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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask if you believe in manifestation?

214 replies

Thewal · 21/10/2023 23:49

I watched ‘The Secret’ today. It seemed to be mostly waffle with some random quotes thrown in, but from what I can gather it suggests that positive thinking and asking for things from the universe is what leads to ‘success’ and essentially getting what you want.

So I’d love to hear if you have ever manifested something into reality? How did you do it and how long did it take? Do you believe in it? And does the banishing of negative thoughts ever stress you out?

I just want to know what day to day life is like for people who practice this and if people have actually had something happen they put down to it?

OP posts:
Beezknees · 22/10/2023 09:58

Nah. I've been manifesting a lottery win my whole life and it hasn't happened.

CornishClott · 22/10/2023 09:58

Stroopwaffels · 22/10/2023 09:17

No I don't believe in asking the universe for stuff and it delivering.

But I do believe that people who have a positive mindset, and who are open to new opportunities and possibilities are more successful. You have to be willing to give things a go, move out of your comfort zone, make your own opportunities by researching and having a plan. If you are not proactive and just wait for a new job or a group of new friends to turn up then that's not going to happen. But if you actively research new companies opening in your area, follow them on social media, or join groups and go out of your way to meet people, then you are more likely to get what you want.

Just common sense.

Positive people tend to be likeable. Other people will ignore their faults and put them up on a pedestal. They will also open doors for them making it easier for them to progress .

Conkersinautumn · 22/10/2023 09:59

Wishes/ prayers its all the same. You can change your mindset but you can't change the rest of the world.

CrabbiesGingerBeer · 22/10/2023 10:01

LylaLee · 22/10/2023 00:27

The flip side is victim blaming. So you manifested your cancer, SA, abuse, bankruptcy.

Yes, if you make a detailed plan, you're more likely to achieve it. If you focus on your goals you'll find more opportunities. That's all there is to it.

This. It’s a way people reassure themselves that bad things won’t happen to them because (insert latest buzz word) and that they don’t have to care about people who are suffering because those people brought that suffering on themselves or at least didn’t properly ‘manifest’ good things in their lives.

It’s probably a nice way to live if you can convince yourself - good things in your life are because you did everything ‘right’ and you can ignore the bad things in life because the individuals with financial issues / bad relationships / ill health etc. are just too lazy to fix things.

Gidrich · 22/10/2023 10:07

themothergoose · 22/10/2023 09:51

Not how I understand it. Manifestation isn't a one-size-fits-all concept or a product sold by a single entity. Instead, it's a deeply personal practice, much like prayer or meditation. Just as you wouldn't pray for misfortune, people don't manifest negativity. The core idea is that our thoughts, beliefs, and intentions have power.

Think of manifestation as a mental and emotional alignment with your desires. When you focus on what you genuinely want and reinforce it with positive affirmations, daily plans, you're essentially setting a clear intention for your life. This practice, in turn, attracts positive energies and opportunities. Positivity breeds positivity in general. People will want to be around you, you will be able to network and make your dreams a success.

For instance, when I was 15, I had a vision board filled with my dreams and aspirations. Today, I've achieved every single one of them. This isn't merely a coincidence; it's the result of consistent focus, positive thinking, and belief in the power of intention. I had no idea that what I was doing then could be perceived as manifestation.

Conversely, surrounding oneself with negativity can have the opposite effect. If you're constantly pessimistic, that energy tends to ripple out, affecting not just your mood but also your interactions, opportunities, and overall life experience. It's like a self-fulfilling prophecy: if you believe and declare failure, you're more likely to encounter it.

While having faith in a higher power or greater being can amplify the practice of manifestation, it's not a prerequisite. The principle is universal. Regardless of one's religious or spiritual beliefs, the idea remains the same: our thoughts and intentions shape our reality. It's a tool available to everyone, and its efficacy largely depends on the individual's belief and commitment to the process.

Nope. If you have achieved every one of your 15 year old dreams then you had realistic expectations for your future, taking into account your ability and opportunities etc, and you have not had a catastrophic change in circumstances.

Many people have many ‘dreams’ and aspirations that will not and could not come true because of their personal situation and their structural situation- they aren’t failing to manifest positivity or attracting negativity to themselves.

You get out what you put in in some ways- working hard at school will often pay off with good grades and earning potential, but not always. Turning up to work late everyday will often lead to being overlooked for promotion but not always- the number of factors that affect a persons trajectory through life are numerous and often outwith that’s persons control.

Yes, if you are polite and pleasant to people you will find more people are polite and pleasant back, as opposed to if you are rude and unpleasant- but that’s about as far as it goes.

Choopa · 22/10/2023 10:07

@LylaLee Its not a blanket statement meant to cover everyone's situation. I just believe it to be true in the case of my family member.

They were in an abusive situation for years and instead of taking action to leave (help was offered many times) They stayed year after year, hoping 'something' would happen to take them away. That 'if only the abuser would feel sorry ' for them, they'd change etc etc..

I was in a similar situation myself and started getting physical symptoms of asthma, lumps in breasts.. All went away when i took control of my own life and instead of expecting someone else to change, i changed my own environment. It was (and still is) hellish, but i feel like i completed a lesson that i was meant to live through.

Mothership4two · 22/10/2023 10:07

I think Tim Minchin has said he hopes his daughter dies in a car crash tomorrow to show how ridiculous he believes being able to manifest things is. She didn't.

Gidrich · 22/10/2023 10:09

Choopa · 22/10/2023 10:07

@LylaLee Its not a blanket statement meant to cover everyone's situation. I just believe it to be true in the case of my family member.

They were in an abusive situation for years and instead of taking action to leave (help was offered many times) They stayed year after year, hoping 'something' would happen to take them away. That 'if only the abuser would feel sorry ' for them, they'd change etc etc..

I was in a similar situation myself and started getting physical symptoms of asthma, lumps in breasts.. All went away when i took control of my own life and instead of expecting someone else to change, i changed my own environment. It was (and still is) hellish, but i feel like i completed a lesson that i was meant to live through.

Here we are- manifestation as victim blaming.

Choopa · 22/10/2023 10:11

@Mothership4two it didnt happen because his wish didnt align with his actual values and beliefs.

We only get what we want if it aligns with thw way we see the world and what we believe is true.

So there no point in asking for dried flowes and mansions and whatever has been thrown around, if it doesn't mean anything to you on a dep level.

Thewal · 22/10/2023 10:16

Choopa · 22/10/2023 10:11

@Mothership4two it didnt happen because his wish didnt align with his actual values and beliefs.

We only get what we want if it aligns with thw way we see the world and what we believe is true.

So there no point in asking for dried flowes and mansions and whatever has been thrown around, if it doesn't mean anything to you on a dep level.

But that’s what I read online from a manifestation expert - they said start off by manifesting something small like a white feather. So I’m manifesting dried flowers because I really want them and they align with my life - bringing nature inside and calming and so on. How else are you supposed to do this? It’s all about money and jobs etc, nothing I watched or read seemed to be spiritual in any sense if that’s what you’re harking at.

OP posts:
Choopa · 22/10/2023 10:18

@Gidrich Its not. Absolutely not.
Im myself a victim of abuse. But to find my own power in this life, i dont identify anymore as a 'victim'.

Because to identify through your tragedy, is to give your own power away. I can aknowledge what happened to me, work through the trauma, but not own it as my identity. You dont need to live your life as a victim to events or circumstances. You can own your own self and your own story and your own path. To me, that's twhat manifestation is about.

SpringIntoChaos · 22/10/2023 10:19

Yes...but it's called 'working hard to achieve your goals' in my world 👌🏻

(There is no magical solution to success!!)

JellyMops · 22/10/2023 10:27

Thewal · 22/10/2023 09:38

😂

But then where would the fun be? Although actually drying flowers does sound fun…

There you go, you also manifested fun!

Bouledeneige · 22/10/2023 10:30

Listen to Diary of a CEO or any other serious interviews with successful people. No one says they 'made it' in their chosen oevre because of manifestation. Hard work, aptitude, determination, learning, skill, luck and being good at building relationships yes.

themothergoose · 22/10/2023 10:30

@Gidrich You cannot tell me about my own life. Ultimately we have different beliefs.

Ponoka7 · 22/10/2023 10:38

What people are describing is goal setting and focusing on those goals. If manifestation worked there'd be no genocide, holocausts, starvation etc etc. The Catholic laundries for unmarried mother's, asylums, workhouses wouldn't have lasted long. Or did those people just not want to live or want their babies etc etc enough? My DD described herself as manifesting her current boyfriend. But what she did was open herself to wanting another relationship and putting boundaries in place, then she took a chance via a date.

Worddance · 22/10/2023 10:40

I think it's largely bollocks.

Gidrich · 22/10/2023 10:40

Choopa · 22/10/2023 10:18

@Gidrich Its not. Absolutely not.
Im myself a victim of abuse. But to find my own power in this life, i dont identify anymore as a 'victim'.

Because to identify through your tragedy, is to give your own power away. I can aknowledge what happened to me, work through the trauma, but not own it as my identity. You dont need to live your life as a victim to events or circumstances. You can own your own self and your own story and your own path. To me, that's twhat manifestation is about.

‘Owning’ something (presuming you mean that in the usually accepted sense of taking responsibility for something) is not something survivors of abuse should be encouraged to do. They are not responsible for their abuse in any way, shape or form.

Many people do ‘need’ to live their life as a victim to circumstance- abused children have little to no agency in their lives, disabled people can not en mass stop being disabled if they think positively , black people can not remove themselves from the effects of systemic racism… I could go on all day.

You are working on your trauma and distancing yourself from your abuse- that is brilliant. Find strength in surviving and maintaining a positive attitude for yourself, but don’t imply that other people in different situations could also definitely achieve this if only they ‘manifested positivity’.

CurlewKate · 22/10/2023 10:48

No. Because it's bonkers.

Choopa · 22/10/2023 10:48

@Gidrich I feel you are misunderstanding me on purpose.

I would never say anyone needs to manifest positively whilst they are in the middle of traumatic circumstances. It is not the time or the place to explore any deeper meanings when the focus is on survival.

And im not even talking about children or disabled here. You brought them into this conversation. I dont understand all of it. Just my own lived experience. If you are not open to it, its Ok. Just dont put words in someone elses mouth.

Mothership4two · 22/10/2023 10:48

@Choopa

We only get what we want if it aligns with thw way we see the world and what we believe is true.

Right so if it doesn't happen it is because something hasn't aligned? That sounds like a get out clause.

My friend's child died of cancer that they were born with. They didn't manifest it nor do babies born to, and affected by, addicts. Another friend's lovely lovely child died in a car accident - tragic accident not a manifestation. There are millions of people in dreadful situations at the moment due to conflict, they didn't all bring this down on themselves and I am sure would all manifest it away if they could.

On the whole I would say I have had a great life, "blessed" you could say, with a few bumps along the way. Of course some of it was down to me and my decisions but mainly it was my (human) environment and luck

Over the years people have had to fight for things they believed in such as the suffragettes and suffragists. If they had not bothered and tried to manifest it instead we would be in a very differrent world.

And if you find a lump in your breast go to your GP - I did.

Gidrich · 22/10/2023 10:52

themothergoose · 22/10/2023 10:30

@Gidrich You cannot tell me about my own life. Ultimately we have different beliefs.

I’m not telling you about your life- I’m telling you that thinking positively is not a global panacea for negative life outcomes.

There was no magical universe handing you good thing’s situation, that isn’t an opinion, it’s a fact. Magic is not real - there was a mixture of opportunity, good luck, hard work, optimism, support, determination, planning or goal setting and ability. These are the things that lead to positive outcomes-

if it was a matter of ‘being positive’, ‘putting good things out’ ‘rejecting negativity’ ’surrounding yourself in light’ and whatever other stuff is trotted out about manifesting, then no one would be in bad situations should they? Everyone would just think happy positive thoughts and have happy lives.

LolSpinner · 22/10/2023 10:59

It's complete bollox and people who believe it to be true are naive (at best) There is nothing wrong with positive thinking though.
It seems like a nice idea and it's fun to pretend. It's also perfectly ok to accept that the human brain isn't completely logical so doing illogical things isn't that weird. I don't believe in anything remotely woo but still indulge in a few silly superstitious things like crossing my fingers or similar, I know it doesn't do anything but it feels a little comforting.

Gwendimarco · 22/10/2023 11:01

I don’t think you attract good luck due to what you think, more that you notice opportunity due to what you think.

Like when you learn a new word, then suddenly see and hear it everywhere. You just didn’t take it in before, but now you notice it. The same for other things in life.

Gwendimarco · 22/10/2023 11:04

Thewal · 22/10/2023 09:14

See, and I might get flamed for this, but is it not just the same as prayer and religion? The idea that if you behave you will get what you want (a ticket to heaven)? But this is just praying for things you want now instead which you will receive if you behave yourself?

Yes I think it’s exactly like prayer and religion. You are really focused on the things that you want.

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