Mind Games

A few years ago a friend of mine introduced me to "The Secret", a groundbreaking concept that popularized "the law of attraction", which basically said that if you focus on something enough the Universe will make every effort to get it to you. I remember watching this DVD with some skepticism but there were some points that even convinced me to take charge of my own destiny. I instantly came home and relayed this message to my husband and told him that we should make a vision board and put all the things that we desire on it. This way it's out there in the Universe and the law of attraction will bring them to us. He listened to me and amused me while I went through the internet and magazines to search for picture of the things I would like to have. Even though people in the video put some outlandish things on their vision board, I took the practical approach and only asked for things that seemed reasonable. Over the years we have achieved a few things that are on that board but some still remain out of reach. Today every time I look at that board, I question myself whether my desires have come true because of it or were they part of a master plan that was already in place by the Almighty? Do we really have the power to change our destiny? Can we really get each and everything that we desire? If the answer to all these questions is yes then why do we believe in God? Why not just pickup a pen and paper and jot down all our desires and wish them upon us? Why not wish all the bad things out of this world? Does man really have that power? I have subscription to South Asian TV channels and every other commercial is about a numerologist, an astrologer or a clairvoyant who promise to vanish all your problems and guarantee that you will have peace and wealth in just seven days. Is this even possible? Are there people among us who possess the power to eliminate all our problems and make us rich and happy? Is there a mathematical equation that can eradicate all ailments? If so then why is it that only a handful among us are able to do this and not all? Wow! so many questions right? But didn't all of us at one time or another sought answers via reading our horoscope, showing our palm to a psychic or calling a clairvoyant to predict our future? I know that I read my horoscope all the time and will also admit to visiting a psychic once. Does that make me an evil person? No I don't think so because desperate times call for desperate measures. When we are at a low point in life and feel that our prayers are not being answered, we do get swayed by promises made by these self-proclaimed Gurus who promise instant gratification. I am at a point in my life where I am thankful to God for everything that he has blessed me with but I can certainly see someone who is going through a tough time in life sitting in front of his or her TV when a commercial comes on that promises to make all your problems disappear, you will most likely pickup the phone and call and shell out a hefty fee in hopes of getting some answers. It is the vulnerable that these people prey on. There is a whole community out there of people who promise you the world and people of all background and educational levels are falling for it because who doesn't want Utopia, but does Utopia really exist? Are human beings ever satisfied with what we have or do we always want more?

Recently I saw on TV that one of the self help gurus featured on "The Secret", James Arthur Ray, has been arrested for three counts of manslaughter because three people died at one of his retreats in Arizona. This man who made millions of dollars making public appearances and selling books went too far when his followers were led into a sweat lodge to clean their mind and body, to free themselves of all the negatives and essentially have a rebirth. Three people died of extreme heat and dehydration and many were injured. Ray was arrested and is now awaiting his day in court. So my question is: if this man can teach others to attract positives in their lives and make themselves happy, then how come he is facing criminal charges and public scrutiny and is unable to make them go away? Touche.

R