Manifestation is either phony, real, or somewhere in between.

I've been reading Joe Dispenza's Becoming Supernatural lately—with a mix of skepticism and intrigue.

Now, I might have an allergic reaction to a certain brand of woo, particularly around manifestation. Oddly enough, I simultaneously reject and desire the proposition to be true. Here's the proposition: if I can hold a clear intention while sustaining an elevated emotional state that matches the intention, I can, in turn, magnetize my dream into reality. Wow, good deal.

The idea is that this approach can bypass normal roadblocks, going beyond our own conceptions of how something could possibly happen. It's honestly a bit scary for me to believe because, in some sense, it feels like a lie, as though I am being cheated or manipulated into a belief system that is not provable. On the other hand, if the downside is meditating myself into optimism, it's probably worth trying.

There is, of course, the narrow rationale that by putting yourself into a better emotional state, having more optimism, and being oriented toward an intention, you will naturally put yourself in a place where you are more likely to get better feedback from people and notice opportunities that would lead you to your goal. It might be less magic and more interactive psychology between the individual, their community, and their behaviors.

I have several friends who have vouched for the manifestation approach, suggesting that indeed the universe corresponds to their intentions when they follow the path of clear intentions and belief in their manifestation. It's got me intrigued to test it out for myself.

What have you manifested in your life that was not a direct result of hard work? Have you brought something into being that you wouldn't have been able to without the confluence of your intention and divine forces?