The Secret (2006 Video) User Reviews

the nay-sayers aren't wrong, but they aren't right either - movie is a good start, worth seeing, but not the whole story

[shadude · 7/10 · 18 December 2006]

I'm glad I saw the movie *before* I read all these comments.

I greatly appreciate the words of GreySphinx, japonaliya, alunde-1, robschmidt, and the like. I have read comments of the "haters" very closely, and their tone is so acerbic that leads me to ask them the following: who hurt you? The irony is that I don't have a problem with what they said, it doesn't bother me they reject the message of the movie - however, I do believe their critical words make the best case for the premise of the movie.

I consider myself an intelligent man with better than average critical thinking skills (and I know my employer does as well); and I do not believe that this movie insulted my intelligence. But if you believe that this movie was suppose to tell you *everything* you need to know about how to transform their life in 90 minutes, then I completely understand the source of your upset. But consider the following: this movie is only the "tip of the iceberg" (I intentionally chose that that metaphor because the tip of the iceberg only shows one about 10% of itself above the surface – I'll leave it to you to figure out how much of this philosophy is left for the interested party to discover ;-) ). Hence I respectfully disagree with vuduzombie – I believe one of the points of this movie is to inspire intellectual evolution.

I also respectfully disagree with OnlyPassingBy's assessment that this movie promotes "victim-blaming." I believe it's quite the opposite. I believe that the movie is asking the viewer to consider the radical concept that one is 100% responsible for anything that happens in their life. So if we are 100% responsible, then by definition we cannot blame anyone else. And from there we have the opportunity to realize that we are solely responsible to change whatever it is we want, if for no other reason than the fact that we are not wasting any of our precious time/energy/effort blaming someone else, not even 1%. (Even though I wholly believe in the principle of "100% responsibility," I wish I could say that I were talented enough to accomplish it all the time, but I do stumble and find myself "partially" blaming someone else. At least now I realize when I'm stumbling and that gives me the opportunity to right myself.)

What I find interested about hazzard_hotel's beer-theory is that he is so close to "getting" the Law of Attraction. Unfortunately I believe he is confusing the Law of Attraction with the Magic of Manifestation. Consider that the point of the Law of Attraction is that before you can have something, you must want it first. So yes, if you want a cold beer, you "imagine" having a cold beer (and where does one "imagine" but in their mind). And then you do what it takes to get yourself a cold beer – go to a bar, go the fridge, go to the store, whatever it takes (even asking someone to get it for you)…and voilà, you've got yourself the cold beer that you wanted – in other words, "thoughts become things." And yes, if you have ever listened to Bill Gates talk about his life before Microsoft, he has said "I imagined myself being rich." But then he follows up with "And this is what I did to make that happen." (Consider that JFK's "positive thinking" in fact did put a rocket on the moon and that this weekend there are 32 men, who as boys, imagined themselves as NFL starting quarterbacks. Of course there was a lot of hard work between the initial desire and the final achievement.)

So I get how to some this movie can be seen as a tease. The movie does not tell you in precise words that the road to what you imagine is paved with action. Ultimately it's up to you to do and realize the remaining 90% of the iceberg…but that's just "common sense," right? Actually, no, this level of sense is not common – if it were, then Dr.Phil would be out of a job. Even the smartest of us need help and occasional reminders (especially me).

I believe this movie is intended to be provocative, and the "haters" demonstrate that the movie meets its intent. If one thinks that this movie will be a one shot panacea, then you're in for a big disappointment. But if one is ready to do the rigorous work and take personal responsibility to do what it takes to transform their lives, then by all means see this movie.

Recommended to watch! bad as a movie.

[spechuks · 7/10 · 10 November 2008]

Reading the comments I'm surprised :D Most of the negative comments say "cannot I be a top NFL player just by visualising it?". No you cannot. If simple asking is all you can do, then no - you can not. You have to believe it. I'm not convinced in some outer world, but I do believe positive thinking brings success. I watched the movie yesterday, today is such a great day compared to 99% of last few months! I thought about "I want to make some money fast soon" and yes, suddenly i made 400 today almost out of nothing and got an offer on some future projects! But it's probably not connected to anything about the movie. What is important, that every time you think about something, you give more importance to it and your mind works much better to achieve it. It will not end a war, it will make you think how to survive the war better. It will not 100% cure bad diseases, but it will help you live better the rest of your life until you die. If you're pesimistic "oh, i got cancer, i will die, im loser, im dead", you better off shoot yourself already. YOU WILL NOT GET A 350Z ROADSTER JUST BECAUSE THE MOVIE SAYS SO! If you're passionate about cars and have a dream car, you will get it. If you don't get it, probably it's not that important for yourself - you don't really want it so much. I smiled and talked kindly to so many people today and I'm happy about it. I want to get closer with my friends. I chose different routes during lunch and suddenly met 2 good friends. Isn't happiness all that you want in your life? The movie said only once, but it must be articulated - positive attracts negative. You cannot have everything positive! If you believe in God, this sentence describes it somehow: "God always listens, but sometimes the answer is NO". As for the quality of the movie - its poor. Very poor. It starts as a story of some woman. What woman? What problem? No idea, suddenly it starts as a documentary and a Tel Sell advertisement. Just selling the movie for 1.3 hours. But it's worth it if you understand what it means. Most of the commenters don't. 9 for the worth of the movie, 4 for plot and cinematography. 7/10 total Recommended movie for everyone who is stressed in life (99% of us)

A positive and uplifting experience

[jokkesvin · 7/10 · 2 September 2006]

This movie gives you a lot of useful mental tools to work with, in order to change your life. It inspires positive thinking and a positive view on life, and how these thoughts can generate even more positive things for you.

I was skeptical at first, but then I started thinking about it and realized that it's true. You can feel positive energy around a positive person, and you can feel negative energy around a person whose thoughts are negative. Laughter, joy and positivity are are few of life's great gifts, and using these gifts, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

---

Here are a few of the quotes that are mentioned in the movie, that I'd recommend everyone to apply to their lives:

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought" - Buddha

"When you visualize, then you materialize"

"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions" - Albert Einstein

"Man becomes what he thinks about"

"What you resist, persists" - Carl Jung

"Whatever the mind of man can conceive. It can achieve" - W. Clement Stone

"You are the only one, who creates your reality"

---

If you've lost your way in life and feel down, this is the movie to see :)

Uplifting message, but overdone, incomplete and not that much of a secret.

[henckques · 4/10 · 21 July 2007]

I've watched the whole documentary and these are my impressions divided into positive (+), neutral (±) and negative (-) remarks.

(+) To those who experience negative thoughts throughout every day this is a great opportunity to change their way of thinking. This documentary encourages people to change their lives in a positive way.

(+) The theory is explained in a way that's easy to comprehend. To those who are already familiar with this theory (resembling Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) it may seem repetitive, but to newcomers this might be necessary.

(±) In my opinion, there are claims being made during the documentary that aren't backed up with solid proof. They do tell some remarkable stories, but it doesn't really convince me for some reason.

(±) Several times the interviewees give certain numbers and facts as proof of a statement they're making, but the methods of researching those facts aren't being explained. You just have to believe that what they say is true.

(-) At start The Secret gives the impression that you're going to watch a movie about a woman who will discover "The Secret", how and why it has been kept as a secret for so long, exposing a conspiracy and in the end revealing the secret to the viewer... But it's none of that. It's basically just a documentary.

(-) It's overdone. It feels like I'm watching Tel Sell, and the talking just goes on and on... (But again, to newcomers and people who need a periodical pep talk this might be just the right thing.)

(-) At a certain point, the documentary talks about a "constant state of joy" (at least twice)! The makers of this movie fail to mention that there is nothing wrong with grief and such feelings. If a family member or a good friend of yours dies, then why should you force yourself into a constant state of joy? It's alright to cry, be angry or whatever, as long as you don't exaggerate it, stay in control of yourself and act wisely. But the movie lacks in mentioning this.

(-) The documentary does seem to emphasize on money, welfare and "thus" happiness. I miss the element of growth. If you'd live life the way they recommend you to it feels so superficial to me... As if at the end of your life you only seemed to care about your own well-being.

Read between the lines rather than take everything said at face value

[info-1414 · 8/10 · 15 January 2007]

Unsurprisingly many are those who can find this documentary as some attempt to brainwash or involve you in some kind of cult following so to speak. Meanwhile this documentary has changed many people's lives no doubt.

I do not usually comment on films I watch but I could not resist doing so on this one because I feel many are missing the point.

Personally I do not believe that simply by thinking positive you are having some 'magnetic' effect within the universe to attract exactly what you want in a spiritual or superstitious or scientific manner.

The underlying truth in my opinion is that negative thoughts will attract negative actions/reactions, whilst positive thoughts will enhance positive actions/reactions. Those of you out there complaining that you don't have enough opportunities to make your life or career any better should wipe out all these negative thoughts and should begin to think positive. Once you have a positive outlook you will then be able to 'see' all the opportunities out there that exist for you and which have not been noticing. And then you can grab those that fit your goal.

The documentary presents the above in a more sensational way by claiming that positive thoughts WILL, almost by some form of electromagnetic waves, attract positive things into your life. Well for those of you who are not superstitious or who are not into some scientology stuff, this is if anything stressing the importance of wiping out all negative thoughts and expectations which will hurt your ability to recognise positive opportunities and to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Of course this does not mean you should be so positive to the extent of not being cautious. You can't leave your bicycle unlocked on the street in Amsterdam simply because the documentary seems to suggests so. What the documentary is really trying to do is yes..brainwashing you..but not in a way to make you selfish, egocentric or start acting in a irresponsable manner as though crime did not exist around you, but in a way to ERADICATE those negative thoughts which inhibit your ability to recognize your opportunities or which are bad enough to effect your health.

The documentary is being truthful in suggesting that the mind controls the body and yes to a great extent the mind controls the healing of the body. It is all about the power of the sub-conscious.

Those of you who are very religious or who believe in faith-heeling will find this hard to believe of course!

I have a better Secret

[pfschuyler · 22 November 2016]

Honestly, this makes the lowest grade of pornography look like Shakespeare. Just believe and the Universe will do exactly as you command! Hey positive thinking and belief are incredibly important, if they stopped there it would be fine. I'm all for a near-spiritual support for positive thinking. But don't believe you command the world! Believe what you like, and respect the beliefs of others. But here they make the case that your (subjective) beliefs drive the (objective) realities of the universe. They present it as though its a scientific fact. And they imply that this is the true secret of the ages, that all the greats possessed this precious knowledge, and that an evil conspiracy subdues it. That is patently false. It is truly a demented, grade school pseudoscience wrapped in an infomercial. At least Jerry Springer doesn't pretend his show is Cosmos!

I don't get it !

[mar_10-1 · 7/10 · 10 April 2007]

There is something about this movie that is not logical , it says that peoples thoughts are responsible for the good and bad things in their life , but as i remember as a kid i never thought negative , like all kids believe that life is full of magic and surprises , i never thought that some of the most clause people were going to cause me so much pain , i never imagined life to be like it is , in fact we become negative because all of the injustice that is thrown upon us since we were innocent little kids ,,, NOW WHERE ALL OF THAT CAME FROM ,,, From us ?? When our Dreams are broken they die because they where crashed out of our awareness , thoughts , and believe.

Although that , This movie sounds convincing when they talk about skills and health , because our psychological state is the main leader of the body and its organs , and being positive may help you make special contacts with important people which is a key factor of success. and of course i have no doubt that we are source energy, each one of us being able tho change history.

Imagine two scenarios...

[nikalbo · 2/10 · 26 March 2008]

Imagine two scenarios. First, a basketball player is on the free throw line. In his mind, he sees the ball going into the basket, traveling in that perfect trajectory - he envisions himself making the shot, his hands performing the perfect movement. Maybe he even repeats in his mind a few times "I will make this shot". He focuses on his confidence. He releases. The ball goes in. Second scenario - now, imagine a kid who wants a red bike. He shuts his eyes, thinks hard of a ride bike with a basket in front. He does this religiously, in fact that's all he does for two straight days - just lays in bed and thinks hard of his bike. After two days, he opens the door and lo and behold the exact red bike with a basket is sitting in the front yard.

Now, come back to reality. Think about these two scenarios and ask yourself "Are these two the same?". Hopefully you answered "NO". Both demonstrate positive thinking - but there is a fine, but incredibly significant line that separates common sense from delirium. "The secret", while containing a few nuggets of truth, comes dangerously close to implying what the second scenario implies. And because of that, in the hands of the gullible and the desperate, this film may have a few positive benefits (hope) but could ultimately be dangerous (inaction, unreasonable expectations). Positive thinking has been proved to help - yes. Focus and concentration on your goals helps - yes. But, to use the basketball analogy, to make the shot you have to take it. "The Secret", with it's slick presentation, almost suggests that if you focus on the ball long enough some magical wind will carry it into the basket. To be fair, the film is not 100% of this - but believe me it comes dangerously close. It doesn't help that they allude to the book as if Thomas Jefferson and Einstein actually owned it and passed it along, that along with the titled people like John Doe, Physicist and John Doe, Author that they interviewed, they included John Doe, "Mystic" and John Doe, "Visionary" (what in god's name is a visionary anyway???). It's slick, over-produced, and will turn-off any sensible, intelligent person looking for an honest eye-opener. Look elsewhere for enlightenment and growth - there are a ton of books, old and new, that are better than this fluff masterpiece.

Law of Atrraction works whether you like it or not

[pat_mc2 · 10/10 · 1 March 2007]

The law of attraction is always at work, like every other law of the universe. Whether you recognize this fact and put it to work for you, or if you truly believe life is predestined and you have no control over your fate and you are a pawn in someone else's game. It is quite humorous to read the angry responses to this film. Without knowing anyone who is a "Secret Hater", I can tell you a few things about these individuals. They are ruled by their past. They have a lower self respect and self opinion of themselves in comparison with people who have bought into the secret. They continually find themselves in situations that they are not happy about, yet have no idea or real desire to deliver themselves from those situations. Until they become aware of their own abilities they will constantly be in the shadow of others who have. This film's message through application can change your life and the lives of those around you. It takes action. Information by itself is basically useless. If Information alone had worth, librarians would be billionaires. What separates the great achievers and decision makers from the rest? The way they Think! Don't believe it, doesn't matter, it is a truth of life. I hope everyone has an opportunity to see this film, learn more about the applications of the law of attraction and makes a change in their own world. Anything is possible, your limitations are self imposed. For those of you who bash this film and call it hogwash/snake oil, remember this. Brains, like parachutes, only work when they are open. Your past is in no way equal to your future, unless you decide it to be. Thanks for your time, Patrick

Interesting enough to watch

[blueluna-04138 · 7/10 · 25 February 2018]

I thought the idea of this concept was good, and there is an element of truth. But only an element. The fact of the matter is there are positive and negative experiences that people face. To believe you caused every health issue, every broken heart, etc. Is not only wrong but is actually quite destructive. Is a happier person healthy? Or what about when they are cured.... Are they all of a sudden happy people? Is a sick child that way because they are unhappy? If you really dig into it you can see the lies.

That being said I do believe in faith and that prayer leads to positive outcomes. That's not the type of faith in the movie though. In the movie you get what you ask for no matter how horrible bc you are emitting that frequency to the universe. In a faith based religion you are simply trusting that a greater being is keeping watch over you. It does not rely on you really except that obviously you need to at least be trying. For example you can't win the lottery if you never buy a ticket. That's just common sense.

There are many, many things that I've asked for it and received it. Some just happened randomly, most I worked hard to receive. There are also negative things that I did not ask for and received. So I I take the positive and negative experiences which shape my overall being..whether that be good or bad. Still we exist of outside of these experiences. Like a dream, we are a part of it but also not a part of it.

So that would really be my "secret" for life. Be goal oriented, but live in the moment. Don't let experiences define you, but believe in a higher being.

Here's the real secret: This move is disgusting, ridiculous, and ignorant.

[GreySphinx · 1/10 · 5 September 2006]

Much like "Loose Change" or any other conspiracy film, this piece is not without its die-hard supporters who claim that it's changed their life and that everyone who disagrees is a fool too closed-minded to see their One True Way. But if you're a fan of science or critical thinking (or thinking in general), this film will honestly waste 90 minutes of your life. It presents self-help book authors who think they've got a mandate to tell other people how to live their lives. It presents two people who claim to be scientists talking about this great, monumental discovery of the "Law" of Attraction, but have yet to win a Nobel Prize for such Earth-shattering work (or be taken seriously by the scientific community). It shamelessly cherry-picks quotes from a handful of famous people of the past and claims that they were all on board with this wonderful Secret (which explains why they got so rich and powerful). Indeed this makes you wonder why their "experts" like John Gray haven't yet joined the Pantheon of world's greatest people.

What is the Secret, you ask? Here it is in a nutshell: The movie first suckers the simple-minded into believing it has some validity by first presenting the revolutionary concept that boils down to "a positive outlook on life makes you more pleasant and makes you experience your day better". Wow, truly ground-breaking, thanks! But much like any pseudo-science, it takes a common knowledge that people agree with and then springboards off it to draw ridiculous conclusions, namely that your mind is a beacon that continually communicates with the universe and because the universe truly cares about you, it grants you everything you ever dream about: Wealth, power, fame. Seriously. This is their law of attraction: What you think about.... happens. And oh yeah, every bit of negativity in your life is due to your negative thoughts and you could've avoided this negativity by simply wishing a little harder and being more positive.

And that's where the most offensive part of the film comes in because while such a point of view may not be too offensive for middle-class well-fed Americans and their worst problems (bills, heckling, lack of love), it's an incredible insult to anyone who has ever been through real suffering and negativity: The Jews of the Holocaust, the office workers of the World Trade Center, the starving kids in Africa, anyone who ever got killed in an earthquake, landslide, hurricane, tornado, etc. Suddenly the "avoid bad things by thinking positively" starts seeming ridiculous and yet it's a problem that needs to be addressed by these "experts" before pushing an infantile concept that claims to solve every human problem in the universe for more book/CD/DVD sales.

How do these people propose to solve such problems and prove their point? They treat their audience like children by showing examples of Aladdin with a Genie that says "Your wish is my command" to explain just how the universe actually functions. They paint a scenario where a boy wants a bicycle really badly and instead of asking his parents for it, saving his change, or opening up a lemonade stand, he merely cuts out a magazine clipping of the bike, concentrates really hard, wishes and wishes, and lo and behold, an old man (who I hope is a relative) one day appears at his door with a brand-new bike. Really!

Then they go on to show a guy who got paralyzed in an accident but due to some kind of unseen luck, makes a recovery and walks again. He claims this happened because he was always positive and wished that he could walk again. So the Secret really works! Not quite, especially when you consider the fact that most people who become paralyzed never make any recovery (Christopher Reeve apparently was positive enough to achieve fame and fortune but didn't wish hard enough to walk again after his accident). Again and again, the film insults victims of real misfortune by reducing the world's misery to trivial problems that can all be solved in the mind. It appeals to folks with no real troubles of their own as a cheap-fix self-help solution while I can't imagine what it must be like for victims of ACTUAL misfortune to sit there and be told that "it's all in your mind".

The movie is disgusting, ridiculous, ignorant, and self-centered. It gives the foolish an easy answer but glazes over a problem so complex as human misery with a childish fairy tale. I recommend this movie if you liked "Loose Change". All others, you have been warned.

Oh yeah, and the cinematography was cheesy.

10/10!

[AnnaPagrati · 10/10 · 20 August 2021]

I watch this almost every year just to remind myself that I can achieve everything. Seriously beautiful, watch this as soon as you can!

A Documentary That Very Well Could Start a Movement

[filmbuff1974 · 7/10 · 13 October 2006]

I just finished watching this on the internet.The trailer gives the impression that this film is a historical drama involving some elusive secret that many very famous personages past and present had discovered and used to create extraordinary larger-than-life lives for themselves.That is in fact what this film is about but it is a documentary with brief dramatizations illustrating the points and lessons of the speakers.

The film has an amazing message and I thought it was important enough for me to purchase the DVD after I finished viewing it.But be warned that this is more of a documentary and less of a dramatic presentation.Sort of a inspirational self-help metaphysical book presented as a narrative documentary film.

Update: Well, it looks like time has confirmed my prediction.The book version of The Secret is a national bestseller and the creators of the film have appeared on major talk shows.But the real surprise is that it seems every one in ten people among my friends and associates discuss The Secret and ask me have I heard of it?!I think it is safe to say that the movement has begun!--Derek Williams 2/28/07

Victim Blaming goes Digital

[OnlyPassingBy · 1/10 · 26 November 2006]

After briefly seeing a snip of some of this on the Larry King show, I was curious and purchased a copy. I found the artwork beautiful in places, cheesy in others. And the message, while uplifting at times, has it's own negative side behind all the pretty new age music.

I have a very difficult time with the victim blaming concept put forth by those who follow this. I have read them account abuse, rape, slavery, holocausts, natural disasters, etc. to the Law of Attraction. When pushed for an answer on how even a child could attract or manifest these horrors to their lives, they'll blame it on karma - perhaps the child abused, raped or otherwise brought this to themselves in a "past life"

Oh, please.

While I agree to a point that you do attract circumstances and people by your own thoughts and actions, I reject the basic concept of this movie that 100% of everything that happens to every single person no matter what their race, religion, etc. they brought upon themselves.

not really what metaphysics or the law of attraction are all about

[blanche-2 · 4/10 · 5 May 2007]

As a student of metaphysics, and as one who has practiced the Law of Attraction successfully for many years, I heard The Secret talked about on Oprah and purchased it. I'm always looking for new "takes" on the concept, if you will. If this has helped some people change their lives, that's great, and for that I will give it a 4. However, for anyone who has studied and practiced metaphysics, it's not really quite there, and I would urge people truly interested in the law of attraction, the one universe-one mind theory, etc., to go well beyond this CD.

Oprah says she practices The Secret, and she does, but not in the way it's practiced here. Oprah comes from a much more spiritual mindset, and that's what The Secret is missing. It's not about getting stuff. It's about developing a sense of true identity and being unafraid to go after what you feel you are meant to do in life and being open to many possible ways of achieving it. This idea is much better stated by Tracy Goss in "The Last Word on Power," by "The Science of Mind," the works of John Randolph Price, by "In Tune with the Infinite," by Ralph Waldo Trine, and by any number of other books.

One of the more vicious comments on the board said if Bill Gates told him that he got rich by imagining it, he'd believe in The Secret. It doesn't quite work that way. Jim Carey is a great believer in metaphysics and the law of attraction, and he did more than imagine his way out of living in a van with his family. Oprah is a great believer in this philosophy as well. So in fact was movie star Ginger Rogers, Georgia Engel from "Mary Tyler Moore" who is now on Broadway, actor Val Kilmer, Broadway star Carol Channing, Carol Burnett, actress Angela Lansbury, the current Miss USA, and more than likely Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and millions of other people. And millions more practice this philosophy every day without realizing it.

The problem with a DVD like this is that this is not a concept that people can decipher easily. How do I know that? I've read the comments here. People think it's about positive thinking and visualizing, which is a pity. Instead of helping an age-old theory, I think The Secret has set back a powerful philosophy thousands of years.

I encourage anyone who sees a grain of something salvageable in this DVD to carry your studies a little further.

Wonderful Film!

[moroccanwaltz · 30 September 2007]

I am so glad to know that all those soldiers returning home from Iraq are going to be able to regrow their limbs and reverse their post-traumatic stress syndromes just by thinking positively! Yay!

Starving child in Africa? Hey kiddo, turn that frown upside down and it's Manna from Heaven time!

Hey Katrina victims - those must have been some pretty dark thoughts you were putting out. That's how hurricanes form, you know, from the whirlwinds of negative-thinking energy!

New Age rhymes with Sewage for a reason.

This is basically "What the bleep do we know" redux. I was always astonished to see the book version of this film in the #1 spot at Amazon for so many weeks. But the popularity of such crap helps mitigate my astonishment at the fact that Bush won a re-election (He must be the world's mostest positivey thinker!) and that people believe that creationism can be taught as science.

Thank you japonaliya and GreySphinx. I love your reviews but I do not have the patience to deal critically with pure crap and the people who eat it. I hope the Mothership comes and takes all these "believers" away soon.

Awesome movie

[LisaMiddletonpc · 10/10 · 3 September 2006]

This movie shows you step-by-step how you can absolutely change your life for the better. I'm sure there are skeptics out there as to the Law of Attraction. For anyone that is skeptical as to how the Law of Attraction works, or if it is working, all you have to do is try it out for yourself and see how wonderfully well it works.

We all know someone who is constantly negative and constantly has negative things showing up in their lives. This person tells everyone about every negative thing that is happening and this person continues to have more and more negative things happen. Well, the same thing works with positivity. People without a spiritual background might have a hard time believing how the Law of Attraction is absolutely working in their lives, but it is working, just as the law of gravity is too.

A must see for all of humanity.

Why are people SO QUICK to judge that this MEDIUM serves a negative rather than a positive purpose???

[zoso8_thegreat · 7/10 · 20 February 2007]

I'm not here to convince anybody of anything, I'm merely displaying my objective thoughts about this film. But I honestly believe that anyone who feels threatened or violated by a film is taking this way out of proportion. I EVEN READ THAT SOMEONE THOUGHT THIS WAS A CULT-LIKE VIDEO. CULT-LIKE??? C'MON PEOPLE...REALLY!!

IT'S NOT TRYING TO RECRUIT YOU INTO ANY CULT OR GROUP OF ANY SORT!! JUST SUGGESTING POSITIVE THOUGHT....THAT IS ALL IT IS!!!!!

I know that we live in such a politically correct continent and all, but its reaching the point that any medium that addresses anything personal to people is "full of sh#*". Or its "a scam". I love that one--"SCAM". Whoever posted that one...haha ha...I wouldn't want to offer you any personal advice for fear of you attacking me, haha. ---DID ANYONE spend more than $5 to watch this film?? If so, then you're a fool to have bought it or spent so much money on something you don't know anything about!!! Of course there's a risk of you not liking it....

ANYWAY.

NOW...what I simply think about this film is that it offers a load of insight that is just suggesting different attitudes through which to live life by. HOW IS THAT SO OFFENSIVE? Seriously!

I know this will sound biased, but this film honestly reinforced a lot of the values and/or attitudes I have already believed in.

It just suggests lot of positive messages that these quantum physicists and common people believe in. HOW IS THIS NEGATIVE?

You can take it with a grain of salt, but if you don't even bother to try these things, how do you know it is full of sh#*. I think its comforting to know that other people other than myself think as positive as I am. Personally, it gives me hope for the future. By that, I mean that it reminds me that there is a lot of good out there in spite of so much negativity in the world.

I suppose it's easy for me to say that positive can defeat negative, even though I may not live with certain pains that others have to live with.

But I've had my share. No one has life easy. Whether you agree with me or not, everybody struggles at some point in their lives, in some way or another.

I guess all I'm trying to say at the end of all of this, even though there is so much more I would like to say, is that if you choose to listen and try these ideas out, you have NOTHING TO LOSE. BUT SO MUCH TO GAIN.

And if you take some of these suggestions to heart, and you think it's crap, then just ignore it and move on.

But I might ask you, do you really, genuinely understand your purpose and/or BELIEVE in your life's direction?

Either way, I hope you just don't bring down people who try and promote good. I guess that includes me.

I'm just another fellow and humble person with much concern for the future of the world I live in, and the people I share it with.

Regards, David M. Shaw

American consumer propaganda at it's worst....

[x498a · 1/10 · 18 November 2006]

So it turns out that the self help boom of the tony robins era is far from over. It's just been re-packaged into a convoluted theory that has no solid foundation of proof. Instead of a supercharged seminar style address by a charismatic pep talker, we hear the scripted rhetoric of less than credible "professionals" set in front of background images that do little to bolster their credentials. In addition to the ambiguous theories about the human mind and it's interaction with the universe, we are presented with short clips demonstrating concepts to us as if we were children requiring special instruction. Quite frankly the entire movie is an insult to common sense and lends itself to the likes of advertising propaganda that toy manufacturers employ to capitalise on fads and fashions. The alternative views proposed in this film, whilst on face value may appear to lure a viewer into believing they are remotely possible become quickly dispelled when the film fails to provide any reasonable explanation and in fact uses a common psychological hook to then divert the viewers attention into a consumerist attitude promoting prosperity and wealth. The old, make them relate to stories of worthlessness then make them believe they can achieve anything, routine is one that will never seem to stop as long as there are manipulative money grabbers around. Sure, pay $45 to get the video, only to find out that your intelligence has been insulted and that everything you hear in this video is something you already knew.

This documentary could change your life...for the better!

[danscranton · 10/10 · 7 November 2006]

I've been studying the science of mind for years now. Having started with Deepak Chopra, "The Power of Now," Wayne Dyer, Ram Dass, and the Seth books, I believe that I have now found the most practical wisdom that has ever been offered in this very physical universe. That wisdom is the subject of the film "The Secret." The film was/is based on the work of Esther Hicks, a woman who channels a family of teachers that call themselves "Abraham" (because what they teach is at the heart of all religions).

Abraham and Esther have been spreading their message of "The Law of Attraction" for almost 20 years now. It's premise is so simple that I am quite certain it will be taught in schools someday, right alongside the law of gravity. The Law of Attraction states that like energy attracts like energy. And since everything you see in this universe (including your body) is comprised of energy (break subatomic particles down to their core and that's all you'll find), it's no surprise that you see the people who talk about wealth the most having the most money and the folks who talk about illness the most...

Now since we cannot see thoughts and emotions, we mostly discount their importance. After all, this is a world of action. Don't like something? Bomb those that are doing it. Want money? Go out and work for it. Have a problem? Get out your tools and fix it. But everything exists in thought before we can speak it, or take action on it. So look around you right now. Everything you see existed in the thoughts of some dreamer before it became manifest in this reality. So thoughts become things. That we can now agree on.

But we can go even further than that by saying that thoughts are energy. Thoughts precede emotion, and emotional energy is undeniable. In other words, think a thought right now. Think it on purpose. Perhaps you can think about a loved one, or a happier time in your life. Note how you feel. You just became a conscious attractor of more of that energy. Now if you think of something that sets you off, presses your buttons, etc., you can feel the difference. You have just focused on what you have decided, through your life experience, that you do not want, and you felt the discord in your being.

So what is this movie about? It's about offering more thoughts consciously that feel good...that are in alignment with what you want. The film offers clear anecdotes of real life examples of the Law of Attraction in action. The stories are the hook here. They will inspire you to live your life on purpose from this day forward. To identify what you want, hold your attention to it, and watch as the Universe (the teachers in this film say "Universe" rather than God because of the hang-ups some people have with the idea of God) delivers you the people, circumstance, money, inspiration, and creativity to live the life you've always dreamed.

Now there are two versions of this film. The first, original version contains Esther Hicks, as she channels Abraham. The second, extended version, does not contain Esther. She was edited out for contractual reasons, and although I have not seen the extended version (it's extended because even though they edited Esther out, they've included more commentary from other teachers), I look forward to viewing it soon. You can find the original version on ebay and amazon. Just make sure you see Esther's name somewhere in the title or description. The extended version is also available on those sites, as well as The Secret's official website.

Ultimately, whether this movie speaks to you or not will depend on where you are in your life and on your path. It may seem preposterous to you now, and if you watched it five or ten years from now, it might make your heart sing.

Much like "What the Bleep Do We Know," this film is catching on with the new ager crowd, and while it was never released in theaters (I think it was originally intended for Australian television), it is gaining quite a cult following.

Happy creating! -Dan Scranton

Absolute best movie I have seen in all my life

[driverscience · 7/10 · 4 November 2006]

I have watched it over 20 times. It has changed my life and the life of my family and friends in every way for the positive. It is just truly amazing information. I have a degree in physics as well and agree with everything in the film 100% fits with what we learned in quantum mechanics. This stuff has to be true. There is no "sloppiness" in the Universe. What you see and feel must manifest 100%. The only thing is that the film only touched the surface of the subject. What I believe is really going on, from experimentation and observation is that consciousness exists in a higher dimensional space (we know 11 exist) and from that higher dimensional space it is possible to change entire time lines in this space, which is four dimensional. Essentially the consciousness, existing outside our time line, is making decisions, the decisions are affecting the neurons in our body and creating feelings. The feelings and thoughts attract the experience. So, really the true cause is the consciousness, which has an ability to not react and create. Now, you can explain this from other points of view as well. Every word uttered by every Avatar from the beginning of time completely fits into this. Also, the reason why ceremony and "day-dreaming" are so important and the reasons why we do it. So much makes sense out of this film.

American "Spirituality" At Its Worst

[scorpio_ny11 · 1/10 · 2 September 2007]

Watching "The Secret", one is in constant anticipation for the punch line, the raison d'etre of a 90-minute "positive thinking infomercial that one can see on cable any day at 3 am or Sunday morning.

Am I being primed to sell houses with zero money down? To join Amway? To buy into the next Enron? To join Scientology? What is the punch line? The punch line is this: if you do not own a million dollar house in Beverley Hills, if you do not travel the world sipping from martinis on the beach, if you do not have a model for a wife, and a perfect 10 body then you are a schmuck, you are are a mental wimp and a negative, ignorant, and unspiritual person. Shame on you! The movie is shameless, superficial, supercilious, sugar-coated, and sickening at every level. We are subjected to endless stories of how we can trick God and the universe by power of positive thinking into making us millionaires. Forget about the wisdom of Solomon, forget about the Sermon on the Mount, forget about The Tao, forget about Buddha - this is one big party down here! Hey man, chill out and loosen up! Eat, drink, and be merry! Feed your ego and grab all the toys you can handle.

Worst of all is the packaging. We are told that the movie is about a Secret that somehow the evil priests and clerics of the world has kept from us. Wow, how original! Secret? Napoleon Hill and Dale Carnegie said the same things decades ago but at least they didn't try to divorce it from all spiritual and philosophical underpinnings.

The Da Vinci Code married to Nietzsche, packaged by Wal-Mart, sold at MacDonalds, and preached by Oprah Winfrey. That is American "Spirituality" at it's "best," circa 2007.

The secret is the best

[sendcristea · 10/10 · 1 January 2008]

Look, everybody can have different opinion on this. That's exactly what they said, not everybody likes BMW's. I'd say well done the secret people, I'd like to believe that you've changed my life, you made me realize that being HERE on earth is a soul's vacantion. Why not enjoy it?!!! Le's all try to do things that we like to do most and combine pleasure with must, and then we shell see the way we will do things. The way we will savurate what we do the way we live. I do want with all my heart to live intensively, energetic, smothhhhhh. Don't you? Or maybe you do already. Congratulation....................................................... ..................................................................... ..................................................................... full stop.

''The secret'' has it's good points, but is far from being great

[Lady_Targaryen · 6/10 · 23 October 2007]

''The Secret '' is a self help DVD, and not one of the greatest in the market. That's what I can say about this movie, in a few words. I expected it to be much better then it actually is, with all that sensationalism saying about ''The Great Secret of the universe that everybody should know''. To be honest, as someone already said, the things said in this DVD are not that much of a secret,and they use a really big marketing to promote this movie,like in the beginning of the DVD, where they say the secret has been passed throughout the ages, traveling through centuries,etc'' almost like a ''Da Vinci Code'.

The majority of the "professionals" hired to give us the instructions of how lead our life, are not exactly trustful, and their stories doesn't have any real proof that they actually happened. We just need to trust on them,even if we never heard about them.

I also don't agree entirely with that they say about the 'Law of Attraction'. I don't think that everybody who has problems, necessarily brings them, or that something will happen just because you are constantly thinking about it. In my opinion, only thinking about something doesn't bring it to you, you need some action to reach your goals too, different from what they say in ''THE SECRET, that looks almost like a magic thing.

I don't want to sound boring, I am a big believer of positive thoughts and I do think this DVD gives us an opportunity to think about our lives and our thoughts, I just expected it to be a little more well produced and with REAL news and secrets.

Disgusting, irresponsible garbage

[Ruskington · 1/10 · 27 July 2020]

The majority of self-help material is little more than inconsequential banal garbage that provides light titillation to its gullible consumers. The Secret, however, is far more insidious. The implicit messages are actually quite reckless and extremely inappropriate. At one point, one of the 'experts' claims that being involved in a car crash is merely a result of your thought patterns and it could have been avoided with more positive thinking. Seriously, he actually said that. How does an incest survivor process this kind of information? Given the type of vulnerable people that will be drawn to a documentary like this, it is actually pretty disgusting to hear such idiotic comments.

The eclectic bunch of supposed specialists on the 'Law of Attraction' include two 'Quantum Physicists', a 'Feng Shui Consultant', a 'Metaphysician' and a 'Visionary' amongst others. The rest of them are 'writers', which is simply a way of saying they have no actual qualifications. Not a single contributor to this debacle would be legally allowed to provide therapy for another human in any lawful country. How on earth did this rubbish get commissioned? At times it is actually quite hard to discern whether this is just satire, but sadly it is not.

The idea that positive thoughts, gratitude and visualisation can help someone's wellbeing is no great 'secret' and these themes are common through all forms of therapy and counselling. But the idea that sending someone on the other side of the world a 'gratitude rock' that you picked from your garden will somehow enhance their life is absolutely laughable. Oh, and let's not forget the guy who put an end to his homophobic bullying purely by altering his thought patterns. That's how the world works right?

One of the single worst pieces of television ever made. Every piece of human garbage associated with this repulsive bilge deserves to be publicly shamed.