New Spiritual Method Called 'The Secret' Promoted On Tv Has A Hidden Occult Link

Spirit Daily ^ | 02.19.07

[Coleus]

We have to issue an occult watch -- perhaps "warning" is more like it -- for a new self-help trend that apparently is sweeping or beginning to sweep segments of America.   The "method" is now on DVD as a movie called The Secret, and has been featured, among other places, on Oprah and Larry King Live.   We are reluctant to readily dismiss innovative spiritual means, and always urge openness in the supernatural realm, which is so often beyond human reckoning.   But in the case of The Secret, a warning is especially needed because its claims and temptations are especially potent: ancient wisdom, it is said -- an ancient secret -- that can change your life, that can turn your existence around, that was used by famed inventors and philosophers throughout history.

"The Secret is released to the world!" says its official website. "This ground-breaking feature length movie presentation reveals The Great Secret of the universe. It has been passed throughout the ages, traveling through centuries... to reach you and humankind.   "This is The Secret to everything -- the secret to unlimited joy, health, money, relationships, love, youth: everything you have ever wanted.  "In this astonishing program are ALL the resources you will ever need to understand and live The Secret. For the first time in history, the world's leading scientists, authors, and philosophers will reveal The Secret that utterly transformed the lives of every person who ever knew it... Plato, Newton, Carnegie, Beethoven, Shakespeare, Einstein."  Now, they say, "YOU will know The Secret. And it could change your life forever."

But perhaps not for the better.    In fact, while there is not yet enough known about that bold assertion, for years an occult organization known as the Rosicrucians -- with ties to Masonry, and even thought to be sort of an "illuminati" (or aspiring illuminati), have advertised "the secret" as a new path in life, and list Leonardo DaVinci and Benjamin Franklin -- if not Einstein and Newton -- among its success stories.  "The secret is knowledge," says a Rosicrucian website. "Not knowledge in the sense of acquiring information but an inner knowledge of your own potential to achieve wisdom, strength, compassion, and peace.

"Rosicrucians call this Mastery of Life. It embraces all aspects of who you are and all you can be -- physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. It is a relationship and understanding of the divine laws of the universe. The Mastery of Life is not difficult to grasp, but the secret of the Rosicrucian tradition has been protected and preserved for thousands of years, shown only to those who have proven a true desire to know."   While there is no mention, as yet, of Rosicrucians, the parallels to the secret brandished by the occult organization are extremely suspicious and the power behind the potential deception warrants an alert. The name "Rosicrucian" appears to flash on the screen in a trailer for the movie, after a photo of Albert Einstein.

If nothing else, "the secret" rings of other "self-help" methods like rolfing, mind control, TM, Tony Robbins, the "Course in Miracles," and self-actualization that saw currency in the 1970s or 1980s and fell under the style of New Age-style philosophies.   And however details emerge, the large claims and comportment of adherents [see here] grants one pause.    The "secret" as presented on Oprah was linked also to bestselling author Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup for the Soul and other celebrities. Due to the power of the Winfrey show, and previous complaints of flirtation with the New Age, we recommend that Christians stay away from this "method" and even the movie.

While the positive thinking and faith-filled aspects of such philosophies are to be lauded, the focus on materialism, the centering on "self," the lack of involvement of God -- and especially Christ -- as well as the posture that suffering can be avoided, run against the central precepts of Christianity and wander into ancient paganism.  "Is there a 'secret agenda?'" asked one reviewer, Philip E. Harris, in American Chronicle. "Being a Rosicrucian I could not help but notice the frequency with which the word Rosicrucian flashed between speakers in the film. John indicated that 'wisdom is wisdom' and anyone who searches out universal laws will run into the various lists of secret organizations, some of which have been more popularized than others. He thought that some of the people connected to the movie were probably Rosicrucian and that he also, in addition to studying Mayan and other mystery teachings, had studied Rosicrucian teachings.

"This relatively sequestered order has come to the forefront of late and is receiving greater publicity. However, [one man involved in the film] felt that there is only a sincere altruistic desire on the part of those connected to the film to bring much that has been hidden into the mainstream for all to share."  "The Secret is one of the divine laws of the universe," wrote columnist Carolyn Sackariason of the Aspen Times, speaking of the movie. "'The 'Mastery of Life' is not difficult to grasp, but the secret of the Rosicrucian tradition has been protected and preserved for thousands of years, shown only to those who have proven a true desire to know."

"According to the Rosicrucian legend, the order began with one Christian Rosenkreuz, born in 1378 in Germany," notes an informational site.   "Beginning in 1393, he visited Damascus, Egypt, and Morocco where he sat under the masters of the occult arts. Upon his return to Germany, he began in 1407 the Rosicrucian Order with three monks from the cloister in which he had been raised. He also erected the House of the Holy Spirit (the Spiritus Sanctum) which was completed in 1409. The original group was enlarged to eight. Christian Rosenkreuz died in 1484 (at the age of 106) and was entombed in the Spiritus Sanctum. Knowledge of his tomb was lost, but it was rediscovered in 1604. Its opening led to the spread of the Order anew."

While some deny a direct link to Masonry, noted Wikipedia, "according to a lesser known legend of the 18th-century Rosicrucianist-Masonic group the Golden and Rosy Cross, the Rosicrucian Order was created in year 46 when an Alexandrian Gnostic sage named Ormus and his six followers were converted by one of Jesus' disciples, Mark. From this conversion, Rosicrucianism was born, fusing early Christianity with Egyptian mysteries. In this version, rather than being its founder, Christian Rosenkreuz would have been initiated into and become the Grand Master of an existing Order.  "According to this group's legend, the Rosicrucian Order was founded by Egyptian 'Ormusse' or 'Licht-Weise' who emigrated to Scotland with the name 'Builders from the East.' Then the original Order disappeared and was supposed to have been resurrected by Oliver Cromwell as 'Freemasonry.'

"In 1785 and 1788 the Golden and Rosy Cross group published the Geheime Figuren or 'The Secret Symbols of the 16th and 17th-century Rosicrucians.' These works declared the existence of a secret brotherhood of alchemists and sages who were preparing to transform the arts, sciences, religion, political, and intellectual landscape of Europe while wars of politics and religion ravaged the continent."   [resources: Masonry Unmasked]

[JennysCool]

More on that "secret" doohickey.

[Argus]

I figured the Secret was just warmed-over Emmet Fox.

[Vision]

I own the dvd and I posted a thread about it last year which nobody took seriously.

The good of it is it expresses great parts of Christianity- but it seems to go out of its way to credit that information. The bad is it's liberal, paranoid, and preaches that everything that feels good is, and that somehow the leaders(white men) knew the secret and are responsible for your situation in life because they hid it from you.

[theDentist]

Likely so. I think I may read it just to bug folks... ;-)

[Vision]

Make that

but it seems to go out of its way to not credit(Christianity) for that information.

[TheKidster]

Lemme guess, the "secret" is positive thinking and visualization, right?

[Mr. Jeeves]

The Secret works. It would scare the rent-seekers in the cash-for-salvation racket, because it renders them irrelevant.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Lemme guess, the "secret" is positive thinking and visualization, right?

Essentially. Thus, it isn't really a "secret" at all - what makes it unknown to most is that so many people, once confronted with it, refuse to practice it.

[Pietro]

So............. what's the secret?

[TheKidster]

Sounds kinda like a bunch of smoke and mirrors.

[GSlob]

"We are reluctant to readily dismiss innovative spiritual means..."
The innovative spirituals, i.e. cocktail recipes, ought to be judged on merits.

[somemoreequalthanothers]

The bad is it's liberal, paranoid, and preaches that everything that feels good is,

Oh, so it's not the real secret. Just a scam.

[cgk]

bflr.

[Mr. Jeeves]

In a nutshell: Thoughts Become Things. What you persistently think about, you will manifest in your life. Most people constantly think about what they don't want, and thus turn those bad things into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

It's very simple, and not necessarily even a spiritual concept - it also relates to recent work in quantum physics and the nature of thought and reality, if you prefer to approach it that way.

[TruthConquers]

Sounds like Gnosticism to me!

A bunch of recycled garbage.

[nascarnation]

[ClaireSolt]

Last night when Art Bell came on he was talking about the power of intent and summoning thousands of UFO's in the sky. He was fixing to do it again, so I turned it off.

[Pietro]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, I see

Visualize whirled peas

[Vision]

Part of its message is right, so I'm not sure if that makes it a complete scam or not.

It does have a political section which strongly mocks the war on terror and Bush. One of the women in it has publicly said 9/11 was part of Bush's idea.

[FARS]

As you have so fully detailed, over the centuries mankind has found various ways to reach into, up to, within, - our own selves in a way that somehow connects to God-power.

As a former martial arts/combat instructor (among other things) I found myself repeatedly questioned as to which of the various styles was the best.

My definition, after replying why I had chosen the styles I prefered to teach, was always: "the one you like the best and makes you the most effective".

As humans, I believe we are all "metaphysically wired" differently at birth and some things (karate, philosophy or beliefs) fit us more comfortably than others.

Thus I have become very tolerant of true belief in "goodness" regardless in what packaging it arrives. Islam is not an over-arching proponent of "goodness" (compared to violence and seeking death) so I have come to exempt it from my tolerance scale.

Last night on TV there was a program about a youngish man with a "superior/different" brain capability. He learned the Icelandic language (very difficult one) to a fluent level in ONE WEEK and was interviewed on an Icelandic TV program to test him.

This, like other matters we encounter, falls into the term of "supernatural" as it is outside the norms we encounter. The philosophical question is: does his religion or belief system create this status or does he create a belief in a higher being by showing there is more to things than we can explain without spiritul component? Even relatively common things like his human brain funtion.

Have a great week

[Mr. Jeeves]

It does have a political section which strongly mocks the war on terror and Bush. One of the women in it has publicly said 9/11 was part of Bush's idea.

There is no such passage on the DVD. There is a section where it describes how "anti-" anything protesters add energy to the things they oppose, and effort is better expended on being "pro-" the opposite.

[somemoreequalthanothers]

It does have a political section which strongly mocks the war on terror and Bush. One of the women in it has publicly said 9/11 was part of Bush's idea.

After hearing that, yes, it's a complete scam.

[Vision]

It's very simple, and not necessarily even a spiritual concept -

-- Galatians 6:7 -- Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

[Ditter]

The Secret to health wealth and happiness and it can be yours for only a one time price of $59.95. Credit cards accepted. Call 1-800-BE
A-SUCKER

[Vision]

There is no such passage on the DVD. There is a section where it describes how "anti-" anything protesters add energy to the things they oppose, and effort is better expended on being "pro-" the opposite.

Watch it again. She slams the war on terror and who do you think the "politician" is that "is getting all the attention" who "nobody wants"? Bush.

That woman is Ester Hicks, and I have audio of her saying the 9/11 was done by the government.

[Alex Murphy]

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
- James 4:2-3

[somemoreequalthanothers]

Great post. There is power available to us, many tap in to some of it in different ways and come to different conclusions. But there is only one truth.

[Vision]

That's a great one.

[Vision]

Although I think the "pleasures" are sinful. Abundance is preached all over the Bible.

[cyborg]

Bookmark.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Since these ads have been in comic books and offbeat magazines for over 50 years I will assume that this is posted as a joke rather than a warning. Lord knows the Rosicrucians are not on the verge of a world takeover which would be totally at odds with their professed beliefs in any case.

[Alex Murphy]

My point is that you can visualize all you want, but God holds both the rules of acquisition, as well as the veto pen.

Listen to what happened when the Israelites tried visualizing quail...

Then you shall say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the hearing of the LORD, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt.” Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you shall eat.
You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days,
but for a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have despised the LORD who is among you, and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever come up out of Egypt?”’”
- Numbers 11:18b-20

[cyborg]

Only in the last qurter of the movie do yioou find out about Esther Hicks and the Abraham Collective. Esther Hicks was deleted out of DVD and did NOT appear on the Oprah Show.

[Mr. Jazzy]

More like a steaming pile of bravo sierra.

[Mr. Jazzy]

The secret is ... that I am NOT the father of Anne Nichole Smiths child!

[Vision]

I agree.

[redgolum]

Sounds like Gnosticism to me!

Or the latest Rick Warren book.

[TruthConquers]

Sad but true.

[cyborg]

Another thing is that this article is way off. It's not about some deep rosicrucian conspiracy or some masonic plot. It is about the promotion of the messages of 'channeling spirits' or at least it was before The Secret got really popular and the directors and Esther Hicks had a falling out. It reminded me of What the Bleep! which I also viewed and also prominently featured JZ Knight the 'Ramtha' channeler. I watched the Oprah Show with the cast members of The Secret and while I thought it was ok, this message is nothing new. It is no secret. It goes back to the Bible! It's called the principle of sowing and reaping.

[Irish_Thatcherite]

Slightly off topic, but, I overheard a woman a few weeks saying the Masons tried to poison her twice, I dunno if she is a nut, or if she is a sane woman with genuine experiences, but it makes you think!

[lainie]

Part of its message is right, so I'm not sure if that makes it a complete scam or not.

The fact that part of the message isn't bunk is what makes the whole of it so awful. jmho. It's warmed-over old-school new age crap. Destructive stuff for people who are susceptible to it, and their families.

More discussion on "The Secret"

[Mr. Jeeves]

Take what's good - leave what's bad. Simple rule for life on Earth. No creed can be allowed to automatically make all of your decisions for you.

I see nothing destructive about The Secret...except to people who believe that a big red guy with horns is hiding behind a curtain, handing people things that they wish for. ;)

But there's no danger The Secret will be a runaway success - 98% of people confronted with the concept that they have control over their own lives will simply refuse to accept it. Being a victim is too much a part of their identities. That's why Democrat policies remain so popular.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***"The Secret is released to the world!" says its official website. "This ground-breaking feature length movie presentation reveals The Great Secret of the universe.***

Is this the "secret" found by Belbo, Diotallevi and Casaubon in the Umberto Eco book FOUCAULT'S PENDELUM? The one all the occult groups came together to obtain by any means?

[Vision]

Have you seen it? What did you think?

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Is Tom Hanks in this one?

[servantboy777]

Now your talkin.

Thanx for the scripture.

[Gal.5:1]

The Secret: the Law of Attraction, that you can use mental/mind control to get what you want
is New Age/Theophostic/secret mystery religion/psychology/metaphysics stuff that has been around for thousands and
thousands of years.

The Secret teachers are not followers of Jesus Christ and have rejected the God of the Bible, and
the truth of God's word, and have rejected faith in His Son, Jesus. They have fashioned a system of
personal power, based on human power. This philosophy and method is just the doorway/lowest level
of the world of deep occultic mystery religion, which is the belief that either lucifer is god, or "we are god".
This has been around for a long time and can be traced to Egypt, the tower of Babel and
to the garden of Eden, when the serpent said, "yea, has God really said that?....", encouraging
doubt, rebellion and ideas of human deification, power and control; the idea that you can create
your own power and authority, for yourself. This is old. This is satan's religion; it is very popular.

In contrast, God calls us to have faith, to do what He commands, and to trust Him: The writer of Hebrews defines
faith as follows, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain
of what we do not see." True Biblical faith is
believing God can and will do exactly what He has promised in the Bible, and putting your trust in Him.

Those who pervert true Biblical faith make it about what we want, when true
Biblical faith is about what God wants, and our faith and trust in Him, and obeying Him because of our love for Him, and because He is God.

There are no secrets to living this life. God gave us
everything we would ever need in the pages of His Word.

Did you know occult actually means, "hidden", or, "secret".


God has openly revealed all truth that we need, and He has not kept it a secret.
Secret philosophies that come from the world of occult and sorcery have been
keeping these philosophies secret for a long time, but now they are beginning to introduce
them to the general public, because the whole world is being prepared
for Antichrist. Like the bible says, even now, there are many little "antichrists" in the world.
An anti christ is anything or person that opposes or makes itself a substitute in place of Jesus Christ.
There are many in the world now. Oprah is one for sure. Her following is huge.
People even talk of a 'church of Oprah'. She denies Christ, that He is the only way to God, that He is God in the flesh,
and she encourages her following to follow the new age philosophy of
"Do what you want, follow your dreams, be true/faithful to yourself, trust your heart" This is satan's religion.


These are anti christ messages which come from satan, because this is what he told Eve
in the garden, and she listened to him.

Instead, God tells us to, "Do what God says, follow Christ, be true/faithful to the Lord, trust in the Lord."

The world system has many things it offers for "help", but God's word says, "my help is in the Lord".
He is our help, not the power of our mind.

Following Jesus is hard because we have to count the cost. Part of the cost is deciding to choose to not follow
the world anymore, or follow those who promote the teachings of satan. This is hard for us all because we want
to do what feels good and what is easy, but Jesus never said it would be easy to be His disciple,
He just promised to be faithful to His promises.

He is our help ps 33:20
O Lord, be Thou my helper ps30:10
Behold, God is my helper ps 54:4
The LORD is my helper Heb13:6

If we are going to follow God, His word has what we need.


The Word has a lot to say about 'secret' in the NT. In all passages, the 'secret' is
the deity, incarnation, and revelation of Jesus Christ, now revealed to us.


Here's some cool verses about this:

---

that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love,
and attaining to all the wealth (spiritual wealth) that comes from the full assurance
of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself,
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
I say this in order that no one may delude you with persuasive argument. col2:2-4

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception,
according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world,(the unbelieving world's philosophies)
rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form. col2:8-9


Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel
and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery
which has kept secret for long ages past,
but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets,
according to the commandment of the eternal God,
has been made known to al the nations, leading to obedience of faith;
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen. rom16:25-27