Can We Truly Manifest What We Desire?
June 20, 2026 | Updated September 19, 2026 | By Soul on a Journey | 8 Min Read
What is Manifestation?
Satisfying Desires and Creating Realities
Confused about manifestation? That’s understandable. What does manifestation really mean? Let’s break down the different definitions. Some define manifestation as having complete control of or satisfying all of our desires. Trying to control and force outcomes can be a deeply ingrained habit for some of us. In this sense, manifestation would be more like willing our reality into existence.
Others define manifestation as the ongoing, continuous process of using our thoughts, emotions, intentions, beliefs, and actions to create our desired reality. Although, creating our reality may not be the most accurate way to look at it. More on that later. While we may have the capability to manifest whatever we desire, perhaps the more pertinent question is if we should be clinging to desires?
For those who want to transcend the limitations of maya rather than remain complacent in them, would their time be better spent trying to let go of aversions, attachments, and desires? There are varying thoughts on this. For example, Swami Mukundananda (Bhakti Yog Saint & Yoga Teacher) explains that desire itself isn’t wrong. It’s considered intrinsic to our material experience. The key is what we desire. Some attachments and desires elevate us while others degrade us. We’ve experienced this firsthand through our late night food choices.
On the surface, it could appear that The Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) advocated for ceasing all desires since he explained that desires can cause suffering (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, SN: 56:11). But, he also explained that suffering can lead to faith –> joy –> calm –> pleasure –> insight –> detachment –> and liberation. So if desires can eventually lead to liberation, perhaps it’s best to not look at them as necessarily good or bad, but as catalysts for transformation.
Attracting Our Desired Reality
It’s said that what we’re really doing when we manifest is attracting (magnetizing) our desired reality to us through positive thinking or embodiment, as with the law of attraction or law of resonance. The law of attraction is the principle that like attracts like — our thoughts, beliefs, and expectations shape our awareness, actions, and outcomes. It’s sometimes presented as a way to manifest our desires through positive thinking, visualization, and affirmations. Neuroplasticity is linked to the law of attraction because it suggests that the brain can rewire itself based on our thoughts and beliefs — meaning we can attract what we focus on and desire.
The law of resonance is the principle that we do not get what we want. Instead, we get a reflection of who we are. For example, we can affirm every day that we want to create more abundance. But, if we actually feel lack, then it’s likely we will manifest more lack — whether we’re conscious of it or not. In this sense, manifestation can be seen as shifting our energetic signature or vibrational frequency so that we become a vibrational match to the experience we want to manifest and the entity we want to become. Both the law of attraction and law of resonance seem to promote the idea that we must close the gap between what we internally want and the energy we’re radiating out to manifest it.
Is it possible that manifestation is not entirely about getting what we want or controlling outcomes? Perhaps it is more like a collaboration. Gabby Bernstein (Author, Speaker & Podcast Host) suggests that manifestation is about trusting that the universe is working on our behalf and that everything is working out for our spiritual growth and the highest good — even if we don’t know how or when things will happen. As she often explains, one’s individual plan may not be the best plan for everyone. Ergo, perhaps we should look to our higher selves and spiritual guides for guidance so that we can effectively collaborate and co-create with the universe.
Are We Really Co-Creators of Reality?
Do we really have the capability and free will to co-create and manifest what we desire? Autobiography of a Yogi (12:100) explains that thought is a force and whatever our minds believe very intensely will instantly come to pass. Let us not forget the scientific evidence generated from Maharishi Effect studies as well as double slit and mind over matter experiments.
The Law of One corroborates our co-creation capabilities explaining that there are creative principles or logos (love) which design their own galactic realities, systems, natural laws, and ways of expressing those realities through holographic styles. And essentially, each of us, once sufficiently awakened, is considered a logos or sub-logos. Even The Kybalion (38-39) explains that by accessing a higher consciousness level or plane of existence we can become causers instead of effectors or movers instead of pawns. This would allow us to obey the causation of higher planes of existence while helping to govern lower ones.
This all suggests that creation and manifestation can be seen as a collaboration between us, our higher selves, and the universe. In this sense, we are all considered co-creators of reality. We’ll let that sink in for a second.
Manifesting is the process of co-creating with the universe to attract or embody the experiences we want.
What Are the Secrets to Manifestation?
Wanting, Believing, Embodying, and Becoming
How do we manifest what we desire? There are many different methods for manifestation. But, most seem to include fundamental practices which are said to increase the likelihood that our desires will manifest or be drawn to us. These fundamental practices include setting clear intentions and goals, broadcasting affirmations, visualizing experiences, and acting with intention and receptivity. Essentially, it’s about wanting, believing, embodying, and becoming the intention and goal.
Steve Pavlina (Personal Development Coach) suggests a simplified process of generating manifestation results. He views thoughts in the context of thought content and thought energy. The gist is that without thought energy, there is no passion, activity, or results. Let’s break this down. Thought content is considered the raw information of a thought minus emotion — like what internally comes to mind when we think of a banana. And thought energy is considered the emotional intensity of a thought — like how we feel when we think about the banana. The ultimate cause of this chain of events is our original intention — like setting the intention to eat a banana. He thinks of it like this:
Intention (Thought Content + Thought Energy) –> Passion + Direct Action + Passive Manifesting –> Results
To further expand on the banana example, we can think of a banana, but if we think of it with joy (woohoo, I’m about to eat a yummy banana) versus griping about it (yuck, I don’t want to eat a bland-tasting banana), then our subjective experience will be different. It will also be different based on the intensity of the joy or hatred we feel.
Another way to look at it is that we can spend hours projecting thoughts with great content (like reciting daily affirmations) but without the emotion behind them, it’s likely there will be little passion, activity, or results. He explains that emotion is to energy as heat is to fire. They’re related but not the same. This is why manifestation is considered a repetitious process grounded in projecting and embodying the right intentions.
So without further ado, below are the manifestation steps that resonate with us thus far in our process. While each entity’s process may be different, there does seem to be a consensus on these fundamental steps.
1. Establish Clear Intentions and Goals
Our research suggests that one of the first steps to manifesting is establishing a clear goal (destination) and setting a clear intention (compass). Because we’re said to concentrate a ton of energy and attention during the process, it’s suggested that we focus on one goal at a time. Essentially, we have to clearly decide what it is we want and the mindset we’ll need to have to achieve it. For example, if we want to manage website content (goal) then our intention could be to manage with joy, integrity, and honesty. Having goals like wanting to be happy or manifesting abundance could be a bit vague. Ergo, it’s suggested that we expand on what our idea of happiness and abundance would be.
It’s also suggested that we understand the motivation behind why we want something. What’s the bigger picture? What’s the vision? So, why is motivation important? Because, as Steve Pavlina suggests, our thoughts consist of thought content and thought energy, with polarity being a component of thought energy. Essentially, polarizing a thought means energizing it with directional energy — outward or inward energy. He explains that there isn’t a right or wrong choice except not choosing at all because mixed polarities could cancel each other out. This means we can set intentions that involve:
- Outward energy flow (masculine principle) – broadcasts out, consciousness projects out to the universe
- Inward energy flow (feminine principle) – draws in or magnetizes, consciousness attracts from the universe
Here’s something else to ponder. Sarah Elkhaldy (Spiritual Teacher & Energy Healer) suggests that the universe is both unconditional and biased. It’s biased toward the highest good, providing experiences that support our spiritual growth, and making us equal to the universe. Why is this important? Because it suggests that the more inline our intentions and goals are with the highest good, then the more likely the universe will support them. Similar to Steve Pavlina, she explains that one way to do this is to shift our intention from receiving to giving (law of equivalence of form).
Power in numbers is also corroborated by the Law of One which breaks down manifestation in the context of daydreams. Essentially, if a daydream concerns the self and others this would increase the probability of it manifesting into reality (16:54-56). Perhaps the gist is that we must decide if our intentions are serving others or just ourselves. Once we’ve established our goal + intention, then we can create an affirmation. Affirmations are a great way to combine our future goal with our intended mindset. We use them often. Here’s an example of an affirmation based on our earlier website manager goal example:
I am a tech-savvy website manager who updates website content with joy, integrity, and honesty, managing websites that foster service to others, unity consciousness, and spreading positivity in the universe.
This affirmation combines our future goal (updating website content) with our intention (updating with joy, integrity, and honesty). And by framing it in the present tense (I am), we can train our brains to act and think like the website manager we want to become. Why does this structure work for manifestation?
- “I am a tech-savvy website manager…” shifts our identity immediately, which builds confidence and trust in ourselves.
- “…who updates website content with joy, integrity, and honesty…” keeps us anchored to our core intention and daily action.
- “…managing websites that foster service to others, unity consciousness, and spreading positivity in the universe.” attracts the high-vibrational outcome of a website manager while being open to the universe to manifest the outcome in whatever way it sees fit.
2. Broadcast Affirmations and Gratitude
Consistently broadcasting our affirmations out into the universe as electromagnetic signatures or thought energy is considered an important step in the manifestation process. How do we broadcast our affirmations? It can be done many ways, but our research suggests that each way should be grounded in positivity, trust, and optimism. Thinking the affirmation, putting it in a tangible form (e.g. written or typed), reading or reciting it out loud, and incorporating it in meditation are ways that resonate with us.
For example, we’ve memorized several affirmations that we recite to ourselves constantly throughout the day — ensuring that we’re infusing each with positivity and joy. Writing and typing affirmations also comes in handy since it makes them easier to read out loud and helps with memorization. Perhaps putting affirmations in a tangible form creates a tangible contract with ourselves and the universe, fueling intrinsic motivation and accountability. Or maybe the physical act forces our brains to filter information, treating affirmations as important and storing them in long-term memory. Regardless, there is scientific evidence to back up the effectiveness of writing/typing.
Based on a goal influencer study done by Dr. Gail Matthews at the Dominican University of California, out of the 267 participants, those who wrote (typed into an online survey) their goals accomplished significantly more than those who didn’t. Those who not only wrote their goals, but also sent their goals, action commitments, and weekly progress reports to a supportive friend performed the highest. Based on this data, writing is definitely a practice worth trying. One way to try it is using the 369 goal writing method.
369 Goal Writing Method
The 369 method is considered a practical technique for writing our goals, often associated with the law of attraction. Why is 369 considered so powerful? Mainly because it helps us bridge the gap between wishing and achieving. So how does the 369 method work? Essentially, we write our affirmation down:
- 3 times right after we wake up – this helps to keep us focused
- 6 times during midday – this helps to maintain our momentum and keep us aligned with the goal
- 9 times before bed – this helps to embed the intention and goal in our subconscious mind overnight
It’s suggested we perform the 369 method anywhere from 21 to 45 consecutive days. Repetition is key because it’s said to keep us focused and aligned with our goal. Not only this, but every time we write and think the affirmation, it’s said that we’re broadcasting it out into the universe. Could infusing emotion into the writing process help boost results? More on that shortly, but all possibilities are there fellow souls.
Meditation Method
Another way to broadcast our affirmations is through meditation. Meditation can help us increase our concentration and/or quiet the mind so that we can connect with our higher selves, spiritual guides, and the universe in a more direct way. As suggested by Silva Method Meditation (a form of mindfulness meditation), once we enter into the alpha state of consciousness where our brain waves slow down to 8 to 13 Hz, the mind becomes more receptive and open to positive suggestions.
Essentially, if we can consistently attain the alpha state or an alpha-like state of mind every day, then we could more effectively broadcast our affirmations and co-create with the universe, our spiritual guides, and our higher-selves. Through meditation we can also express gratitude to everyone for what we already have and for what is yet to come. Staying positive and expressing gratitude is a great way to help attract more positivity into our lives, which will bring us closer to achieving the type of mindset intended through our affirmations.
3. Visualize the Future
Visualization is also considered a key component of successful manifestation. What is mental visualization? Mental visualization is the process of intentionally forming visual images, graphical representations, and scenarios in our mind. For manifestation purposes, it involves imagining our future goals or the steps needed to reach them using all of our senses. This is said to train the brain for success. Sarah Elkhaldy takes this a step further, explaining that we need to have a visceral, gut-level experience of what we want to manifest so our emotional bodies or subconscious (magnetic or feminine aspect of energy field) can draw it in. We must feel the joy of achieving our goal right now.
Dr Joe Dispenza (Author, Researcher & Lecturer) seems to agree. He explains that whatever change we wish to experience or goal we want to acheive requires a coherent heart and brain. This means both setting a clear intention that broadcasts electromagnetic signatures out and feeling the emotion of when the intention comes to fruition which draws opportunities and experiences in. Broadcasting a clear intention is considered a function of a coherent brain (masculine principle). And feeling the emotion of when that intention comes to fruition is considered a function of a coherent heart (feminine principle). We must want, believe, embody, and become the intention and goal.
He further suggests that when we feel as if our intentions have already came to pass, we’re no longer separated from the goal. This is because the brain doesn’t know the difference between what we feel and what has or hasn’t happened yet. Ergo, we should focus on becoming the future before it happens since the brain will function as if the experience has already happened anyway. The gist is that changing our mind, changes our brain, and when we change our brain, our mind changes — creating an evolutionary cycle.
Can visualization be as powerful as action in terms of altering reality? Consider the free throw visualization study conducted by Dr. Biasiotto at the University of Chicago in 1996. It suggests that mental practice alone can yield near-identical improvements to physical practice in skills like basketball free throws.
Dr Joe Dispenza even talks about a study that was done where entities mentally rehearsed one-handed finger exercises two hours daily for five days. They demonstrated the same brain changes as those who physically performed the same movements. The Law of One (49:8) further supports this by explaining that the power of thought and consciousness is a fundamental creative force. Ergo, thoughts can be as potent as actions.
4. Act With Intention and Receptivity
Acting with intention is considered one of the final steps in the manifestation process. How do we act with intention? Ultimately, we should ensure that our thoughts, decisions, dreams, beliefs, emotions, energy flow, focus, and daily actions — all aspects of our entire being — are unwaveringly and consistently aligned with our intention and goal. Sarah Elkhaldy takes this a step further suggesting that we should perform the inner work to reach oneness and unity consciousness. Tapping into the power of unity consciousness is said to give us the force to manifest more faster and in a more synchronistic way.
Essentially, the more consistently this entire process happens, without clinging to how our goals will manifest, the more likely our goals will come to fruition. Ergo, not only does manifestation involve setting goals and embodying intentions, but it also involves surrender. We must be open, positive, and grateful for whatever plan the universe, our higher selves, and spiritual guides has in store to help us become a version of ourselves that is already equal to what we want to manifest. We know, it seems a tad bit complicated.
One of the best ways we’ve found to be receptive is to release resistance to love, trust, and worthiness. We look at it as trusting that whatever is meant for us is already in motion. This includes allowing the universe to provide the necessary experiences and catalysts that would heal any subconscious blocks that are hindering the process. Gabby Bernstein suggests that in the absence of resistance we become magnets for more greatness. Why is this?
This is because our thoughts and feelings are said to send energetic messages throughout the cosmos. Essentially, our energetic blueprint or vibrational frequency is always radiating energetic messages throughout the universe. And it’s said that the universe will always respond accordingly — based on the laws of attraction and resonance. Will our plans manifest right way? Sometimes our plans may not manifest right away and that’s ok. Results can take time and vary based on the goals, processes, and circumstances. In the meantime, we’ve found that it’s important that our mindsets and actions remain positive, grateful, trusting, and dedicated to this wonderfully collaborative process.
We can manifest by clarifying our intentions, broadcasting affirmations, visualizing the future, trusting in ourselves and the universe, and acting with intention.
What Blocks Manifestation?
Resistance to Love and Trust
It may seem like manifestation is easy, but it takes hard work and commitment. Whether or not our goals manifest and when seems to depend on several factors. For starters, how clearly our intentions and goals are defined, how much they align with the highest good, how much they align with the rest of the universe, our level of focus, our stability, our thoughts, our doubts, and our actions, to name a few. Impediments also factor into manifestation.
What are some impediments of manifestation? There are impediments imposed by ourselves (like karma, lack mentality, and life plans) and those imposed by each plane of existence or consciousness level (like gravity and the veil of amnesia).
Gabby Bernstein suggests that the biggest impediments to manifesting are resistance to love and trust. She explains how we can grow to rely on our egos rather than trusting the universe for safety and security because we’re more comfortable in a state of fear. But as soon as we release control, we can become co-creators with the universe and magnets for what we desire.
Why Should We Trust the Universe?
We try to not get too caught up with specific outcomes or thinking we know best. This has caused us tremendous disappointment in the past. As Gabby Bernstein points out, our higher selves and spiritual guides probably have a more well-rounded plan in place than ours, mainly because they can consider factors that we may not be aware of. So the next time we affirm landing a promotion at work, we should think twice because we might be blocking a better opportunity that the universe has already set in motion. Ergo, as co-creators, it’s important that we remain receptive, collaborative, and flexible — not getting too attached to how and when things will happen.
We’ve experienced this firsthand. We’ve tried to plan every aspect of our lives, convince others to see things our way, numb out addictive patterns, and wish for certain outcomes that only really benefit us. But, we’ve been fortunate to have wonderful souls in our lives that won’t co-sign our BS. Meaning, they helped bring awareness to the controlling aspects of our nature. And we are eternally grateful to them!
Once we were able to acknowledge our impediments, we could forgive ourselves, let go, and surrender to spiritual guidance. Dramatically reducing control and trusting the universe, our higher selves, and our spiritual guides to collaborate with us and, in most cases, take the reins completely, has worked wonders for us. We’re less stressed and find that things, more often, seem to magically work out for us. But, when they don’t seem to, that’s ok too.
I surrender my goals and plans to the care of my higher self and guides. I accept spiritual guidance from the universe and ask for the highest good for all. I trust there is a plan far greater than mine. I step back to let love and wisdom lead the way. Thank you everyone for supporting and co-creating with me.
Accepting Everything With Equanimity
What happens when we stop controlling and surrender to forces more tapped in than ourselves? Perhaps this is when true transformation can actually begin. For us, it’s when we started to notice and question the synchronicities and unexpected turns that came about. Understanding that we’re not just a magnet for desires but also a mirror for the universe, a witness, and an active participant, has better equipped us to align with the universe. It’s also helped us accept everything that comes our way with equanimity.
What is equanimity? Equanimity is considered a state of emotional balance where we remain steady during all situations — pleasant or stressful. And how do we accept everything with equanimity? The Bhagavad Gita offers some examples of what it means to accept everything with equanimity (2:48-51, 14:24-25):
- Embracing success and failure equally
- Being indifferent to pleasure and pain
- Accepting both blame and praise the same way
- Treating both friends and adversaries alike
After all, if we place our trust in the universe, then this essentially means that we accept there is something greater at play than ourselves and our plans. Perhaps this also means that regardless of what’s happening to us, we trust that it’s for our highest good. This always gives us solace. Ergo, we try to always embrace the uncertainty. Make no mistake. Being unaffected and unattached by outcomes (Bhagavad Gita, 2:47-51) can sometimes be difficult. But practice makes progress, right?
The biggest impediments to manifesting are resistance to loving ourselves and others and lack of trust in the universe to implement a plan far greater than ours.
What If Manifestation Doesn't Work?
Stay Positive, Ask for A Sign or Re-Evaluate
We certainly have experience with manifestation not working. We tried several approaches prior to writing this article and only one has been successful thus far — manifesting a new truck. This article is a reflection of our re-evaluation of the manifestation process based on new learnings. But, we digress. It’s suggested that if the manifestation process isn’t working we can do several things.
One would be to give it more time. It’s possible the process is working but certain things haven’t fallen into place yet. But, if that option doesn’t resonate, another option would be to ask the universe, our higher selves, or our guides for a sign that we’re moving in the right direction — for us “right” means the path of least resistance. If one doesn’t want to take that route, then perhaps a re-evaluation of the process would help.
Sometimes it can be frustrating to get processes just right, but we try not to lose hope. Losing hope and trust could lead one down a longer path. This raises an interesting question. Is there a dark side to manifesting? Anything that’s not done consciously has the potential to cause harm — manifestation is no exception. Because it can sometimes lead to unrealistic expectations, shame, victim blaming, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and overconfidence, we try to practice manifestation techniques consciously.
When in doubt, sometimes it helps to remind ourselves that this reality is not as it seems. If that doesn’t work and we’re still focused on outcomes and lack mentalities, then we just take a page from the Peter Gibbons playbook in the movie Office Space. Hilarious.
