"The Secret" show was aired in South Africa this afternoon. To say that I am appauled by Oprah and his guests endorsement of this propaganda would be an understatement. I hope South Africans would not be so gullible as to fall for the lies of "The Secret".

The book may be selling million of copies but Oprah and "The Secret" gang will always be held responsible for not speaking the honourable truth. I do not believe that any form of success (health-wise, financially or otherwise) is an instantenous achievement. I would encourage people to seek truth for themselves. "The Truth will set you free" (The Bible).

I believe that only the Word of God has the authority to propel us to our destiny.

Thank you to Peter Birkenhead for pulling no punches in writing "Oprah's ugly secret." As a psychotherapist (and rational person with no magical powers), I am genuinely concerned about the dangers The Secret presents for people who are vulnerable enough and/or gullible enough to buy into Rhonda Byrne et al's gross simplifications and exaggerations of the power of positive thinking. I have spoken with a number of people who have actually used The Secret's description of the "law of attraction" to validate their already self-condemning beliefs that they have brought on their own illness (cancer, MS, eating disorders, etc) or childhood abuse. This is particularly dangerous for victims or rape and of childhood sexual abuse. I feel strongly enough about the poisonous nature of The Secret that I have launched a new web site to speak out: www.thesecretantidote.com. Let's all pitch in and spread the antidote far and wide. Thom Rutledge

Where the author goes wrong is in the interpretation.

I don't agree with the way the mechanics of The Law of Attraction were described in The Secret, however, I DO agree with the premise that we can change, mold, and shape our lives with our minds. I've co-authored a book on just that principle.

The 'chosen' ill-gotten lives are 'inherited mindsets'. Our identities are shaped and molded by the world around us. Born into an impoverished situation, for instance, you tend to be molded and shaped by the negative thoughts around you. Numerous scientific studies have shown the power of thought. Incredible studies such as those profiled in Dr. Jeffrey M. Schwartz's "The Mind & The Brain", for instance, demonstrate case after case of OCD which was reversed or greatly bettered- through thought.

Neuroscience demonstrates that there IS something to the power of thought. Our thoughts beat down familiar neural pathways. With an overwhelming amount of stimulus around us at any given time, we can only become consciously aware of a select percentage. If we are in a negative mindset, we will see OPPORTUNITIES and POTENTIALITIES that support that negative mindset.

This article is a PERFECT example. The author is in a negative mind-state regarding the topic. Well...by the very premise set forth in The Secret, he will indeed manifest support of his claim. He believes he is right, and therefore, he closes his mind off to the evidence suggesting otherwise, and grabs onto the pieces that disgruntled people who wish to join him in this self-perpetuating negativity will agree with.

Too - it isn't so much that we can DIRECTLY choose our fate OVERNIGHT - however, we CAN choose HOW WE INTERPRET AND FRAME THAT WHICH PRESENTS ITSELF TO US. Each time we do this in a positive, proactive way, we are shaping and molding our future choices, opportunities, and lives. So yes, we DO create our circumstances - not perhaps the particular events, but WHO we are in them, through our actions, and the way in which we frame our perception of it.

Addressing the author's Auschwitz comments, one of the greatest works ever written was that of Dr. Victor Frankl - explaining HOW HIS MINDSET HELPED HIM LIVE THROUGH HIS EXPERIENCE IN A NAZI CONCENTRATION CAMP. I would think that a brilliant doctor who LIVED through a concentration camp experience would FAR better speak to the truth of this than an obviously disgruntled, dissatisfied, disempowered feeling journalist. For *only* someone who feels so disempowered in their own life would indeed feel this way.

I DO however, congratulate the author on such a BRILLIANT BIT OF MANIFESTATION - for in WRITING THIS EXPOSE, YOU HAVE IRONICALLY PROVEN THE SECRET CORRECT. Even when conflicting with Truth, one CAN indeed define, create and SUPPORT one's perception. You BELIEVED it a bunch of lies, and you have now MANIFESTED that evidence - AND you've manifested a group of people to buy into and support that view. Easily done, however, for again, disempowered individuals who buy into victim mindset consistently seek to reinforce that.

It may serve such individuals far better, however, were they to instead seek for support of the everyday miracles and actions of the everyday heroes all around us. Ask any 'rags to riches' person what their view is. See, right there - any person who HAS been in that negative space - and managed to get out of it - will tell you, it was because THEY HAD A VISION. WIthout vision people languish. They sink further into their own misery. It begins with vision. And it ends with stepping into that vision. So sad you've closed yourself off to this, however, You have indeed fulfilled manifestation principles completely, beautifully, in choosing to manifest evidence for your belief. So thanks for further illustrating the power we each hold.

What scares me more than what you purport Oprah would teach, is the idea of teaching people the power of fear, of disbelief, of disempowerment, of limitations. The only limitations we have are within our own mind. The Secret encourages people to break through those limitations.

Be well. Find Joy. Find an empowering vision --it could forever change your life.

I want to thank Peter Birkenhead for his insightful letter regarding "The Secret" and his provocative look at Oprah Winfrey, and as he stated, "squandering her goodwill and influence, and preaching to the world that mammon is queen." Oddly enough,the movie, "The Secret" has dismanteled instead of reinforced the Metaphysical teaching I have been in for many years that echoed "The Secret's" promises. I feel like I have awakened from a long slumber and am just now thowing off the reside of my spiritual hangover. Truth is a curious thing, and will find a way inside your soul wherever there is an opening.

Sincerely,

bbright