It's hard to think of a self-help term that inspires more evangelists and eyerolls than manifestation. Devotees swear the law of attraction, Lucky Girl Syndrome, and the power of positive thinking makes dreams come true. Skeptics write the whole thing off as delulu. If you're reading this, you're probably somewhere in the middle and wondering how to manifest your goals. Can vision-boarding and high vibes really get you everything you want in life?
We're not here to take the magic out of manifesting—because there's nothing wrong with having faith that a higher power has your back. That said, there's some very real science behind the way manifestation can work. And if you're someone who needs a logical explanation, we got you.
What is manifestation?
You can trace key manifestation concepts as far back as ancient traditions like Hinduism, says neuroscientist and psychologist Sabina Brennan, PhD, author of The Neuroscience of Manifesting. But modern-day manifesting is more directly rooted in a 19th-century American metaphysical movement called New Thought, which taught that positive thinking was powerful enough to heal illness and attract wealth. "By thought, the thing you want is brought to you; by action you receive it," wrote Wallace D. Wattles in The Science of Getting Rich in 1910.
Nearly 100 years later, Wattles's work helped inspire The Secret, the 2006 documentary and bestseller that brought manifesting into the mainstream. And it looks pretty much the same on social media today.
Some psychologists have a different take on what manifestation really is, though. "You can't magically make something happen. But you can change your reality and your future through conscious focus and action. And that can feel magical," Dr. Brennan says. "I think it's much more empowering to understand that the power lies within you."
For Dr. Brennan, manifesting means making conscious decisions about a future you would like to have and then taking steps to bring that future to life. "By consciously directing our thoughts and emotions, we can influence our actions—and the events in our lives." That's the point of manifestation practices like visualizing, intention-setting, and affirmations, she adds.
How does manifesting work?
OK, let's get into the science. One of the key scientific principles at work in manifesting is neuroplasticity, or the brain's ability to change based on life experiences, says neuropsychologist Emiliana Simon-Thomas, PhD.
Here's the gist: When we have thoughts and feelings or take action, we strengthen the neural pathways in our brains that make those thoughts, feelings, and actions possible. Over time, you "wire in" patterns of thinking and being, adds counseling psychologist Dan Tomasulo, PhD, author of The Positivity Effect.
Keep reading for 8 tips on how to manifest your goals!
Nema komentara:
Objavi komentar