Law of Attraction Part 3 of 5: James Arthur Ray

James Arthur Ray. He was one of teachers in The Secret and that really launched him into the upper levels of the self-help industry. He wrote 3 books that I know of (I was originally going to review them here but I'm not for reasons I'll get to in a moment) a dvd program of his Harmonic Wealth seminar and of course, pricey live events, one of which went horribly wrong.

On October 10 of last year, during a $9,000 a person "Spiritual Warrior" seminar held in Sedona, AZ, after going through intense holotropic breathing exercises, a 36-hour solitary "vision quest" in the desert with nothing but a notebook--no food or water, the participants took part in a sweat lodge ceremony which ultimately lead to the deaths of 3 people, two at the site and one later in hospital. Ray was arrested and charged with 3 counts of manslaughter. He plead not guilty and has maintained the deaths were a tragic accident.

Here's the Google results page for James Arthur Ray Sweat Lodge

if you want to read more.

As for Ray, I'm going to be an agnostic about this for now. I do confess I spent $30.00 for his three books on Amazon and will say they're interesting. Nothing I haven't seen before in other self-help lit, but a few interesting bits come through.

On the cover of his last book Harmonic Wealth and in The Secret movie Ray asks: "When would NOW be a good time to start?" I like that one. I also like when he says "Balance is bogus." as to the idea one can have a perfectly "balanced" life. I for one, do not have one at the moment, I have virtually no family life to speak of, I'm in a long-distance relationship and I'm not working the number of hours I would like. And I confess, if I had the $ and the means to get there I probably would've been at one of Ray's seminars...but not now of course.

So the trial itself has been postponed, as both sides argue about what evidence can be introduced and the trial venue. I'm going to hold off on either defending Ray or condemning him as a snake-oil hustler, as many have already. In fact, there's a YouTube video I saw which showed two of Ray's books being placed in a fireplace and burned, alternating with interviews with anguished family members of those who died. I'd link to it here, but now I can't find it.

Anyway, I know enough that I don't need to be a seminar junkie (although going to 2-3 of them a year would be nice) to find the "Hidden Secret" of the Law of Attraction. I'll tell you now what it is:

It is chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo to the True Object of Worship, a Nichiren Shoshu Gohonzon, the True Object of Worship. There. Now you don't have to spend thousands of $$$ of dvds, seminars, audio programs and books. You can save yourselves thousands of hours and many years of effort when you practice this Buddhism.

Anyway, that's it for this installment.

Have a Great Week everyone and will write again on Friday.

TJS

Next Week Part 4: Lynn Grabhorn

Why Rehab & Alcoholics Anonymous Failed Me

For about 29 years alcohol was a major force in my life. I won't tell my long story here, but here's a quick view of my alcohol abuse and "recovery" history:

1972: Had first drink

1980-1988: Alcohol abuse escalated until found myself homeless

1988: First 90-day residential rehab, completed, stayed sober 3 years, went to lots of AA meetings and was secretary at several "fellowships"

1991: Relapsed, drank in secret

1995: Homeless again, spent Xmas in detox unit.

1996: Second 90-day residential rehab, completed, stayed sober 10 months

1999: Went through EAP through my employer for alcohol treatment, failed at that, was dismissed from work

Mid-2000: Got job as a clerk at a liquor store, of course drank on the job

2000: Homeless again, in and out of various halfway houses

Early 2001: Third 90-day residential rehab, fled after 17 days, holed up in a cheap motel and drank until money ran out

Mid-2001: Went through my fourth residential rehab, this time 6 months, completed and relapsed a week after I left.

2002-2008: Stopped going to AA for good, drank only intermittently

Late 2008-Early 2009: Suddenly and abruptly began heavy binge drinking, hardly eating. Wound up in the hospital detoxing with Doctor telling me if I don't stop I'll die.

I haven't consumed any more alcohol since Thursday, February 12, 2009.

What's different this time? Where I work is a big factor, as my employer and co-workers have been very supportive and were I to die a miserable lonely death it would affect many people I have come to care about.

And my age. I'm in my 50s now and I'm just tired of abusing my body and living in a mental fog. I don't want to be senile before I reach 60. And I find I don't miss the "buzz" I had always craved. And I look back at all the insane things I did to obtain alcohol, consume alcohol and hide my consumption from the world, I wonder now "What were you THINKING?"

And I've learned about real recovery. Thanks to these websites:

Orange Papers

Smart Recovery

I know that more options are available now than there were 15-20 years ago.

However, the point of to-day's post is to call attention to this article that was published in a mainstream newspaper:

We're addicted to rehab. It doesn't even work.

Life is much better when you're fully conscious.

Enjoy your week-end.

TJS

Law of Attraction Part 2 of 5: Esther and Jerry Hicks

Esther Hicks has joined the ranks of those who "channel" messages from what is called a "non-physical" realm. The two other famous ones are Seth (Jane Roberts) and Ramtha (Judy Zebra Knight). I'm just reading Seth Speaks now and so I'll comment on it soon as I'm done and "Ramtha's School of Enlightenment" appears to be a money-making cult. Funny thing, in the movie "What The Bleep: Down the Rabbit Hole" "Ramtha" made some really goofy comments and Knight, as herself, seemed very sensible.

Anyway, on to "Abraham" which is the collective entity that Esther channels. The original first version of "The Secret" (reviewed in Part 1) featured Abraham. Since the movie came out, Hay House has had a successful series of books and videos by Jerry and Esther. What I'll review briefly to-day is:

_The Teachings of Abraham: the Master Course Video_ Hay House, 2008, ISBN 978-1-4019-2174-3, 5 DVD discs, approx. 10 hours.

This was filmed aboard an Alaskan cruise ship and was also where Rhonda Byrne and her production company met with the Hicks' and did their own filming as well.

Abraham, on disc 5, boils down the whole philosophy this way "You're good. Be happy."

Now, the Hicks have made a LOT of money doing what they're doing. But they don't appear to have built a cult the way Knight did with Ramtha. And Jane Roberts pretty much stayed at home channeling Seth.

Now, do I recommend one make a mental diet of Abraham-Hicks? No. They're interesting to watch and read, and there's a few good ideas here and there. The One Idea I got out of them is to become a vibrational match to whatever it is you're desiring. And Abraham doesn't recommend it, but I do, the best way to get there is chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and have specific Goals to work for. Abraham-Hicks are NOT my main teachers.

Anyway, that's it for now. Next week I'll take on one of the more controversial of the Secret Teachers, James Arthur Ray.

Peace and Blessings to You All.

TJS