The NY Daily News' Ben Widdicombe is reporting on a new "nutty sect" that is making the rounds in Hollywood recruiting celebrities. Move over Scientology and Kabbalah, because "The Secret" is in town.

"The Secret" promises "a new era for humankind" through "the secret laws and principles of the universe." According to its Web site, this information popped into the head of blond Australian TV producer Rhonda Byrne in the spring of 2004.

At a pre-Oscars dinner for eventual Best Supporting Actress winner Jennifer Hudson, thrown by Stuart and Jane Weitzman at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Friday, Secret "teacher" Lisa Nichols explained the philosophy to Emmy Rossum, Rebecca Gayheart and Eric Dane.

"They were abuzz about it and wanted to talk to the guru," another guest tells me. Andre Leon Talley, Rachel Roy and Damon Dash were also in the room.

An uncharacteristically credulous Oprah Winfrey has even had Nichols on her show to discuss the philosophy. Nichols writes for the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series, whose creator, Jack Canfield, is also a Secret teacher.

But this is "Junk Food for the Brain." The crackpot thesis behind the Secret is that you can alter reality - from finding a parking space to curing cancer to getting a BMW - through positive thinking. And there's a very "Da Vinci Code" back story, about a 5,000-year-old conspiracy to keep the public from learning it. But don't worry, because your boys Beethoven, Lincoln and Einstein were in on it and passed the knowledge along.

This sounds like the idea that actress Virginia Madsen was talking about several days ago, which she calls "The Law of Cupcakes", which is basically her name for positive thinking.

Labels: Oprah Winfrey, Oscars, Virginia Madsen