The Secret
2006 • 261 pages

Ratings66

Average rating2.6

15

There really is no secret. A positive attitude tends to produce a positive life; a negative attitude, a negative one. This is not rocket science. I enjoyed the movie because of the music, funnily enough. I ripped the soundtrack and have listened to it numerous times. This is no philosophical heavyweight. Nonetheless, you could do worse than to spend a few hours with something of a positive message, Pollyanna notwithstanding.

There are certainly deeper truths. True and great philosophies to explore and inhabit. Taoism and Buddhism spring to mind — my personal favorites. The philosophies which propelled the Renaissance and the Enlightenment have something to offer. The smorgasbord with which we are not presented in terms of available literature means you can range far and wide, pick and choose, and with a little work come away from the experience with a fairly sophisticated worldview.

So why the high rating? I tend to judge things more and more on their own merit as apposed to comparing, one to the next. The perspective presented here is very positive. And as I said, I liked the music. If you want deep, read Nietzsche. If you're looking for a game-changer, I would recommend Lao Tzu. If darkness encroaches and fear is taking over, consider the words of Siddhartha Gautama. Whatever you do, please don't turn it into a religion. And if you do, please don't foist it on your neighbor.

If you simply want to turn off you brain for a few hours and have someone tell you it can all be alright, well, you could do worse than this.

February 23, 2006Report this review