Late reaction to film on DVD

I just watched the DVD and previously read a little from the books and have wondered about whether it's the real thing or possibly his way to make a lot of money. I try to keep an open mind and not be cynical, but to trust my gut feeling about it. We are in a time when people are seeking and are vulnerable to people who sound like they know what they're talking about and tell us things that sound good whether it's coming from a New Age or a fundamentalist Christian perspective. I don't jump on bandwagons.

There are a few things that bother me from his writings, and some of what was portrayed in the film, like (the subject of someone else's post) the statement that all experiences are neutral and suffering only comes from our reaction to those experiences. I'm still withholding judgment. It may have been real and divinely inspired. I try to listen to the 'still small voice' or intuition that the bible talks about or the 'Holy Spirit', that Jesus defined as the 'spirit of truth' within each of us.

There are a lot of things that are just swallowed whole and not questioned that come from a lot of New Age teachers who are making a lot of money from books, seminars, etc. The DVD 'The secret' I think is a good example, telling people "you can have whatever you want". Sorry, but that's *beep* and really spiritually unsound. That doesn't mean there isn't truth in some of the ideas, but simplistic conclusions are jumped to, and there is a lack of questioning or considering that some teachers may full of *beep* and/or be cons. In general, there is an avoidance of acknowledging human pain (emotional) and it's effects whether we do that through unsound New Age or fundamentalist ideas, addictions, constant activity, etc. But there is definitely a real need for a loving higher power, faith in that higher power, and conscious contact with that higher power. I know I need that.