A friend recently said something to the effect that she firmly believes that we can manifest the life circumstances we want if we focus hard enough. She then asked, knowing that I do spiritual work, if I agreed with her. My response was, “it’s complicated, we should talk more.” Really what I should have said was, ‘no I do not believe in the power of manifestation,’ but that cuts off the conversation quickly and the answer is more complicated than just ‘no.’

One of the seminaries I attended had a lot of classes that started out feeling like an exploration of spiritual centering and ended up being programs for manifestation so I have some experience in this space. I would cruise along through the first two thirds feeling like I was developing strong tools for supporting people in spiritual development and awakening, only to take a sharp turn into what is ultimately the hermetic philosophy of drawing particular kinds of energy to yourself through certain practices and behaviors. Simply stated: it seems popular to believe, as many have believed in the past, that we can curate our life circumstances by thinking the right things in the right way and saying the right words at the right time. I get the appeal, it feels good to think we are in control of our lives. And I do believe that in many ways we are in control, certainly I believe we get to make choices about how we show up in the world and what we do in the circumstances in which we find ourselves. But I don’t believe we should try to “manifest” a new car, or more money, or a partner, and I really really really believe that the people who are in terrible circumstances did not create those circumstances because they thought the wrong things.

Like with so many things, it is just a subtle shift in approach with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to that question. What happens when you pray for the presence of God in your life everyday is that you start to see the world differently and so the world seems different. The world didn’t change, you did. When you start to practice gratitude, and surrender your will to divine purpose, blessings don’t start to flow into your life, you recognize and make room for the blessings that were already there. We aren’t creating a new reality, we are choosing the orientation from which we are going to experience reality in a new way. When you start to live a life that reflects the presence of God and the kingdom of heaven, you create little pieces of that blessing in all you do. It’s about recognizing and being a conduit, not creating: that’s the big difference.

I don’t object to the principles of the ‘power of positive thinking,’ or the daily affirmation to encourage oneself. But I think we might harm ourselves some when we think we have to do it all on our own, when goodness is up to us, and when we believe we know exactly what we need (which more often than not is just what we want). The principles that underlie a culture of manifestation are ultimately rooted in the material world and in acquiring more material goods, or controlling the means to obtaining those goods. Allowing a divine presence to be a part of how we move in the world better reminds us to appreciate what is here, while understanding that there is more than what is here, and that there is growth beyond just getting what it is that we think we want.

This is all a little esoteric which makes it hard to just say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ when someone says, “do you believe in manifestation?” Maybe it’s that over the years I have learned that I don’t want to decide what is best for me, because I want to leave room to be surprised by where God is asking me to grow. Maybe it’s that I believe in God and I don’t think that free will and manifesting power are the same thing. I don’t want to be in charge, not because I don’t trust myself, though surely there is some of that, but because I know that I don’t know so very much and if I’m trying to do it all myself then I’m limited to whatever it is, and only what it is, that I know.

So what do you do if you don’t believe in God but maybe it still feels like the responsibility for manifesting your life is too much for you alone? What do you do if you are sort of like me and feel like the answer isn’t cut and dry, and there could be room for more than you working by yourself? Start with gratitude, three things a day that you are grateful for, and then add a question or an ask for help. The question can be to the universe or a person you meet or know: ‘I think I need X, I don’t know quite where to go or what to do next, what do you suggest’, or ‘show me the path.’ Then let yourself learn, allow what is good to lead you. You might not end up where you thought, but you will end up somewhere that you need to be.