The Secret of "The Secret"

In the earlier blog under Book review I referred a self-help book by TV producer/director Rhonda Byrne "The Secret" 2006 which was a follow-up of the DVD movie. And as I did mention about how a neatly and clever age old philosophy and thoughts were well camouflaged to come out with the best seller of the recent times. Its as of today has sold nearly 5 million copies and the reprint has 2 million in pipeline, which makes it the among the single largest reprints ever. Bestsellers list include The Bible (55+ billion), Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong (900 million), Harry Potter & Philosophers Stone (110 million), Richard Bach's "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" (40 million). "The Secret" is the best seller in its Genre of Self Help, Inspirational Series and that which comes close is 2007 edition "The God Delusion" byRichard Dawkins. Now in The Secret of 'The Secret' Karen Kelly delves into this extraordinary phenomenon. What is the secret? Where did it come from and does it really work? She also investigates why this little book has struck such a chord. Why are we drawn to seek answers and change our destiny using the power of the mind and the universe? Scholars and popular culture experts provide perspective on what makes the idea so appealing.
Several participants from The Secret share their behind-the-scenes stories and insights. Renowned psychologists, scientists and theologians weigh in on the power and limits of positive thinking and the Law of Attraction (the basis behind The Secret). Uncover the scientific and religious roots that form the building blocks of The Secret as experts evaluate the author's claims about the various connections between these principles and 'the Secret'.

The Secret of Secret tries to give credit to the innumerable people, methodologies, New thought practitioner's which Rhonda had failed to acknowledge, while challenging the claim that the Secret had been a secret to a few. The book tries to uncover facts, resemblances to the commentary stated in the book, and tries to establish the connection of the people whose quotes and names have been used. A few interesting pieces include those of Bethoven, Mozzart, Einstein, Ford, Shakespeare etc. The book explains how the facts and quotes can be misinterpreted by media and without validation and interpretation of the original speakers been included in the creation of the Secret.

Though the book is boring for its a semi-criticism book it tries to help uncover the source of complete stories and religious fundamentalism which were censored from the content in the book. It also takes the secret to the next level and dispel the usage of the Secret in which Rhonda confines herself to a lot of materialism and money making mechanism without actually doing anything. Kelly tells how misinterpretation could undo the goodness in the philosophy.

The book also speaks in length about the documentary movie called ""What the Bleep Do We Know!?" (also written as What tHē βLεερ Dθ ωΣ (k)Πow!?)

which is a 2004 film, followed by an extended 2006 DVD release, which combines documentary-style interviews, computer-animated graphics, and a narrative that posits a spiritual connection between quantum physics and consciousness. The film suggests that individual and group consciousness can influence the material world. The plot follows the story of a fictional deaf photographer as she struggles with her life.

The DVD has had lots of success owing to the Secret, but Kelly felt it was much refined in approach and content and very practical too. The DVD was perceived as next big step to Secret atleast the author felt of this in this fashion with the kind of demand and interest the DVD has been making after the success of "The Secret". Kelly tries to co-relate of few of commonalities and the fashion in which one can borrow articles from Quantum Physics, which none could understand leave alone interpret and make a total story out of it. She demonstrates the way Rhonda uses this in her book. The way Science can be used and misinterpreted in the usage of various philosophies and methodologies are also demonstrated.

Also she explains how the timing of the book was so perfect for the world audience especially the Americans, where the society in on verge of financial depression with the ongoing sub-prime and oil-crisis. And how the timing couldn't have been much better for people to look for hope and get encouraged to buy this book. And from the marketing mindset she tries to uncover how the method of guerrilla marketing, viral marketing, Internet marketing, word-of-mouth, cult marketing and circulations help boost the sales and popularity of the book and DVDs. She explains how the authors, presenters who already had a loyal set of followers helped "The Secret" achieve critical mass by recommending within their own distribution list and help it gather the critical mass.

Further readings and articles which can be read to make up ones own mind have been recommended for the readers to make their own decisions.
Kelly WebLinks: http://www.universallawstoday.com/

Personally felt the book by Karen Kelly was trying to balance out a lot things from the Runaway success of The Secret. Tries to do a factual analysis but failed to understand the reason of its existence. For me a best seller are made to be best seller and make money, and perhaps on easy way is to take it on from where one has left and carry on a crusade against it with a big PR campaign, but mind you one needs to have talent for anything. Was a little disheartened to learn that there has a New Thought book named "Art of living" written in 1937 by Norman Vincent Peale , for its the name of organisation which along with million others I respect here in India.
And a few pence from my end is that from our tradition, which speaks of knowledge being shared across with ones who seek it whole heatedly and for a good purpose. In the times of Gurukul, where the Guru's taught their disciples or Sishya's the expectation wasn't much in return nor they usually hide knowledge, yes things were held for sometime till the disciple were capable of handling the knowledge and have mastered the pre-requisites. Guru was supposed to manifestation of energy and energy can't be contained for long and it had to flow seamlessly. The Guru has to facilitate this without expecting anything in return. If this is applicable to the Secret I feel all the right and correct things shouldn't be selfishly sealed in the closet never to be discovered by the next generations. The wisdom of wise has to sustain and support the betterment of the current and future generations and not ever contained to self.