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jawnbcFrom time to time in the public sphere something emerges, a thing or concept that purports to explain Everything™. Here in North America these things often owe some aspect of their lineage to Oprah and her ilk--if Oprah says it's something, well it is. Oh, and thanks for Dr. Phil Oprah, he's healing America. *cough*
One such thing is The Secret (Google it if you want to find out its specifics and/or buy the associated media): I come not to bury The Secret, nor to praise it. Some may find it heretical for an academic to saying what I'm about to say: there's something there, folks. It's not all smoke and mirrors. And no, not just because the DVD is circulating like a po-mo Japanesque horror movie. But don't fret: I don't think you'll die if you watch it. Unless you get someone else to watch it after you. Which is sort of the model that YouTube works under, non?
But I digress. Before there was The Secret there was the Celetine Prophecy. Before that paradigm shift, before that co-dependency, before that rolfing, before that EST. And self-help groups. And 12 step programmes. Lather, rinse, repeat. There are many among us who seem to have as desperate need to prove these...notions...are baseless as there are people who view them as The Answer To All Their Problems Ever. Putting the paradox of their equal orthodoces aside, the gist of such critiques invariably reduce to one idea:
This isn't true all the time for all humanity, and has no basis in fact (evidence!) therefore it's invalid.
Yes. Fine. Good. Except...very few human experiences are universalized. Even at the cellular level. Virii and bacteria act differently in men and women's bodies, in persons with different genetic make-ups, and in well-fed versus malnourished people. We all need oxygen, but millions live at an altitude that would leave me gasping (what happens to them at sea level...do they get hyper?). So the one-size doesn't fit all argument doesn't hold water. Leaky bucket.
In fact, I think that sort of critique is missing the point: people's lives that have been substantively improved by things like The Secret are evidence of its value. We should be asking what are the specific things that are of value, to whom, why and how. Because I have to tell you, when I found out The Secret, I wasn't shocked, or surprised. I already knew it. And knew how it had dramatically improve my life for the better. Actually, it saved my life. Except for me it was something acquired through spiritual boot camp. Which started through Alcoholics Anonymous (I am not longer a member, hence anonymity isn't a concern), included many years of psychiatric care (therapeutic talk, but also medication. Even today), and much prayer and meditation.
A lot of people would read this sort of entry and say "ach, just another religious freak." OK great...except I'm not religious. I don't participate in the religion of my childhood because I do not believe the central tenets of its faith, not because of its homophobia,...though that probably would have been a dealbreaker for me eventually. I don't believe in God, which is why I write it Gawd. I don't have any inclination to worship or chat or annoy with relentless Christmas wish list prayers, any deity personified. I believe in a Creator, but have no idea what form it/they might take...nor do I care to know. I merely believe in a greatness beyond my comprehension, one which, by the way, doesn't manipulate me like a puppet on a string.
Many years ago I underwent a spiritual transformation. That instigated a process that continues today. In my case it has not led to membership in a community of practice with specific articles of faith or rituals. it has also, paradoxically, require me to be take even more responsibility for my being, my time on this earth. Over these last 17 years I have learnt so many things, perhaps none more valuable then this:
If something doesn't work foryou me, but does for someone else, why the fuck do you I need to poke holes in it for them?
If what they're pursuing requires them to tithe vast sums of money, or sign away their autonomy, or makes them vulnerable to violence, of course that has to be challenged. But $50 for a book and/or DVD? Big deal...if someone can find something transformative there, that's a good thing. Whereas most of the carping on about these things is really aboutyour my ego.
One such thing is The Secret (Google it if you want to find out its specifics and/or buy the associated media): I come not to bury The Secret, nor to praise it. Some may find it heretical for an academic to saying what I'm about to say: there's something there, folks. It's not all smoke and mirrors. And no, not just because the DVD is circulating like a po-mo Japanesque horror movie. But don't fret: I don't think you'll die if you watch it. Unless you get someone else to watch it after you. Which is sort of the model that YouTube works under, non?
But I digress. Before there was The Secret there was the Celetine Prophecy. Before that paradigm shift, before that co-dependency, before that rolfing, before that EST. And self-help groups. And 12 step programmes. Lather, rinse, repeat. There are many among us who seem to have as desperate need to prove these...notions...are baseless as there are people who view them as The Answer To All Their Problems Ever. Putting the paradox of their equal orthodoces aside, the gist of such critiques invariably reduce to one idea:
This isn't true all the time for all humanity, and has no basis in fact (evidence!) therefore it's invalid.
Yes. Fine. Good. Except...very few human experiences are universalized. Even at the cellular level. Virii and bacteria act differently in men and women's bodies, in persons with different genetic make-ups, and in well-fed versus malnourished people. We all need oxygen, but millions live at an altitude that would leave me gasping (what happens to them at sea level...do they get hyper?). So the one-size doesn't fit all argument doesn't hold water. Leaky bucket.
In fact, I think that sort of critique is missing the point: people's lives that have been substantively improved by things like The Secret are evidence of its value. We should be asking what are the specific things that are of value, to whom, why and how. Because I have to tell you, when I found out The Secret, I wasn't shocked, or surprised. I already knew it. And knew how it had dramatically improve my life for the better. Actually, it saved my life. Except for me it was something acquired through spiritual boot camp. Which started through Alcoholics Anonymous (I am not longer a member, hence anonymity isn't a concern), included many years of psychiatric care (therapeutic talk, but also medication. Even today), and much prayer and meditation.
A lot of people would read this sort of entry and say "ach, just another religious freak." OK great...except I'm not religious. I don't participate in the religion of my childhood because I do not believe the central tenets of its faith, not because of its homophobia,...though that probably would have been a dealbreaker for me eventually. I don't believe in God, which is why I write it Gawd. I don't have any inclination to worship or chat or annoy with relentless Christmas wish list prayers, any deity personified. I believe in a Creator, but have no idea what form it/they might take...nor do I care to know. I merely believe in a greatness beyond my comprehension, one which, by the way, doesn't manipulate me like a puppet on a string.
Many years ago I underwent a spiritual transformation. That instigated a process that continues today. In my case it has not led to membership in a community of practice with specific articles of faith or rituals. it has also, paradoxically, require me to be take even more responsibility for my being, my time on this earth. Over these last 17 years I have learnt so many things, perhaps none more valuable then this:
If something doesn't work for
If what they're pursuing requires them to tithe vast sums of money, or sign away their autonomy, or makes them vulnerable to violence, of course that has to be challenged. But $50 for a book and/or DVD? Big deal...if someone can find something transformative there, that's a good thing. Whereas most of the carping on about these things is really about
