Manifesting sometimes gets a bad rap. Popularised by the glitterati who credit their success with manifestation, it’s often accused of being mere hype. Is it really just wishful thinking, pushed by the law of attraction crowd? If it was that easy we’d all have what we want, right? Before you dismiss it outright, could there be more substance to manifesting than meets the eye? Planet Positive Change investigates.
The Law of Attraction & Manifesting
It’s true, just thinking about something isn’t going to make it appear (trust me, I’ve tried). The superficial veneer that manifesting is sometimes credited with does it a huge disservice. Scratch beneath the surface and you’ll begin to see the potential that’s held in the practice of manifestation. On closer inspection, you’ll realise that manifesting isn’t magic but instead, it provides a roadmap for creating the life you want. Think of manifesting as a recipe, containing psychology, neuroscience, effort and a pinch of universal alchemy.
We know from the last decade of research in neuroscience that the brain is capable of changing. It can rewire and modify neural networks in response to our thoughts and our experience Once we recognise that, we’re presented with an opportunity to create more positivity in our lives.
Enter the law of attraction. The idea that what we think about we attract. Think about that for a moment. Attraction is an act of becoming in itself, of expanding your consciousness and how you show up in the world. For yourself, for others and for causes that are important to you. It’s really about meaningful change.
Spiritual Bypassing & Manifesting
Now you’re wondering if all that positivity can become just a little bit toxic? Sometimes, yes, but positivity doesn’t have to equal spiritual bypassing. It’s how we use it that’s key. Pretending that life is all rainbows and unicorns robs you of the opportunity to learn, to do things differently, to become more.
Carl Jung said “There is no coming to consciousness without pain.” it’s how we use the difficulties, trauma and pain that happen in life that makes the difference, even more so with manifesting. When we acknowledge pain and hear its message we can realign our internal compass and grow. Like physical pain, it’s a message, telling us that something, somewhere in our life is out of balance.
Wisdom Traditions and Manifesting
Let’s burst the bubble that manifesting is a modern phenomenon right now. Throughout history, the great wisdom traditions around the world have developed practices to bring about personal transformation and spiritual evolution, revealing universal truths.
French philosopher, paleontologist and Jesuit priest, Teilhard de Chardin’s observation that we are “Spiritual beings having an human experience” recognises the universal truth that there is a natural law. When we work with this energy, we call in the universe to support us. For that to happen, we need to be in right relationship with her.
These Contemplative traditions have long recognised our spiritual connection with the universe. It’s about more than just ‘me’. We cannot separate ourselves from the earth. Our true potential lies in collaboration with the natural world, not in attempting to dominate it. The planet and humanity need this now more than ever.
Clarity Turns Dreams into Reality
Positive thoughts alone won’t get you from where you are now to where you want to go. Manifesting requires concrete action. It takes effort and work and time. It also demands clarity and goals (not just wishes). Once your goal setting is complete, taking action is the next step.
Want to discover more? Take a look at our courses page on Planet Positive Change. You can also pre-order Gill’s new book, How to Manifest: Bring Your Goals Into Alignment with the universe will be published by Michael O’Mara Books, London in September 2022 in the UK
In the US published by Penguin Random House in January 2023 https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717463/how-to-manifest-by-gill-thackray/
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