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<channel><title><![CDATA[Blog4Change.org - Comments for article: IS "THE SECRET" A 'SPIRITUAL DISTRACTION'?]]></title><link>http://www.blog4change.org</link><description /><language>en-us</language><copyright><![CDATA[http://www.blog4change.org]]></copyright><generator>N/A</generator><webMaster>webmaster@blog4change.org</webMaster><lastBuildDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 23:16:24 PDT</lastBuildDate><ttl>20</ttl><item><title><![CDATA[IS "THE SECRET" A 'SPIRITUAL DISTRACTION'?]]></title><link>http://www.blog4change.org/articles/2605/1/IS-THE-SECRET-A-SPIRITUAL-DISTRACTION/Page1.html#Comment2299</link><description><![CDATA[before watching the dvd The Secret I prayed and asked God to guide me and help me to discern what in the dvd was  his and what was not.  For those of you who are Christians we know God himself created the Universe and He placed the human race to be responsible over it. not the Universe to be responsible over us.  It is true that My God tells me in the Bible Ask and it will be given Seek and you  will find knock and it will be opened.  I believe that I am a child of God and that He has given me enough discernment to stop and analyze a situation.  I have learned that before I actually put Gods offfer to give to me, I neeed to prayerfully think and reason about what it is I am about to ask for;. Ask my self what is it that I really need; why is it that I really need or want. it; who will benefit from such a gift from God to me.  If I can get down to the needy greedy in such meditation I am sure that what I will inevitably ask my God exactly for what I really need. He will giveit to me by     opening the doors of the Universe.<br/><br/>
Comment posted by rocky at 7:54 pm, Thu 1st Jul 2010]]></description><author>no@spam.com (rocky)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 01 Jul 2010 19:54:59 PDT]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.blog4change.org/articles/2605/1/IS-THE-SECRET-A-SPIRITUAL-DISTRACTION/Page1.html#Comment2299</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[IS "THE SECRET" A 'SPIRITUAL DISTRACTION'?]]></title><link>http://www.blog4change.org/articles/2605/1/IS-THE-SECRET-A-SPIRITUAL-DISTRACTION/Page1.html#Comment2993</link><description><![CDATA[Bryan,  

I think your article is wonderful.  I totally agree with you.  Thank you for posting.

Rocky, 

May I ask how you "KNOW" God himself created the Universe and He placed the human race to be responsible over it?  Is it because the bible says so? Not even scientists "KNOW" how the universe came to so what evidence do you have?

I grew up in a Christian family, I was baptized at 18, my dad is a pastor, I think I have went to more sunday school classes and studied the bible more than most Christians.  The bible cannot be validated and it certainly has no evidence or facts that can prove that "god himself created the Universe and He placed the human race to be responsible over it"

Did you know that over 98% of all living species on this earth has already been extinct? How does the bible explains that?

Did you know that your god wants to send people (who are supposedly his children) to hell for torture forever, just for the crime of not believing in him?  If you have children, you would not lock your children in the basement and torture them until they die no matter what bad things they did and certainly not for the crime of not loving you.  In this case, you have better ethics than your god!<br/><br/>
Reply to Previous Comment by Sandy at 6:42 am, Wed 20th Jul 2011]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Sandy)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 20 Jul 2011 06:42:19 PDT]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.blog4change.org/articles/2605/1/IS-THE-SECRET-A-SPIRITUAL-DISTRACTION/Page1.html#Comment2993</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[IS "THE SECRET" A 'SPIRITUAL DISTRACTION'?]]></title><link>http://www.blog4change.org/articles/2605/1/IS-THE-SECRET-A-SPIRITUAL-DISTRACTION/Page1.html#Comment2155</link><description><![CDATA[Except for the verbage, how is asking (and receiving) from God different from asking for the universe to help us?  In both cases, isn't there a comfort in knowing our thoughts or prayers are heard and answered?

Kim<br/><br/>
Comment posted by Kim DuBois at 1:15 pm, Wed 19th May 2010]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Kim DuBois)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 19 May 2010 13:15:48 PDT]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.blog4change.org/articles/2605/1/IS-THE-SECRET-A-SPIRITUAL-DISTRACTION/Page1.html#Comment2155</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[IS "THE SECRET" A 'SPIRITUAL DISTRACTION'?]]></title><link>http://www.blog4change.org/articles/2605/1/IS-THE-SECRET-A-SPIRITUAL-DISTRACTION/Page1.html#Comment2166</link><description><![CDATA[HI KIM -- I think you are right. And I believe that you may have said more than you realize, and opened the door to a deeper awakening. Allow me to explain.
The similarity between asking God or the Universe for help is a similar subconscious attitude of dependency. That is, at least in that moment, we have lost faith that we can find what we need within ourselves to master the problem we face and grow from it. The problem may be internal, in the form of pain we cannot bear. Or it may be external, a situation we cannot seem to change. In a way, we mirror the attitude of children who reach out to a parent for holding when they are overwhelmed by their fear and frustration. The source of relief and support is felt to be a force that is larger than us rather than through a growing connection to the strengths that ultimately must be found within us. Once we become adults, emotional security, inner peace and the capacity for joy come from a growing trust in ourselves, and not from a transference of our childhood dependency from our parents to a God-Father figure or Universe-Mother figure.
If you see where this is leading, you will understand my view of the philosophy in "The Secret" as a distraction or even impediment to spiritual maturation. On a deep attitude level, an adherent to this way of thinking wants to see the world as a Mother's breast that will endlessly fill their inner emptiness with milk -- if only they can think perfect thoughts all the time! But the problem is a desire to relate to life as a child, rather than face the challenge of independence -- which is filling up on your own love, strength and energy. In other words, claiming and becoming all of yourself!  
People generally cry out to God/Universe when they are in more fear or pain than they can stand. As a therapist, I have seen that the true and lasting cure for deep inner pain is to embrace it and completely express and release it. When this is achieved the person feels a soul-deep inner peace. Their inner state of happiness is restored, even if -- and this is crucial to understand! -- the external situation hasn't changed. And, equally important, they've found that they have the capacity to turn within and set themselves free. They feel more independent. They have more faith in themselves and are are more self-connected. By not reaching to connect with an outside force -- God/Universe -- but instead struggling to reach within, they have both grown and claimed more of their own core strength.   
A great definition of spiritual growth is increasing one's capacity to feel peaceful and happy, regardless of external circumstances. Many people believe that this can only be achieved by a dependent attitude toward a force larger than themselves -- God/Universe. But in my view, spiritual maturity calls us to greater independence, where we work to transform our fearful reactivity and open to our own core energies -- love, joy, aliveness. And the ability to do this ultimately depends on our love for and belief in ourselves. One cannot fully connect to oneself without unconditionally loving oneself!   
What I'm pointing to is a spiritual adventure based upon putting your ultimate trust -- in yourself! In the strength and wisdom in your own body and soul. The more you turn within, in the face of struggles and crisis, to awaken the strength you require, the stronger that trust in yourself grows. And with that trust in yourself comes a peace with yourself and your life that cannot be provided by a reliance on God or the Universe. Faith in yourself is the greatest faith of all.<br/><br/>
Reply to Previous Comment by Bryan Eden at 9:31 am, Fri 21st May 2010]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Bryan Eden)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Fri, 21 May 2010 09:31:50 PDT]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.blog4change.org/articles/2605/1/IS-THE-SECRET-A-SPIRITUAL-DISTRACTION/Page1.html#Comment2166</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[IS "THE SECRET" A 'SPIRITUAL DISTRACTION'?]]></title><link>http://www.blog4change.org/articles/2605/1/IS-THE-SECRET-A-SPIRITUAL-DISTRACTION/Page1.html#Comment2153</link><description><![CDATA[Bryan.....Yes  i absolutely agree with you  that.....peoples  *Positive thoughts*help them   move closer to  thier  goals and  dreams in some way or another....
 But  also .... if we are really in dire need  of  something...  and truly desperate  ....And we ask God for help  ...he will always help  you out  but  maybe not in the exact way  that you ask for but he will Help.<br/><br/>
Comment posted by Old Soul at 12:58 pm, Wed 19th May 2010]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Old Soul)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 19 May 2010 12:58:22 PDT]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.blog4change.org/articles/2605/1/IS-THE-SECRET-A-SPIRITUAL-DISTRACTION/Page1.html#Comment2153</guid></item></channel></rss>