The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

The original manifestation book I still return to

If there is one book I associate with the whole manifestation movement, it’s The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. The OG of manifestation books, and still one I go back to time and time again.

There are so many books, podcasts and social media accounts talking about manifestation, positive thinking and attracting the life you want these days. But The Secret was the book that really brought the concept into the mainstream.

First published in 2006, it became a worldwide phenomenon, selling millions of copies and introducing an enormous audience to the idea of the law of attraction.

The premise is simple: what you focus your thoughts, beliefs and energy on can influence what you attract into your life. Rhonda explores how this philosophy might apply to everything from relationships and money to careers, happiness and wellbeing.

Ask, believe, receive

At the heart of the book is a three-step philosophy: ask, believe and receive. Be clear about what you want. Believe that it’s possible. And approach life with the expectation that good things can happen.

One of the things I think makes The Secret so accessible is that you don’t need to understand complicated theories to take something useful from it. There are ideas around visualisation, gratitude and becoming more conscious of your thoughts. Rather than constantly focusing on everything that’s going wrong or everything you don’t have, the book encourages you to think about what you actually want your life to look like.

I particularly like the emphasis on gratitude. It’s such a simple practice, but taking a moment to recognise what’s already good in your life can change your perspective. Of course, I don’t think positive thinking alone magically makes everything happen. Life is more complicated than that, and particularly when it comes to health, no amount of manifestation should ever be presented as a substitute for medical care. But I do think there is value in being intentional about your goals, paying attention to your mindset and recognising how your outlook can influence the decisions you make.

The woman behind The Secret

Rhonda Byrne is an Australian author and former television producer whose interest in these ideas developed during a particularly difficult period in her life. After discovering The Science of Getting Rich, a book written by Wallace D. Wattles in 1910, she began exploring the philosophies that eventually inspired The Secret.

She released the documentary in 2006, followed by the book later that year. It went on to become an international bestseller, translated into more than 50 languages, and led to further books including The Power, The Magic and The Greatest Secret.

Almost two decades later, her original book remains one of the most recognisable titles in the personal development world.

My verdict

For me, The Secret is one of those books worth keeping rather than simply reading once and putting away. It’s something I return to time and time again, and I think that says a lot about the lasting appeal of its message.

You don’t have to believe that the universe will deliver everything you ask for to find something valuable here. Sometimes simply being reminded to focus on what you want, practise gratitude and approach life with a more positive outlook is enough.

If you’re curious about manifestation, interested in personal development or looking for a little inspiration to rethink your mindset, I’d start with the original. There may be hundreds of manifestation books available now, but The Secret is still the OG.

Recommended by Jill Hudson, Editor-in-Chief, The Daily Round

Publisher: Atria Books/Beyond Words, Simon & Schuster. UK edition: Simon & Schuster UK.