Experts Debate Self-Help Phenom 'The Secret' (CBS News)

[leepialong]

this guy should have a debate with George Carlin on self-help book?

[imaginativelads]

You know what kind of mentality falls for this stuff? The same kind that passively accepted the dictates of kings because they were conned into believing that God spoke directly to their unelected leaders. All fear based. These people are not very bright and the authors of these books know that.

[SuperAlexrios]

the secret to steal money from people is to write a book called the secret This is fit for american idiocy that expect that every issue in live could be solve like a drive tru in a fast food restaurant

[shabido1]

Like always, everyone on every side is good at little more than dancing around what really matters... Your self isn't exterior. Even if this positive thinking, feeling, acting works perfect, it still is not self. Self is something only you can know, feel, and act upon. You will not find the answers in a book, or even on a couch. Anything may help you discover it, but you discover it.

[thethirdq]

With you talent it is just a matter of time...

[ntlong1987]

This made my day! :) 

[HearTooHelpYou]

mindormatter.webs.com

[tamaradorris1]

I know this: Both these guys are jerks AND the law of attraction DOES work, but is not represented here properly.

[EFT4MeDebi]

There is an old book available, often for free because it's so old. It is way more helpful then 'The Secret'. It is by Napoleon Hill. Its called 'Think & Grow Rich' I think Bill Gates read it in his Sr. year of college then quit school & well Microsoft. It should be required reading of every student in school because it teaches you how to get Abundance in life. Not just money either. The writer was hired by 1 of the richest men in the world to study millionaires & tell how they did it. GET IT!

[EFT4MeDebi]

Many don't realize that The law of Attraction is just like other natural laws, such as gravity. We attract what we focus on the most. Hows this, if you go looking for trouble in life, what do you usually find? Or consider that The LOA Doesn't mean you focus on LACK. If your broke & all you think about, talk about etc is being broke, do you think that your going to make money? Nope your misery will keep you stuck & attract you nothing but more of the same. Negativity.

[EFT4MeDebi]

I KNOW OF NOTHING THAT WORKS 100% OF THE TIME FOR 100% OF THE PEOPLE...You just need to use your heads. Try different things till you find what works best for you. Sometimes it might be a combination of things. USE COMMON SENSE! I just don't believe the answer is in pills. The pharmaceutical industry is a BILLION dollar business. They have a vested interest in making sure people stay misinformed. They will use their profits to discredit ANYONE who attempts to show us a better way.

[TIMOTHYBROCKWELL]

James Ray is a JACKASS!

[tommytigers]

so interesting. i found this lady on youtube named sharon snir and she really puts everything into perspective. her video is called "Travelling at the Speed of Light Heartedness"

[disciplineyourself]

It's interesting how The Secret uses the Da Vinci Code style marketing, wherein they try to highlight more that the point of it all is that the discussion is being opened, not on actually the legitimacy of the points taken by the book. Either way, no one can probably have enough advice so what's the difference with The Secret from the most favorite self-help book you have?

[thetraveler2463]

Yes you can go to James Arthur Ray's website for proof of this law. Oops, went there and I saw that he attracted an undesirable tragedy.

Be careful on the improper use of this principle. It sure does backfire.

[disciplineyourself]

Either way, it's not that hard to say that the book is effective. I made the self-help video "Why did you give up?" in my youtube channel and I think the effectiveness of the book is similar to how effective is mine. There's probably nothing like too much help so whether you disagree the book's help, it's undeniable that it changes people's thoughts.

[greeneggs1111]

I'm thinking James Ray loses this debate.

[spymasterson]

The comments by you people make me sick. You hear something in the media and take it as fact. This was a tragic accident. Don't make assumptions about James Ray from what you hear in the media. Read one of his books follow the real story. These people didn't die of heat stroke. Thats a medical fact. They died from poisoning. Do some research and then come make your statements and comments. This country makes me sick. It is supposed to innocent until proven guilty.

[trafficfusion2011]

Both sides have good points - The Secret is a good uplifter, and then when it doesnt do as it says for you, its a good downfaller. Don't do as this film says, do MORE than this film says... if you use this film as a guide , your going to fail. Ray has caused deaths, hes a scammer and is probably going to prison for 30 years for manslaughter. But if your looking for some REAL coaching of some kind, you should check out Bob Proctor. He's been around since the 1960s - and never has had complaints

[lilvjdude]

The look on Ray's face at 4:18 pretty much conceeds defeat.

[bornkool]

Nice Video !

[mwells219]

On October 8, 2009, at a New Age "Spiritual Warrior" retreat conceived and hosted by Ray at the Angel Valley Retreat Center in Yavapai County near Sedona, Arizona, two participants, James Shore and Kirby Brown, died as a result of being in a sweat lodge exercise. Eighteen others were hospitalized after suffering burns, dehydration, breathing problems, kidney failure or elevated body temperature. Liz Neuman, another attendee, died October 17 after being comatose for a week.

[AllyTV1]

this is the guy who was responsible for the death of that man at the sweat lodge? right?

[spymasterson]

No. Wrong.

[msconfabulate1]

Yeah, well I wish he'd [James A Ray] kept it a secret. It was no longer a secret once the book was published and sold. Make no mistake, this was all about MONEY and POWER for James Arthur Ray.

[lionsare]

"Dr. John Norcross, a clinical psychologist " not exactly a unbiased 3rd party. the people who go to these self help people are being given a spiritual solution to their problem not a bunch of drugs. these people are taking money out of his pocket and the pockets of the drug companys. these teaching are philosophy not science. a psychologist costs more than any self help program. "Also, the idea that you have a hidden hand in what you experience in life isn't a negative or a blame game." bias

[EFT4MeDebi]

@lionsare Of course we have 'a hand' in how our life goes. We make 100's of choices all day long that propel us in different directions. Before the choices comes thoughts. Everything starts out as a thought in someones head. Look around your room. See all the inventions that made many people millionaires. Every single one of them started out as just a single thought. Then U need to believe in yourself to trust that it's possible to accomplish. Thoughts..Feelings/beliefs...T­aking Action.

[mwells219]

@moultonllava you are a tool who has no self esteem and who falls for pseduoscientific snake oil salesmen like this guy. belief does not provably cause any kind of physical healing. you are a sad human being and you should slit your wrists or find some other way to end your life as leeches like you will never amount to anything.

[EFT4MeDebi]

@mwells219 Sorry I beg to differ. So would documented science In fact an entire religion would. I'm not a Catholic but doesn't the idea of Belief, or prayer strike you as an example? There have been countless studies done on the power of prayer. It has nothing to do with 'Snake oil sale' I'm not even a proponent of prayer. Yet I do realize the power of thoughts. When you break a bone a Dr. doesn't heal it. He puts a cast over it & your own body heals it. The mind & Body are 1 in the same.

[mwells219]

@EFT4MeDebi Show me these stuides. prove that praying for someone to not have cancer has a direct causal link to reduction in disease. Show me where this has been done in multiple no biased studies that rule out any other variables possiblities. until you can do that you can't say that prayer can cure disease. You're a liar.

The fact that you think that a bone heals because you believe it will heal shows how much the american education system is failing the people of this country.

[mathuli101]

Discovering the secret has changed my life... It is true thats taking action is key ,it also starts with engulfing ur thoughts and feelings in the things u want ... you have to master it... it wont happen over night ... but NOT EVERYBODY WILL GET IT and thats why NOT EVERYBODY WILL BE SUCCESSFUL ... my testimony ive seen it work in my life and close friends aswell... Law of attraction is the truth! THEIR NEW BOOK IS "THE POWER" AWESOME!

[Monicazvnbvcdgcd]

Pretty Asian beauties *lushfmlk.info*

[Awesomenizzleness]

If you honestly think that positive imagery is the secret of life..........................­....Kill yourself.. seriously kill yourself. go to africa were startving children is and tell them to think about eating a big plate of roast beef and mashed potatos. so all you have to do is tell them to be positive about starving to death

[miromir1000]

They talk about low of attraction. This low has a second part. You attract what you need.

[2b1u1d2]

Funny end (not).. Cbs = main stream media are liars!! Wake up people!

Best of luck :)

[2b1u1d2]

Funny end (not).. Cbs = main stream media are liars!! Wake up people!

Best of luck :)

[askgooshy]

hello my name is gooshy im here to help contact me and we will get threw this together contact me and i will anser your questions i have been there contact me and i will help you dont be shy if you wish to be discreet send me a messege its all i do contact me you wont be sorry

[killingangel707]

James Arthur Ray has "attracted" his way into prison.

[SCUBONZIES]

i feel social weight can't breathe  it's the war man !

[DrAvesta]

I cannot believe I actually believed in the secret for two whole years. Said to myself all this trouble that was happening in my life was my own fault. Sure, you need to pull the trigger yourself for the gun to fire but I was being thrown all these troubles etc and I actually blamed myself! It did help with me setting up my own company thou, it did help with me believing I can do anything I want and feeling happy, but it was all like a tread mill.

[dennishalsey1962]

With all honor, love, respect and sorrow for families and the ones who went beyond this horrible world, James Ray is one of my greatest personal heroes. His inspirations and teachings, along with other Master Teachers of this planet changed my life in the most wonderful of ways. I am hurt and angry, not at James, but by ignorant people and cruel police and authorities treating him like a piece of shit in jail and with the threat of prison. I know a man's spirit and I know this is not right!.

[walrus80]

Yeah but you cannot blame them for acting that way.

[SlyHobbit]

Please give us your definition of "right". This man is responsible for 3 people losing their lives! READ THAT AGAIN, THIS MAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 3 PEOPLE LOSING THEIR LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quit crying for this guy, I mean, I know he has had some good teachings in the past, but still, if you do the crime you gotta do the time. He fucked up, and he fucked up BAD. He deserves every last day he spends in jail and/or prison. The families of his victims will never get out of their hell.

[dennishalsey1962]

His good teachings are not in the past that you admit too are still his same teachings today.

If you do the crime maybe you should do the time, however, the definition of a crime is when you intentionally harm someone and this is not the case. You are wrong and there is no crime. Only unintelligent beings would call the misfortune a crime. He did not fuck up or fuck up bad, things happen and once again, there was no ill intent so there can be no crime.

[dennishalsey1962]

A misfortune is not a crime or a fuck up, it is a misfortune!

The families are not in hell. If they were, they would be tormented eternally. They are suffering from loss and have to grieve through it, understand the misfortune, not blame and heal from the misfortune.

You on the other hand, are one who judges others wrongly. In your case, you will be judged by your own actions and receive your just reward.

[dennishalsey1962]

You need to be concerned about casting evil stones at others when you yourself had committed many crimes where you have intentionally hurt others. How do know this? Because I can see it clearly. You think that you hide your sins and no-one sees them, but I tell you the truth, they are seen very clearly and you are the one who must make yourself clean, because you are not clean.

[dennishalsey1962]

The Master Jesus would call you a viper, and a hypocryte, and a law keeper and say that you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven and so shall I say it to you!

[FigurinItOut]

(Sigh) There is no reliable scientific evidence that it works BECAUSE IT IS SUBJECTIVE!!!!! IT COMES FROM A PERSON'S THOUGHTS. FEELINGS AND ACTIONS WHICH CANNOT BE PROVEN!!!!!!

AND -- EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT!! DIFFERENT PEOPLE, DIFFERENT RESULTS!! HOLY COW WILL THESE SKEPTICS STOP BEING CHILDISH!!!!

[moonsoonmenu]

ha the internet...where people rarely present credit for what they say.

[Ciada91]

"testimonials are not science." Ray's former profession was as a, "telemarketer."

[glocker8888]

Yeah but he was a DAM GOOD telemarketer.

I got a call from him one time. He was trying to sell me a bridge in Brooklyn.

I dam near gave him my credit card # too.

LOL

Those fools deserved to die for being stupid enough to listen to this schmuck. Hale Bopp types. ROTFLMFAO

[mmptwa]

James Ray has done the self help a shameful dis service, I watched many of his interviews long b4 this happened & everytime I came away feeling he was only in it 4 the money. He comes across 2 the independent thinker as egotistical, greedy & selfserving. I do believe LOA works & worked 4 him, this is his result, he has brought this on himself at the cost of 3 people dead & many others injured. He owed it 2 his followers 2 b more responsible, they trusted him & it cost 3 people their lives

[jayforrester123]

@mmptwa whos lives did it cost?

[Lokeydin]

@mmptwa No he hasn't, you're trusting in the media who are constantly lying to you.

You need to know the facts, Kevin trudeau show 03/19/11, all the facts you're not getting. never trust the media.

[konteee]

@mmptwa And with what... medications do not sometimes kill people too? Are you serious? 3 people? Now read a little about whatever medications the white-haired guy promotes in this interview for being "Scientificly proven correct" and count how many deaths that resulted in. Seriously, dude. Going for the "death"-argument is really no good idea in this debate. Medicin in therapy kills -thousands- of people. It even in some cases influences people -murder- other people.

[waterboardbush]

What needs to die in James Ray?

Could be his needy ego?

[natedawg316]

when the nay sayers have their 5 pillars intact and all firing at the same time, there's no way anyone can argue James Ray's point. Case studies are just that, but when science is starting to go hand and hand with harmony the more you dive into it the average person will say this works and i will continue.

[Maveleanor]

The guy's a prat....what happened at Sedona is the proof.

How is he going to rationalize that and line it up with the LOA.?

That sweat lodge was criminal on so many levels........I know that from experience .

Only a greedy fool would put 64 people in that plastic death trap and charge them $9,000.........to charge for it is offensive to Native Americans anyway.

[laryon]

U.S. Bill of Rights 1st Amendment:

the Government for a redress of grievances.

This doesnt mean denying speech you like, or that you accept or support. This means accepting all speech, whether you like it or not. Freedom of speech is for everyone. It was the desire of men smarter than those in power today to bestow upon us, these inalienable rights. You see Beast boy you cave men just a bunch of evil deceivers you dont even follow your own bullshit........

[laryon]

No you tickle me beast boy....Lil sensitive caveman go back to the mountain your time is almost up...........Black Man God

Obama Bitch

[laryon]

Babylon does not Pre date Egypt wrong wrong.......

If so why are Egypt's pyramid's still standing.

Because this Science come from Egypt located where ?Africa..........Black man is God

[jystyle]

lol wtf

[hotluluhot]

that guys obviously doesn't understand the law of attractioon ahhaha i love that he tries to argue it!!!

go james ray! you kicked ass!

[YourTeenCoach]

My take on this is the following. You have to think about what it is that you want - it will make people happier. Because they are positive since they focus on that.

However, the important part is that thinking about what you want is not the only thing. You also have to take the actions to get there. That is why "The Secret" alone does NOT work.

However of course, that's the hard part about it, and it would help sales to share that part of the message to. Still, the LOA is incredibly powerful.

[johngilfillan66]

If we all lived our lives the way The Secret teaches us, the world as a whole would be a remarkable, healthy and friendly place to be. But unfortunately, until we educate the negative people and encourage others to help and inspire others to greatness it remains an uphill task but one that is not unachievable.

Keep smiling when others are frowning.

[shananagans10]

to put it most basically...I look at these two individuals debating "The Secret" and I think the person I would most like to imitate is NOT the hideous negative nay-sayer...

[dwk88]

he cant BELEIVE. so doesnt understand what it can do

[oxkaseyxo]

i am a believer of the law of attraction but i am confused, because what john was saying is true how "the secret" tell you basically that you dont have to take any action with the (ask, believe, receive). it also tells you there are no time restrictions and time doesnt count in the universe (or something similar to that).

but james says (think, feel, act). when the secret so strongly set upon asking, believing, receiving.

SO does the secret work if you just (ask, recieve, believe)?

[bigeyearts]

the message is really what you are putting out to the universe. theres a part in the book which talks about a woman who wanted a boyfriend but wasnt getting one because she was doing things that were contradicting her belief.

sometimes things come from nowhere other times we require action but ultimatly if it is what we really want then it wont feel like work

[frogleshmee]

theres alot better books to read than the secret, the secret is just a simple book dvd, to explane it on a basic level, its great though cause its a stepping stone. you have to change your emotional guidense system to get concistent results, its very hard because youve got to be aware of how you feel, and figure out where you are emotionaly then change it by using mind techniques. its harder for some to change because their brains programed to negativity through years of bad thaughts.

[Fastdogg562]

In the secret They also mention that you act on inspired thought and feeling, and when u do take action it will feel joyous.For me the secret is just basic begins, it doesnt have evrything.You shouldnt chase after it you should let LOA Direct u to it.

[InDharma1977]

I can only speak from my personal experience...Yes, it does. There are however a couple of disclaimers I have. BELIEF is the key. It needs to be something which truly resonates, that you have no resistance to on any level...and you need to be able to let go of it completely, forgetting about it.

If you are able to do that, you'll be amazed at how quickly what you've asked for shows up...just remember to be specific about what you DO want, and don't focus on what you don't want.

[sandracravero]

i'll put it this way, if you were a goalkeeper and were about to 'receive' the ball, you might want to stand in front of the goal. That, to me, is action. 'Receiving' implies an action, i think.

[milkman7000]

If the seecret is in a book then i guess its not a seecret now is it

[chichika123]

that guy saying it's not true is cus it's money he's losing from us since we would all be healthy. we wouldn't need to pay him or doctors.

why do you think theyre so against it.

[Zlane]

your mentally retarded

he is a philosopher trying to help people not delude them.

the secret however can push people over the edge and scary "BIG PHARMA" will get them addicted to their satanistic medicine.

come on grow the fuck up.

LoA = BS

[chichika123]

i wrote alot as a reply to you. but i chose to erase it.

I guess i felt better after remembering your reply started off with an insult.

In that case theres no need for me to reply.

[Jewelkaden]

The Secret will work if you apply it correctly which is with complete faith in what you are trying to accomplish. My son was on 12 medicines and continual oxygen and expected to live to be 2 or 3. After I saw the secret we were so inspired and my son Kaden came off all meds and oxygen with a perfectly clean lung ct and bill of health. He is now 2.5 and perfectly healthy. Thank you James Ray for everything you do.

[chichika123]

hey please answer me maybe you can help me.

[godscuttingyoudown]

check this out on you tube 2 australians tested the secret and showed their results

watch?v=usbNJMUZSwo

[johnr1525]

kind of amusing that the guy who says i'm a positive person is talking negatively about positive thinking

[heysesar]

The Secret sucks!!!!!!!! I´ve been visualizing and doing all the stuff they told me to do in the dvd and my life is now more miserable than it was before. Mr. Norcross is completely right...the secret is only bullshit for morons like miself

[retread01]

Don't be so hard on yourself. You know it's bullshit now, so just use that as something you have learned and move on. Buy my book instead.

(I don't have a book, that was a joke).

[ccwilki1]

your wish is my command! i thought you watched the movie....

[BrokerBryan]

You can get a FREE call from "The Secret" to your phone every morning! Positive US dot com

[wblack26]

If forgot who it was that said, Find out what it is exactly that you "LOVE" to do, and you will never work another day in your LIFE!

[wblack26]

Im going to see James Ray Live Tonight YaY! I Attracted it, About 30 days ago... funny things just keep attracting to me faster and faster! I may serve society that most ppl believe that hard "WORK" is necessary, but its not, but then again, picking up the phone to answer a call, can technically be considered "WORK" =)

[lovermarc21]

the secret works combined with action.. science is just a tool, its up to us to put them to WORK.

[Agonyauntaudrey]

Some great advice here we'd all agree, but self-help shouldn't be a money-making entity, or a secret for that matter.

Agony Aunt Audrey x

[thoserandomaussies]

I don't agree with you. I believe that if someone is going to take the time to do the research, dedicate years of their life to writing a book and spend thousands of dollars on seminar equipment etcetera then they deserve to make money from it. If someone writes a book that helps me improve my life then they deserve every dollar i give them.

[Agonyauntaudrey]

sucker

[thoserandomaussies]

How the fuck am i a sucker your the one that says the secret truely was a secret but there have been thousands of people saying the same thing for years. The only difference is the secret called it a secret and labeled it the law of attraction.

I want you to tell me whats wrong with my first statement because to be honest sucker is an absolutely fucked comment to make especially from you as you appear to be about 50 in your videos. How about you mature up and give me some better feedback.

[gyrobotZ]

Yeah, I remember something like that. While some people have visible mental diseases. Sometimes the mental disease (Such as autism for example) is merely a case of internalization of traits within you at an early age when your mind is at an young age.

[stigandr]

james arthur ray, you don't understand. you mentioned babylon, well.... you're building the tower of babel, and it's not helping anyone in the LONG RUN. what you're selling is a short-sighted recipe for happiness, it's a warped version of the ultimate wisdom and that's essentially a LIE.

[bilavideo]

Here's a million-dollar secret and you can have it for free: Get off the couch.

[ryanhercules]

People who are denying this and telling us that it doesnt work they're the ones who knew this and never told us because they wanted the power to control over the people...they are the ones who are sick bastards

[skate831]

i agree with james ray, you must think feel and ACT in accordance with your desire. check out thelawofattractionhandbook dot com for more info. thanks

[dzainah]

yes it works. It has worked for me in various aspects of my life.I just read an interview with Bob Proctor, from The Secret movie on attraction acceleration which you can get at visualizationtechniquedotcom

[mybestyears]

"scientific evidences?" who cares? Who want it?

All I can say is that the "Law Of Attraction" really works!

[8R8]

What bothers me is that in AMERICA so often use their Intending for GETTING "stuff"... what about GIVING? Intending for someone else? Selflessness anyone? It makes you trully happy!

ALSO, much more sophisticated and precise teachings about the secret of Intending are Carlos Castaneda's Don Juan's teachings!

[bigeyearts]

i completely agree with the first part, and actually if u read the book it mentions that giving is a very powerful tool for attracting, because it sends out the message that you have more than enough of the thing u are giving!!

[jewellgroove]

Totally agree with KissingSchool. Dr. Norcross' attitude is SO TYPICAL of a doctor who's trying to push their beliefs down our throats. It's better to be analytical and cynical than positive. God forbid people no longer need medical attention! I think James Arthur Ray defends his position very well. Go JAR!

[MISRAISES]

the guy who spouses the secret is a fraud! lets face it, anyone who is shamless enough to support something that is supposed to be spiritual and at the same time is steeped in materiality, is a deluded individual!The secret capitalises on a simple truth, but ends up distorting spirituality and lying to the masses!!!!

[stigandr]

i agree totally, and i'm so glad i found a place where comments like yours and mine don't just get deleted. i've been blocked several times for saying this. the pyramid schemers just can't afford to look bad, or their whole structure crumbles, and that kind of gets in the way of the "positive thinking" of their blind followers mwahahahaha. i have a couple of videos on the subject. RECLAIM!

[ashwix]

the secret is that there is no secret

[stigandr]

yes. so the secret is that you don't wanna buy this book, because everything you need is right in front of you.

[rdjcoulter]

The great thing when anyone challenges your beliefs is you get to examine them again yourself. Trust your instinct. Take action on your dreams and desires, this is both physical action and mental action. Get out of your own way and allow the process to happen.

Add meditation into your daily life, this will bring everything together. Before you judge, allow yourself the experience with an open heart and an empty cup.

Ask questions...

Cheers

Enjoy,

Rod

[Andreya01]

It obviously depends on the person and the person's environment - I'd be interested to see clinical studies of eg cancer patients that got ill due to asbestos or other chemical influences. Clinical studies of 'The Secret' - Why not? ;)

[timothyfravashi]

Hah Hah, nice 1, Thanks K.S.

[KissingSchool]

Mr. Norcross is clearly afraid of being out of a job!

I'm a therapist who knows there is no secret, these practices are basic to all healing and they're very effective. They are a good way to clear your appointment book however, for the clients will no longer be dependent on the therapist!!

Cherie Byrd