Manifestation—whether you view it as a powerful tool for shaping your reality or dismiss it as wishful thinking—has captivated minds for centuries. Today, it’s a topic of heated debate, with proponents swearing by its effectiveness and skeptics rolling their eyes. As a psychologist and someone relatively new to the practice, I find myself standing on a unique bridge between these two worlds, deeply intrigued by the phenomenon yet compelled to explore it through a scientific lens.
My journey into the world of manifestation didn’t begin with a vision board or affirmations. It started years ago, long before I had ever heard of the Law of Attraction. I was just 15 years old, and like many teenagers, I was brimming with dreams and the anxiety that comes with them. For years, I had been preparing to apply to a prestigious school, one that required months of grueling after-school lessons and countless hours of study. It was a relentless pursuit—sacrificing weekends, free time, and what felt like every ounce of energy I had.
The odds were daunting. Over 500 hopeful students applied each year, yet only 100 would make it—50 boys and 50 girls. But the competition didn’t end there. There was also a waiting list, a sort of second chance for those who narrowly missed the mark.
I wasn’t the top of my class, nor was I the bottom. I floated somewhere in the middle, consistently scoring average on my practice exams. But as the day of the exam approached, a single thought consumed me. It became my mantra, my lifeline amidst the stress and uncertainty: “Just let me score enough to be at the top of the waitlist.”
I repeated this phrase to myself, over and over, as I sat in that exam room. It was as if I was trying to will the universe into aligning with my deepest desire. And then, a month later, the results were announced. I had made it—I was first on the waitlist.
The thrill of that moment is something I’ll never forget. It was a mix of elation and disbelief. But as the excitement settled, a thought nagged at me. What if I had aimed higher? What if I had believed, with every fiber of my being, that I could secure a spot in the top 50? Would it have made a difference?
This experience has stayed with me, fueling my fascination with manifestation. It’s the reason I’ve dedicated so much time to studying it—not just as a curious observer, but through the lens of a psychologist trying to understand how the material, the mind, and the spiritual interact. Could it be that our thoughts and beliefs truly shape our reality, or is it simply a matter of coincidence?
As we delve into this exploration of whether manifestation is real, I invite you to keep an open mind. Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, there’s much to uncover about this intriguing phenomenon.
What is Manifestation?
Manifestation, in its simplest form, is the practice of bringing something tangible into your life through attraction and belief.
But it’s more than just wishful thinking or daydreaming; it’s about setting clear intentions and aligning your thoughts, emotions, and actions with the desired outcome.
A Brief History of Manifestation
The roots of manifestation can be traced back to ancient spiritual practices and philosophies. Concepts similar to manifestation have existed in various forms across cultures and religions.
- In Hinduism and Buddhism, for example, the power of the mind and intention is central to achieving enlightenment and personal transformation.
- The idea that our thoughts can influence our reality is also present in the teachings of early Greek philosophers, such as Plato, who believed in the power of the mind to shape the material world.
Fast forward to the 19th century, and we see the emergence of the New Thought movement, which laid much of the groundwork for modern manifestation practices. Pioneers of New Thought, such as Phineas Quimby and Ralph Waldo Emerson, introduced ideas about the power of positive thinking and the mind’s ability to influence physical reality. They argued that by focusing on positive thoughts and visualizing desired outcomes, individuals could attract success, health, and happiness into their lives.
Interestingly, manifestation can also be viewed as a form of prayer. Both practices involve setting intentions, focusing on desired outcomes, and trusting in a higher power or the universe to bring those desires to fruition. For many, this perspective bridges the gap between spiritual and secular approaches to creating the life they want. If you’re curious about this connection, I’ve explored this idea further in an article discussing whether manifestation can be considered a sin.
The Phenomenon of ‘The Secret’
The concept of manifestation entered the mainstream consciousness in a big way with the publication of ‘The Secret‘ by Rhonda Byrne in 2006. This book, which became a global sensation, popularized the Law of Attraction, a central tenet of manifestation.
Byrne’s work suggested that thinking positively and focusing on one’s desires could bring those desires into reality. Despite criticism from some quarters for its oversimplification and lack of scientific grounding, “The Secret” resonated with millions, selling over 30 million copies worldwide and sparking a renewed interest in manifestation practices.
The book’s impact has been so phenomenal that today, statistics show that 73% of the world’s population have some sort of belief in the Law of Attraction, compared to only 2% in 1990.
How Does Manifestation Work?
At its core, manifestation is often associated with the Law of Attraction—the idea that like attracts like.
According to this belief, by focusing on positive or negative thoughts, you can bring positive or negative experiences into your life.
It’s the notion that your mind has the power to shape your reality, and that by concentrating on what you want, you can essentially pull it into existence.
But manifestation isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. It encompasses a variety of practices, each with its own nuances and methods. Chances are if you have tried any of the below, then you have practiced some form of manifestation already:
Strengthen your manifestation practice and bring abundance into your space with aromatherapy
The idea of manifestation, as alluring as it is, walks a fine line between spirituality and psychology. It taps into the human need for control and agency, especially in a world that often feels unpredictable and chaotic. But it’s also grounded in principles of positive psychology, which emphasize the benefits of optimism, goal-setting, and visualization. While some see it as a mystical process governed by universal laws, others view it as a powerful psychological tool that can help steer your life in the desired direction.
However, as we explore further in this article, it’s important to approach manifestation with both curiosity and a critical mind. While it can be a valuable practice for some, it’s not a magic bullet. Understanding its principles, methods, and limitations is key to harnessing its potential in a meaningful and balanced way.
The Psychological Benefits of Manifestation
Although you may think it wishy-washy, as a psychologist, I see so many potential benefits of manifestation on mental health that stretchs way beyond just getting what you want in life. These are:
The Case For ‘Yes, Manifestation is Real!’
If you are one of the skeptics who dismiss manifestation as mere wishful thinking, I will surprise you that there is some scientific rationale that we can use to back this concept. Let’s dive in:
Positive Thinking and Visualization
One of the key scientific principles behind manifestation is the power of positive thinking and visualization. Studies have shown that when individuals engage in positive visualization—mentally rehearsing a desired outcome—they are more likely to achieve that outcome. This is particularly evident in fields like sports and academics, where mental rehearsal is a common technique used to enhance performance.
For example, athletes often use visualization to mentally practice their routines or visualize success before competitions. Scientific studies have demonstrated that this mental practice can lead to improvements in actual performance, as the brain interprets these visualizations similarly to real experiences. This process primes the brain and body to execute the desired actions more effectively.
An intriguing 1999 study also demonstrated how visualizing the process of achieving a goal (process-based visualization) can improve academic performance – another testament to the power of mental imagery and manifestation.
Neuroplasticity: The Brain’s Ability to Change
Neuroplasticity is another crucial concept that supports the effectiveness of manifestation. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections in response to thoughts, experiences, and behaviors. When we repeatedly focus on positive thoughts and visualize our goals, we essentially rewire our brains to be more aligned with these positive outcomes.
This means that through consistent practice of manifestation techniques—such as affirmations, visualization, and scripting—we can actually change the structure and function of our brains to be more conducive to achieving our goals. This scientific understanding provides a solid foundation for the practice of manifestation, bridging the gap between mystical belief and measurable brain science.
Interestingly, a review looking into mindfulness meditation discovered this practice can lead to structural changes in the brain through neuroplasticity. In a way, one could argue that this is yet another evidence in support of the power of manifestation, as both mindfulness meditation and manifestation techniques share several similarities, particularly in the way they focus on directing thoughts, intentions, and attention to shape one’s mental and emotional state.
“You have to, at some point, believe that you can do something or that you’re capable of it.”
Thea Gallagher, PsyD, a clinical psychologist
Why You May Want to Re-Think Trying Manifestation
One of the primary criticisms of manifestation is the lack of rigorous scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. While positive thinking and visualization have been shown to have some benefits, the broader claims of manifestation—that you can attract specific outcomes or materialize your desires simply through thought—are not well-supported by empirical research.
While I had a manifestation-like experience, I am not at all oblivious to the fact that much of manifestation’s claims can be explained away and, if taken without caution, may end up doing you more harm than good. So here are the main negatives of manifestation that I think you should consider before trying it:
The Placebo Effect and Wishful Thinking
The placebo effect occurs when people experience real improvements simply because they believe they are doing something beneficial, even if the practice itself has no inherent power. In the case of manifestation, this means that you might notice positive changes in your life because you are paying more attention to them or because you are more motivated to take actions that align with your desires—not because your thoughts alone are influencing reality.
Moreover, this type of confirmation bias can lead you to remember instances where your manifestations seemed to work and forget those where they didn’t, reinforcing the belief that manifestation is effective.
This selective memory can give the illusion of success, even when there is no causal relationship between the thoughts and the outcomes.
The Risk of Overestimating Thought Power
There’s also a concern that the emphasis on the power of thought in manifestation can be misleading. While positive thinking is beneficial, it’s unrealistic and potentially harmful to believe that thoughts alone can control or change external circumstances. This overestimation of the power of thought can lead people to ignore other important factors, such as hard work, practical planning, and external circumstances that influence outcomes.
Have you heard about the term self-fulfilling prophecy? It means that when you strongly believe in a particular outcome, this belief can unconsciously influence your actions, leading to the desired result and creating the illusion that the manifesting process worked.
It could be that successes attributed to manifestation are likely due to practical efforts—hard work, networking, and effective planning—rather than the power of thought alone.
Psychological Risks
While manifestation is often portrayed as a harmless or even beneficial practice, it carries certain psychological risks, especially for individuals who may be predisposed to anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.
My Verdict on Manifestation
As someone who has explored manifestation both as a curious individual and as a psychologist, I’ve come to appreciate the power it can have when used thoughtfully. However, I also believe it’s crucial to approach manifestation with a balanced and realistic mindset. It’s easy to get caught up in the allure of thinking our way into success, but I’ve learned that true personal growth often requires a combination of belief and action.
In my view, the real strength of manifestation lies in its ability to focus our intentions and keep us motivated.
But I’ve always been a firm believer in the importance of pairing positive thinking with practical, evidence-based strategies. Yes, it’s powerful to visualize your goals and maintain an optimistic outlook, but these thoughts need to be supported by real, tangible actions. Planning, skill-building, and consistent effort are what ultimately bring those visions to life.
I advocate for a healthy skepticism—the power of your mind is incredible, but don’t let that belief blind you to the reality that achieving your dreams requires hard work and perseverance.
The Power of Gratitude
One practice I’ve found to be just as powerful, if not more so, than manifestation is gratitude. It can be to shift the focus from what we want to what we already have.
Gratitude helps us look inward, to appreciate the abundance that already exists in our lives and build resilience, rather than constantly striving for more.
We often overlook the simple blessings in our lives until it’s too late. We’re so focused on what’s next that we forget to appreciate what’s here and now. Practicing gratitude has taught me to recognize and celebrate the good that’s already present, and it’s something I encourage everyone to cultivate. It’s amazing how much more fulfilling life becomes when we stop and take a moment to appreciate it.
In fact, I’ve developed a short self-help book specifically designed to help people cultivate more gratitude in their daily lives. This workbook acts like a type of gratitude journal and is filled with practical exercises and insights that guide you in recognizing the positives, even in the smallest moments.
Ultimately, my perspective on manifestation is shaped by both my personal experiences and my professional understanding of how the mind works. I believe manifestation can be a useful tool for setting intentions and maintaining a positive mindset, but it should never replace the hard work and practical steps needed to achieve our goals.
In my own journey, I’ve found that combining the psychological benefits of positive thinking with consistent, meaningful action leads to the best outcomes. And when you add gratitude into the mix, you create a powerful approach to life that not only helps you achieve your goals but also allows you to fully appreciate the journey along the way.
So, while I encourage exploring manifestation, I also urge you to balance it with personal development and a strong sense of gratitude. It’s this combination, I believe, that leads to true fulfillment and success.