Manifestation is based on the laws of attraction from the 2006 book, The Secret, which claims that positive thoughts create positive events, and negative thoughts produce negative events. [2] X Research source
Let’s say you want to manifest money. You might picture the money in your bank account, or meditate on how badly you want to get paid. The visualization and meditation will not cause money to show up on your doorstep the next day. However, if the meditation gives you the peace of mind you need to pursue the career you want, and the visualization keeps you focused on your prize, then the manifestation did work!
There is evidence that positive thinking, visualization, meditation, and the other elements that go into manifestation can help you, but that doesn’t mean the laws of attraction are true.
This isn’t something people can realistically study or observe. If the laws of attraction work, we’d have no real way of knowing it.
If you have an anxiety disorder, depression, or obsessive compulsive disorder, manifestation probably isn’t right for you. [7] X Research source
For example, if you start trying to manifest a new car, you may eventually realize that the thing you really want is freedom—not some vehicle. If you believe in the value of subconscious thought, this can be invaluable.
Manifestation can also make you feel in charge of your own destiny. If you’re a naturally pessimistic person, manifestation may help you change that. [9] X Research source Keep in mind, you do need to actively pursue your goals! Thinking about something alone is unlikely to have an impact when it comes to getting what you want.
The fact that manifestation doesn’t work exactly the way it supposedly does is not a good reason to stop. Spiderman isn’t real either, but that doesn’t mean watching Marvel movies can’t be relaxing!
Some people don’t like feeling like their thoughts have so much power. If you’re uncomfortable with the experience of manifestation, don’t push yourself to keep trying.
