You’ve probably heard the term ‘manifesting’ a thousand times over the last few years, with everyone from your local hairdresser to Oprah Winfrey advocating for the practice. Countless people claim to have manifested their dream life and partner or be in the process of manifesting their ideal job and perfect future. But does manifesting actually work?
We’ve done a deep dive into what manifesting actually means, why it’s so popular and how to manifest something – speaking to manifesting expert Carolyn Boyes, who wrote the ultimate guide to manifesting in her latest book The Art of Manifesting. Carolyn is an author who writes about practical psychology and life strategies, rooting her self-help tools in business, psychology, and ancient traditions.
So, here you go, your ultimate guide to manifesting…
What does manifesting mean and what is the science behind manifestation?
Manifesting describes how you intentionally create goals for what you want and bring them into existence. The idea behind manifesting is that the mind, physical matter, and the universe are all essentially made of the same essence which means you can directly influence what happens in the world with the power of intention.
According to the laws of manifestation (also sometimes called the Law of Attraction) the universe is an abundant, boundless and benign place made up of thought energy – a universal mind. Everything that has ever existed in the world has started with a thought. Since the universe is composed of energy, what we think, feel, believe, expect, intend and do attracts things, people and experiences into our lives.
You can ask the universe for help at any time to live the life you truly want. This idea is founded on the concept of like attracts like. Positive energy and positive thoughts attract positive events and things. Negative thoughts have a negative vibration which attracts negative life experiences.
Manifesting starts with imagination. Whatever you can see in your mind’s eye can become real if you truly desire it enough and go about asking in the right way. You can create events, people and things in your future.
What is the history of manifestation?
The idea of manifesting is an ancient concept. Most spiritual traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity and Hawaiian Huna are said to have an understanding of manifestation. Some practices kept this a secret for those they considered wise and mature enough to use this power intentionally for the greater good, recognising that ill-thought-out manifesting can have unexpected consequences.
Later esoteric and magical teachings and the 19th century spiritual movements taught their students how to train the mind to manifest successfully using the Law of Attraction. This secret was only divulged to those who were considered able to take on the responsibility of ethically using this power.
Why is manifesting so popular?
In recent years manifesting has surfaced every few years under a different guise. A few decades ago books were written about visualising – essentially a way of manifesting by imagining what you want to create in your life. Almost twenty years ago, Cosmic Ordering and Law of Attraction books became best sellers and in 2006 a video called The Secret, revealing the power of manifesting took the world by storm. Now manifesting is popular again thanks to social media.
At a time when we sometimes feel we are lacking in power and control, especially after Covid, it’s important to recognise that all of us have all the power we will ever need to create a good life full of happiness.
How do you manifest something?
You know how people say as you grow older your face reflects your character? Well if you look at someone’s life you can understand a lot about what they think, feel and believe about the world. You can change the route of your life by intentionally manifesting.
Create a desire, a feeling and an expectation that you will manifest an outcome in your life.
First create a vision of what you want. What does the finished picture look like? You can adjust it until it is just how you want it to be. Don’t think what you should imagine. Make it right for you. Now, does it feel good to have this finished picture in your life? If not, change it. Thank the universe for bringing this happy outcome to you. Finally take actions in the real world assuming you will manifest successfully.
If you are in the habit of imagining negative experiences and bad outcomes it takes training to get your mind to change direction and focus on positive outcomes. Though practices such as meditation, mindfulness, self-hypnosis and visualisation you will train the mind to focus. Even a simple exercise can help. Close your eyes and visualise your bedroom. Change the colour of the room and move the furniture around. Or visualise the faces of your friends. Imagine them saying nice things about you. The more you practise the better you will become at manifesting.
The Art Of Manifesting by Carolyn Boyes (HQ, £12.99) is out now.
Which celebrities practice manifesting?
Oprah Winfrey is a known believer of the power of manifesting, telling Larry King in one interview, 'It is very true, that the way you think creates reality for yourself. Megan Fox also recently told Glamour UK that she manifested fiancé Machine Gun Kelly, saying 'He’s literally my exact physical type that I’ve been manifesting since I was four. I’m also four years older than him. So, I think I made him. My thoughts and intentions grew him into the person that he is, who knows what he would’ve looked like or been like if it wasn’t for me.'
Jim Carrey is a big believer in the law of attraction, telling Oprah that in the early days of his career, he would visualise directors casting him, he even wrote himself a $10million cheque and dated it five years in the future 'for acting services rendered' - he went on to become the comedic giant we now know, but he has never thrown that cheque away!
In her 2011 60 Minute interview with Anderson Cooper, Lady Gaga spoke of how she used to repeat to herself that she was famous before she made the big time. 'You repeat it to yourself every day. […] And it’s not yet, it’s a lie. You’re saying a lie over and over and over again, and then, one day the lie is true,' she said.
And Ariana Grande is believed to trust in the power of manifesting after her lyrics for song Pete Davidson went viral. In it, she sings 'I thought you into my life, look at my mind, no better place or time, look how they align, the universe must have my back.'
What are some popular manifestation quotes?
Celebrities aren't the only ones serving inspiration quotes about manifesting, philosophical scholars have done it for years. With that in mind, here's some popular quotes about manifestation to keep you motivated when the practice feels like it's falling flat:
Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions.
Albert Einstein
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin in. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.
Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.
Every intention sets energy into motion, whether you are conscious of it or not.
Every great work, every big accomplishment, has been brought into manifestation through holding to the vision, and often just before the big achievement, comes apparent failure and discouragement.
What are some good books about manifestation?
If you want to know more about manifestation, you can pick up Carolyn's book The Art Of Manifesting or click here to read five more recommended reads on manifesting your dreams.