To Manifest or Not to Manifest—That Is the Question

By Lisa McCourt

 I get invited to a lot of manifestation events this time of year, especially now with the start of 2012. But the whole idea always stirs up a bit of conflict for me. Is it really in our highest and best interest to purposefully direct our destinies in such detailed, control-freakish ways?  

I feel supremely confident about my manifesting abilities. I’ve certainly spent plenty of time studying and applying techniques for sending my energy out into the world with the specific purpose of drawing certain things into my life. A friend recently commented on my manifesting successes, with the caveat, “be careful where you point that thing.” 

And we should be careful. Because it’s kind of absurd to assume that what we think we want—from our teeny, tiny human perspectives—is what we actually need, or even what would serve us or delight us most. The only thing any of us should ever really be concerned with manifesting is whatever is in our highest good as well as the highest good of all concerned. And most of us mortals walking around the planet have absolutely no clue what that would actually be. 

So I’m manifesting from a new position now—a position of total surrender. I don’t make mind-movies or vision boards anymore. Yes, they’d bring me the things I put on them. But the things I’m craving now—the things I’m longing for—aren’t tangible enough to paste on a board. They’re bigger, broader than that—more tinged with delicious unknowing. What visual image can capture the experience of breathless awe? Or truly conscious, connected love? Or the thrill of contribution and being deeply received? Sure, I could find pictures to represent those things, but no pictorial image comes close to stirring the feelings in me that I can generate by simply meditating on those intangible goodies.

Many manifestation experts will instruct you to be as specific as possible. I’m proposing you do the opposite. Make a list of the things you believe you want. Then, one by one, go down the list and see if you can tune into the feeling you believe that item or circumstance will give you. Understand that it’s the feeling you’re really after. Understand that the Universe is way smarter than you, and it might have a kick-butt idea for getting you that feeling—an idea you couldn’t even begin to dream of.

Lean back into the loving arms of the infinitely wise Universe and trust it to deliver. Lose yourself in imagining the feelings you want to feel, and let go of any specific circumstances or requirements you’ve attached to them. Generate those feelings for yourself as often as you can throughout your day and make them the cornerstone of your meditation practice. This is the essence of surrender and the Universe will find it irresistible. You will be dazzled by its compliance.

About the Author: Unconditional love expert Lisa McCourt is a dynamic speaker, seminar leader and author whose 34 books have sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide. Her new book, Juicy Joy – 7 Simple Steps to Your Glorious, Gutsy Self, teaches people to embrace “radical authenticity” to fully experience unbridled joy in life. Lisa lives in South Florida with her two children. For a free Juicy Joy audio program, visit www.LisaMcCourt.com.