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The Secret Hardcover – November 28, 2006

by Rhonda Byrne (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 43,309 ratings
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The worldwide bestselling phenomenon that has helped millions tap the power of the law that governs all our lives to create—intentionally and effortlessly—a joyful life.

In 2006, a groundbreaking feature-length film revealed the great mystery of the universe—The Secret—and, later that year, Rhonda Byrne followed with a book that became a worldwide bestseller.

Fragments of a Great Secret have been found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions, and philosophies throughout the centuries. For the first time, all the pieces of The Secret come together in an incredible revelation that will be life-transforming for all who experience it.

In this book, you’ll learn how to use The Secret in every aspect of your life—money, health, relationships, happiness, and in every interaction you have in the world. You’ll begin to understand the hidden, untapped power that’s within you, and this revelation can bring joy to every aspect of your life.

The Secret contains wisdom from modern-day teachers—men and women who have used it to achieve health, wealth, and happiness. By applying the knowledge of The Secret, they bring to light compelling stories of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles, and achieving what many would regard as impossible.
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 6
    The Secret
  2. Print length
    198 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Atria Books/Beyond Words
  5. Publication date
    November 28, 2006
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1 x 7 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1582701709
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1582701707
  9. See all details
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  1. You become what you think about most, but you also attract what you think about most.
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  2. If you want to change anything in your life, change the channel and change the frequency by changing your thoughts.
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From the Publisher

The Secret

By Rhonda Byrne

In 2006, a groundbreaking feature-length film revealed the great mystery of the universe—The Secret—and, later that year, Rhonda Byrne followed with a book.

Fragments of a Great Secret have been found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions and philosophies throughout the centuries. For the first time, all the pieces of The Secret come together in an incredible revelation that will be life-transforming for all who experience it.

In this book, you’ll learn how to use The Secret in every aspect of your life—money, health, relationships, happiness, and in every interaction you have in the world. You’ll begin to understand the hidden, untapped power that’s within you, and this revelation can bring joy to every aspect of your life.

The Secret contains wisdom from modern-day teachers—men and women who have used it to achieve health, wealth, and happiness. By applying the knowledge of The Secret, they bring to light compelling stories of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles, and achieving what many would regard as impossible.

About the Author: Rhonda Byrne

Rhonda Byrne is the creator behind The Secret, a documentary film that swept the world in 2006, changing millions of lives and igniting a global movement. Later that same year, Rhonda’s book of The Secret was released. It has been translated into more than fifty languages. Rhonda has written three more books: The Power in 2010, The Magic in 2012, and Hero in 2013.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The Secret is truly the most outstanding book to date that we have published. I am so pleased that Rhonda Byrne was able to bring together this life-changing information so masterfully. She first did it for the movie of the same name that she produced, which has been a phenomenon in its own right. She then added, in only ones month's time, incredible additional content to the transcript of the film that brings even more clarity to the reader. This is absolutely a book that people from all walks of life can read and then "get" the concept of The Secret. It allows them to then take it and apply it to their lives. Children, teenagers and adults of all ages are reporting miraculous stories of positive changes as a result. Rhonda Byrne is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of The Secret and to making sure that now, finally, the whole world knows about The Secret. You will want to share this with your friends and family and they will be grateful for it. This book gives hope for what many have been waiting for-- a shift in the way the world thinks. Its a very exciting time that we are living in, and I as well as everyone at Beyond Words and Atria Books are grateful to be a part of it.

--Cynthia Black, President, Beyond Words Publishing

About the Author

Rhonda Byrne is the creator behind The Secret, a documentary film that swept the world in 2006, changing millions of lives and igniting a global movement. Later that same year, Rhonda’s book of The Secret was released. It has been translated into more than fifty languages and remains one of the longest-running bestsellers of all time. Rhonda has written four more bestselling books: The Power in 2010, The Magic in 2012, Hero in 2013, and The Greatest Secret in 2020.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atria Books/Beyond Words; 10th Anniversary edition (November 28, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 198 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1582701709
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1582701707
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 43,309 ratings

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Rhonda Byrne

Rhonda Byrne

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Rhonda Byrne is the creator behind The Secret, a documentary film that swept the world in 2006, changing millions of lives and igniting a global movement. The following year Rhonda's book of The Secret was released, which was translated into over fifty languages and remains one of the longest-running bestsellers of this century. Rhonda has written three more bestselling books since, which together form The Secret Books Series: The Power in 2009, The Magic in 2010, and Hero in 2013.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
43,309 global ratings
I have used this all my life!!!
5 Stars
I have used this all my life!!!
I am a retired Special Effects Make-up Artist & Prosthetic Lab Technician. I worked in The Motion Picture Industry, in Hollywood, for 13 years. After leaving California in 1982, I pursued my second career, as a Professional Close-up Magician, for 31 years. I am currently Writing Humorous Articles for the Disabled Community! All of this, I credit to my belief in THE SECRET
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Top reviews from the United States

Carmen Stoian
5.0 out of 5 stars Life changing
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2024
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Inspiring, motivating, great lessons and concepts which will impact your life and permanently alter it for the better. I love it.
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DD
5.0 out of 5 stars Extrodinary ! :)
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2013
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Let me share you my story. This is very deep and private thing but I'm willing to show you that the secret '' law of attraction'' does exist and its with you whether you like it or not. My Journey that started before and after ''The Secret'' - Ive came from a broken home. My dad left us when i was 2 and completely lose all contact.He beat my mom to the point she was bleeding I remember that because they came back together when I was about 4 and then split forever year after. I used the so called '' Law Of Attraction '' way back when I was just a small kid - without even knowing it. After finding the ''The Secret'' book it amazed me and explained me the basic of what the Law Of attraction was. And As i read the book I was shocked how everything they said and the steps and all I ACTUALLY did BEFORE as a kid without even knowing of the existence of the book, without the book even existing. But anyways making the story short. Ive always felt inside that If id feel good inside and feel hope '' the positivity '' that everything will get better. And it did. Every-time as a small kid I was sitting outside looking at the sky ( when i had a bad day or a problem ) and believed that everything would be great and that I'm living an a awesome life ( even though it wasn't true i believed in it ). And it worked each time. My life slowly was getting better. Even tho I struggled as a kid because we were poor and only with a mom and no outside help. However Id made it thru. So recently ( very shortly before i found about The Secret ) I went to Los Angeles-Hollywood for the first time in my life. Why I'm telling you this. As a small kid living in Poland and living a poor almost average life I always dreamed of going to Los Angeles to the point I believed in it. I said to my self and to everybody I ever met or talked to - '' When i will turn 18 or 19 I would go to Hollywood '' I had no IDEA how this would happen. But I believed even tho I was a poor kid from a small town in Poland! Guess what happened just last year ( 2012 ) I turned 18. After 2 days I received a message on Facebook from my friend saying '' Hey David, We didn't talk for so long. I hope you still remember me. Would you want to come to Los Angeles i moved here recently. My dad has a good job and he has a lot of POINTS on his delta mileage and he said I can invite a friend over for week or so. And i thought of you '' I was shocked. ( little detail i moved to USA first time 2005, then traveled back and fourth Poland-USA till 2009 when i stayed here permanently till this day) so going back to the message. I was shocked. First i thought she was joking. I couldn't believe it. I asked her where exactly do you live in LA and are you for real? she said '' I live on the border of Hollywood and Korea Town. And yes I'm for real'' Of course i said YES ! that I would love to come. And September 21 I had my feet standing on the LAX airport. And when she picked me up she was like '' I will show you something'' and I was ''okay go ahead'' I land in LAX at night. She took me to the Hollywood Hills where the Hollywood sign was, it was this place that was so close to the sign and you could get a ''ticket'' if you'd park your car there or be there. However she took me. My biggest dream was to SEE the Hollywood sign itself. And it happened. ( one small detail i thought it lights up at night but it didn't - anyways My dream become a reality who cares if the sign was or wasn't lighting up at dark.)The thing I really wish and visualized become true. After 2 days my mom called me and she said '' Hey hun, We were talking about stuff with your grandma. And she brought up some stuff about you. We were talking about the thing you told us since you were still a little boy. Remember? You said you'd go to Hollywood at age of 18. Even after you came to USA you were constantly repeating that. And everybody around you made fun of you or said '' Stop dreaming to high '' Yet it happened you're so lucky and I'm happy for you. I'm sorry I didn't believed that It will happen'' At this time I still didn't know about ''The Secret'' Book. I came back to home ( NJ ) after a week being in LA. I wanted to come back to La so bad that I didn't unpack my traveling case fully for a week ! After not a full month my friend and me god very close. Her dad invited me to come there again but for longer. Of course I said yes again! and i went to LA in October and stayed there till December just before Christmas time. And that's when i first got in touch with '' The secret''. My friends dad works at the company that makes music videos etc. I came to his office sometimes he showed me around and all. And i sat on the sofa one of this days that was in his office and i looked at the shelf. And randomly picked up a book without even knowing what is it. Guess what it was '' The Secret'' I never heard of this book before and I didn't know what it was until he told me. It was even sign by Rhoda. Well i asked if i can borrow it. To be honest '' I don't read books because i usually fall a sleep'' And when i opened the book it didn't really interested me ( i red the first page ) although i took it with me to my friend house. And I started to read it. And when i go to the part when they said about the law of attraction and how we attract things, I got shocked. I attracted the trip to LA, Just like I attracted and Ipod, microphone, computer, Iphone,happy family and what i always wanted. I was very confused and scared. I thought back in time when i gave up on things and they became worse ( and I attracted that ) i got very interested in the book ! I read half of it in Hollywood. Although it was my time to come back to NJ. I couldn't take the book. I came home in NJ. And i went to YouTube and then it hit me. I used to watch motivational videos done by the secret - and i had no idea back then the book existed. ( i watched the videos everyday for a year ) I went on amazon and ordered the book just to finish it. I kept reading the book. ( my mom was didn't have any happiness in relationships ) I was sad my dad didn't talk to me and all. And One of those nights just after finishing another chapter of the book i went to sleep. I woke up at 5 in the morning with a thought '' Write a letter to your dad telling him how you feel'' So I did. I didn't even knew his address. I finished the letter and put it in the envelope and also put a Christmas card inside saying '' At least i will be the mature one to show that i care and to take the first step''. later on that day i went on Facebook and found my dad friend account i messaged her asking if she would be able to give me his address. She did give it to me. I sent the letter in the range of 3 days. I waited 3 weeks. Because the letter was going to England where my dad lives. I still continued to read the secret. And everyday by reading little by little I found new tips and new stuff that can help me and I found more about what i didn't know. I used the secret when i was a kid and i didn't even know about it. But anyways. After 3 weeks I got a call. It was my dad. He was apologizing to me and explaining me things crying. I forgive him. I told him to Skype me when he can. So he did the second day. My mom came along and talked to him. Then she told him to buy an iphone so it would easy for him to be in contact with me. He did buy it. ( he didn't have computer and he was using friends laptop the day he Skype me ) so after he got an iphone and Skype on it. We started to talk everyday. Everyday at 3AM i sat in the kitchen with my laptop ( that was 4 weeks ago ) and talked to him. After finishing i went to sleep and when i woke up i continued reading the book. I wished and i wanted my dad to be with my mom again. I didn't know how that's gonna happen but i believed! after a week of talking on Skype with him my mom came along and she sat and said hi to him. They started to talk. Pretty a lot. After couple days he asked her a question if she still loves him. And that's when it started. I don't want to bore you people but let me say since week and a half my mom and dad are on the track on getting back together. They made plans. And shes were going to England to visit him and help him get a visa to come live with us. Mom and dad text each other everyday and they pretty much in love again. I finally finished The secret recently. And it does work. Like I said i used the law of attraction ''the secret'' since i was young and i didn't even know about it until i randomly took that book from my friends dad's office shelve. I could continuously tell you guys how it helped me with other things like Self acceptation and Self esteem. And basically believing in my self. Yes The secret changed my life totally. Specially when I read the book. Because I finally understood That i used this without even having idea of it. Now that i know how it works I apply it even more. I don't want to make this longer although i could give you numerous examples of how it worked. I will just give you one last example that happened YESTERDAY ( 03/11/2013 ) Recently i met someone i fell in love with ( i usually don't fall in love quick ) but in range of 3 weeks I did. Everything was great until week ago when I had a fear thought ( that they will get bored of me and wont text me as much or call me ) and it happened. We talked less and i didn't know why. I couldn't control this negative feeling. Then i remembered it said almost at the end of the book that if you have a question to something ask it and open the book randomly on whatever page it will open and there would the answer be. And i did it. I made the list of the things i like about that person I'm in love with. And only the things i like on the paper. It was yesterday, and after 5 hours when i was about to go to sleep which is like hour before i actually I'm writing this at 4:30 AM 3/13/13 that person called me. Saying I'm sorry if I lately didn't text much, that person became very sweet to me again ( and that's what i wrote on the paper '' I love that ____ is so sweet to me '' and then that person said '' Lately idk what i feel I love you. I really do I want you to be happy and i will make everything to make that happen''. And I teared not only because this was the first time i heard '' I love you from the person but it was another thing i wrote on the paper '' I want ______ to love me and i want them to show me this '' And they did. I know this all sounds like magic or unrealistic thing but that's how life is. The Secret made me understand so much more and made me realize things Ive done and all Ive done was using Law Of Attraction. And it really works you have to believe it with all your heart. I was a poor kid from a broken home from Poland. I ended up in New Jersey, USA. I went to the place I wished of at the age i set the trip to which was Hollywood. I wished my parents to talk and be a full family again, I wished for that person to tell me they love me, and I wished for many things that happened. This really works. I don't expect you all to believe in it but you should. This really works but all you have to do is deeply believe. If you have any questions according to the book message me on DavidCole1702@live.com or See my Personal Private Facebook page where you will see that I have the pictures from the trip and on the date i mentioned and basically all things i just said here : Or contact me on twitter if you feel like:[...] [...]. Feel free to ask any questions you want. And believe in the secret. Because, it can change your life 180 degrees. And it changed mine from poor to the point where i live an amazing place and I have everything i always wanted. Great clothes, being popular, gadgets, Electronics and other. I'm being very honest feel free to visit my Facebook and you will see for yourself. I hope id helped people to make a decision whether to buy it or not. :) A lot of big people said this for a reason '' Dream big no matter how big or impossible to others it seems''. Life is a journey and only you will make it happy. Just buy this book and you'd feel much happier inside. This was the first book I actually read from beginning till the end. Its magical :)
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cleopatric
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for older teens and twenty somethings
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2024
Verified Purchase
If you've missed church service as a child, this one is a good starter course in mental magic! Yes! Try it, you might like it!
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ERICA
5.0 out of 5 stars Came fast and sturdy
Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2024
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Great book that helped me understand The Law of Attraction!
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Lisa Shea
4.0 out of 5 stars Wise Words - But Use Wisely
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2008
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I have very mixed feelings about The Secret. I think this book can be an amazing catalyst for change and growth for certain people. I also think it can spell huge disaster for others.

Let's get the bad out of the way first. The book uses quotes from many famous people throughout history to say that if you want something - just BELIEVE you have it with all your heart and you will get it. Don't "want" it or dream about someday having it - instead, believe with every fiber of your being that it already is yours. If you want to go on a cruise, act as if you already have the tickets. Don't go around saying "I can't afford that" - believe in your heart that you can afford it.

I think most of us can see the problem here. If you have an instant gratification personality, you will easily believe these things - and go max out your credit card. You will honestly believe you CAN afford these things, that you WILL have money soon to cover all your bills, then bankrupt yourself and destroy your life. I know people who have done that.

Rhonda applies the Secret to health and weather too. So if you simply believe your cancer is going away, it will. I am ALL for positive attitude (and I'll get into that later) but what if your chosen belief is "I will beat this cancer completely naturally, without medicine"? We have seen in the news families who believed 100% with all their heart that God would heal them - and the child died. Someone who believes with all their heart "My ex will come back to me!" might waste their life away - bypassing wonderful men - because of that incorrect belief.

So yes, this book can certainly be mis-used by people who do not apply its words wisely. But you could probably say that about anything. People out there lose lots of weight on low carb diets - and then some people think it means "eat only steak and nothing else" and do poorly. Any system can be followed properly or badly.

What is the GOOD about this book? There is a lot of good in here. Many of the basics of other books and religions are covered. To summarize - start with a quiet mind, meditation and calmness to think about what you want. "You must feel good about You. This is important." Really focus on what you have now and honestly enjoy it - feel gratitude for the good things already in your life. Focus on positive goals - instead of thinking "I have to get out of this debt" focus on "I will be financially stable." Help out others around you - not as a "sacrifice" of your time and money, but because you honestly enjoy doing it. Learn to enjoy your own company, to be happy with who you are. Only you can make yourself happy - not others, not possessions. As for the past, "Let it all go no matter what it is. Do it for you."

You might think some of these things are cliche, but they are all SO true. There's a reason the concepts show up in book after book. They are critical to long term contentment. Maybe it takes some people 4 or 5 readings before it starts to sink in. If that's the case, The Secret does its job to help keep emphasizing these points.

To remind people that this wisdom is ancient, Rhonda adds in quotes from many well known personalities.

"Whether you think you can or think you can't, either way you are right." -- Henry Ford.

"All that we are is a result of what we have thought." -- Buddha

Rhonda talks about the placebo effect - something we all know about. In studies, lots of people react just as well to a sugar pill as they do to real medicine! They believe so strongly that they are going to get better that they really do. Our bodies are rather powerful healing machines. If we honestly believe a bracelet will reduce our stress, we will begin to relax - and our stress really will lessen!

So I do believe wholeheartedly in the underlying message of this book. It is important to appreciate what you have in life, and to find contentment in it before you start reaching for your goals. It is important to have goals, and to focus and strive towards them with healthy energy. Rather than being jealous of others, realize how many others don't have what you do now. Rather than live your life full of stress - which causes numerous health problems - find a way to lead it as relaxed and content as you can.

The Chicken Soup author explains succinctly how this all helps. When he first wrote his book, he was stuck on what to do with it - and he was extremely poor. But he made it his focus to get the book to sell. Once he was focused, he started noticing things around him that he might otherwise have not paid attention to. Because he was actively thinking all the time about selling the book, and talking about it, he was able to make contacts and arrangements and the book became a top seller. If instead he had just sat in his house, watching TV, never thinking about his book, it's unlikely it would have gone anywhere.

This brings up one of my concerns again. Much of the book talks about the process "working itself" without ANY input from you. The book talks about simply "placing an order" with the Universe and then waiting for it to happen. That reminds me of the Joplin song "Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedez Benz? My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends!" There's also the classic joke of a devout parishioner who prays every day to win the lottery. Finally God's voice booms out, saying "buy a lottery ticket!!"

Now, I realize WHY Rhonda wrote it this way. People really do honestly need to believe their goal is achievable. If they get stressed out and wound up in the "How"s, they might never start. They just need to believe they WILL get a better job and then start working on the task every day. They can figure it out as they go. There are one or two SMALL comments in the book about "Inspired action will not feel like work at all". The point is when you're working towards a goal you honestly love and adore, anything you do towards that path will be thrilling. Sort of like working in a Broadway Theater as an understudy - this might be a fantastically amazing experience for someone who has always dreamed of being a Broadway star. Yes, they are "just" an understudy and not the star, but this is a step on the path and inherently fantastic in and of itself.

So I agree with her that getting people to focus on their goal is a good thing. I wish there had been more caveats of "you need to work on it every day, not just lounge on your couch watching TV and eating bon-bons and waiting for the world to give you millions". But I also understand that many people have to start slowly. They have to even acknowledge that there is a chance for them, to have the ability to dream. The Secret gets them started.

This brings me to another point. Nowhere in The Secret does she talk at all about priorities. Deciding your priorities is SO important before you start heading towards goals. What if your goal is a big house - when really what you want is a happy family? What if you get that big house and now you never see your family members because they're all off in a different part of the house, and you're sad and miserable? Goals should *always* spring from core priorities in your life. The book almost drives home a message of "be a millionaire with a mansion and a yacht! Grab grab grab!" That concerns me a lot. Again, maybe if she "cluttered" up the message with priorities and planning a lot of people would think it was too much work and not bother. But I really wish she had a chapter on healthy priorities, all the same.

So The Secret should be taken in conjunction with other books that DO go into priority setting and non-complaining, to help provide the tools to achieve your dreams. I do think The Secret is a valuable part of that library, though. Its core message is straightforward and completely true. Wake up each morning feeling grateful for what you have, and positive about your opportunities for the day. Help out others around you, and focus on your goals. Feel good about yourself. Instead of complaining about your past and problems, be enthusiastic about your dreams and future. It really can make a HUGE difference in your life, one step at a time.
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Dimma
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely book
Reviewed in Canada on March 8, 2024
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This is my third purchase of this book. It’s a must have in my library.
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José Paredes
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente libro y contenido
Reviewed in Mexico on July 22, 2022
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El libro excelente, en cuanto a envío y entrega llega perfectamente protegido, y en cuanto a contenido todavía no lo termino pero hasta ahora me parece extraordinario, te deja con ganas de seguirlo leyendo, lectura recomendada!!
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Johannes Widén
5.0 out of 5 stars Tacksam volym
Reviewed in Sweden on April 15, 2024
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Välillustrerad bok med tydliga fotnoter.
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Prashant
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, connect and boost u up
Reviewed in India on February 16, 2024
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nothing u not already know but it is like gathering everything and connecting them so u can understand better, but also gives too many eye opening ideas so u should read this one
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Thijs
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the Netherlands on January 26, 2024
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This book will make you aware of the fact that the world your living in right now, you have attracted with the though you had in the past.
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