Mystique of Manifestation: Sculpting Reality
To understand manifestation, we must journey back to ancient philosophies and spiritual teachings. In Eastern philosophies, particularly within Hinduism and Buddhism, the concept of ‘Sankalpa’ or intention is paramount. It suggests that focused intention with a clear vision and a pure heart, has the power to shape one’s reality. This aligns closely with the Buddhist teaching of ‘Pratītyasamutpāda’ or dependent origination, which posits that all phenomena arise in interdependence and not in isolation. In Western thought, traces of manifestation can be found in the works of philosophers like Aristotle, who emphasized the power of potentiality and actuality – the transformation of what ‘could be’ into what ‘is’. This idea was further nuanced in the Hermetic traditions, particularly in the principle of ‘As above, so below’, suggesting a mirror-like relationship between the macrocosm (the universe) and the microcosm (the individual). In psychology, manifestation finds resonance with the theory of self-fulfilling prophecy and the placebo effect. The former, proposed by sociologist Robert K. Merton, argues that believing in a certain outcome can indeed cause it to occur, primarily through the lens of expectation influencing behavior. The placebo effect, a well-documented phenomenon in medical science, further illustrates how belief can result in tangible changes in the physical body.
Is manifestation empirical or imaginary? The answer is nuanced. While certain aspects, like the placebo effect, have empirical evidence, other elements tread into the subjective and personal realms of belief and faith, which evade empirical scrutiny.
When individuals set an intention, their subconscious mind begins aligning thoughts and actions towards the desired outcome. This alignment can often result in heightened awareness of opportunities and a greater propensity to take actions that lead towards the goal. Manifestation often emphasizes the importance of ‘feeling’ the reality of the desired outcome. This emotional resonance might act as a catalyst for more profound engagement with one’s goals, thereby increasing the likelihood of their realization. Manifestation is not a magic wand. The constraints of physical reality, combined with personal limitations (skills, resources, timing), play a significant role. Moreover, a misunderstanding of manifestation as merely ‘wishing’ without corresponding action leads to its ineffectiveness. The universe is not entirely predictable. Random events and external factors beyond one’s control can influence outcomes, irrespective of one’s intentions or actions.
Manifestation often works more effectively at the level of basic needs because these needs are more deeply connected to our survival instincts and thus, may be more intensely focused upon. Desires, especially those that are more whimsical or less aligned with our core values and needs, might not hold the same power in our psyche, leading to lesser focus and energy directed towards them.
Psychologically, when we set an intention to manifest something, it often creates a state of cognitive dissonance – a psychological tension between our current reality and our desired state. Leon Festinger’s theory suggests that we are intrinsically motivated to reduce this dissonance. This motivation can lead to a change in attitude or behavior, aligning more closely with the desired outcome. When we are focused on manifesting a particular outcome, we tend to notice and give importance to events and information that support our beliefs or desires. This selective attention can sometimes make the process of manifestation seem more effective than it might objectively be. A common misconception is that manifestation is solely about attracting what you desire through thought. This overlooks the necessity of action and the multifaceted nature of human experiences where external factors and chance also play significant roles. While the idea of manifesting one’s destiny is empowering, it can oversimplify the complexities of life’s challenges. Issues like systemic inequality, health problems, and other factors often cannot be resolved merely through positive thinking or intention setting.
The subconscious mind is a powerful aspect of our psyche, operating below the level of conscious awareness. It plays a critical role in manifestation. Our deep-seated beliefs, often formed in childhood and shaped by our experiences, reside here. These beliefs can either propel us towards our goals or hold us back. The process of manifestation often involves reprogramming the subconscious to align with our conscious desires. Visualization, a key technique in manifestation practices, leverages the brain’s neuroplasticity. By repeatedly visualizing a desired outcome, we can potentially rewire our brain to be more attuned to opportunities and actions that can make the visualization a reality. This practice can create mental and emotional readiness, aligning our internal state with our external actions. The power of manifestation comes with responsibility. It raises questions about ethics and intentions. For instance, manifesting at the expense of others or for purely selfish gains goes against many spiritual teachings’ emphasis on compassion and interconnectedness.
Carl Jung’s concept of the Shadow Self is pivotal in understanding manifestation. The Shadow encompasses the parts of ourselves we reject or ignore. When these aspects are unacknowledged, they can sabotage our manifesting efforts. For instance, if someone desires success but subconsciously harbors a fear of failure or unworthiness, these shadow elements can hinder manifestation. The nature of desire itself is complex. Desires are not always straightforward or conscious. They can be influenced by societal expectations, past traumas, or unmet childhood needs. Understanding and untangling these desires is crucial in manifestation, as conflicting or unconscious desires can lead to mixed results or unfulfilled outcomes.
Many spiritual traditions, such as Buddhism, advocate for non-attachment to outcomes. This presents a paradox in manifestation: How does one intensely desire and visualize an outcome while simultaneously practicing detachment from it? Balancing intense desire with a state of inner peace and acceptance is a nuanced aspect of manifestation. At the heart of this complexity is the human psyche itself, an intricate and layered entity. The conscious mind, where intentions and desires are actively formed, is just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath this lies the vast expanse of the subconscious, a realm filled with deeply ingrained beliefs, past experiences, and emotional patterns. Often, these subconscious elements are not in complete harmony with our conscious desires. This discord can subtly undermine our efforts at manifestation, creating an internal resistance that might not be immediately apparent. This inner landscape is often a repository of contradictory desires, fears, and conditioning from past experiences. For instance, a person might consciously desire success but subconsciously fear it due to past experiences of failure or a deep-seated belief that they are unworthy of success. These subconscious elements create a complex inner dialogue, often leading to a manifestation process that is less straightforward and more convoluted than initially assumed.
A central paradox in the art of manifestation is the balance between control and surrender. On one hand, manifestation requires a clear vision and proactive effort towards achieving our goals. On the other hand, there is a need for surrender – an acceptance of the unknown and an acknowledgment that not everything is within our control.
This balance is not a static state but a dynamic equilibrium, constantly shifting as we navigate through life. It involves recognizing our co-creative role in the universe while also understanding that the universe has its own wisdom and timing. In many spiritual traditions, this surrender is not seen as a weakness but as a strength – a deep trust in the larger cosmic order.
Manifestation is also intimately tied to the concepts of timing and synchronicity. The universe operates on its own rhythms and cycles, which do not always align with our personal timelines. Sometimes, what we wish for does not manifest not because the intention is flawed, but because the timing is not right. Synchronicity, a term coined by Carl Jung, refers to meaningful coincidences that seem to defy conventional explanations. In the context of manifestation, synchronicity can be seen as the universe’s way of aligning our intentions with the right opportunities and connections. These synchronicities are often markers that we are in harmony with the larger flow of life, guiding us towards our goals in ways that our rational minds may not immediately comprehend.
If we’re not tired of reading, let’s delve deeper into it to understand the finer nuances of “Manifesting in the Now”!
When we manifest in the now, our focus is not on a future goal but on the quality and richness of our present experience. This form of manifestation is about aligning with the current moment, fully engaging with it, and allowing it to unfold naturally. It’s a state of being deeply rooted in the present, where every action and thought is an expression of our intention to be fully alive and aware in the here and now. In this state, the power of manifestation is not directed toward changing or obtaining something in the future, but in transforming the present moment. It’s about bringing a quality of awareness, gratitude, and intentionality to whatever we are experiencing. This approach often involves a heightened sense of awareness and mindfulness, where each action and thought is infused with a conscious presence.
Manifesting in the now aligns closely with the concept of non-attachment found in various spiritual traditions. Non-attachment doesn’t mean not caring about outcomes; rather, it’s about not being controlled by the desire for specific outcomes. This approach allows for a more fluid interaction with life, where one is open to the myriad possibilities that each moment presents, free from the constraints of rigid expectations. The ‘now’ is often viewed as the only true reality. Past and future are seen as constructs of the mind, illusions that distract from the full experience of life. In this context, manifesting in the now becomes a practice of deep spiritual significance. It’s about aligning with the eternal present, where all of life’s potentialities exist in a state of pure possibility.
Here Time is realised as an illusion, a linear construct that confines the boundless nature of consciousness. By focusing on manifesting in the now, one steps out of the confines of chronological time and into a more fluid, timeless state of being. This state is often described as experiencing the eternal ‘now’, where every moment holds infinite potential and is complete in itself. The concept of desire is paradoxical. While desires are seen as natural, there’s an emphasis on non-attachment to them. Manifesting in the now, therefore, involves a balance between honoring one’s desires and simultaneously releasing attachment to their outcomes. It’s about fully engaging with life as it is, without being ensnared by the relentless pursuit of specific goals.
Intention is more than just a goal or a desire. It’s a powerful force that shapes the energy and direction of our lives. By focusing on the present, intentions are set not for future outcomes but for the quality and experience of the present moment. Manifesting in the now is seen as a tool for the transformation of consciousness. It shifts the focus from external achievements to internal growth and understanding, fostering a deeper connection with the self and the universe. This practice aligns with the belief that the universe operates in a state of perfect harmony and balance. By focusing on the now, one aligns with this cosmic rhythm, experiencing life as a seamless flow rather than a series of disjointed events.
Let’s touch little bit on the illusion of separation as well – the false belief that we are distinct and isolated from the rest of existence. This illusion is perpetuated by our adherence to linear time. In the practice of manifesting in the now, this illusion begins to fade. The present moment is understood not as a fleeting point between past and future, but as the eternal ‘now’ – a timeless space where all of existence converges.
Consciousness is not static but fluid and ever-changing. It’s like a river flowing through the landscape of reality, constantly reshaped by its interactions with the external world and internal states. Manifesting in the now becomes an act of navigating this fluidity, understanding the transient nature of thoughts and emotions, and aligning with the deeper currents of consciousness.
The deepest aspect of manifesting in the now is self-realization – the understanding of one’s true nature beyond the ego and individual identity. In this state, manifestation is not about bringing desires into reality but realizing that one’s essential nature is already whole and complete. In this space, manifestation is experienced as an alignment with the cosmic dance of creation, where the distinction between the manifestor and the manifested blurs with the ultimate realisation “Manifestor is manifested”.
Dissecting Risk: Risk Reevaluated
To understand risk, one must first examine its intertwined relationship with fear and uncertainty. Fear, in many respects, is a primal instinct, a protective mechanism that has evolved over millennia to ensure our survival. When faced with uncertainty, fear is our brain’s way of signaling possible danger. This fear then transmutes into the perception of risk. If we dissect the concept further, risk is not merely the chance of a negative outcome; it is the variability of all possible outcomes, both positive and negative.
Historically, our ancestors perceived risk in terms of immediate threats to survival. A rustling in the bushes could be a predator; consuming an unknown fruit could be poisonous. The decision to confront or flee from such situations was binary and rooted in the immediate need for survival. Over time, as societies became more complex and the nature of threats more multifaceted, our understanding of risk evolved. It began encompassing not just immediate physical threats but also social, emotional, and existential ones. The risk of rejection, the risk of failure, the risk of lost opportunities – these became the new “predators” lurking in the modern-day bushes. When we probe deeper into the origin of risk, we see that it arises from our innate desire to predict, control, and secure our futures. As sentient beings, we’re acutely aware of the passage of time and the transient nature of life. This awareness engenders a need to anticipate and influence future outcomes. When the outcome of an action or decision is uncertain, the mind perceives a risk.
However, it’s essential to note that risk, in itself, is neutral. It’s our emotional and cognitive responses to it that assign value – labeling it as ‘good’ or ‘bad’. For instance, an entrepreneur might view starting a business in a saturated market as a worthy risk, driven by the thrill of competition and the lure of potential success. Conversely, someone more security-oriented might see the same situation as fraught with unnecessary peril. If one doesn’t fear loss, failure, or the unknown, does risk even exist for them? At a philosophical level, without fear, the concept of risk is indeed defanged. However, even in the absence of fear, the uncertainty of outcomes remains. The fearless individual might not perceive this uncertainty as threatening, but it exists nonetheless. In this context, risk transforms from an emotionally charged concept into a mere statistical or probabilistic one.
Our personal experiences significantly color our perception of risk. Someone who has experienced the turbulent waters of bankruptcy might view financial risks differently than someone who has always experienced financial stability. Similarly, someone who has been burnt in love might perceive emotional risks in relationships more acutely than someone who hasn’t. Our past becomes the lens through which we evaluate future uncertainties. Beyond these factors, there’s also the intriguing interplay between risk and reward. Often, the potential rewards are what entices individuals to take risks in the first place. The entrepreneur might be motivated by the potential success, recognition, and financial gain, while the mountaineer is driven by the allure of conquering a challenging peak and the accompanying sense of accomplishment. This dynamic relationship often acts as the fulcrum on which decisions are balanced, with individuals constantly gauging whether the potential rewards justify the inherent risks.
Our linear experience of time – past, present, and future – makes us unique in the animal kingdom. We’re not just reactive to the present but are perpetually planning, anticipating, and sometimes dreading the future. Risk becomes a manifestation of this temporal consciousness. It embodies our anxieties about the future, our memories of the past, and our actions in the present.
Risk also touches upon the core tenets of freedom and responsibility. The very act of making a choice, knowing that the outcomes are uncertain, underlines the essence of human freedom. Each choice, enveloped in risk, becomes an assertion of our existence. Jean-Paul Sartre, a prominent existential philosopher, believed that we are “condemned to be free.” This freedom carries the weight of responsibility. Every risk we take, every decision we make, anchors us more deeply into the world, creating ripples that affect not only our own lives but also those around us. In this context, risk becomes an embodiment of our existential freedom and the accompanying burdens of our choices.
Risk also invites us to confront the inherent unpredictability and chaos of the universe. Despite our best efforts, life remains fundamentally uncertain. This reality poses profound questions about determinism and free will. If everything is preordained, is there truly any ‘risk’? Yet, the very experience of uncertainty, the palpable tension before a decision’s outcome, seems to argue for the existence of free will, or at least the perception of it. This brings us to the concept of ‘absurdity’, as introduced by Albert Camus. For Camus, life is inherently absurd because humans constantly seek meaning in an indifferent universe. Risk, in many ways, mirrors this absurdity. We seek to calculate, manage, and control risks, attempting to impose order on the inherent chaos of existence. Yet, no matter how meticulous our calculations, the unpredictable can and often does occur.
The human mind is a complex apparatus that thrives on patterns, structures, and predictions. It’s this very nature of our mind that gives birth to the notion of “risk.” Risk, in essence, can be seen as a cognitive construct – a product of our mind’s incessant need to anticipate the future based on past experiences, knowledge, and the limited information at our disposal. Risk as we perceive it, might indeed be an illusion.
Imagine for a moment a world without memory and without the capability to anticipate the future. In such a world, every moment would be lived in its pure immediacy, with no concept of potential loss or gain in future endeavors. In this hypothetical scenario, the concept of “risk” would be non-existent.
Consider the stock market: A trader might perceive a significant risk in buying a particular stock. This perception is rooted in market analysis, past performance of the stock, global economic indicators, and a myriad of other variables. But strip all that away, and the “risk” is essentially a story, a narrative constructed from myriad data points and emotions like fear and greed.
Similarly, the fear of rejection or judgment in social situations, often seen as a social risk, is built upon personal experiences, societal norms, and cultural expectations. But at its core, it’s a self-created narrative – a story we tell ourselves about potential outcomes and their implications for our self-worth. Does this mean risk is entirely subjective? In many ways, yes. While there are objective measurements of risk in certain fields (like insurance or finance), the emotional and psychological experience of risk is deeply subjective.
Yet, this subjectivity doesn’t render the concept of risk meaningless. Even if risk is a construct, it holds tangible power over our actions, decisions, and emotions. The very fact that we can feel fear, anxiety, excitement, or anticipation when faced with uncertainty testifies to the real-world impact of this illusion.
Understanding the fleeting nature of “Happiness”
Realising you’re happy and consequently puncturing that happiness—is a manifestation of the self-reflexive quality of human consciousness. It reflects our ability not only to experience emotions but also to have thoughts about those experiences, including the experience of happiness. At the most immediate level, we have sensory experiences and emotional reactions. These are our raw, unfiltered engagements with the world around us. But atop this immediate experience, we have a secondary layer of experience: our thoughts about our experiences. This secondary layer is where we interpret, judge, anticipate, and reflect.
The paradox here is that this second layer of experience can intrude upon and alter the first. By realizing we’re happy, we move the experience of happiness from the immediate realm into the realm of reflection and analysis. This can have a distancing effect, making the happiness less vivid and more abstract. The “self” that is experiencing happiness is no longer fully integrated with the experience; part of it has stepped aside to observe.
The awareness of happiness can also bring about a sense of sadness or melancholy. This is because our reflective consciousness is not only evaluative but also temporal; it exists in time. When we realize we’re happy, we also realize that the moment is fleeting, that it will pass. This injects a sense of loss or nostalgia into the current experience, dampening the happiness with a layer of sadness. There’s also the pressure that once identified, the feeling of happiness must be maintained, which turns it into an object of concern.
In some Eastern philosophies, for example, the ultimate state of happiness or enlightenment is one that transcends both happiness and sadness, existing in a state of pure “beingness” that is beyond dualities. Western philosophies often engage deeply with the notion of existential angst, the idea that human freedom and awareness are both a gift and a curse, capable of both elevating and diminishing our experiences. Humans are narrative creatures. We don’t just experience things; we also construct stories around our experiences, which become a part of the experience itself. Realizing you’re happy can sometimes feel like a narrative high point, a climax. But climaxes are, by their nature, transitional; they mark the point where a story begins to move toward its conclusion. This can create a sense of impending descent, which can tinge even the most joyous moments with a shade of melancholy. There’s a compelling argument to be made for the richness added to our lives by our ability to reflect on our experiences. This meta-experience, the experience of experiencing, adds depth and texture to our lives. It’s the thing that allows us to appreciate art, to fall in love, to engage in complex moral reasoning. But it comes at a cost: the cost of immediacy. The more we reflect on our experiences, the less we’re able to engage with them directly. It’s like being the actor and the audience at the same time. This dual nature of consciousness is both a blessing and a curse. While it allows us the richness of introspection and self-awareness, it also sets up a scenario where the observer can interfere with the experience.
When you realize you’re happy, you’re essentially stepping out of the experience to label it. The moment you do that, you bring in the concept of time. Emotions, when lived, are timeless. They’re states of being. But when you observe them, you also acknowledge their temporality—they become moments that have started and will eventually end. This implicit understanding of the fleeting nature of happiness casts a shadow on the experience, thereby altering its composition and introducing elements of sadness or anxiety.
The awareness of happiness can trigger broader questions about the nature of existence, purpose, and meaning. Happiness is often viewed as an ‘end,’ a goal in life. Once achieved, its realization can create a form of existential vacuum, a questioning of ‘what next?’ This moves you out of the emotional experience and into a cognitive one, involving existential questions that can often be more unsettling than comforting.
Your realization also exemplifies the duality inherent in life experiences. There’s a push and pull between opposing forces: happiness and sadness, awareness and ignorance, temporality and timelessness. Some philosophical traditions, particularly those from Eastern philosophies like Buddhism, suggest that the ultimate state of enlightenment is one that transcends this duality to experience a state of ‘oneness.’ In that state, the act of observing happiness and the experience of happiness itself become one unified experience, without a division that could puncture the emotion. When we experience happiness, it often fits into a story we have about what makes us happy and why. This narrative self can be in constant tension with the experiencing self. The act of realizing you’re happy is a narrative act—it fits this moment of joy into your broader life story. But life stories are complex and filled with ups and downs. Fitting a moment into a narrative can mean subjecting it to all the complexities and contradictions of that narrative, which can dilute the purity of the experience.
On the one hand, mindfulness and self-awareness teach us to observe our feelings, thoughts, and experiences. On the other hand, the very act of observing can sometimes alter or even negate the experience, particularly with transient states like happiness. In quantum physics, the observer effect refers to changes that the act of observation makes on the phenomenon being observed. In psychology, too, observing one’s thoughts and feelings can change them. This is the basis of therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), where the act of observing and questioning one’s thoughts can lead to emotional regulation.
When you realize you’re happy and become acutely aware of that happiness, you might also become aware of the fleeting nature of emotions. This could potentially lead to a decrease in the intensity of your happiness, making it a self-limiting state. The joy is punctured by the awareness of its temporary nature or by the anxiety of losing it. It’s crucial to distinguish between mindfulness and hyper-awareness. Mindfulness means accepting each moment as it is, including your happiness, without clinging to it or fearing its loss. Hyper-awareness, on the other hand, involves scrutinizing the experience so closely that you can’t simply be in it. You’re essentially stepping out of the experience to examine it.
Some of the ways to deal with it:
1. The first step in navigating this paradox is to accept the transient nature of all emotional states. Once we make peace with the ebb and flow of life, the realization that our happiness is temporary becomes less threatening.
2. Aim for a detached form of observation. Observe your happiness without clinging to it, just as you would observe your breath during meditation.
3. Shifting the focus from “Being Happy” to “Being”. When your focus is simply on ‘being,’ without labeling the state you are in, you eliminate the self-imposed pressure to sustain any emotional state, be it happiness or otherwise.
4. Often the anxiety of losing happiness arises from either past experiences or future uncertainties. Dwelling in the present can alleviate that concern.
Is Time real or invented by thought?
Time is an intriguing concept that permeates almost every aspect of our lives. We measure it, chase after it, and often feel we never have enough of it. But have you ever wondered if Time is relative or absolute? If it is invented by thought. Let us understand nature of Time and its relationship with our thoughts.
The Psychological Dimension of Time:
Time is largely a creation of the human mind. Psychological time, as we call it, is a product of thought and memory, arising from our desire to escape the present moment and seek comfort in the past or the future. This form of time fuels our fears, anxieties, and attachments, keeping us trapped in a cycle of suffering and preventing us from experiencing the fullness of the present moment.
The Illusion of Linear Time:
Our perception of linear time – the idea that time flows from the past, through the present, and into the future – is a construct of the mind. This mental framework, while useful for practical purposes, can limit our understanding of reality and hinder our ability to live fully in the present. By recognizing the illusory nature of linear time, we can begin to free ourselves from the constraints it imposes on our lives. By organizing events into a chronological sequence, we create a sense of order and continuity that helps us navigate our experiences. However, this mental construct of linear time may not accurately reflect the true nature of reality. The mind imposes structure and meaning on our experiences, filtering reality through the lens of our thoughts, memories, and beliefs. In doing so, it may create the illusion of linear time, when in fact, the true nature of time may be more complex and multifaceted.
The illusion of linear time becomes even more apparent when we examine our subjective experience of time. We’ve all experienced moments when time seems to slow down or speed up, depending on our emotional state or level of engagement in an activity. In states of deep meditation or flow, we may even lose our sense of time altogether, experiencing a timeless, eternal present.
These experiences suggest that our perception of time is not fixed or absolute but can be influenced by our state of mind and consciousness. By transcending the mind and its constructs, we can catch glimpses of a reality that exists beyond the boundaries of linear time.
Time and the Ego:
Our attachment to time is closely linked to the ego, the sense of self that arises from our identification with thoughts, memories, and experiences. The ego thrives on the illusion of linear time, using it as a means of reinforcing its own existence and perpetuating the cycle of suffering. By questioning the nature of time, we can begin to loosen the grip of the ego and awaken to a deeper, more expansive sense of self.
Reality is timeless!!
Abhishek Fanse 