Manifesting sure is getting a great deal of attention on the internet rn. It's being described as "Creating your own reality", but is it really that simple? Read ahead to find out.
Before we get into the complex questions, defining is really important, so there isn't any standard book which can be referred for this, but since I believe the crux/wisdom is shared by all books, I referred the one I recently read, "Good vibes, Good Life" . Other references include:
-Identity-based habits (atomic habits)
-Secret of the Lake (the monk who sold his ferrari)
-Watch the scene before you make the scene (How to talk to anyone)
Law of attraction is known to be the governing force of manifesting, while there's something missing from it, as the book states. It is the Law of vibration.
The law of attraction roughly states (as far as I understood) that we can achieve/attract anything we want in life simply by being positive about it and visualising that we already have it. Therefore, Law of attraction requires you stay positive which is definitely not possible all of the time. (Neither should you try being positive all the time, click here to know why)
Anyways, here the author mentions something called " the law of vibration" this law states that just like tuning forks, we human beings to catch vibrations around us. simply put-
"Everything in this universe is made of vibrations (i.e. atoms that are vibrating too) the more real or solid smth seems to you, the more vibrationally close you are to it, which implies that- To turn your thoughts into reality you must simply match its vibration" (improvised, good vibes good life)
These laws do make sense when explained though they are entirely-opinion based. And while some have claimed scientific proof for them, I still do not find any solid evidence. The only thing that exists is testimonials from people who claim that these laws work. Nonetheless, I strongly believe that only following these laws isn't going to get you anywhere, the most crucial part in them is expressing gratitude(like in manifesting) and of course the efforts you put.
Manifesting is supposed to be just a practice backed by those laws. It includes, paying gratitudes for what you have, visualizing what you want and lastly pretending that you already have it. According to me, the first 2 steps are the most important, the last one too but sometimes it is difficult and even harmful (due to arrogance) to do that. It will only work if you know the mechanism behind it, that is changing your entire identity, they'll work better (Read Atomic Habits for reference).
While the last two laws when put seemed like magic, and senseless, I think Manifesting in itself makes more sense, due to influencers and other people who have glorified it, people think these laws and manifestation are different phenomena but there is a contradiction in that.
If you think the answer is going to be a clear-cut yes or no, then I'm sorry I'm definitely not the person you can look upto. I answer in vague, uncertain sentences, and read ahead only if you can tolerate that. (i'm a highly subjective person deal with it.)
As for me, I haven't lived enough to try this out many times, though when I have I got mixed results. We'll get on that later, first let's analyse what truth do the components of manifesting have in them:
1.Expressing gratitude: I think, gratitude is something that completely transforms your mindset, from "wanting the have-nots" to "appreciating the haves" and while you might think it's cheesy, I think its very very essential. read more on gratitude here
2.Visualising: I don't know where this point came from but from wherever it did, it was genius. I got to know about this when I read "The Monk Who sold his Ferrari"-- My first non-fiction self -help book on my 13th birthday. In that book there was a mention of "The secret lake" where you could imagine/ visualize something you want. And this method actually works, not because I said so but because it's been observed that them more you visualise something the more chances it has to be true, because you are more clear on what to do, and clarity brings impactful action. Many athletes use this too, to imagine themselves on the day of a competition.
3.Having what you want: More popularly known as the "You already have it" mindset. I have barely used this one so I'm not really sure about it, but if it's identity based, it is more likley to work (identity-based habits last way longer, according to atomic habits)
In conclusion, while there is less evidential support for manifestation and related processes, it is not ENTIRELY a lie.
So now maybe you got your answer and even if you didn't its fine, in fact it's better, because trying and failing on your own is better than reading someone else's' experiences. Because your wisdom is yours only when you have experienced it.
Which brings me to point that, even if you think it does not work, giving a try isn't a loss. Because for me it has worked sometimes and sometimes not. But when it has, it seems truly magical.