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April 1, 2007

THE SECRET: Think It and Make It So

By Marianne Williamson

This Spring, the book and DVD "The Secret" made a blazing appearance onto the stage of American society. From New York to Los Angeles to Denver to Detroit, and apparently in pretty much most towns in between, people scrambled to learn what any metaphysical student knows as the simple law of Cause and Effect. Thought, or consciousness, is the level of Cause; our experience in the world is the level of Effect.

"The Secret" became quite controversial, as both its weaknesses (historical inaccuracies, concentration on individual/material rather than collective/spiritual good) as well as its strengths (the revelation of a simple but very powerful truth: that what you think is what you get) sent elite guardians of the status quo up the wall. Newsweek Magazine, for one, slammed the project as "ethically deplorable" and "scientifically preposterous." While the magazine article's facts weren't necessarily off the mark, its basic cynicism made me root for "The Secret" as though it was David fighting Goliath. For one thing, I had seen people's lives change for the better because they had watched it. I suppose because its contents are the staples of my profession, I was slightly surprised it contained any new information for anyone. But I figured hey, if it did, I'm just glad they watched it.

What struck me was a comment about overweight people that became much-discussed in the media. Newsweek opened its article pointing out that the American Heart Association had issued a report saying that if you want to lose weight, you should reduce your caloric intake and exercise regularly. Fair enough. "The Secret," on the other hand, argues that if you want to be thin, then don't observe overweight people - observe skinny people! What Newsweek saw as an obvious case of science versus scam, I saw as a silly argument between two equally imbalanced worldviews. In the world as I see it, both are correct. And what Newsweek might not realize, by the way, is that by observing more thin people, one programs one's subconscious in such a way that eating healthier and exercising more is more likely to occur on its own, without emotional resistance. And regardless of what the American Heart Association says, the American Psychological Association knows that emotional resistance to dieting is more of a problem for overweight people than is a dearth of vegetables at the grocery store.

Still, on my own path, neither Newsweek nor "The Secret" hone in on what interests me most. My thoughts are with that overweight person.

The issue spiritually is not whether you're overweight or thin; it's whether you're an instrument of love. So as I walked through an airport pondering these issues, I was thinking, "So what am I supposed to do if I see an overweight person? Look away?" That doesn't work for me, though I understand the point "The Secret's" author was making. Rather, I thought, I would want to silently bless, send love, pray for, anyone who might in any way have a problem - which means everyone, whether it shows on the outside or not. There are hundreds of years old paintings of Jesus and saints, with rays of light pouring out their hearts. That's the top of the mountain. It has nothing to do with whether you're rich or poor, overweight or skinny. It has to do with how much light you allow to pour through you with each thought.

Now, it just so happens that in the space of that light, you are directed subconsciously to whatever amounts to your highest expression. And that includes whatever might be your perfect weight, since weight influences the way the body contains the spirit. It is all very simple. Make everything about God, that is all. Which means, make everything about love. Love for the makers of "The Secret," love for the writers of the article in Newsweek, love for overweight people, love for skinny people, love for whoever you see or even think of. Keep your mind on the job of sending out love. Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven (love for everyone) and all (yes, including your perfect weight) will be added unto you.

Or so I see it. And it's no secret at all.

Posted by mwblog at April 1, 2007 11:37 AM

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