Transcending the Dogma of the Self-Absorbed, by Oliver Oliveros

By Oliver Oliveros, Catholic Exchange, August 6, 2025

Oliver Oliveros is a revert to Catholicism. He fell away from the Church when he went to university. Twenty-seven years later, the grace of God brought this prodigal son back to the faith. He is an editor in the Los Angeles area and volunteers at his parish’s teen ministry.

In past articles, I’ve mentioned how the 1960s counterculture movement was a scourge on the Judeo-Christian world. In this post, I’ll bring to light the self-help “spirituality” of the 2000s, another psychological plague on our culture.

The first time that I ever got captivated by something “viral” on social media happened in 2006. A trusted friend sent me a link to the documentary The Secret. Like millions of people, I watched the entire film, and, lacking any discernment, I was intrigued by it. The Secret was subsequently released as a book by Rhonda Byrne and was an instant bestseller.

Like so many popular spiritual books during that period, it was about the power of positive thinking. I certainly won’t suggest that positive thinking has no healthy value, but when it replaces an authentic prayer life, it can easily blind you with hubris, self-righteousness, vainglory, or any monstrosity of pride. …

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