Description
The Secret
, created by Rhonda Byrne, is a 2006 self-help franchise consisting of a film and book that popularized the pseudoscientific “law of attraction”. The central idea is that thoughts can directly influence objective reality, meaning that positive thoughts bring positive outcomes, and negative thoughts bring negative outcomes.
Key concepts
- The law of attraction: The core principle of The Secret is that “like attracts like.” This suggests that your thoughts and feelings send out a frequency to the universe, which then attracts people and circumstances on the same frequency.
- Three-step process: Byrne outlines a simple method for using the law of attraction:
- Ask: Clearly define your desires to the universe.
- Believe: Act and feel as if what you desire is already yours. This unwavering faith is key to manifestation.
- Receive: Open yourself up to receiving what you have asked for.
- Visualization and gratitude: The book emphasizes using visualization—imagining your goals as if they are already achieved—and practicing gratitude for what you already have. These practices are said to align your energy with your goals.
- Historical context: The franchise claims that this “secret” has been known to influential figures throughout history, including Plato, Beethoven, and Einstein, but has been deliberately hidden from the public.
Origin and inspiration
Byrne created The Secret after a period of personal trauma and discovery in 2004. She was inspired by Wallace Wattles’ 1910 book The Science of Getting Rich, which was given to her by her daughter. The film, released in March 2006, featured interviews with a variety of “teachers,” including authors, philosophers, and entrepreneurs. The book followed later that year and became an international bestseller.
Major criticisms and controversies
The Secret has received widespread criticism for several reasons:
- Pseudoscience: The scientific claims used to support the law of attraction, including misinterpretations of quantum physics, have been rejected by the scientific community.
- Victim-blaming: The concept that an individual’s negative thoughts attract misfortune has been heavily criticized for promoting victim-blaming. Critics argue this view is harmful and disregards systemic issues or external circumstances beyond a person’s control.
- Lack of action: While the book mentions “inspired action,” it is often criticized for implying that positive thinking alone is enough to bring results, downplaying the role of hard work, planning, and effort.
- Oversimplification: Many critics argue that the book oversimplifies the complexities of life, presenting the law of attraction as a cure-all rather than a tool to improve one’s mindset.
- Profit motive: Critics also point to the franchise’s extensive commercialization—including books, films, and other products—as evidence of a profit-driven agenda.
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