9 replies to this topic

[maineman]

Anyone catch Bill Maher last night (Friday, March 9th)? He had, among others, Deepak on. Bill Maher blasted "The Secret" and Deepak was right there with him. Another guest, a highly regarded writer on spirituality, nearly jumped out of his seat with derision. What was the funniest, was when Deepak talked about how much he can't stand self-righteous "Positive Thinking" People. Whether you are a fan of Deepak or not, you've got to watch the rerun of this show. It will crack you up! It's on HBO. mm

[Rogerdodger]

I think the "secret" guy was on Larry King.
When a caller asked him if his "secret" is so great then why did he get sick and need appendicitis surgery.
He said it was because subconsciously he wanted a vacation.

I flipped the channel.
I've already been on that vacation.

Deepak Chopra:

He claims you can prevent and reverse cataracts by brushing your teeth, scraping your tongue, spitting into a cup of water, and washing your eyes for a few minutes with this mixture.

Remember when everybody was putting pyramids over their beds?
And rocks on their heads?

Edited by Rogerdodger, 10 March 2007 - 11:35 AM.

[EntropyModel]

Aahhrrrg...finally sorted out my Tradertalk settings problem with cookies that was stopping me posting.

Just wanted to add my 2cents in agreement on this one.

I have a friend who is 'deeply into Deepak' & all the rest. Her child recently had alot of behavioural problems, we think he may be high functioning autistic. But she totally blames herself..she is 'making it happen' and said she was off to meditate more positive thoughts.

I've tried to point out that 'all bad things in the world' can't be down to people, that 'stuff just happens'. Did the folks in the middle ages all wish painful death via the black death pandemic, did the recent tsunami victims all wish to die, do innocent children by the millions wish to be starved and abused or get cancer.

Presumably these latest marketing experts ( that's the real 'secret' of course) would claim death is just your subconscious desire for a very long rest.

Why do they not use their positive thinking to come up with solutions to any of the worlds problems? Shockingly, their only proven influence is over their own financial well being.

A good saleman can sell ice to eskimos and oil to Arabs....this is a case of taking an obvious simple truth like 'its better to be optimistic/positive in life' and turn it into a multi-million $ business using the corperate programming device.

Just have anyone who believes this sit infront computer random number generator with 'positive thinking' change the results - should be a cinch compared to the claims made.

The sad thing is, this all shows how desperate we humans are for 'meaning' in our lives, that were prepared to believe just about anything to find it rather than simply accepting our limited knowledge of the 'big questions'. Most of human history is literred with people willing to kill to defend 'their belief systems' as truth over others. The claims made by 'positive thinkers' are no more/less crazy than any other belief systems.

Yes talk about funny, each side attacking the others beliefs as 'crazy' and 'cults' etc like watching patients in a mental asylum debate each others sanity.

Making this book compulsory in schools might help regain some sanity.
http://www.amazon.co...s/dp/1587990717

Mark.

Edited by entropy, 12 March 2007 - 08:24 PM.

[stocks]

There's a sucker born every minute. David Hannum For this is the great error of our day that the physicians separate the soul from the body Hippocrates He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how. -Nietzche Scientists think that people are bags of chemicals. Anon There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. Hamlet, scene v

[vitaminm]

http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Bill_Maher

http://en.wikipedia....i/Deepak_Chopra

[OEXCHAOS]

I'm a total skeptic when it comes to virtually any self-help thing. That said, "Positive thinking" when it amounts to positive visualization--visualizing in detail exactly the way you want things to be in your life---can be very beneficial. It has worked for me, and is interesting. It's probably not useful for folks who are very directed and well upon a more clear cut path, but for those who aren't happy with where they are, and are trying to change things, I think it can be powerful. I think this has to do with setting our subconscious mind on a path as well as our conscious mind. Thus we take those actions that will bring us closer to our goals with less effort and more consistency. Also, the more subtle steps get taken, that would otherwise be missed with just a conscious "plan". Kind of like "Inner Tennis". Just MHO. M

[SemiBizz]

Wall Street is full of skeptics. That's how sentiment-based TA works. So no surprise there are few believers here.

[maineman]

"Kind of like "Inner Tennis". "

I met Tim in 1973 when we had both "run away" and joined the cult of an eastern Guru. He was a voice of reason back then and shortly thereafter came out with the "Inner Game".

His work is terrific, and is VERY much different from "The Secret" (which is crap).

mm

edit: don't mean to sound "negative". I am "positive" that the Secret is crap.

Edited by maineman, 19 March 2007 - 11:51 AM.

[muppet]

I'm a total skeptic when it comes to virtually any self-help thing.

That said, "Positive thinking" when it amounts to positive visualization--visualizing in detail exactly the way you want things to be in your life---can be very beneficial. It has worked for me, and is interesting. It's probably not useful for folks who are very directed and well upon a more clear cut path, but for those who aren't happy with where they are, and are trying to change things, I think it can be powerful.

I think this has to do with setting our subconscious mind on a path as well as our conscious mind. Thus we take those actions that will bring us closer to our goals with less effort and more consistency. Also, the more subtle steps get taken, that would otherwise be missed with just a conscious "plan".

Kind of like "Inner Tennis".

Just MHO.

M

I agree with you, Mark and understanding the subconscious mind is an essential part of divorcing from the herd.

As well, the Secret DVD is all about visualizing your desired outcomes ... the greatest minds in history have emphasized this technique and it works. The DVD also encourages the daily practice of GRATITUDE, and for me, being thankful is one of the greatest, simplest and most underutilized paths to fulfillment. Again, it works for me.

M.

Edited by muppet, 19 March 2007 - 12:07 PM.

[EntropyModel]

I'm a total skeptic when it comes to virtually any self-help thing.

That said, "Positive thinking" when it amounts to positive visualization--visualizing in detail exactly the way you want things to be in your life---can be very beneficial. It has worked for me, and is interesting. It's probably not useful for folks who are very directed and well upon a more clear cut path, but for those who aren't happy with where they are, and are trying to change things, I think it can be powerful.

I think this has to do with setting our subconscious mind on a path as well as our conscious mind. Thus we take those actions that will bring us closer to our goals with less effort and more consistency. Also, the more subtle steps get taken, that would otherwise be missed with just a conscious "plan".

Kind of like "Inner Tennis".

Just MHO.

M

I agree Mark, Visualization definitely works, it works because the mind doesn't know the visualization isn't real, and therefore you can 'learn' by mental rehersal, and sportman know this now.

That as I understand it has nothing to do with most of these 'self help' philosophies, which from what i've seen try to claim that -
All or most events in reality are the result of your thoughts

I'd have no problem with them saying our thought may infleunce reality, I certainly believe that, I don't just mean in the material universe, I mean I believe our thoughts are multi-dimentional- so i'm by no means a 'skeptic'.

To be clear, what think is delusional verging on insanity, is to believe that ALL or most events in your life are due to your thoughts....stuff happens, there are billions of other people who are infleuence 'reality' and a material universe too. I gave some example of this above.


Mark.

Edited by entropy, 19 March 2007 - 02:58 PM.