Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Mind Over Matter




The other day I was browsing in MPH and flipped through The Secret by Rhonda Byrne - the much touted miracle book that has taken the world by storm, apparently, spawning countless other books, websites, DVDs and articles in support of or against the principle of successful living - think right.

Interestingly, this idea is as old as the first thought itself. When God thought and spoke into being the world in Genesis.

Of course thinking works! The world is where it is because of thinking. More messed up than otherwise because of wrong thinking. But thankfully it has advanced in positive ways through right thinking.

What about you and me? What does it matter if you think right or wrong? It matters!

But is it as simple as mind over matter? Is it simply a matter of the mind?

For those who haven't read the book, basically it is a compilation of quotes from the author's favourite experts in the subject of thinking right. Her basic premise: Think positive thoughts and you get what you want in life. It's simply the Law of Attraction.

I'd say that is one powerful principle. Even without God, it works.

But with God, it more than works.

Just how far we want to apply this principle to milk it for all its worth. Phil 4:4-8 has lots to say on this matter.

One of the better books that put Rhonda's The Secret in perspective is Dr Henry Cloud's Secret Things of God.


Dr Henry Cloud has been one of my all time best writer. I was glad to note his prompt response to set the record straight. Because otherwise, most people would easily drift into humanism.

What's that? New age stuff but actually as old as Hinduism, and possibly older. Elevating man to the status of God.

Quote of the Day:

We're the sum total of our memories.

And memories are a product of our thoughts.

What we think becomes memories. Since we process our experiences, what people say, what we see, what we feel, what we smell... those also become memories through the filter of thought.

So be watchful how you think.

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