children thinking about what they want are positively frightening.
I much prefer not to believe in it.

[Dolazy]

Great things have happened to me without any action from me. Some of the greatest inventions are caused by accident.

Some people are good looking without requiring exercise and diet. They 'just live' and are healthy. It doesn't necessarily require hard work to be fit.

[Uplift]

So, think what you like, but I would be lying if I said otherwise. I have seen amasing things created without a drop of action other than intent. And I doubted, questioned, wondered if I was hallucinating, if I was drugged, If I was going crazy, asked for more 'proof', then asked for 'undeniable proof'... and then asked for more undeniable proof. Comical. Finally just like seeing someone run the first four minute mile, my beliefs were 'shattered'. I couldn't dispute what I experienced, cling to what I knew beyond doubt wasn't true. I went from fiercely thinking pretty much like Robbensalter and Shamou, to accepting, and I might add, loving, the beliefs in dispute. So thats how it is for me.

And just one question I'll put to anyone who claims to know 'reality'. The first thing, the first creation... and so the first creator, how did it come about? By action? Then how did the source of the first action come about? What came before action? And how was that created? So if you can't answer, maybe your idea of reality is... delusional, based on ignorance. I guess it comes down to who has correct ignorance.

[Robbensalter]

Thanks for all the replies...
I'll try to answer briefly everyones comments...

No they will not and the Secret isn't merely that. In fact, it is clearly stated on the DVD that you can't get anything done if you don't take necessary action.

Will, no offense, but me 'intending' an idea, and then working on it has little to do with cosmic laws...

If this was all LOA stated then I would be a firm believer...

Have you watched the dvd? james arthur ray actually says - u cannot get anything done if you're only going to sit and visualise.

Yes I have... and I do remember him saying that... my point is, if I'm doing all the work, and I'm imagining the desired out come, that's not LOA...

Yes, I am "attracting' the things I want in my life by first "intending it" and then working towards it... I personally believe in this form of LOA...

Actually, the one I choose to recieve the fantastic body, will recieve the fantastic body, because reality is just a projection of my consciousness.

Will, if that's the case, you're also a projection of my consciousness, and I say you're not going to reply to this post...

I'm all for the power of subjective thinking, but 1 + 1 = 3 is not subjective, it's incorrect...

What is real? If you can answer me that, then I will believe you

There is more evidence that you are 'real' than that you are not real...

But, since we are free willed beings, you can choose any belief system you like...
can you prove that 'we' are not real?

That would be purely an assertion to state that nothing is real... it's a concept that cannot be proven, but is easily falsified...

but you make a rather stupid statement and assume western self-help philosophy is somehow better than eastern philosophy

I never said one was better, I stated that the secret was aiming to 'mix' the two ideas together...

the primitive part of the brain wishes to believe in only what is "real"
didn't you basically just say "nothing is real"?

Thus alot of people get confused because they think that The Law of Attraction, or The Secret, or Subjective Reality, is merely wishful thinking based upon unproveable assumptions

Or maybe they're enlightened enough to separate truth from fiction... a vital skill in personal development...

I always laugh when people say this, because...how do you know YOU havn't fallen for it?

One man say's "gravity is only an illusion" the other man is a firm believer in gravity, they both jump off the building...

Who dies? they both do... because your belief system doesn't change the laws of reality...

I'm basing my odds on reason, rather on emotional thinking of how I "want' the world to be...

Just because what you are saying is agreed upon my a lot of "sane" people, doesn't make it actually right...

You're absolutely correct, Robert Cialdini in his book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion talks about the concept of "Social Proof"

Which basically states that people behave in herd fashion, we tend to like recommendations made by others and we see testimonials as evidence...

Hints the name 'social proof'...

Many years ago people believed the earth was flat (talk about subjective reality) they all assumed that, because everyone else assumed it...

They went a long with the herd...

But guess what, the world didn't change shape for their beliefs, and it never will...

Great things have happened to me without any action from me. Some of the greatest inventions are caused by accident.

Yes, great things can happen without effort... getting buff is not one of them : )

Some people are good looking without requiring exercise and diet.

You can look 'good' and still be unhealthy (just takes a good plastic surgeon)
and you're right...

Other people have very high metabolism's and cannot keep fat on themselves.
these same people would not have survived during times of famine

But today they thrive with an abundance of food... and now 'normal people' with average metabolisms get very obese...

I have a friend who has smoked since he was 14 (he's 63) and he's in great shape... you'll always find individuals who beat the odds...

But does that mean you should smoke? no, there's more than enough evidence to support smoking is not healthy... and neither is not exercising...

the first thing, the first creation... and so the first creator, how did it come about? By action? Then how did the source of the first action come about? What came before action? And how was that created?

If there is a God, he exists outside space/time... if you're not bound by space, then you're not bound by time... therefore you have no beginning or end...

Therefore nothing would come before him...

This concept of an eternal God is much like trying to imagine a new color, your mind can grasp the idea of a new color, it just can't actually visualize it...

We cannot comprehend something existing outside of space/time/matter
(However, something must be eternal for this universe to even exist)

[Dive Bomb]

The Secret definantly over glamorized the law of attraction and manifesting intentions. I believe it's somewhat real, just not as real as we want it to be.

Steve did a good job explaining the processes in his blog with more detail. Basically, it's not as easy as it sounds. There is a difference between wishful thinking and actually "manifesting" (which basically means take action for your plans).

So basically Jack is just fantasizing and engaging in wishful thinking, while Bob although he doesn't know it, is pretty much doing what the Secret implies without the new age vocabulary.

[Lil Chris]

And around and around we go...

Experiencing is undeniable, whether i'm right or wrong it's still fascinating to me (the interaction with the formless intellegence). Try it sometime

[John Wesley]

Originally Posted by fourthdan

Have you watched the dvd? james arthur ray actually says - u cannot get anything done if you're only going to sit and visualise. Action is extremely important - it's only most people's interpretation of it that sounds like there's no action involved. it's feeding off thier desire for instant gratification. there's a part where Dr. Joe vitale says "if there is an instinct telling you to act - follow that instinct. it is the universe's way of guiding you to that desired result".

the secret isn't as bad as you make it out to be. only lazy people's interpretations of it are. you already know the truth from what you posted - just try to see it's the same truth that the secret also tried to tell you.

I think fourthdan gets what you're saying. You have the right idea, focus without actions is worthless, but that's ignoring the other side of the story. Without focus, you might never take action. Someone who constantly thinks about working out, will be more likely to work out a lot.

Aristotle's advice is much more inline with The Secret than you think.

[Manta]

Bravo! I think the Sat night live episode, though funny, is right on target:

YouTube - "The Secret" on Oprah Parody by Saturday Night Live - SNL

The part about Dar Fur (sp) is right on target.

After much "research" I've come to my own conclusions regarding the "Secret". The secret is nothing more than knowing what you want, planning on how to get it, setting up goals to get you what you want, and DOing something about it.

Yeah, "sending out vibrations to the universe" through visualization, creating a box that has items in it that remind you of success or creating a picture board of what you want (house, boat, etc.) may seem like magic but it is not. It is simply turning ideas into reality through human creativity, hard work and persistance.

My wife created a picture board 7 years ago well before the secret came out. She did it to remind her of the house she wanted and that everyday she had to ask, "Am I doing what needs to be done today to get that house". Guess what, we have the house and it is decorated just like the photos in the photo board. It wasn't the secret, it wasn't a magical law, it was simply a reminder that encouraged her (us) to do everything we could, each day, to achieve our goal.

Finally, what I have realized by reading this board and others is that you cannot reason with a proponent of the LOA. There is always an "out". For instance, some would say my wife's photo board was using the LOA without us knowing it. Or if i say what if there are two sports teams intending a victory. They are both passionate about their victory and know the LOA (the giant slot machine in the sky) will grant them a victory. One must win and one must lose. The LOA crowd will give other quasi spiritual reasons for one team losing. Some may say that one team member must have intended the loss. There is always an escape hatch.

I digress...I'm sure I PO'd a lot of people here. But, I've noticed a slow rebellion against the LOA across the internet.

Anyway...this is all in good fun and conversation.
Manta

[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by Manta

After much "research" I've come to my own conclusions regarding the "Secret". The secret is nothing more than knowing what you want, planning on how to get it, setting up goals to get you what you want, and DOing something about it.

Yeah, "sending out vibrations to the universe" through visualization, creating a box that has items in it that remind you of success or creating a picture board of what you want (house, boat, etc.) may seem like magic but it is not. It is simply turning ideas into reality through human creativity, hard work and persistance.

Visualization affects how you interact with the universe, which in turn affects how the universe interacts with you.

Your wife wanted that house, and that goal affected how she dealt with the people and situations in her life. Because she had her dream house in mind she didn't pursue hobbies, friendships or relationships that weren't in keeping with obtaining her vision.


Her actions allowed the universe to shift things around to give her what she wanted.

LOA is very much about validating your thoughts. Making them real by visualizing a goal and then backing it up with action and persistance. Visualization isn't the end all be all, just the first step.

[Robbensalter]

Quote-"The secret is nothing more than knowing what you want, planning on how to get it, setting up goals to get you what you want, and DOing something about it."

I agree... and I think that is a far superior description of the true law of attracting good things into your life...

However, the movie implies that the quantum physical universe obeys your intentions, which goes beyond that paradigm

a problem with the expanded magical view of LOA is that it implies that "there is no accident" if you're born deaf, it's because you intended it
(either in this life or in a previous one)

a couple a months ago, a 15 year old new father put his infant son in a microwave for 60 seconds...

Did the baby intend this? or the father? ahh, guess it doesn't matter any way, babies don't really exist...

(see how retarded this thinking becomes?)

There is a single law that all people who create change follow, it is Newton's Third Law...
For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction...

If you want outcome B, Perform behavior A...

You see, the man who is born deaf did not intend it... the law is not designed to condem the deaf... the law implies that the deaf man can rise above his circumstances, either by coping with his deafness, or defeating it altogether...

This is not what people like joe vitale say... "you caused the car crash".... "you caused the yada yada"...
it is possible that the person was wreckless and caused a car crash, it's even possible a person becomes bitter and weaknes their immune system and they develop cancer...

But some things aren't your fault, it's not the result of karma debt you owe... it's life hitting you hard with it's fist... you can either take it, or hit back with a smile... : )

[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by Robbensalter

Quote-"The secret

Robbensalter, there's a button to use for quotes.

Highlight the text you want to quote and hit the second yellow icon, the one looks like a quote bubble.

[Manta]

I am using visualization as an example. But, the whole universe restructuring??

How do you know it wasn't something much simpler, such as we consciously chose actions that enabled us to get the house we wanted. Saving, working hard to earn a little more in the paycheck, etc.

I think I can explain just about anything if I just say, the universe restructured so an intention would manifest.

"Why are thousands dying in Dar Fur?" I guess the universe is manifesting it because someone intended it.

"Why was there a holocaust?" The combinations of Hitler intending it and the Jews "unconsiously" intending it cause the universe to shift and allow it to happen.

"Why are we in Iraq?" The universe arranged things so George Bush's intentions would manifest.

"Why the hell is my car not starting?" I must have manifested the break down of the carborator or a nasty neighbor did. Wait! If the LOA takes action, then he must have purposely intended it and then came over, opened the hood and took out the carborator. Wow! The LOA is amazing!!!! It's like magic.

Sorry...this is just funny.

[Manta]

I'm supposed to be writing a research paper at the moment but I've been typing messages on this forum.

Damn, i must have intedended procrastination and it manifested. The LOA is amazing.

Back to my paper...unless one of you intends me to keep typing messages (AHH, I can't escape!)

[Jayne]

It amazes me how passionate people are when discussing this topic. It certainly won't surprise me or hurt my feelings if people have a different perspective - but here's mine:

I generally don't believe everything I read. I read a lot, mostly nonfiction, and mostly others sharing what has made them successful. I enjoy seeing the different perspectives, and often learn something from everything I read. I can think only of one book I have read that I totally disagreed with - and yet I still learned something from it (what doesn't work for me).

Books really represent the perspective of the author. In the case of The Secret, it also represents the perspectives of many others. However, if you listen to what many of the "gurus" featured in the Secret say, they all have different perspectives. Sure, they all have common themes. I find a lot of truth in what they say - and find I enjoy some perspectives more than others.

My point is - I still have my own perspectives. I take from each book I read what I can learn from it - and if something doesn't work for me, then I don't follow it. That doesn't make the book false or bad - just means the person has a different perspective than I do.

I think the Secret has done a great job of getting the masses to pay attention to their thoughts. It's a good starting place. I don't believe it's the only book worth reading, nor is it the foremost authority on success or the LOA or whatever other label you want to put on the subject. I do believe that life is a lot easier when you expect good things to happen - whether that's the LOA or power of intention or the secret or just good common sense - does it really matter?

The great thing about this forum is there are so many perspectives and so many people who are passionate about their beliefs - there's a lot to be learned here and I for one am happy to be in a place where people can openly disagree - makes life pretty interesting I think.

[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by Manta

How do you know it wasn't something much simpler, such as we consciously chose actions that enabled us to get the house we wanted. Saving, working hard to earn a little more in the paycheck, etc.

Anything can be explained in multiple ways. You can describe yourself as a human being or as 1.80x10^28 atoms, or through a number of other ways that would also be valid.

"Why are thousands dying in Dar Fur?" I guess the universe is manifesting it because someone intended it.

People are dying in Darfur because government officials are intending to kill them.

Why was there a holocaust?

There was a holocaust because Hitler intended racial cleansing. Also, a majority of the German population at the time intended to support "strong leadership" for a "stronger Germany".

Why are we in Iraq?

We're in Iraq because members of our government intended to install a democracy there. Our troops are there because they intended to perform military service.

How is anything you've mentioned not the universe bending to the free will of those involved?

[Manta]

All of what I mentioned are just humans behaving badly, using free will. Not sending out vibrations to the universe. Of course the LOA crowd would argue that their free will IS sending vibrations which is manifesting those bad things.

Let me ask a question. If I bend over and pick up a rock, is that the LOA? I "intended" to pick up the rock using my free will. I bend, pick it up, I manifested the rock in my hand by executing my free will. LOA?

If I decide to hit someone, is that person manifesting the "Hit" or am I? Is the LOA at play here? Or is it simple cause and effect? He grabbed my wife's butt, I hit him. Cause / effect.

What is funny is that the moment someone argues against the LOA regarding the "DO" part of the equation or begins talking about human tragedy and a baby "intending" to be microwaved the LOA crowd gets all defensive. But remember, Joe Vitale and other say victims must have intended their assaults. In the movie, if I remember correctly, I can manifest parking spaces. BTW, my wife and I joke about this all the time. We drive around thinking "MANIFEST!" and when one doesn't pop open I say, "Come on, intend harder!!"

I guess I see the LOA as another explanation of cause and effect, hard work / results, etc.

I guess when the sun disappears during the day, many of you see the gods getting angry, I see a solar eclipse. It's the same thing just a different way of explaining it.

[Dan.Linehan]

Thoughts, especially intense thoughts, affect your actions more than you realize, and by extension the actions of those around you.

For example, in the scenario you mentioned of someone about to get hit. Imagine yourself in a situation where you're about to get punched by a bully.

The two polarites of what you can think are,

"I'm about to get hit!"

or

"I am not getting hit! I refuse to let it happen."


Now, imagine how differently you might act between thinking those different thoughts.

In case one, your body langauge will show that you've already given in. You'll appear to have accepted the fact that you are about to get hit. You'll be cowering somewhat, trying to minimize the damage of the blow. The aggressor will see this in your body langauge, and, I would think, be drastically more likely to go ahead and hit you without much fear of retaliation.

In case two, your reaction would be very different. You'll probably furrow your brows and turn towards your aggressor with shoulders hunched, fully prepared to do whatever it takes to prevent his blow from hitting you. The aggressor will be far less likely to even attempt to swing at you depending on how intense you look and how much he thinks you'll fight back.

The difference in outcomes between those two simple thoughts can be easily shown to change reality just through body langauge.

LOA basically extends that idea, saying that we aren't really sure of everything our thoughts can affect, but its more than we previously realized.

[Manta]

Can anyone send me to a site that provides scholarly proof in the Law of Attraction using standard scientific methods?

[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by Manta

Can anyone send me to a site that provides scholarly proof in the Law of Attraction using standard scientific methods?

Quantum physics says goodbye to reality (April 2007) - News - PhysicsWeb

An experimental test of non-local realism : Abstract : Nature

[wolfgang]

Originally Posted by Manta

All of what I mentioned are just humans behaving badly, using free will. Not sending out vibrations to the universe. Of course the LOA crowd would argue that their free will IS sending vibrations which is manifesting those bad things.

Why have I heard that a city that had many meditating monks or Budhhists or something had less crime?

Let me ask a question. If I bend over and pick up a rock, is that the LOA? I "intended" to pick up the rock using my free will. I bend, pick it up, I manifested the rock in my hand by executing my free will. LOA?

So are you thinking LoA is just like free will? I have always heard the response to this as, yes, the action of your arm is a form of LoA in your imediate manipulatable sphere.

If I decide to hit someone, is that person manifesting the "Hit" or am I? Is the LOA at play here? Or is it simple cause and effect? He grabbed my wife's butt, I hit him. Cause / effect.

What is funny is that the moment someone argues against the LOA regarding the "DO" part of the equation or begins talking about human tragedy and a baby "intending" to be microwaved the LOA crowd gets all defensive. But remember, Joe Vitale and other say victims must have intended their assaults.

I don't get that either and I don't like the ideas that duality means beings suffer. That idea of "bad" exists because otherwise you don't know "good" shouldn't mean there's lot of suffering to hit our awareness.

Often the response to this is, yes you manifested it all into your awareness. And maybe the intention was unintentional. Meaning by accedent of being unconscious or habitual or from lacking compassion because there is no sense of being connected. Then take that further by saying you don't so much as manifest as are all of this, by being one with everything.

In the movie, if I remember correctly, I can manifest parking spaces. BTW, my wife and I joke about this all the time. We drive around thinking "MANIFEST!" and when one doesn't pop open I say, "Come on, intend harder!!"

I haven't really "Tried" to manifest anything. I do notice often the reflection or grace of the world as hints for me to be more open and understanding. I also can notice my behaviour sinking in relation to events around me. Now, is that LoA or noticing being connected to my environment? Or are they the same?

I guess I see the LOA as another explanation of cause and effect, hard work / results, etc.

Why not look at LoA that way? But add more, add some spiritual dimensions. Cause and effect sounds like mechanical things , hard work sounds like a belief in what you get is equal to what you put in.

I guess when the sun disappears during the day, many of you see the gods getting angry, I see a solar eclipse. It's the same thing just a different way of explaining it.

No I look at the wonder of the event and it gives me pause at how amazing the universe is. Although I used to sacrafice lambs on the alter not too many 2000 years ago.

[Manta]

Dan - that link is not proof. For instance, it is one thing to understand a theory. It is another thing to understand how it works and to use it.

Just because scientists are understanding the nature of reality does not mean we know how to ask the giant slot machine in the sky for more money.

LOA advocates always talk about energy and vibrations. Yes, everything is energy. But, what makes us think our minds can interact with the energy to make things happen for us. For instance, my mind is energy and my thoughts are energy. The glass in front of me is energy. I should be able to send signals to the glass to levitate it. But I can't. And please, please don't say that it is possible.

Of course the out is going to be, it is possible, we just have not figured out how to harness the power of telekenisis.

[Manta]

I appreciate all of you trying to explain the LOA to me and explain your beliefs. I respect them. But sometimes I picture the meta-physicians and doctors and other experts in The Secret going to bed at night thinking, "I can't believe I'm making millions because so many people are gullible enough to believe this stuff!"

I gotta come up with a theory that is totally unprovable, promises the world, but when something happens that contradicts the theory (or law) I can make up a thousand different ways why it didn't work.

We will all agree to disagree on this one.

And to the person who mentioned the Buddhist monks having a low crime rate. Be careful using those stats to prove a point. I'm sure I can find a massacre that has occured at a Buddhist monestary or some other instance of bad things that have happened to "spiritual" people. I'm sure the same could be said for convents, monestaries, etc.

[Manta]

Sorry for the postings but I had one more thought. In that SNL spoof of The Secret on Oprah: YouTube - "The Secret" on Oprah Parody by Saturday Night Live - SNL

Is "Oprah" saying "I intended eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a hot air balloon so I called my assistant and I was soon eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a hot air balloon. The Secret!" <paraphrase>

Obviously, the real Oprah could afford to do this if she wanted. Is this scenarios the LOA?

[Robbensalter]

Really, what we call LOA is really 'faith'...

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews; 11:1

There is a clear difference between blind faith, and solid faith...

Check out this article on dynamic optimisim Dynamic Optimism

Although the guy is an atheist (I'm not) his methodology for optimism is powerful...

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by Manta

"I can't believe I'm making millions because so many people are gullible enough to believe this stuff!"

Motivation, positive thinking and LoA are not exact sciences... and there is a lot of bogus material being circulated... so my best advice to anyone who wants to travel the path of self-development is to ask someone who is already successful what they did and who they listen too...

Right here, we have some self-proclaimed gurus who don't have a dime to their names and are shouting loud and clear the precious path and secret formula to success... anyone who has walked the walk can see right through them... but, for anyone who has not already traveled that path my advice would be, "If it sounds to good to be true... it probably is not..."

.