What Does It Mean To Be Rich?

There’s an awful lot of writing going on that suggests that “The Secret” and “The Law of Attraction” are scams designed to make people believe that they can get “rich” by purchasing a book or a set of tapes. In fact, the Law of Attraction is more of a set of principles which, when properly applied, can result in a person getting “rich.” There’s really no such thing as a get rich quick scenario, and I’ll explain why:

What is “Rich?” To most people, the word has financial connotations. If you’re rich, you have lots of money. Period. Having lots of money, in my humble opinion, makes a person wealthy, not rich. What’s the difference?

Wealth is a material possession. Being “rich” is a state of being. Being rich could encompass being wealthy, but being wealthy in and of itself can never make you rich.

To be rich is to be wealthy, healthy, happy, and loved. The sooner the Law of Attraction crowd takes an introspective look at their lives and sheds the self-imposed shackles that bind the concept of money to the idea of happiness, the better. Being rich is a package deal. What good is having all the money in the world if you have nobody to share it with?

In my personal meditation, I’ve discovered that my inner most desire is not financially oriented at all, but rather an expression of the desire for security. To the extent that money can provide a sense of security, it’s necessary. However, I also find security in the idea that I can fit everything precious to me in the back of my car and drive away tomorrow.

I love my wife. I cherish my child. I’m content (but not satisfied) with my living situation. I’m healthy. I’m rich.

The Secret: Is It A Religion?

I’ve been working on this one in my head for a little while now. I apologize if this reads like an exhaustive theology or something, but what can you do? Also, this has nothing to do with Real Estate, so feel free to skip it if that’s why you’re here.

As usual, I think it best to start with a nice definition from a neutral third party:

Religion: A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the Universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional or ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

So, is “The Secret,” better known to some people as the “Law of Attraction,” a Religion? I’m certain that every Baptist minister in the world will tell you that it isn’t. Why? Because it doesn’t fit that narrowly-conceived traditional notion of Religion where God is a person who sits on a throne somewhere and throws bolts of lighting at bad people. Still, if you look at the definition above from Dictionary.com you might think differently.

Does “The Secret” have a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe? Check.

Does “The Secret” teach that the Universe (or God) is the superhuman agency by which the desires come to pass? Check.

Does “The Secret” involve devotional or ritual observances? You mean like reading devotional books, practicing meditation, and “fellowshipping” with other like-minded people? Check.

Does “The Secret” contain a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs? Well, if you count yourself as a human, then check.

So, there you have it. It fits the definition, but I think the definition is missing something: A religion is only a religion if the person practicing it believes in faith that the practice of said religion can lead to a desired result by supernatural means. For instance, Christians believe that following their religion will lead to “heaven.” Those who practice the Secret believe that their religious observance will lead to health, wealth, and emotional freedom, etc.

The question then becomes “Can a religion lose its religious status by becoming commercialized?” If you sell books about it, record tapes about it, put it on TV, and splash it across the internet, is it less a religion? Joyce Meyer doesn’t think so. Neither does the Billy Graham organization. So why is it such a transgression for “The Secret” to sell books and tapes? Did the thought ever cross your mind that they might be doing to for the purpose of helping people? If they really do think they’ve found the secret to a happy, fulfilled life, wouldn’t they have the obligation to spread the word?

Judge not, lest ye be judged.