Great topic!

The problem I often find about the self-help industry is the way many of these materials often present themselves. While many of them contain good, solid advice, and I am a believer in having a positive outlook, I find that the wording or the way they speak can be intolerably too positive. I do not think that I am alone in this view, and I think this has kept many people from getting any usefulness out of these self-help materials.

Alex Lee
Sacramento, CA

Sent by Alex | 3:14 PM ET | 03-27-2007

Isn't this really just self-actualization? You focus on the good things when you are looking for them, and easier to see the bad things when you are thinking about them? This is rather a mood-altering program rather than "bringing riches to yourself through thinking about it".

What about things like babies born with aids, born as heroine addicts, or children who are molested.. were they thinking bad thoughts? Thanks.

Sent by Nate | 3:15 PM ET | 03-27-2007

Positive thinking has its limits. It can improve my experience when dealing with both negative and positive experiences, but I disagree with those who think you entirely create what happens. You do the best with what you have and make it as positive an experience as you can.

Sent by Aisha | 3:27 PM ET | 03-27-2007

AA and its off-spring are "self-help" books and they have saved lives by refocusing people's expectations and energies.

Sent by dennis Lippart (rev. Dr.) | 3:32 PM ET | 03-27-2007

The Secret is based on the fact that every thought we have has a corresponding physical reaction in our body. One needs only to THINK about biting into a slice of lemon to witness this phenomena. How you think dictates how you feel, it's basic biology.

Sent by Wendy | 3:35 PM ET | 03-27-2007

Mr. Ross from Crown Books neglectged to mention James Frey's literary fraud in the book "A Million Little Pieces" which was originally resoundingly endorsed by Oprah's book club.

Sent by Ben | 3:45 PM ET | 03-27-2007

I am thrilled that this book is creating such a dialog about personal responsibility, and how our thinking creates our results. This is a huge discussion that has so many people riled up: the law of attraction is neutral -- if you think it really doesn't work, you'll soon find the facts to support that for yourself, because it works then too. If you understand it and become conscious of your predominant thinking and how it attracts more of the same, you can begin to become more of a master of your thoughts and see how you open yourself to myriad opportunities. Whether you believe it or not, your right, as you will see exactly what you choose, so why not choose to gain a greater measure of consciousness? That is the main point: consciousness on all levels. Those who bash this clearly have chosen to pick out points that the book explains more indepth and hang them out to dry, out of context. The success of this book is more than marketing: it has clarity that helps many people and for those with different ideas, presents a threat.

Sent by Marcia Tutora | 4:05 PM ET | 03-27-2007

I found The Secret DVD to echo many of the ideas from Napoleon Hill's book "Think and Grow Rich" published in 1937 and still in print. He documents techniques used by great men such as Andrew Carnegie to build their fortunes. The Secret adds mystique to some fundamental insights about formulating a dream, setting goals, focusing your energies there thus taking action to achieve them.

Sent by Linda | 4:11 PM ET | 03-27-2007

I disagree with the thinking that a book such as "The Secret" creates a more un-sympathetic society, in fact, quite the opposite. For me it has forced me to take responsibility for my own success and failures in life and in business. Furthermore, when I think reflect back to past experiences and remember what my mind fram was at the time, it becomes even more clear to me that there is much truth in this thinking. It really is basic biology.

Sent by Jared McAnally | 4:17 PM ET | 03-27-2007

Yes, the secret is marketing, packaging, presentation. In that regard, it's brilliant. Like a greatest hits album of all the best, uplifting songs from your life. Nothing new, of course. You've heard them all before. But together, as a collection, heard in one sitting, with the lights low and the kids quietly off to sleep, you get to really feel how much they mean to you, how much they've served as the soundtrack to your being.

Other favorite reads:
"No death, no fear" by Thich Nhat Hanh
"The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle
"The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz
"Alcoholics Anonymous" big book.

Speaking of AA, and the earlier post (and I offer this with compassion and respect, not criticism) AA is not really a self-help program. What makes AA so very effective is that it is a "we help." That may sound like quibbling. Until you experience the difference. I would be nowhere but perhaps dead without AA. Without understanding how "we" is different from "self".

Peace

Sent by Scott Crawford | 4:53 PM ET | 03-27-2007

I watched The Secret and was, like a caller, repelled by the "the universe is your catalog" idea, where you could "get anything you want." It strikes me as so smug and self-congratulatory.

Remember -- was it Calvinism? -- which stated that rich people were more godly, because obviously, God has rewarded them, and he wouldn't have rewarded them if they weren't godly. That's the way this Secret stuff hits me.

Also, I have experienced so many people who refuse to listen to anyone's problems because they don't want to expose themselves to "negativity." Doesn't this make us unsympathetic and self-centered? Yuck.

Positive thinking can certainly help you see opportunities you might not see if you are feeling down, but this Secret seems to me just another way to blame the victim, the speaker's denial that it's blaming notwithstanding.

Sent by Rachel Lindstrom | 6:32 PM ET | 03-27-2007

I was inspired by "The Secret," although I already understood the concept that "positive thinking" and goal-setting bring success. I won't quit my job and rub a genie's lamp nor camp out in Vegas. I my convinced by my own experiences that the message is true. The DVD served as further validation. Cynical and negative people would naturally scrutinize the message. By the way, God was never dismissed as the higher power--faith was left open for interpretation.

Sent by Lauren | 10:56 PM ET | 03-27-2007

The secret is most people don't know there doing it. Look, there's no difference between a Christian praying to Jesus for something to happen in reality and someone "visualizing" the same thing happening. Both methods are wishful thinking. Both tend to make us feel better about the future, which is the only benefit we derive from the activity. Neither have any tangible impact in reality. Yet our reality is given by how we think about the world and thoughts can be changed. This is because thinking is done with language.

Sent by Todd Gochenour | 11:42 PM ET | 03-27-2007

I listened to a recent Talk of the Nation show of on the "The Secret". I have always loved and support all of NPR programs and efforts, but listening to this program at lease the last half of it, I kept wanting to hear from a supporter of the "secret" just to hear the other side while they were being attacked. What's the idea of having a bookseller and a socialogist who obviously oppose everything about the "secret", for I might add their very hidden reasons. I could forgive the bookseller/publiser gentleman, it was obvious he was trying to bad mouth his competition and plug his own wares. But, the socialogist, who's name evades me, over and over assigns, what I consider to be unsupported eventullities and consequences of appying the main principles in the "The Secret". I do agree that "The Secret" is not new. Humans, Americans especially are poor students of history. We are easily distracted and are unable to dedicate the time to benefits from the lessons of our ancestors. This is why there are self help books, the idea of "new" fascinates us. The power of marketing and branding not withstanding, the
"The Secret" really should have be called "The Reminder", but who would have bought it?

"The Secret" took a long time to remind us that harmony of thoughts, words and deeds is an awsome human power. I would that any day over the current brainwash of consumerism(me,me) and "certain" religious beliefs and practice.

Sent by Ken | 11:25 AM ET | 03-28-2007

Months ago, when I saw "The Secret" streaming online, I was able to validate how some of my own achievements may have materialized over the years. I disagree with this rare imbalanced presentation of the subject matter in this edition of "Talk of the Nation". To characterize The Secret as promoting 'a notion of finally having a secret to everything and not having to work at it' indicates a very superficial understanding or perhaps an entire lack thereof. I can attest to the fact that when one visualizes success and creates the feeling surrounding the success, actions necessary to achieve the success present themselves - more so because of the acknowledgment of the possibility. Thereafter, if no action is taken, the feeling of success will become impossible to sustain and The Secret will have reaffirmed itself. I believe it is impossible to fake true feeling.

I have watched both of Oprah's shows featuring The Secret. Her first treatment was light and frivolous - she entertained the idea that practice of the principles could facilitate carnal pleasure - I was appalled at the suggestion. However, Oprah completely redeemed herself when she scheduled a 2nd show on the subject within weeks that extolled the real underlying virtues.

I am actually glad that we have people like Micki McGee and the nay sayers around - it would bring about imbalance in the universe if 'everyone' practiced The Secret and achieved their goals. I wish you success Micki!

I agree completely with Marcia Tutora's comments above!

Sent by iKES | 5:27 PM ET | 03-28-2007

Tangentially on the topic of self-help or self-improvement... I wonder what NPR's listener's think of "The Landmark Forum". I have been to one of their special invitations where their weekend-long trainees invites you on their graduation night. Some people really swear by the Forum. Some think they are a croc. I think they have actually sued people for publicly calling them a cult. They certainly create their own culture and their own specialized jargon to empower people to create change. If you have done a special on the Forum, then I'll have to search for it. If you haven't you should. I'm sure this would make for a much more livelier topic than the Secret.

see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landmark_Forum

Sent by oliver edwards | 8:04 PM ET | 03-28-2007

"The Secret" implies that through the law of attraction we bring things upon ourselves through our inner feelings. What do you say to the surviors of the millions of Jews (and others) murdered by the Nazis?

"The Secret" states the obvious, such as one tends to feel better simply by "putting on a smile", but fails to realize that unless you work hard, never give up,and strive for the top, you simply are bettering your chances of "being in the right place at the right time" and landing that dream job - but imagining yourself in that job wont get it for you.

The boook also stresses that if you want to get or stay thin, don't look at fat people!! Puleeese!! What about looking at someone who is overweight, and using that image to motivate you to get on that treadmill, or skip that donut.....?

Sent by Bob R | 10:58 PM ET | 03-29-2007