Esther Hicks

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Community Saloon bar Esther Hicks To do list What is going on? Esther Hicks (born Esther Weaver Best of RationalWiki on March 5, 1948) is a charlatan who About RationalWiki claims to be a spirit channeller (she Technical support prefers the term "receiver") who is well Mod noticeboard known for talking about herself in the External links third person.[1] Hicks claims to channel Twitter approximately 100 otherworldly beings Left to right: Esther Facebook with the amazingly worldly name of Hicks, Jerry Hicks, Discord Abraham. The inherent creepiness of Abraham Tools her shtick is lessened when it becomes What links here clear that Esther Hicks is talking in a Dolphins and money Related changes weird voice in order to scam people out Special pages New Age of money. This is a relief, because all Printable version Permanent link reasonable people prefer hucksters to Page information creeps. Not surprisingly, the voices inside Hicks' head started coming to her after she read the works of Jane Roberts, another Cosmic concepts channeller who died in 1984.[2] Crystals Depending on whether one asks Esther Quantums or reality, these books either opened up Your inner self her mind to commune with whatever it is Holistic medicine she communes with or show just how Spiritual selections credulous the average American mark Ellie Crystal was to psychic woo. Isha Institute of Inner Sciences Esther's primary partner in crime is her husband Jerry Hicks. Jerry was a former Karma acrobat, movie stunt man and world Men's movement class Amway salesperson before he and Quantum Stirwand Esther struck it rich in the cosmic Shirley MacLaine channeling lottery. He has brought that Transcendental certain icky Amway tough-sell feeling to Meditation most of the products in the Hicks' self- Western esotericism v - t - e help catalog/lifestyle/dynasty. Esther probably said it best in one of her few interviews when, in a rare moment of valid self-introspection, she realized that some people think she might be crazy. "I'm sitting here and I am uncomfortable because people don't like Mormons, people don't like Amway, people don't like channellers."[2] It couldn't be that there's something very wrong with each of those, so it must be the fault of those who feel that way.

Hicks has translated the voice in her head into a series of books, lectures, and workshops. It is a wellspring buoyed in no small measure by a prominent mention on Oprah Winfrey.

Contents [hide] 1 Hicks' teachings 2 Publications 3 The Secret 4 Wannabe followers 5 External links 6 References

Hicks' teachings [edit]

Her material particularly concerns the Law of Attraction, a half-woo, half-pseudoscience that some New Agers are fawning over.[3] It's called The Secret. The secret is that the universe exists to serve your whims. Obviously many cool, affluent and gullible people like to believe stuff like this.

Hicks is really into the quantum woo routine. She is all about the observer effect allowing people to define their own reality using their feelings. All of this of course is coming to her through her magical channeling of dead people, or aliens, or whatever the vogue term is. All this would be much cooler if she at least changed her voice when she spoke as the alien. Maybe take a puff of helium and then do Abraham?

Funny voice or not, Hicks' get rich quick scheme for telling you how to live a wonderful life consists of the following:[4]

You are a Physical Extension of that which is non-physical. You are here in this body because you chose to be here. The basis of your life is Freedom; the purpose of your life is Joy. You are a creator; you create with your every thought. Anything that you can imagine is yours to be or do or have. You are choosing your creations as you are choosing your thoughts. The Universe adores you; for it knows your broadest intentions. Relax into your natural well-being. All is well. You are a creator of thoughtways on your unique path of joy. Actions to be taken and money to be exchanged are by- products of your focus on joy. You may appropriately depart your body without illness or pain. You cannot die; you are Everlasting Life.

All the elements of feel-good gibberish are here. The basic theme is that the Universe has a consciousness and "adores" everyone (this provides easy "meaning" to existence and confers cosmic significance to individuals); that people can create anything they want just by thinking about it (no effort required to reach whatever dream you may have); and that people are immortal (no need to fear death). This is the ultimate in McDonald's theology: all the fears people have of meaninglessness, insignificance, lost goals and dreams, and ultimately death are taken care of, without the person needing to do anything.

Also, notice the use of "you" to add that extra personal touch. That's Jerry Hicks' Amway experience coming through!

Publications [edit]

The main publisher for all this drivel is Hay House, a notorious publishing firm that thumps all the latest self-help gurus from the bland and "mostly harmless" motivational speakers to the truly insane psychology woo quacks like Esther and Jerry Hicks. For an example of just how creepy this stuff gets, one need only know that Esther actually writes children's books. Here is an excerpt:

“Do you believe in ghosts?” Annette just sort of “ blurted out. Sara and Seth both looked up with surprise. “Well,” Sara stalled, “I guess I do.” She remembered the night Solomon had visited her in her bedroom after Jason and Jimmy had shot him, but she hadn't really thought about him being a ghost that night; she’d just been so glad to see her beloved feathered friend.[5] ” For the true connoisseur of creepy woo, nothing could compete with their 75-minute audio recording about the day she decided to fleece people for money started hearing voices met her spiritual guide.[6]

The Secret [edit]

One thing that can always be counted on in the self-help world is that every major proponent and huckster is in it for the money. This is highlighted beautifully by the conflict between Esther Hicks and the director of the film The Secret. The film is a reality hit job, pushing the idea that the law of attraction can help people manifest whatever they want — from cars to making their brain tumor disappear. It was when Oprah decided to feature The Secret on her show that it went mainstream and became a cash cow. Esther Hicks appeared in The Secret originally to the tune of $500,000, but when director Rhonda Byrne wanted to release an "extended edition" (the gift that keeps on giving) Hicks wanted more money. Naturally the Hicks got absolutely everything they wanted and that proved their teachings are correct! It worked out badly for Hicks; the conflict eventually ended up with Byrne editing out every appearance of Esther and Jerry Hicks in the movie, creating some seriously disjointed flow.[7][3]

In a classic gambit, Esther came out and said that it wasn'ts he that had issues with the movie and the director, but rather her ultra-secret alien buddy Abraham who decided that it would be best if they renegotiated the contract. And when that didn't work, Abraham pulled a classic "cosmic guardian" stunt of taking his toys home to pout.[8] and released their own version of The Secret called The Secret Behind The Secret.

Wannabe followers [edit]

To be sure, where there is one making money hand over fist, others will indeed follow. Not unlike radical Evangelical Christians, this tribe of folks need not even have a personal Jesus, all that is required is the thought! Reach into the stream of money up above and you will find all the millions you seek.

One such set of wannabes is the World Legacy Project or "Solutions". This outfit of scammers and schemers set up camp telling the world they can do just about anything from cure cancer to become uber-wealthy just like Bill Gates! "All you have to do is dream", says Mari Tierney, the founder of the "Legacy organization". After a quick look into the backgrounds of the people involved, we were left wondering why they had not just wished themselves out of everything from fraud, criminal theft, and jail time. It seems like if you want something bad enough you could just wish it into being! Well, can't you? Who gets to take turns being ruler of the world then?

In October 2010, New Page Books published 240 pages of garbage by the error-prone author Mike Bara, under the title The Choice. The sub-title was Using Conscious Thought and Physics of the Mind to Reshape the World, and it very much followed the self- evidently incorrect premise of "The Secret". The book attracted no professional reviews at all, and 10 five-star Amazon reader reviews of which two were very obviously by friends of the author. A flop, in other words.

External links [edit] The Skeptic's Dictionary — "Abraham" (Esther and Jerry Hicks) The Abraham Hicks Skeptic

References [edit] 1. ↑ Seriously, check out this video . 2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Interview: The couple who claim they can make you rich beyond your wildest dreams Archive copy at the Wayback Machine 3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Dirty Little 'Secret'. New York Post. 4. ↑ Abraham's Teachings In Brief 5. ↑ Sara, Book 3 6. ↑ Abraham-Hicks Introductory Tape 7. ↑ Salkin, Allen, (February 25, 2007). The New York Times. "Shaking Riches Out of the Cosmos." 8. ↑ Esther Hicks Abraham explaining to fans why she is pouting about The Secret

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Privacy About RationalWiki Disclaimers policy Esther Hicks

Esther Hicks (née Weaver, born March 5, 1948) is an American inspirational Esther Hicks speaker and author. She has co-written nine books with her late husband Jerry Hicks, presented numerous workshops on the law of attraction with Abraham Hicks Publications and appeared in the original version of the 2006 film The Secret.[1] The Hicks' books, including the series The Law of Attraction, are — according to Esther Hicks — "translated from a group of non-physical entities called Abraham." Hicks describes what she is doing as tapping into "infinite intelligence".[2][3]

Contents

Biography Esther and Jerry Hicks in 2007 Outline of Abraham–Hicks' teachings Born Esther Weaver Film March 5, 1948 Books (age 71) See also Coalville, Utah, U.S. References Residence San Antonio, Texas, External links U.S. Known for Author and public Biography speaker for Abraham- Hicks Esther Weaver was born in Coalville, Utah. In 1978 she married Jerry Hicks, Home town Coalville, Utah then a successful Amway distributor. In his early life Jerry Hicks had been a circus acrobat for two years in Cuba, and then, beginning in 1948, had toured for Spouse(s) Jerry Hicks 20 years as a musician, MC, and comedian.[1][2][3] Esther has one daughter, Children Tracy Geer Ayers [3][4] Tracy, by her former marriage. Jerry Hicks died November 18th, 2011 from Website www.abraham-hicks [5] cancer. He was 85 yrs old. .com (http://www.abra ham-hicks.com) Outline of Abraham–Hicks' teachings

According to Esther and Jerry Hicks, "Abraham" consists of a group of entities which are "interpreted" by Esther Hicks. Abraham have described themselves as "a group consciousness from the non-physical dimension". They have also said, "We are that which you are. You are the leading edge of that which we are. We are that which is at the heart of all religions." Abraham has said through Esther that, whenever one feels moments of great love, exhilaration, or pure joy, that is the energy of source and that is who Abraham is.

Esther herself calls Abraham "infinite intelligence", and to Jerry they are "the purest form of love I've ever experienced". Her teachings (known as "Abraham–Hicks teachings") are based on this experience. The basic tenets of the teachings includes one that says that people create their own reality through their attention and focus. Emotions are a person's guidance system that indicate how close or distant that person is to how their Source feels about a particular topic of focus. Life is meant to be fun and easy. The essence of Abraham–Hicks' teachings since 1986 has been presented as follows:[6] Individuals are physical extensions of the non-physical. People are in their bodies because they chose to be. The basis of life is freedom; the purpose of life is joy; the result of life is growth. People are creators; they create with their thoughts and attention. Whatever people can imagine clearly with emotion, by creating a perfect vibrational match, is theirs to be, or do, or have. Individuals choose their creations as they choose their focus. Emotions indicate what people are creating, either consciously or unconsciously. The universe adores people; it knows their broadest intentions. Individuals are invited to happily relax into their natural well-being and know that all is well. Life is not meant to be a struggle, but a process of allowing. People are creators of "thoughtways" on their unique "paths of joy". Desirable physical manifestations such as money, relationships, and lifestyle success are by-products of focusing on joy. Individuals may depart their body without illness or pain. People cannot die; their lives are everlasting. Death of the physical body does not end the life of the individual. The nature of the universe is life-affirming. It is infinite, creative and expanding. All desire can be fulfilled. Individuals are not only a part of the universe but are the very source of it. A large part of Hicks' work centers around the law of attraction, a concept which William Walker Atkinson (1862–1932) wrote about in his book Thought Vibration or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World (1906).[7]

Film

Esther Hicks narrated and appeared in the original version of the film The Secret, as well as being a central source of the film's inspiration.[3] The footage featuring Hicks was removed from the later "Extended Edition" after the film's creator Rhonda Byrne, who has been involved in contractual disputes and litigation regarding the film, rescinded the original contract covering Hicks' participation,[4] and asked that Hicks relinquish her "intellectual property rights in these areas forever".[8] In an open letter posted on the internet, Hicks stated that she had been "uncomfortable with what felt to us like a rather aggressive marketing campaign," and that ultimately Abraham gave her the following advice: "Whenever you are given an ultimatum that says, 'if you don't do this, then we will have to do such and such,' it is best that you just let it go and move on. Otherwise there is always another, and this, and this, and this."[8] The letter doesn't condemn Byrne, but clarifies why Hicks no longer appears in The Secret.

Hicks has since posted a video on YouTube further explaining her discomfort with The Secret and finally, her decision to discontinue involvement with the film.[9]

Books

Hay House, Inc. published the Hicks' book, Ask and it is Given, in September 2004. Since that book they have also published The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent (January 2006), The Law of Attraction (October 2006), The Astonishing Power of Emotions (September 2008), Money and the Law of Attraction: Learning to Attract Health, Wealth & Happiness, and The Vortex: Where the Law of Attraction Assembles All Cooperative Relationships (2009).[10][11] A series of fictional children's books, Sara I, II, and III, is also available. Several of their books were translated into Spanish, French, Italian, German, Dutch, Swedish, Czech, Croatian, Slovenian, Slovak, Serbian, Romanian, Russian and Japanese.

A New Beginning I: Handbook for Joyous Survival, by Jerry and Esther Hicks. Published by Abraham–Hicks Publications, 5th edition, 1988. A New Beginning II: A Personal Handbook to Enhance your Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness, by Jerry and Esther Hicks. Published by Abraham–Hicks Publications, 1991. Sara and the Foreverness of Friends of a Feather, by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Published by Abraham–Hicks Publications, 1995. Ask and it is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Published by Hay House, 2005. The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent: Living the Art of Allowing, by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Contributor Louise L. Hay. Published by Hay House, 2005. The Law of Attraction: The Basics of the Teachings of Abraham Esther and Jerry Hicks. Published by Hay House, 2006. Sara, Book 1: Sara Learns the Secret about the Law of Attraction, by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Illustrated by Caroline S. Garrett. Published by Hay House, 2007. Sara, Book 2: Solomon's Fine Featherless Friends, by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Illustrated by Caroline S. Garrett. Published by Hay House Inc, 2007. Sara, Book 3: A Talking Owl is Worth a Thousand Words!, by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Illustrated by Caroline S. Garrett. Published by Hay House Inc, 2008. The Astonishing Power of Emotions, by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Published by Hay House Inc, 2008. Money and the Law of Attraction: Learning to Attract Health, Wealth & Happiness by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Published by Hay House, 2008. The Vortex: Where the Law of Attraction Assembles All Cooperative Relationships by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Published by Hay House, 2009. Getting into the Vortex: Guided Meditations CD and User Guide by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Release date November 15, 2010. Published by Hay House, 2009.