So there is value in reading them both and teasing out the difference. But, in an interesting twist, this truth repudiates the core teaching of the first book. To cut to the chase, my sense is that The Secret was a mishmash, but The Greatest Secret includes the pearl of great price. So what do they have that is so immensely compelling? Is it the promise of an end to suffering and securing happiness? Is it the anthology-like format, in which every other paragraph is an inspiring quote? Is it the marketing, from the look and feel, to Byrne’s publicising savvy as a filmmaker?

The 2006 book has sold 20 million copies. The Greatest Secret by Rhonda Byrne is released, and immediately looks like as much of a publishing success as its predecessor, The Secret. You can listen to this episode on the Rupert Spira Podcast.The new book sits uneasily alongside the bestseller that made her name The discussion also covers what Rupert calls 'the art of teaching'. He uses an evocative image of everyone lost in the 'forest of experience', and it is the teacher's job to find where each person is lost, and then start to walk back home with them. He says teachers don't have an infinite storehouse of knowledge, but they tailor their formless understanding to the questions asked of them. Rupert describes two similar such moments, at different stages in his life, which led him further into the non-dual understanding. Like Rupert, who was for many years a successful ceramic artist with an abiding interest from an early age in spiritual matters, Rhonda never imagined she would find herself called to share her realisation, born from a time of despair, when, overwhelmed by a perfect storm of difficulties, she had no option but to surrender.

Rhonda Byrne's 'Secret' series of books and films has sold phenomenally well, and reached an enormous number of people. Her background is in media and broadcasting, so she had the tools and skillset to present her message to reach the widest possible audience. They talk about this book, their own spiritual journeys, teachers such as Robert Adams and Francis Lucille whom they have both been influenced by, the activity of teaching itself and how they came to do it. The occasion for this conversation with Rupert Spira is the publication of Rhonda Byrne's latest book, ‘The Greatest Secret’, which she feels is the most important one she has written. She sent an advance copy to Rupert.

The greatest secret rhonda byrne