What I learned from 3 years of manifesting

What is the manifesting? Common Myths I've Debunked Over the Past 3 Years

I've been researching manifestation for over three years, triggered by a breakup in 2023. My boyfriend at the time had a severe narcissistic personality, which, combined with my saviour complex personality, left me emotionally and physically devastated after the relationship. It was so bad that I even called a suicide hotline, and my ex-boyfriend actually hung up the phone out of scare of losing his visa in Australia because of me. (Note: Hanging up on someone's suicide hotline is illegal.)

Because of this boyfriend, I went to see a psychologist and read over 100 psychology books. I jokingly say that because of him, I might even finish a psychology degree.

You will encounter the Law of Attraction, perhaps during one of the most confusing and heartbreaking moments of your life. I felt the same way a few years ago when I was heartbroken. Back then, I would try strange paper magic tricks to try and get back together, obsessively search for angel numbers on the street, and even try to alleviate my financial pressure by keeping a gratitude journal. But when I sat down and did the math, I realized that those seemingly lucky lottery prizes had actually broken even with the initial investment.

I want to gently advise you with my most sincere, firsthand experience: Manifestation is never a magic trick that you beg for from the outside world using metaphysics. Over the past three years, through interdisciplinary research in neuroscience and psychology, I have come to some conclusions that I hope can accompany you during this low period, helping you to let go of the anxiety of waiting and return your strength to yourself.

Misguided Approaches to Manifestation: Why are writing affirmations and listening to manifestation music ineffective?

I've tried many common manifestation techniques, such as writing affirmations, listening to manifestation music, making wishes, and writing a 6-minute gratitude journal. I don't recommend these techniques, although they have some merit. What you should understand is the underlying principles. My mistake was believing that the principles behind manifestation were metaphysics or quantum mechanics, and I even watched a lot of inspirational videos from both domestic and international influencers.There is currently no scientific evidence to prove that the mind can change the material world.You won't win the lottery the day after writing affirmations 500 times. There may be books online and influencers online, but those are all pseudoscience or videos designed to boost viewership; please don't believe them.

To prevent you from falling for charlatans or almost buying all sorts of weird online courses like I did, I'll only recommend a few books here that I think are worth reading. The following steps are excerpted from "Mind Magic": The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything by James Doty. Who is this James Doty?

James Doty is an American neurosurgeon and a well-established scientist—the founder and director of the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education(CCARE), an institution that has also been sponsored by the Dalai Lama. His own life story is a perfect example of the manifestation itself.

Manifestation from a Neuroscience Perspective: 6 Steps to Precise Manifestation

Okay, next I will introduce the most essential part of the book to you readers: what are the six steps of manifestation?

Step 1: Regain the power of concentration

Step 2: Clarify your true desires

Step 3: Eliminate mental obstacles

Step 4: Embed the intention into the subconscious

Step 5: Pursue your goals with enthusiasm

Step 6: Let go of expectations and embrace the magic of your heart.

Manifestation is actually a neuroscience concept. According to Dr. Doty, manifestation primarily utilizes four brain networks: the Default Mode Network, Central Executive Network, the Salience Network, and the attention network. When these four brain networks interact smoothly, your mind, as if by magic, can achieve anything you desire.

Have you ever heard of the angel number 111? This is what your brain's network is showing you. When you focus your attention on an intention, making your brain think it's important, you'll keep seeing the angel number. In Neville's or other manifestation books, this phenomenon is called "God is blinking at you" (which is why I don't recommend reading those books...), but it's actually just your brain's salience network system in action.

Similarly, if we consciously use our salience Network, we may be able to notice different valuable messages based on our own inclinations, ranging from opportunities to make money to understanding the good intentions of others. This is why affirmations are useful, because different affirmations can also allow the brain's alertness network to choose to

However, I still want to remind everyone that if you choose to say "I won the lottery" as a statement of certainty, you still won't win.

Recommended books on neuroscience perspective manifestation techniques

Book1:"Mind Magic": The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything by James Doty

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Many people, when learning about manifestation, will first read "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne or Neville Goddard's "The Feeling Is the Secret". I've read these too, but I don't recommend them. They don't address any real science. The authors' identities are also questionable, so they don't convince me at all. According to the law of manifestation, what the mind cannot believe is impossible. Since I can't believe in quantum mechanics or metaphysics, I must get a scientific explanation. My encounter with James Doty was purely through an interview I heard while learning tattooing in Thailand. I heard Professor Doty talking about his memories of a magic shop, and suddenly I heard him crying, which is how I noticed him. The interview is as follows:

Because of this interview, I looked up his books. Later, I also read another one of his works "Into the magic shop"

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This book is actually quite similar to another of Doty's books, except that it tells the story of his experiences at Ruth's magic shop in a different proportion.

Book 2 "Rewire": Break the Cycle, Alter Your Thoughts and Create Lasting Changeby Nicole Vignola

Book 3: Tara Swart"The Source: Open Your Mind, Change Your Life "

Studying manifestation from the perspective of neuroscience would be much more effective.