Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 1:01am
Spirituality Gone Wild
Column: Spiritual Psychology
The recent Arizona sweat lodge deaths call attention to notions or philosophies with seductive grains of truth that leap to dangerous applications. In the sweat lodge tragedy, “pushing the limits of your comfort zone” crossed the line between life and death.
I’m frequently bewildered when otherwise sophisticated people (and that was certainly true of many sweat lodge victims) succumb to transparent unrealistic promises. THe popular book, The Secret is another example of propelling a basic truth into never never land.
Yes, there is something worthwhile in “pushing beyond your comfort zones” or embracing positive thinking. Surely, inertia or wallowing in negativity are not likely to get you far unless you are plain lucky. But luck is neither a reliable business plan or life plan. So you must act.
Thinking positively and having trust and faith are powerful first steps on a ladder of ascendency. That first step, though, must be followed by hard internal work and persistence in constructive external actions.
Because the promotion of false applications of fundamental spiritual principles are so damaging to spirituality and individual well being, I’m reissuing an article that I once wrote that expresses the dangerous and “cruel” sides of The Secret. The article resonates with Barbara Ehrenreich’s current book, Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America.
Please, don’t get me wrong. Challenging some of the outrageous claims of positive thinking and other spiritual principles does not mean that I reject their basic truths and valuable strategies. But unsupportable claims and destructive applications only serve to undermine and turn people away from spirituality, while reinforcing the negative stereotypes.
The Cruel Side of The Secret
Circus entrepreneur P.T. Barnum made a fortune with his philosophy: "There's a sucker born every minute." Journalist H.L. Mencken added another twist: "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the public." The troupe behind "The Secret" have mastered those strategies — and added a few twists of their own.
Who would have believed that you could convince people that they could have wealth, health and longevity by laying down 24 bucks for a book, or 29 dollars for a DVD? Who would have thought that a simple "secret" could show you how to realize all your dreams?
You don't have to bother going down to the beach in search of the bottle with the genie. Working for a living doesn't make much sense either, if you can just materialize whatever you want. And why spend money on lottery tickets with their slim probability of winning, when you can go for a sure thing without laying out a cent once you know "The Secret?"
Everyone has access to the great genie in the sky — the universe — says The Secret. Just close your eyes, think positively, vibrate in unison with the right frequencies, and whatever your heart — or rather your ego — desires, your friend the universe will miraculously deliver to you: "Like Aladdin's Genie, the Law of Attraction grants our every command."
Struggling with weight loss? Forget about the South Beach and Zone diets: "To lose weight, don't focus on 'losing weight.' Instead, focus on your perfect weight. Feel the feelings of your perfect weight, and you will summon it to you."
Do you have one of those sub-prime mortgages and are worrying how you will make the next payment? Why not just pay off the entire mortgage? "It is as easy to manifest $1 as it is to manifest $1 million."
Need a new car, but can't afford it? "You put yourself in the feeling place of really being in that car."
I can give more examples, but I think you get the point.
The Secret's formula is reminiscent of a story told by the leader of an African nation. He remarked that the colonialists came to his country and gave his people the Bible. Then the invaders taught the populace how to pray with their eyes closed. When they opened their eyes, he said, the people had the Bible and the colonialists had the land.
Don't be surprised when you open your eyes, after visualizing the stuff of your dreams, to see that you have The Secret book and DVD on your shelf and The Secret people have what you were dreaming about, from the sale of millions of copies of the book, video and promotional spin-offs.
All this would be amusing and harmless — even entertaining— if didn't have a more serious and potentially damaging, if not cruel, side. The secret of The Secret is that it makes the victim the perpetrator.
Around the time that The Secret was published, Larry King interviewed Joe Vitale, one of The Secret's handlers. When Joe flamboyantly stated the Law of Attraction, Larry asked him how that applied to a case all over the news that week: "Did 11-year-old Carlie Brucia, who was abducted and viciously raped and buried alive, attract this?" Joe hesitated a few seconds, realizing that any exception would open a hornet's nest of other exceptions. So he promptly repeated The Law: "You attract everything that happens to you."
It left me speechless.
Similarly, we are told that disease follows the Law of Attraction. If you have cancer, it's because of wrong or negative thinking that brings on stress. And stress "begins with one negative thought." But The Secret says you can reverse disease, "with one small positive thought and then another."
Huh? What about popes, sages or other enlightened beings throughout history who died of cancer, heart disease, plagues and a host of other diseases? If they weren't sufficiently positive in their thinking, or weren't in tune with the universe, then we're all in big trouble.
Since writing about The Secret, I have received a number of disturbing emails and calls that may be the tip of an iceberg. One woman who works with emotionally vulnerable cancer patients reported that after reading The Secret, many patients feel guilt and shame for "attracting" their illnesses and bringing suffering and pain to themselves and loved ones.
Yes, we know that stress and other lifestyle factors may contribute to disease, but there are many glaring exceptions — people who violate all the popular wisdom about healthy living and yet live long and physically healthy lives. Perhaps they followed a more basic principle of the universe — to pick your parents very carefully so that you have health, longevity and resiliency genes. And yes, positive thinking is useful and even essential for maximizing the potential for improvement and possible recovery. Combined with other treatments, it can be a potent factor; still, there's mystery and no guarantees.
While science admits only incomplete knowledge of health and longevity, The Secret claims complete and absolute knowledge — and it's all very simple, narrowing that knowledge to a few infallible "laws of the universe." This would be exciting, even miraculously groundbreaking, if there were any credible evidence for these claims. Instead, we get tidbit droppings selected from broad scientific theories along with huge leaps to sweeping far-reaching conclusions in a fact-free field. In its casual free hand in using "supportive" quotes from quantum physics, The Secret conveniently ignores one of the most fundamental underpinnings of the new science: Werner Heisenberg's uncertainty principle — that we can know some things but not everything.
Sure, energy is a pillar of the universe. On one level, the world is energy in motion. So far, so good. But next, The Secret insists we can control the universe's energy and turn it into anything we want — preferably new houses, new cars and other stuff that presumably will make us happy. But hold on, aren't we missing a few steps between points A and B?
Faith is a good starting point, but not blind faith. We need supportive evidence, or something resembling it, not just one-sided, hand-picked, too-good-to-be-true anecdotal reports that suspiciously shield us from annoying contradictory cases.
So here's my proposal to set the record straight. It will short-circuit the bickering about "Does "the Secret" work or doesn't it?
I noticed that Joe Vitale, one of the handlers of The Secret is totally bald on top. Now baldness is certainly not in the same league as cancer. But lots of men are disturbed by it. I read a poll a few years ago reporting that an impressive percentage of bald men would give five years of their lives for a full head of hair. I, personally, have always loved my widening bald spot. It reminds me of how much we don't know. No doubt there are much potential riches in the vast market for a cure. And indeed, huge sums of money are invested worldwide in the hunt for a baldness cure.
In the case of baldness, we can examine the follicles under a microscope, directly manipulate and experiment with them in every conceivable way. You can even hold the entire problem in your hand.
What I'm getting at is, if The Secret can prevent and cure cancer by manipulating its complex biochemistry, then growing a head of hair should be a cakewalk. So, Joe, please start thinking positively about hair. Just as {ialic}The Secret tells dieters to "visualize your ideal weight," start visualizing those wonderful locks you had as a teenager. At the same time, get in touch with your close friend "the universe" to jump-start your new follicles.
I suspect you will try to squirm out of this challenge by saying, "Bald is beautiful," and you just don't want to go the hair growth route, even though The Secret can do it. And I respect that. I'm trying to cultivate that view myself for what I suspect lies in my near future. But since there's so much at stake, let's put that sweet thought aside and go for it. Be a sport and "do this one for the Gipper," so we can convince all the suffering cancer patients that they can think and visualize their way to health.
I'll be watching Larry King Live for your reappearance with a full, dazzling head of hair. And here's an additional perk: I'll pay for your first 10 haircuts. It's not that I'm generous, Joe. The fruits of this miracle will go for big bucks on eBay.
In case you missed my last two columns about The Secret:
The Secret vs. the Buddha
The Secret: Spirituality it isn't
— — —
Bernard Starr, Ph.D., formerly professor of developmental and educational psychology at the City University of New York, now teaches “Psychology and Spirituality in Film” at Marymount Manhattan College. In addition to his work in radio (“The Longevity Report”), he is a longtime contributor of commentary and opinion articles to numerous major newspapers and other publications. He is also the President of the Association for Spirituality and Psychotherapy and is the main United Nations representative for the Institute of Global Education that founded the Mucherla Global School in Mucherla, India.
— — —
NEWS: You can now preview selected passages from each chapter of my book ("Escape Your own Prison: Why We Need Spirituality And Psychology To Be Truly Free" published by Rowman and Litelfied) at Google Books
The complete book is available at Amazon.com,Barnes& Noble.com and other major book outlets.
E-mail: OmniCns@aol.com
I’m frequently bewildered when otherwise sophisticated people (and that was certainly true of many sweat lodge victims) succumb to transparent unrealistic promises. THe popular book, The Secret is another example of propelling a basic truth into never never land.
Yes, there is something worthwhile in “pushing beyond your comfort zones” or embracing positive thinking. Surely, inertia or wallowing in negativity are not likely to get you far unless you are plain lucky. But luck is neither a reliable business plan or life plan. So you must act.
Thinking positively and having trust and faith are powerful first steps on a ladder of ascendency. That first step, though, must be followed by hard internal work and persistence in constructive external actions.
Because the promotion of false applications of fundamental spiritual principles are so damaging to spirituality and individual well being, I’m reissuing an article that I once wrote that expresses the dangerous and “cruel” sides of The Secret. The article resonates with Barbara Ehrenreich’s current book, Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America.
Please, don’t get me wrong. Challenging some of the outrageous claims of positive thinking and other spiritual principles does not mean that I reject their basic truths and valuable strategies. But unsupportable claims and destructive applications only serve to undermine and turn people away from spirituality, while reinforcing the negative stereotypes.
The Cruel Side of The Secret
Circus entrepreneur P.T. Barnum made a fortune with his philosophy: "There's a sucker born every minute." Journalist H.L. Mencken added another twist: "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the public." The troupe behind "The Secret" have mastered those strategies — and added a few twists of their own.
Who would have believed that you could convince people that they could have wealth, health and longevity by laying down 24 bucks for a book, or 29 dollars for a DVD? Who would have thought that a simple "secret" could show you how to realize all your dreams?
You don't have to bother going down to the beach in search of the bottle with the genie. Working for a living doesn't make much sense either, if you can just materialize whatever you want. And why spend money on lottery tickets with their slim probability of winning, when you can go for a sure thing without laying out a cent once you know "The Secret?"
Everyone has access to the great genie in the sky — the universe — says The Secret. Just close your eyes, think positively, vibrate in unison with the right frequencies, and whatever your heart — or rather your ego — desires, your friend the universe will miraculously deliver to you: "Like Aladdin's Genie, the Law of Attraction grants our every command."
Struggling with weight loss? Forget about the South Beach and Zone diets: "To lose weight, don't focus on 'losing weight.' Instead, focus on your perfect weight. Feel the feelings of your perfect weight, and you will summon it to you."
Do you have one of those sub-prime mortgages and are worrying how you will make the next payment? Why not just pay off the entire mortgage? "It is as easy to manifest $1 as it is to manifest $1 million."
Need a new car, but can't afford it? "You put yourself in the feeling place of really being in that car."
I can give more examples, but I think you get the point.
The Secret's formula is reminiscent of a story told by the leader of an African nation. He remarked that the colonialists came to his country and gave his people the Bible. Then the invaders taught the populace how to pray with their eyes closed. When they opened their eyes, he said, the people had the Bible and the colonialists had the land.
Don't be surprised when you open your eyes, after visualizing the stuff of your dreams, to see that you have The Secret book and DVD on your shelf and The Secret people have what you were dreaming about, from the sale of millions of copies of the book, video and promotional spin-offs.
All this would be amusing and harmless — even entertaining— if didn't have a more serious and potentially damaging, if not cruel, side. The secret of The Secret is that it makes the victim the perpetrator.
Around the time that The Secret was published, Larry King interviewed Joe Vitale, one of The Secret's handlers. When Joe flamboyantly stated the Law of Attraction, Larry asked him how that applied to a case all over the news that week: "Did 11-year-old Carlie Brucia, who was abducted and viciously raped and buried alive, attract this?" Joe hesitated a few seconds, realizing that any exception would open a hornet's nest of other exceptions. So he promptly repeated The Law: "You attract everything that happens to you."
It left me speechless.
Similarly, we are told that disease follows the Law of Attraction. If you have cancer, it's because of wrong or negative thinking that brings on stress. And stress "begins with one negative thought." But The Secret says you can reverse disease, "with one small positive thought and then another."
Huh? What about popes, sages or other enlightened beings throughout history who died of cancer, heart disease, plagues and a host of other diseases? If they weren't sufficiently positive in their thinking, or weren't in tune with the universe, then we're all in big trouble.
Since writing about The Secret, I have received a number of disturbing emails and calls that may be the tip of an iceberg. One woman who works with emotionally vulnerable cancer patients reported that after reading The Secret, many patients feel guilt and shame for "attracting" their illnesses and bringing suffering and pain to themselves and loved ones.
Yes, we know that stress and other lifestyle factors may contribute to disease, but there are many glaring exceptions — people who violate all the popular wisdom about healthy living and yet live long and physically healthy lives. Perhaps they followed a more basic principle of the universe — to pick your parents very carefully so that you have health, longevity and resiliency genes. And yes, positive thinking is useful and even essential for maximizing the potential for improvement and possible recovery. Combined with other treatments, it can be a potent factor; still, there's mystery and no guarantees.
While science admits only incomplete knowledge of health and longevity, The Secret claims complete and absolute knowledge — and it's all very simple, narrowing that knowledge to a few infallible "laws of the universe." This would be exciting, even miraculously groundbreaking, if there were any credible evidence for these claims. Instead, we get tidbit droppings selected from broad scientific theories along with huge leaps to sweeping far-reaching conclusions in a fact-free field. In its casual free hand in using "supportive" quotes from quantum physics, The Secret conveniently ignores one of the most fundamental underpinnings of the new science: Werner Heisenberg's uncertainty principle — that we can know some things but not everything.
Sure, energy is a pillar of the universe. On one level, the world is energy in motion. So far, so good. But next, The Secret insists we can control the universe's energy and turn it into anything we want — preferably new houses, new cars and other stuff that presumably will make us happy. But hold on, aren't we missing a few steps between points A and B?
Faith is a good starting point, but not blind faith. We need supportive evidence, or something resembling it, not just one-sided, hand-picked, too-good-to-be-true anecdotal reports that suspiciously shield us from annoying contradictory cases.
So here's my proposal to set the record straight. It will short-circuit the bickering about "Does "the Secret" work or doesn't it?
I noticed that Joe Vitale, one of the handlers of The Secret is totally bald on top. Now baldness is certainly not in the same league as cancer. But lots of men are disturbed by it. I read a poll a few years ago reporting that an impressive percentage of bald men would give five years of their lives for a full head of hair. I, personally, have always loved my widening bald spot. It reminds me of how much we don't know. No doubt there are much potential riches in the vast market for a cure. And indeed, huge sums of money are invested worldwide in the hunt for a baldness cure.
In the case of baldness, we can examine the follicles under a microscope, directly manipulate and experiment with them in every conceivable way. You can even hold the entire problem in your hand.
What I'm getting at is, if The Secret can prevent and cure cancer by manipulating its complex biochemistry, then growing a head of hair should be a cakewalk. So, Joe, please start thinking positively about hair. Just as {ialic}The Secret tells dieters to "visualize your ideal weight," start visualizing those wonderful locks you had as a teenager. At the same time, get in touch with your close friend "the universe" to jump-start your new follicles.
I suspect you will try to squirm out of this challenge by saying, "Bald is beautiful," and you just don't want to go the hair growth route, even though The Secret can do it. And I respect that. I'm trying to cultivate that view myself for what I suspect lies in my near future. But since there's so much at stake, let's put that sweet thought aside and go for it. Be a sport and "do this one for the Gipper," so we can convince all the suffering cancer patients that they can think and visualize their way to health.
I'll be watching Larry King Live for your reappearance with a full, dazzling head of hair. And here's an additional perk: I'll pay for your first 10 haircuts. It's not that I'm generous, Joe. The fruits of this miracle will go for big bucks on eBay.
In case you missed my last two columns about The Secret:
The Secret vs. the Buddha
The Secret: Spirituality it isn't
— — —
Bernard Starr, Ph.D., formerly professor of developmental and educational psychology at the City University of New York, now teaches “Psychology and Spirituality in Film” at Marymount Manhattan College. In addition to his work in radio (“The Longevity Report”), he is a longtime contributor of commentary and opinion articles to numerous major newspapers and other publications. He is also the President of the Association for Spirituality and Psychotherapy and is the main United Nations representative for the Institute of Global Education that founded the Mucherla Global School in Mucherla, India.
— — —
NEWS: You can now preview selected passages from each chapter of my book ("Escape Your own Prison: Why We Need Spirituality And Psychology To Be Truly Free" published by Rowman and Litelfied) at Google Books
The complete book is available at Amazon.com,Barnes& Noble.com and other major book outlets.
E-mail: OmniCns@aol.com