You’ve either learned about The Secret on Oprah, heard Jack Canfield talk about it (along with the Law of Attraction, Vibration, etc.), or watched a movie called What The Bleep!? (Down the Rabbit Hole)… The fact is that our understanding of the scientific laws of the universe are expanding. Quantum Physicists, schools such as Princeton, and even NASA are coming out with studies finding that there are “laws of the universe”. These laws encompass notions that our our thoughts (conscious or not), desires, beliefs, and intentions truly affect the people and world around us (about 200,000 miles from you, in fact).

There is a problem. Those into New Age ideas are using these discoveries as a filler for the “Jesus shaped hole” inside of them. These laws are being taken out of the context of the all powerful, all knowing, all loving God and His creation! God, in His infinite wisdom and power, created a complex universe, one which we get to explore and make new (well, new to us) discoveries. This is the amazing thing about the Infinite Maker: the possibilities are endless! What science discovers in the universe is, in fact, the way God awesomely created it. It is a sad reality that many people find science incompatible with religion, specifically Christianity! The funny twist is that people who may have rejected organized religion are flocking to the new “churches” called “spiritual centers” that are based on the very laws that the God of the universe created! They are again worshiping the new and mysterious, 21st century versions of the sun and moon gods.

For us Catholics–what a testimony to the greatness of our God Almighty! He is so complex in his infiniteness, and so GOOD that he commanded us to have good intention towards others, to be grateful, to use our talents and not bury them, to keep active and not lazy… the very commandments God gives us, we are finding has more affect on everyone and everything around us than we may have ever thought!

I recommend watching What the Bleep!? Down the Rabbit Hole, which you can find in your local movie rental store, only while understanding that God created the world to be the way it is (no matter what we discover about it), and any scientific discoveries about the way it works, or “Universal Law” is yet another indication of His Awesomeness!

Also, beware of a few notions that tend to be portrayed that are not obviously misleading, but could do the trick if you don’t watch out:

Problem #1: The Focus on Feeling

Jack Canfield often says that you must feel what it’s like to be in your brand new car… that is what sends the “e-mail” from your brain to the rest of the people and universe. Today on EWTN radio, Fr. Corapi was giving the teachings of Jesus Christ, saying that feelings are what get us in trouble–especially when it comes to faith. We tend to want to love God and others only when we feel like it. But God commands us to love Him with our whole mind, body and soul. And the Bible does not say anything about you having to feel anything for God; Love is action, not feeling.

Problem #2: The Focus on What I Want.

Sound selfish already? Yes, knowing what you want and going after it is the very important first step to goal setting. Unfortunately, there is an over-emphasis to the extent of encouraging selfishness. At the same time, people have used the Law of Attraction to help millions of others, such as the story of Feed 333. Check out www.feed333.org.

The bottom line is this: watch out for the misleadings of New Age notions of “New Spirituality.” David DiCerto of the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has this to say about Walsch, a New Age filmmaker and his film, Conversations with God, on the Catholic News Service site:

“Walsch’s books promote what he calls New Spirituality, which, among other things, argues that organized religions are divisive. But in criticizing others as arrogant for claiming a direct line to the truth, what, if anything, “new” does his New Spirituality offer? Like those of “The Celestine Prophecy,” Walsch’s revelations are little more than a syncretic hodgepodge of gnosticism, pantheism and New Age mysticism laced with Christian terminology without any set dogma beyond an emotion-driven subjectivism. (“You make the rules!” God tells him.)”

(read the whole article here.)

Emily Stimpson of Our Sunday Visitor says it best:

“What did the devil say to Eve? ‘Eat this, and you’ll become like gods.’ That’s what The Secret really promises,” he said.

The promise of The Secret does seem to echo the promise of the serpent. It promises that without help from man or God you can control your destiny. It assures you neither grace nor suffering are necessary. It makes you your own god, and leaves no room for a messiah who hung on a cross.

Read the article here.

How about we let the Infinitely Wise and Loving One make the rules and we live in joy, peace and TRUE FREEDOM by following them? :)