The Secrets Secret Part 2

“The Secret” – from a Rational Mystic’s perspective

So, if you’ve read my earlier post on “The Secret” you may well have surmised that I have some ‘concerns’ about the system as described by Rhonda Byrne.

What interested me about that post was the response from some about my promise to take ‘mystics’ view of The Law of Attraction… I felt one reader especially was concerned that I would become a bit gooey and transform into some kind of ‘New Age space-cadet’ when addressing the mystical side of Ms Byrne’s work.

Well, I feel that this is a great opportunity to really get to grips with the ‘mystical attitude’ a Rational Mystic can have.

Let’s start with a small diversion into the idea of ritual.

Mystical and Spiritual systems have their own unique rituals. These rituals are replete with behaviours, language and symbols that are specific to each. To some practitioners the words, actions and icons may well have ‘power’ in and of themselves, but to many there will be the honest understanding that these things are simply ‘tools’ to create ‘space’ and ‘mind set’ within which the ritual can be conducted. Engaging in a ‘magical act’ takes preparation, study, thought and real personal sacrifice. These sacrifices (in terms of time, devotion, focus and commitment) are all about expressing the ‘inner intent’ of the practitioner symbolically in the ‘outer world’.

Magic (in the occult sense), can be defined as the ‘art of bringing about change in accordance with will’. By this definition then the very act of living with purpose and intention is a ‘magical act’.

All ritual is about intention, focus and the use of ‘symbols’ to engage both the conscious and unconscious mind in obtaining a desired outcome. Over time, and particularly with the more dogmatic of spiritual systems, this simple fact has been lost. Words, icons, imagery are given an ‘external power’ of their own rather than a being a representation of a set of beliefs, ideologies and philosophies.

In a Psychological sense all ritualistic artefacts, icons, words and gestures are used to trigger behaviour and emotional associations related to personal realities - which include memories, experiences, beliefs, values and attitudes.

Now of course certain items used within a ritual context do have a ‘power of their own’. Psychoactive herbs are a particular example and if we consider the framework in which they are often used in ceremony we find their purpose is to encourage the suspension of rational thought in order to access other states of consciousness. Specifically states of consciousness in which creating mythic allegory through symbolic language, metaphor and creative-free-association becomes easier.

There is a wealth of neurological and psychological research showing a connection between perception, cognitive function, emotion and belief. Such research suggests that rituals do create changes in perceptual and emotional states within the individual.

Goethe wrote:

“What ever you can do, or dream you can, begin it now.

Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”

He also maintained that once a course of action has been fully committed to ‘the Universe itself would conspire to make things happen.

Rather than needing to believe that the Universe is being ‘bent’ to an individuals personal desire, perhaps Goethe can be thought of as suggesting that intent and commitment (through the use of ritual) causes the mind to focus personal perception in such a way as to see, hear, feel and think about opportunities in a more lateral, open way.

Professor Richard Wiseman has written widely on the psychological principles involved here. See his books “The Luck Factor” and “Did You Spot the Gorilla?” His conclusions about the effects of attitude on behaviour, focus of attention (perception) and belief are well worthy of your time and your consideration.

So, back to The Secret…

At its core it is simply suggesting that by thinking positively we can create (bring into being) the things we want in our lives (The Law of Attraction). The book contains a number of suggestions as to how to keep your personal focus on your true intentions (Rituals, Affirmations, Vision Boards and so forth). All of these things are no more mystical or secret than the passing of night into day. AND YES, I chose that simile carefully.

In ancient times the passage of the sun across the sky was a mystical and a magical thing. The process was not understood and so mythologies were built around the observations – and rituals were born. Today we have a better understanding of some of the processes involved in this daily wonder and we have better questions to ask because of what we have learned and what we don’t yet know. Far too many mystical, New Thought or New Age practitioners are living in the darkness and myth of the ancients. (I am sure I have met some who have forgotten their basic science lessons in school – long live the spaghetti monster!).

So along comes The Secret and hides its very sound psychological advice in a cloud of pseudo-mysticism and pseudo-science. It builds dogma around personal practices which do have value and generates some of the most potentially obscene ‘victim bashing’ propaganda currently in print. As mentioned in my last post there are so many inconsistencies within what Byrne proposes that common senses really should prevail…

Now I can almost hear some readers proclaiming that I promised a ‘mystics’ view of The Secret and all they’ve read is stuff about psychology. Well, dear reader, that is exactly the point I want to make about Rational Mysticism – or my flavour of it any way.

As mentioned in an earlier Blog the rationalist uses ‘day time’ language – the language of science, logic, thought, questions whilst the mystic uses ‘night time’ language – the language of metaphor, myth and symbolism. The two are not mutually exclusive.

It may surprise some folks that the path of the occult magician and that of the scientist are not that dissimilar! Modern practitioners of ‘Magick’ do realise the metaphorical nature of the symbols and ideas they use. They are perfectly at ease with the psychological, neurological and scientific world-view and recognise the trappings of their practice as being part and parcel of an emotional, allegorical and subjective experience. Modern Magickians, who often distance themselves from much of the New Age Movement, are true to Renaissance ideals of exploration of arts, sciences and philosophy. They will explore the real significance of thought and the power of intent within a magical, psychological, physical and philosophical framework.

Amongst its many flaws The Secret does seem to trivialise the real nature and purpose of ‘magic’. It can be read, and certainly has been understood, as a quick and easy way to ‘fix’ your life. The real meat and value of the journey of self-discovery has become Disney-fied with more than a sparkle or two of fairy dust.

Rhonda Byrne and her ‘appointed’ teachers and trainers could be seen as acting as some kind of priesthood. Perpetuating “The Way of the Secret” – claiming new devotees, collecting anecdotes and counting the cash.

In ancient mystery traditions “secrets” were passed from Master to Student in what could be considered a holistic way. It was a relationship, a synergy and at its core was the real notion that the student was ‘greater’ than the ‘teacher’.

In learning the master helps the student become knowledgeable

In teaching the student helps the master become wise.

This two way process has been lost to many New Age gurus, where the exchange of learning and understanding has been seen as a transfer of wisdom from ‘Master’ to ‘Client’ matched by a transfer of cash from “Client” to “Master’s Franchise”.

The Rational MYSTICS view of The Secret then is that our minds do create personal realities (it’s called Radical Constructivism); that intention creates emotional commitment, which in turn can effect perception and behaviour; which in turn creates a personal attitude which may encourage greater risk taking; moving in different circles and ‘seeing’ new opportunities.

The ‘black box’ processing that creates your personal reality is the mystery here. Psychology and Neurology is giving us new insights about this every few months or so. There is no need to consider the duality of mind and spirit - consciousness and unconsciousness is perhaps an emergent property of neurology which can be shaped by both rational and mystical thought.

The rationalist accepts the science the mystic explores the abstract. Together both approaches enable a balanced, creative and exploratory approach to the subjective nature of personal experience. Too much rigidity and the scientist ceases to be a scientist – too much “woo woo” and the mystic invalidates learning and becomes closed to true personal learning.

OK, so perhaps in the future we’ll take a look at String Theory, Multiverse’s and Quantum Mechanics – the stuff of science and the subjects often misquoted and misrepresented by the New Age Space Cadet. Hell, all that stuff is ‘mystical’ enough without having to invoke alien intelligences, quantum-spirits, tachyon healing energies and intelligent design.

Until next time..

Alan