The New Secret of Life

The New Secret of Life

By Gary Eby, MSW

Does anybody remember Rhonda Byrne's amazing book The Secret? This Law of Attraction system, means you can experience whatever you desire by asking for what you need, believing you deserve to have it, and remaining open to receiving it. Actually this is a very ancient spiritual principle. Our Master Teacher and Way-shower said, "Whatever you pray or ask for, believe, and you shall receive it." But I think Jesus was talking about believing in the Father, not just seeking material possessions.

For me, this old secret (Law of Attraction), although powerful and useful, doesn't really lift my heart and soul. In fact, we are more than our analytical brain and subconscious mind: we are emotional and spiritual. Therefore, maybe it is time to embrace a new secret that captures more of who we are and what we are destined to become.

When Jesus was talking about the power of belief, I don't think he was suggesting that we make vision boards, or apply some clever psychological technique to obtaining a new car, home, and relationship. Along these lines, Patricia Jepsen Chuse, the elegant Christian Mystic, recommended we contemplate the meaning of the following statements embraced by the Master's ministry:
- "The Father and I are one."
- "Of myself I can do nothing."
- "It's the Father within that does the works."

And I would like to submit two more of his powerful statements worthy of your attention and consideration:
- "The Kingdom of God is within."
- "It is the Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom."

As you ponder these five positive beliefs, what secret to having a better, more abundant, and healthier life, was he trying to reveal for us? Well, let's turn to an old Bible story to help shed some light on this new but also ancient secret, which trumps the Law of Attraction.

Everybody knows the story of David and Goliath, right? As the story goes, David, a young adolescent, amazingly steps forward to become King Saul's champion. He defeats the mighty, intimidating, cruel, heavily armored, giant called Goliath, with a sling and one small, smooth stone. It's interesting to note that David prepared for this battle by collecting five stones from a stream bed. And then he told Goliath, "Israel will learn that the Lord does not depend on weapons to fulfill his plans--he works without regard to human means."

In the Unity Movement, we would apply a metaphysical interpretation of this story to our own life. For me, Goliath represents all the stressful emotions and negativity that life on this planet can throw at us. David, is our human self connecting to our Soul-Self by breathing in five mighty spiritual principles (the five stones) that always overcomes any obstacle. Because our Soul-Self, our True-Self is always connected to the Father. This Christ-Consciousness or God-Consciousness certainly embodies the new secret I am talking about.

But what is the essence of this kind of awareness regarding our true spiritual nature? Where is the key? The Apostle Paul helps us out. He mentioned that "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." He further stated in Acts, "In him we live, move, and have our being."
Are you figuring out this so-called new secret yet? In a few moments, I will try my best to pull it all together for you. First, let me describe how I applied my own kind of God-Consciousness to a real life Goliath.

A number of months ago, I received a certified letter from the Federal Government stating that six years ago, they over-paid me for my retirement pension. I was told I owed the Office of Personnel Management more than $7000! They began to automatically deduct a significant amount from my pension. I was given some cryptic instructions on how to appeal their decision. Needless to say, I felt shock, intimidation, depression, fear, and much more. How does one fight the Federal Government and win? How was I going to meet all my financial obligations with a reduced pension?

Well, despite many sleepless nights and symptoms that one might call a panic attack, I settled down. I picked up my own little, smooth stone, and I made a heart-felt appeal to the Higher Authority: "not my will but thine!" I also took all the human steps necessary to make a legal appeal to a court appointed judge, and I argued my own case to a government prosecuting attorney. To make a long story short, I thankfully won my case. Spirit does "work without regards to human means."

The Secret Revealed:

Now let's take a closer look at what some of the great New Thought leaders had to say about the new secret. I would like to thank H. Emilie Cady who wrote the classic Unity book, Lessons in Truth. She pointed out, "Practice the presence of God just as you would practice music." In my humble opinion, that's the new secret. And Emma Curtis Hopkins, the teacher of the great New Thought leaders; such as, H. Emilie Cady, the Fillmores, and Ernest Holmes, mentioned when you find your Truth, (when you pick up your own smooth stone): speak the Truth; think the Truth; write the Truth; feel the Truth; live the Truth. That sounds like the new secret too.

In other words, the new secret is all about taking the positive steps necessary to feel the infinite presence of Spirit. But let God do the work! We are not in charge.

Joel Goldsmith, incredible spiritual healer, emphasized, "The solution to all our problems is to realize the Christ within." He goes on to suggest two simple steps: contemplate positive thoughts from all the ancient Scriptures; and go into the silence three or four times a day.

Personally, I think we all need to collect our own stones from the river bed, whether they be five, twelve, or more. The key is simply to hold on to one spiritual principle that stimulates feeling the power, presence, and glory of our Creator. I believe that's what David did. I feel that's what the Master demonstrated over and over. Feeling the glorious, infinite presence of the Father, is the mind of Christ. It also is the same mind or state of Consciousness that lived in Buddha, Moses, Abraham, Muhammad, Krishna, and will always live in all forms of life on this planet.

You are completely free to choose whichever stone (spiritual belief) you decide will help you defeat any appearance of a Goliath. So, here is what I say, think, write, feel, and try to live: God is my life! I AM...we are, completely filled with infinite creative energy, unconditional love, and omnipotent Grace. Therefore, nothing can stand in our way. We are completely free to enter the zone...the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth today, and right now! We are the Way, the Truth, the Life. All that remains is for us to move, live, breathe, and have our being in the One Power, the Love-Light of God.

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., "Free at last; free at last. Thank God almighty, we are free at last!" And so it is.