Do you believe manifestation and Law of Attraction are a thing?

[Greyador]

So this might just be me but in recent years I've seen an explosion of books on manifestation or law of attraction?
It seems to be a hot topic on social media, along with spirituality.

I may be niave here, but I've always thought that working on your goals, having a loose life plan was this sort of thing...

Do you believe in manifestation and law of attraction?
I've found myself intrigued by it all....

No it's bollocks.

Nope

No idea what you're talking about.

No.

Well, sort of.

If you attempt to manifest something, you believe it will happen. And if you believe something will happen, you're more likely to make decisions that will positively influence that happening. So it sort of works, but not for the reason the people 'manifesting' think.

Well, if you set a goal. Work towards achieving that goal. Achieve it. Did you manifest it?

There's an element of truth I think. Like if you expect the worst and notice bad stuff, it perpetuates. From personal experience. I've decided to concentrate on the good stuff and more comes along it seems.

I think it works by subconsciously driving your behaviour to achieve the goals you have set.
I don't think it's woo or some higher power but a case of energy and focus directed towards achieving your goals

I'm wondering if it's a money making scheme or if it falls into 'spirituality'
I'm a bit lost here aren't I?!

I think it’s the modern day religion. Throughout history people have come together under some belief system or other, comforted by a higher power. Nowadays, God had fallen out of fashion but people on the whole still have the same need to believe, which is where this has all come from.

I don’t believe it, other than you generally do get out of life what you put in and you can try to find happiness anywhere… but not quite the same as manifesting.

I'd say it's not really much different to deciding to be a 'glass half-full' person rather than a 'glass half-empty' person. It's just the power of positive thinking - nothing radical.

No.

By all means, apply yourself and work practically toward achieving your goals.

But the notion that if you wish for it hard enough it'll happen, and that it fails only for those who don't believe enough, is utter bollocks.

So this is what I thought exactly, so by achieving my goals- did I manifest it or work for it?!

I have opinions on it but MN is not the place for it.

At its core it’s not really about manifestation, it’s about happiness which then allows good things to happen - which is quite obvious really, if you’re miserable and closed off you’re not going to be open to good stuff or meeting nice people. If you have certain goals and you’re happy, it’s easier to find better circumstances to achieve those goals.
It’s about having faith, so not really different to religion, but without the element of worshipping deity/ies or the control that seems to go hand in hand with religions.
It’s worth looking into and trying, there are free books online, videos on YouTube, so it’s easy to look into without spending anything, so nothing to lose.

If you really want something badly enough it will materialise, you make it happen in that sense…

This is exactly how I work...

It’s another word for daydreaming. We all plan how we would spend a lottery win but you only have a chance of winning if you buy a ticket but even then the chances of winning are slim. Manifesting wealth is somewhat pointless unless you have a plan and put in the work even if that is just buying a lottery ticket. For the majority of people no amount of squeezing your eyes shut and clicking your heals is going to make your bank balance grow.
However if you apply it to more realistic goals then having a goal is always great motivation to succeed. The whole thing falls down when people believe that they can just think themselves rich or if they imagine they are a dog owner it will just happen. Most people who end up with a dog are actually searching ads/internet for one. So it follows that they have a pretty good chance of getting a dog eventually.
I’m currently manifesting new windows but it isn’t going to happen until I phone up a couple of fitters I’ve been recommended. It’s not a magical or mystical process it just involves getting off your arse and doing the work required.

So in essence a mixture of ambition, goals, hard work with positive thinking

I just looked. There appears to be lots of social media coaches, books and journals on the subject 🤔

I believe in it. It really works. Plus everyone manifests without realising, anyway. There's the saying, "You can do it if you put your mind to it", is one example.

It's just the power of positive thinking - nothing radical

That's how I see it as well. Athletes often visualize winning and a well established therapy technique is to "act as if" something has had a positive outcome as a means to cope with a trying situation.

Do I think listening to a self-hypnosis recording is going to result in money pouring into your bank account? No. Do I think working on developing a positive mindset might be helpful? Sure.

But important to note that bad things can and do happen to people every day and I despise people who victim blame by saying things like "well they brought this on themselves with their negativity...".

Nah. A relative of mine is into this and it's like she's joined a cult. She recently paid thousands (that she couldn't really afford) to attend a conference about manifesting 'abundance.'

Also realistically, you cannot be positive all of the time can you because as a pp said- shit things do happen.

Vibration and raising you vibes is another I see.

I mean I have a reoccurring dream about the same house, I don't know where it is, or if I will ever own it (doubt it!) Or even if it exists but surely sitting here and believing my subconcious is going to make it turn up is highly unlikely?

However by ambition, goal setting, positive thinking etc I may one day own or go in a cottage like it....

Yet I'd love to believe things would land in my lap by thinking about it, I wonder if it's where a sense of 'They got lucky' comes from, almost discrediting hard work somewhat?

I sound really negative and harsh I think and I don't mean to, I'm genuinely intrigued and would love to believe in something...

No it's not real but being positive and working hard creates your own luck as it were. People notice you and offer you opportunity if you have self belief. Positive self talk is useful. Actual magic, obviously not.

Its age old - believe, don't be a doubting Thomas, the lord will provide. Part of our psyche. But not a negative part.
And something about flowing through the world, in tune, open hearted which does help one feel good.

Ah, but the conference was extremely successful in manifesting abundance...to the person who thought up the idea and got gullible people to part with thousands to attend!