"The Secret" Is Out

New Age Phenomenon Claims You Can Have Anything You Want

(CBS)  The secret is out. "The Secret," the book that purports to reveal the secret of happiness, is dominating the best seller list.

DVDs are flying off store shelves, CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reports.

"We have people come in and buy 20 to 50 copies at a time," says Harmony Rose Allor of the Bodhi Tree Bookstore.

The sales aren't the only thing out of this world. "The Secret," as revealed – rather, hyped – by Australian TV producer Rhonda Byrne makes an astonishing claim.

"You can have, do, or be anything," Byrne claims.

Want that necklace, a big house, a cancer cure? Focus on it, feel it, and the universe will deliver.

"I have seen many miracles take place in people's lives," Michael Beckwith says in "The Secret."

"It sounds kind of materialistic, but that's not what's really going on. It's simply what you think about, you bring about," Beckwith adds.

Actor Hal Sparks gave "The Secret" to his girlfriend Samantha Humphreys.

"And it worked," Sparks says. "It always does." "Like a charm," Humphreys adds.

Now she's in a loving relationship and visualizes her other desires. Things come to you when the universe decides, Humphrey says.

Extreme? No, mainstream. Even Oprah says she believes it.

And in Dallas, true believers gather openly for "Secret" meetings.

"The things that I truly want, they show up," Robyn Short says.

As New Agey as it seems, it's not new. In the 50's it was "The Power Of Positive Thinking." In the 60's, there was "Good Vibrations."

"This is old hot air in a new balloon," says psychologist Jerald Jellison of the University of South California. He says it offers seductively easy answers in hard times.

"I don't want to teach my child that they can just wish for a good grade and they're going to get it," Jellison says. "We all understand it takes work."

Samantha Humphreys will keep telling her friends "The Secret." No one says to her that it's ridiculous "because you have nothing to lose," she says.

And that could be the secret to its unbelievable success.

[luvbluz2]

I pray and create that it will change the conciousness of this planet into people being the positive "beings" they where originally made to be and harnessing the Absolute God that is our birthright within us and that we find the peace and road to our true home within.
When we do this we will have no more wars because the only war we've had has been within us and not outside. We've only terrorized ourselves, I wish that everyone will someday see this and I wish world peace seen 1st inside and
therefore it puts it out into the world as meant to be "peace". The "secret" helped me to understand the only war I have and the world has is within itself. Our huge population on earth has lost critical information. It's so simple that it is out of sight. .
We can read every book on love, yet if we don't experience it, we will never understand it. Love can only become that "love" thru internal experience as everything else. Knowledge of the secret assists us and helps us to see and
to understand the experiences we choose to accept, therefore we are able to "experience" again the great things of life, like happiness, peace, love, //// why have we forgotten.
The "secret" helps us to REMEMBER WHO WE ARE.
Internal work is WORK, it's not an easy path, yet once you know the "secret" it's a blast.
Again I and my Teacher can only Thank you James and my other mentors for success in deliverance.
I love you!
Linda, Brentwood, CA

[luvbluz2]

I've been following "the secret" for over a year now. I have been to all the positive trainings before and there has been nothing close to assisting me in understanding how to change my life as "the secret" has done. Please understand that if you don't take "action" it will not work, you have to "move your body and work" also, but it explains it in a way that the moving part becomes a whole lot of fun.
I have become a "totally new person" believe it or not, and it came into alignment with knowing "the secret" I hope it will help to change the conciousness of this planet into being the positive "being" they where made.
Thank you also James Ray and my other mentors for my success. I love you!

[mdemaria1]

The News media always seems to seek out only the negative points of view. That is why our country is in terrible, divisive shape. The Secret does work, it is a system that helps us retrain our subconscious. When we have trouble in manifestation, it is from our programming from childhood. What is the harm in choosing a better way to live? Our current state of Reality!!! That is not successful worldwide. Now Media must take a proactive, positive view of life to help us move forward. What we focus on grows as evidence in the War and our current state of the Country. So, what would you rather have, this negative, reality.. Our creating a better one.

[mdemaria1]

The News media always seems to seek out only the negative points of view. That is why our country is in terrible, divisive shape. The Secret does work, it is a system that helps us retrain our subconscious. When we have trouble in manifestation, it is from our programming from childhood. What is the harm in choosing a better way to live? Our current state of Reality!!! That is not successful worldwide. Now Media must take a proactive, positive view of life to help us move forward. What we focus on grows as evidence in the War and our current state of the Country. So, what would you rather have, this negative, reality.. Our creating a better one.

[chz1974]

This post is to clarify for the gentleman that thought A.B.M.A. was American Boiler Manufacturers Association. I don't know if he missed the comma between the B and the M, but it should more properly be stated, A.B., M.A. Since the gentleman is apparently not aware, many Ivy League and other prestigious universities (Dartmouth College in this case), give out "A.B" degrees rather than "B.A." degrees, as A.B. is the appropriate abbreviation in Latin. I know this because the individual in question from the movie was a fraternity brother of mine at Dartmouth. I hope the gentleman knows that an M.A. degree is a Master of Arts degree. The PhD degree of this indivdual is in quantum physics from Harvard University. My one query to you is the following: if YOU had a PhD degree in quantum physics from Harvard University, which you apparently do not, how would you describe yourself OTHER THAN as a quantum physicist?

[dbishop14]

Prayers are answered not because we are so eloquent in persuading GOD or convincing GOD to change his or her mind. They are answered because by praying/being in gratitude we change our mind to one that is in alignment with GOD eternal plan. Which is for us to be open to receiving all that GOD is always giving

[gailkurp]

To the woman that asked if there are any Christian believers that subscribe to the Secret, I would like to stand up and say "ABSOLUTELY!" This concept is overwhelmingly based on scripture - the most obvious, "Ask and you shall receive!" The Secret doesn't say that you just think about something and it magically appears... it says that you think about what you want, visualize yourself already having it, and being open to receiving it. "Open to receiving" is just another way to say "Believe!" God made the Universe; God created the Energy through which we can communicate with Him. We communicate with God through Prayer which is essentially our "thoughts" (transference of energy). Anyone that prays believes that God will hear and respond - every time, no exception. The Secret is just about aligning our energy with what we want and using our energy connection with the Universe to manifest these things in our lives. The Bible is full of stories that demonstrate how God wants to show us His abundant blessing if we believe in Him and trust His word. Even in nature, God expresses Himself in abundance. There is no limit to the leaves on the trees %u2013 there is simple abundance. If you BELIEVE in God and His willingness to bless us abundantly, then The Secret makes perfect sense.

[ducdebrabant]

Is this a real article? It reads like an ad for the book.

[wchywoman]

GOD!!!! The Holy Bible!!!! I personally did not hear one person during this segment mention either!!!! Matthew 17:20-

[glennathan]

For people that don't read their bible, I imagine you would be buying this book. I wonder how many true Bible reading Christians are running out to buy this book? I want to believe "not that many."

What a shame, but if this book is where you can get inspiration good--I'm all for it.

As I read above, that people "don't have anything to lose." According to the Bible, you have your Soul to lose, if you don't believe--and I'm not speaking of "The Secret."

[mshalome]

I am a 45 year old electrician and have a well engrained American work ethic and I believe it is
apparent, though subjective, that one's frame of mind has a strong bearing on the outcome of one's reality. Whether momentum in a sports game, or seeing opportunity rather than problems, we all experience the phenomenon that our lives tend to be a reflection of our beliefs and attitudes. Can anybody doubt that every great move in social advancement occurs when people are inspired towards a better reality? I applaud the endeavors of people that seek to awaken the latent potentials for good in people.
MWright Titusville, Fl.

[mshalome]

I am a 45 year old electrician and have a well engrained American work ethic and I believe it is
apparent, though subjective, that one's frame of mind has a strong bearing on the outcome of one's reality. Whether momentum in a sports game, or seeing opportunity rather than problems, we all experience the phenomenon that our lives tend to be a reflection of our beliefs and attitudes. Can anybody doubt that every great move in social advancement occurs when people are inspired towards a better reality? I applaud the endeavors of people that seek to awaken the latent potentials for good in people.
MWright Titusville, Fl.

[mshalome]

I am a 45 year old electrician and have a well engrained American work ethic and I believe it is
apparent, though subjective, that one's frame of mind has a strong bearing on the outcome of one's reality. Whether momentum in a sports game, or seeing opportunity rather than problems, we all experience the phenomenon that our lives tend to be a reflection of our beliefs and attitudes. Can anybody doubt that every great move in social advancement occurs when people are inspired towards a better reality? I applaud the endeavors of people that seek to awaken the latent potentials for good in people.
MWright Titusville, Fl.

[mshalome]

I am a 45 year old electrician and have a well engrained American work ethic and I believe it is
apparent, though subjective, that one's frame of mind has a strong bearing on the outcome of one's reality. Whether momentum in a sports game, or seeing opportunity rather than problems, we all experience the phenomenon that our lives tend to be a reflection of our beliefs and attitudes. Can anybody doubt that every great move in social advancement occurs when people are inspired towards a better reality? I applaud the endeavors of people that seek to awaken the latent potentials for good in people.
MWright Titusville, Fl.

[mshalome]

I am a 45 year old electrician and have a well engrained American work ethic and I believe it is
apparent, though subjective, that one's frame of mind has a strong bearing on the outcome of one's reality. Whether momentum in a sports game, or seeing opportunity rather than problems, we all experience the phenomenon that our lives tend to be a reflection of our beliefs and attitudes. Can anybody doubt that every great move in social advancement occurs when people are inspired towards a better reality? I applaud the endeavors of people that seek to awaken the latent potentials for good in people.
MWright Titusville, Fl.

[mshalome]

I am a 45 year old electrician and have a well engrained American work ethic and I believe it is
apparent, though subjective, that one's frame of mind has a strong bearing on the outcome of one's reality. Whether momentum in a sports game, or seeing opportunity rather than problems, we all experience the phenomenon that our lives tend to be a reflection of our beliefs and attitudes. Can anybody doubt that every great move in social advancement occurs when people are inspired towards a better reality? I applaud the endeavors of people that seek to awaken the latent potentials for good in people.
MWright Titusville, Fl.

[cbgb31]

America, wake up and smell the B.S.!
Posted by Dave_n1yvv at 10:24 AM : Mar 01, 2007


Good one.

[dave_n1yvv]

It's a shame we don't bother to learn or remember our own history. Remember after the Civil War? The carpet-baggers? Can you say Snake Oil?

[extremophil]

I already know da secret. CHA CHING! CHA CHING!

[adavis07]

All of you can take "the Secret" how ever your heart desires. If you don't like it, then don't buy it. I however have changed my life completly by implementing the secret to everyday ongoings. No it is not for everyone, just like church or cults or certain groups! We all learn on different levels, but don't slam something you've yet to try or apply. As for negative...isn't everyday news negative. You want to talk about putting negative into peoples lives, just keep watching the news! That is ALL they focus on! You want to change your life....then do something about it! You are in control, with or without the help of a book or DVD. Look at the whole picture, look at yourself. By the way this is NOT just positive thinking, its a vibration you send out, much deeper than just positive thinking!