Ever since The Secret became such a huge success, I noticed that all kinds of "salesmen" are appearing trying to capitalize on the theme of manifestation, each with their own set of "secrets" guaranteed to make your life fabulous and more prosperous. They cunningly market their books and workshops to the consumer and laugh all the way to the bank. These are the "spiritual salesmen"

While I felt a few of The Secret's "stars" were legitimate, most of them were mere salesmen trying to appear as gurus. Bob Proctor was such an exception. At least he was forthright with his persona as being a teacher on how to accumulate wealth, not as a spiritual teacher. Several others in the film tried to present themselves as wise sages, as if because they were successful and wealthy that that was proof enough of their caliber. Of course the public eats up this kind of mentality, because they are hungry to be successful and wealthy themselves. Why focus your energy on growing spiritually, when you can just manifest money, news cars, a big million dollar home, and a yacht? After all, an abundant life IS akin to a spiritual life, or so The Secret would have you believe. This is an example of New Age philosophy or spirituality gone bad.

The Secret, in reality, didn't even reveal the necessary secrets, which I'm sure they weren't even aware of. The wise ones offered no guidance on how to purge the mind of self-doubt or how to work out past karmas. A foundation must first be built before you can successful manifest without creating more karma. A mind must be pure and function with a high level of intuition and awareness before embarking on fulfilling desires. For example, even if you go into a meditation with the intent of manifesting world peace you could in fact be creating the opposite. On the surface you may be wishing for peace, but inside the more powerful feeling of "peace is not possible" overrides your weak projection of "may peace prevail". Hence you have contributed to the manifestation of the "war is inevitable" consciousness.

This is not to say that we should not work towards world peace. However, we need to have a foundation wherein we have conquered our own inner conflicts and thus our projection is strong and our convictions are powerful - free of contradictory emotions. This comes through rigorous effort; effort which entails self-awareness, self-analysis, discipline of the mind and body, and by doing yoga (or other such practices) have created a bright aura, balance in the chakras, and a strong arc line. By engaging your mind, body, and spirit in this way we align our purpose with Divine purpose, which is not based on greed or ego, but on love, compassion and abundance, but not of the selfish self-gratifying kind.

A fulfilled spirit is given when you embrace higher principals. A fulfilled life is given when you are ready to serve. Accumulating wealth and possessions leads one to wanting to accumulate more wealth and possessions in an endless cycle. Being in a state of want is not a state of fulfillment. Only when you become aware that you are stuck in this cycle will you be able to get off the train at the next station, otherwise the train keeps going round and round and round. When you are so filled with love and peace you are ready to give to others and in that giving come fulfillment.

Be aware and beware of those selling "Secrets" if you are a true seeker. Seek to know yourself. To know yourself does not involve learning how to manifest wealth and power or anything outside of you. Knowing yourself is an inward journey. Once you have arrived, the Universe is your playground. Are you ready for that journey?