Having just now read and re-read, and yes, re-read, Pete Koerner’s response to the most recent question that came to me (they really do come out of the blue), it is clear to me that his reply, his answering, is so worthy of featuring again, as it is a great stimulator of thought and discussion, as we LOVE to experience in Cyres Cafe. Thank You, Pete, *hug* for this:

Response to “Is ‘The Secret’ too simplistic for your world?”

Pete Koerner Says:
February 29th, 2008 at 2:38 pm

“The Secret” has certainly stirred-up all manner of response — from praise to criticism and accusations of heresy. The initial response was overwhelmingly positive; perhaps because everyone loves Secrets — even if you have to pay for them. Then, something quite interesting happened…

The Secret raised the hackles of a very large percentage of the “Spiritual” sect. Spirituality and Health Magazine, for one, landed on The Secret with both feet; and a number of other Spiritual sites and sources had the same basic criticisms: “The Secret is: Materialistic, Narcissistic, Shallow, Smug, Judgmental, etc…”

My initial response was, “Oh, more of this… I was hoping for something radically new and different; but, oh well; there truly is only the One, and nothing new under the Sun.” But, then again, I already knew and practiced the Secret; so it only served as a reminder, corroboration, etc, for what I was already doing in my own life. My only negative thought was that there wasn’t a lot of information about how to change negatives to positives, etc — just that we should, or must, do that in order to make anything work.

When I saw all the negativity and judgment, however, I realized the genius in The Secret. Not necessarily Rhonda Byrne’s genius, or the marketing genius that turned a smallish book with little in the way of new information into a global phenomenon — but the genius of any work of consciousness that evokes such a tremendous response from all sides of an issue.

People who thought they were Spiritual and “Above all the pettiness” found themselves — in a very public forum — openly criticizing and judging others… As a traveler on the path, I relish tricky terrain for the growth opportunities it presents; and, at the risk of sounding smug and judgmental myself, I was happy for the editor and staff of S&H that they had an opportunity to realize that their journey here ends when they are no longer physical — until then, none of us knows it all. Whenever something invokes within me the kind of response the Secret prompted in its detractors, I am grateful that I have found my next “project:” Understanding why I am wrong in my judgments.

The Secret initiated more people to the idea of “Thoughts create Reality” than any work I can remember in a long time — at least in such a short period of time… Though some of them were disappointed, unsuccessful, or disillusioned; others weren’t — and all of these people started out unhappy, or unfulfilled, or they wouldn’t be paying for Secrets to make their life better…

So, despite the sour grapes, etc, many people did get the message; and many others at least started thinking about the possibility that they might play a larger role in the creation of their own experience than they previously thought. Not all of these people had a point of reference for these ideas; but now, even if they didn’t “get” The Secret, they’ll have a better chance of understanding the Law next time they hear about it.

As for the “Too Simplistic for my World…,” I’m of the belief that The Secret is just another name for the forces that ultimately create my world — and that’s not simple at all (except for the obvious fact that it doesn’t get any simpler than ONE.)… But, I think the point of the question is quite valid; and for people on sites like this one, The Secret may be a bit like handing a first-grade math book to a Calculus major… “Great… Thanks for this…”

My vote is to live and let live. If nothing else, The Secret gave a great big push to the great conversation — and invited in many more individuals who were inspired by The Secret to read more in-depth spiritual works. There is no doubt that this has happened on a grand scale.

Is The Secret my favorite book ever? Not even close. But I do appreciate it as one of the best of its kind — a primary introduction to an idea that is new for many people. But, there is no doubt that The Secret has taught many, who are, or who consider themselves to be, well advanced along the path, a great deal about themselves — and judgments… And, in that sense, it is a great gift that shows us where our weaknesses are hiding!

My vote is to live and let live. Or, to quote lyrics from a RUSH song, “I will choose a path that’s clear; I will choose free will.” I don’t plan on reading the Secret again; and I certainly wouldn’t give it any more thought if it made me unhappy or angry…

***On a similar note, I felt a wave of resentment from what we could call “Our Community” when The Secret received such tremendous fanfare. Could it be that people who feel (perhaps rightfully so…) they have made greater contributions — with greater literary and spiritual value? — are simply jealous, frustrated, or angry that such an offering received what appears to be an inordinate amount of attention and praise while their own work hasn’t?

Keep in mind, in a mass market, the common denominator is not enlightenment; and, even though it is a common destination, it is not a common goal. Shortly after finishing the manuscript for The Belief Formula, Bruce Lipton, author of The Biology of Belief, told me that, “When Jake [my son who was 12-years old at the time] can read it, it is ready for the masses.” Sure enough, he was right; and, what was a very intense work is now a very easy to read and use book. And, if you read Dr. David Hawkins’ “Power vs. Force,” you’ll find a wonderful explanation of how and why this seems to be the case — why people seem to be stratified intellectually and spiritually.

Bless you all, and those who wrote and participated in The Secret, and those who got it, and those who didn’t — and those who will… It’s all good; ’cause that’s all there is.

And, as Henry Ford said, “Things should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.” “As a man thinketh…” was pretty simple; yet most of the world still hasn’t “got” that, either…

There is not one book that’s going to answer all your questions or solve all your problems unless you know how to read it and apply it — and no book can teach you how to do that. For those who think the Secret is too simple, I encourage them to continue Exploring the vast world of wisdom, knowledge, and possibility — and Expand their minds and horizons by finding more and more and more until, finally, they realize that it is all the same. And that really isn’t a Secret.

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