Manifesting is all the rage these days. It’s about how to use your mind to will your goals into existence by using tools such as meditation, guided visualization, vision boards, and other rituals that many believe can make big things happen for anyone. Is this true, and is this something a Catholic should be get involved in?

The answer to this question is – it all depends. If you’re visualizing your dreams in order to keep yourself motivated toward achieving them by virtue of your own efforts, there’s nothing wrong with this.

However, the popular new practice of manifesting goes much further than this. It’s an updated version of the Law of Attraction but it’s now sporting a shiny new package that fits today’s ego-centric mindset. Known simply as “manifesting”, it’s described as “essentially willing your goals into existence” by realizing that “our thoughts are energy” and have a power all their own.

Citing the writings of New Age guru Rhonda Byrne of The Secret, who believed that “your whole life is a manifestation of the thoughts that go on in your head,” this article correctly points out that the manifesting craze is based on the New Thought movement of 19th century spiritualist Phineas Quimby and philosophical and religious traditions such as Hinduism and Transcendentalism – none of which are compatible with Christianity.

Although there are many different ways to manifest, it starts with deciding on what we really want for ourselves, then envisioning this goal through the use of a vision board or some kind of visualization meditation. The person should be as detailed as possible about this goal, such as writing down exactly how much money is desired, and then imagining what it would feel like to have this money, etc.

Moon Onyx Starr, one of the experts consulted in this article, said working on your mindset is the key to manifesting. “If you want to attract money into your life but you have negative emotions and limiting beliefs surrounding money, then you’re actually preventing it from coming into your life,” she says. “The same goes for love, success or anything else that you would like to manifest.”

Once you’ve described your goals, envisioned what it will feel like to achieve them, and corrected your mindset to eliminate all “limiting beliefs,” then it’s time to take whatever actions you can toward the goal.

“Put in whatever work you can from your side to move you closer towards your goal, and leave the rest to the universe,” the article states.

It’s also helpful for the person to “raise your vibration” by practicing yoga or other meditation techniques, eating a plant-based diet, listening to self-development podcasts, and practicing gratitude.

Finally, the manifester must be willing to be open and receptive to whatever the universe wants.

“Energy flows, where attention goes. Give loving energy to whatever is in line with your goals. Once you are in this state of flow, you will begin to attract more of the right people and situations to help you fulfil your goals.”

Some manifesters say a person should start off their day with some kind of manifestation practice such as breathwork or meditation and end it by visiting their vision board or some other exercise where they refocus on their goal.

Another popular example of a manifestation practice is the 3-6-9 Manifesting Method which went viral on TikTok. It involves writing down your goal three times in the morning, six times during the day, and nine times in the evening. The method was invented by a Serbian-
American inventor named Nikola Tesla who believed the numbers 3, 6, and 9 were “divine numbers” that were the “key to the universe.”

This blogger believes the affirmation should be held for 17 seconds because this was the amount of time that New Thought guru Abraham Hicks determined is needed to create the energy of the thought. https://themanifestationcollective.co/369-manifestation-method/

“For example, if we focus on the thought of love for 17 seconds, our brain then starts to create more and more of that energy, in turn, aligning you to that of what you are claiming.”

There is a wide variety of manifestation techniques available on the Internet, but they essentially all preach the same thing. We don’t need God or His will to determine our future. We can create it ourselves through the power of our minds and with the guidance and cooperation of the universe.

Does this sound very Catholic to you?

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