How Does Manifestation Work: A Guide to Manifest Your Dreams

What was once considered ‘woo woo’ is now commonplace in many people’s daily practices. Using methods of visualization and positive affirmations, believing our dreams into existence isn’t wishful thinking, it’s a framework. 

We’re talking about the work of legends, inspired by Michael Beckwith, Lisa Nichols, Neale Donald Walsch, and Marie Diamond…It’s the stuff of The Secret — the power of manifestation.

Chances are, you’ve heard of it. So how does manifestation work, really? And how can you put it into practice so you can manifest your dreams?

Here’s what you should know about this hot topic and the principles to use to get what you desire.

What Is Manifestation?

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The definition of manifestation, thanks to our friends at Merriam-Webster, is the act or process of making something evident through thoughts, attraction, and beliefs.

Think of it this way: have you ever thought of something so hard or so often, it came true?

Maybe you were thinking how nice a cup of coffee would be and without uttering a word, someone brought you one. Or with ‘luck,’ you seem to always find awesome parking spots at the mall. Perhaps you wanted to be part of a like-minded community and ended up meeting incredible people at Mindvalley’s A-Fest.

All of these are examples of manifestation — it is your conscious effort to trust that the Universe will provide you with exactly what you need at the time you need it.

“Every time an individual has a thought or a prolonged, chronic way of thinking, they’re in a creation process,” explains Dr. Michael Beckwith, trainer of Mindvalley’s Life Visioning Mastery Quest. “Something is going to manifest out of those thoughts.”

It’s a lot like Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, and all the legendary masters using the Force to hone in on their intentions. So yes, with manifestation practice, you, too, have Jedi-like powers.

How does manifestation work with the Law of Attraction?

When talking about manifestation, more often than not, the Law of Attraction comes to mind. It’s one of the 12 universal laws, affirming that thoughts, feelings, people, and objects tend to migrate towards other things that are the same.

It’s the universal principle of ‘like attracts like.’ To put it simply, every thought you put out there — be it positive or negative — responds in kind. So your positive thoughts attract positive experiences in your life and your negative thoughts bring negative experiences.

But here’s a little secret not many are familiar with: there’s another law that is more important than the Law of Attraction. It’s called the Law of Resonance.

What’s the Law of Resonance got to do with manifestation?

Everything in the universe — bodies, thoughts, inanimate objects, and so on — is in a constant state of movement, or what’s often referred to as vibrations. And all these things vibrate at different frequencies, like how Yoda and Darth Vader are on very different vibrational levels.

With the Law of Resonance, when the vibration of a thing is projected, it attracts the energies of the same resonance. So when it comes to you, you become like a tuning fork, radiating a frequency that activates the same energy in others, as Dr. Beckwith explains.

Now, the Law of Resonance works in synergy with the Law of Attraction. If you’re trying to manifest something — let’s say abundance — but subconsciously, you’re wired around fear or scarcity, then the laws will bring to you those exact things.

How to Manifest What You Want

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Once you’ve gone through your healing process, manifesting what you want is quite a straight-forward process. The secret (if it even is one!) is to start.

And you can begin with these eight principles:

1. Believe in yourself
2. Create an action plan
3. Take action
4. Focus on the positive
5. Visualize
6. Stay humble and grateful
7. Upgrade your beliefs
8. Become a conscious creator

Let’s take a closer look at each principle so you can start manifesting.

8 Principles of Manifestation

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As this practice builds and your belief system strengthens, the status of your life, the magnitude of your joy, and all that your heart desires will show itself. The choice for a better life is yours.

1. Believe in yourself

Easier said than done, we know. And yet the ease is there, should you choose to pursue it. 

Actually, creative visualization is a great way to initiate this becoming.

Visualize believing in yourself. Acknowledge that you are capable. And through this acknowledgment, allow the desire for a better life to build within you.

2. Create an action plan

Remember though, visualization alone will get you only so far. For the journey to continue, you must take the first step.

Write it down. Read it and then reread it. Own your plan and embody its becoming. Play with the belief that what you want is already waiting for you.

You’ve placed the order, now you’re on your way to pick it up. What have you got to lose? After all, you don’t ‘need’ what you desire, it’s just for fun.

3. Take action

Once you have a plan, take action. You need to focus only on the first step here. Complete it, and then move on to the next.

Slowly, checkpoint after checkpoint, everything will begin to unfold beautifully.

Here are five things you can start in your daily routine to help initiate the action of turning your imagination into something manifested.

1. Write down your goals, both long and short-term.
2. Practice breathing and meditation. This will help you identify your abundance blocks and open the channels to connect you to your vision.
3. Move your body with some form of activity, like yoga or intuitive dance. It can release endorphins to help boost your mood, release energy blocks, and disempowering beliefs.
4. Tell yourself, everyone you know, and even strangers what it is that you intend to accomplish.
5. Create a vision board or keep a manifestation journal that you write in daily.

Use these steps to garner momentum. Carry your new base of knowledge, and power, with you as you charge forward into whatever life has to offer next.

4. Focus on the positive

Worry, fear, anxiety, doubt, or resistance in the form of limiting beliefs, pollute and dilute your vibration. Acknowledge them for what they are, but choose to push yourself into a direction of positive thinking.

“When we shift from negatively complaining to positively affirming, conditions change. Then complaining is no longer the operative law in our life-freedom,” says Dr. Beckwith.

Remember that positive vibrations attract positive vibrations. So imagine yourself as capable and powerful, with a future that is in direct alignment with your desires. Fill every cell with love, happiness, joy, peace, and let that light, bright energy radiate outward to attract what you want.

The more you amplify positive emotions, the higher and more powerful your manifestation will be.

5. Visualize

Visualization is a powerful vibration booster.

Physical reality isn’t far behind the wonderful ideas you plant in your imagination – if you water them with love, enthusiasm, unwavering belief, and lots of happiness.

Visualize who it is that you intend to become. Visualize what you want.

Many of the truths that we cling to depend on our point of view.

— Yoda

Absorb your vision, immerse yourself within it, and begin to truly feel the coinciding emotions.

6. Stay humble and grateful

Remember to stay humble because nobody likes a big ego. The good thing is, “ego go cannot be annihilated, but it can be tamed,” says Dr. Beckwith.

So here are a few suggestions on adding a bit of modesty to your list of virtues:

• Harness the power of gratitude and remind yourself of the blessings you have on a daily basis. Keep a journal or if you’re someone who’s on the visual side, do a gratitude jar.
• Thank yourself for all the hard work you’ve put in while simultaneously thanking the Universe for honoring this work and providing you with results.
• Thank yourself for initiating the process, and find gratitude in every success and setback along the way. But do not allow your newfound success to go to your head.
• Always acknowledge who you once were and where you came from.
• Do what you can to help others realize as you have.
• Be grateful for the opportunities you have and send gratitude forward into the future for that which you are about to receive.

7. Upgrade your beliefs

Many people also have a bottleneck of positive energy when it comes to money – usually rooted in beliefs of scarcity and unworthiness.

But since money is nothing but a number and a means of exchange, do you believe in the scarcity of the things you would purchase with that money? Do you believe that you are not worthy of having food, shelter, or nice things?

If so, it’s time to have a chat – a long, deep chat – with yourself. Ask yourself where these money wounds came from. Then, see if you can challenge the authority of those beliefs.

8. Become a conscious creator

You are already a pro at manifesting. You have, for the most part unconsciously, created a default existence based on your beliefs. 

There’s no reason why you can’t create an awesome life, using the proper techniques. All you need to do is take conscious control of the manifestation process instead of defaulting according to your old beliefs.

Take action on this potential, stay humble, and focus on how grateful you are for all the opportunities life throws your way.

Create new beliefs, guide your thoughts, emotions, and visualization. Feel the delight of watching your imagination become reality. Raise your vibration by being happy and loving, and watch your dreams unfold.

How Long Does It Take for Manifestation to Work?

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There are a lot of people who are eager to see instant results. Even though manifesting something quickly is possible, you have to remember that the Universe’s timing happens when you need rather than when you want.

With that being said, although you can’t control the ‘when,’ here are three things you can do to help speed up the manifestation process:

• As you set your intention, clarify why it’s urgent.
• Stop obsessing about the outcome and demonstrate your willingness to surrender your plan to the Universe.
• Ask for a sign, which can help you release the need to control and instead, allow you to keep your eyes on the prize.

And remember the most important aspect is to believe, or as Yoda says, “You will find only what you bring in.”

The Jedi Mind Mastery Starts With You

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When you think it, feel it, and have faith in it with intent and positivity, the things you manifest will come. And if you want to learn to be Jedi-like, check out Mindvalley’s transformational growth programs, including Dr. Beckwith’s Life Visioning Mastery Quest. 

Mindvalley also provides invaluable resources that’ll help you go further to create the life you want. And better yet, as you’re navigating through the galaxy of personal development, there’s the infamous Mindvalley Tribe who will continuously have your back, just like the Jedi Council with Luke.

So here’s your sign to take the first step and do… because in life, there is no try. Welcome in.