What is the meaning of hubris in this title -- The Hubris of The Secret?

Answer 1

Firstly, "hubris" is a word that comes to us from the Greek word meaning "pride". In modern English it has a few different nuances eg. pride through a feeling self-importance, even arrogance or the type of pride which leads one to ignore the good advice of others who, through hard experience, know better than we do. There is also a sense where "hubris" can mean a right or good sort of pride. The "Hubris Of The Secret" was a newspaper article written by Valerie Reiss, an American university graduate who contracted cancer and survived it by turning to the Eastern pracitice of yoga, breath control and meditation. Here, there are two levels of hubris to consider. Firstly, there is Valerie Reiss's reluctance (or scholarly pride) to accept that these ancient practices would help. Secondly, there is Reiss's acceptance of these Eastern practices. This is the second level of hubris, the humbly accepted belief of Yoga practitioners of the efficacy of their methods over a long period of time. This is a good type of pride inherent in these Eastern practices.