Manifesting 101: Attracting What’s Already Yours
“This superpower, molded by experience, repetition, and intention, enables the brain to form new circuits, and to prune away old ones which no longer serve us,” says Dr. James Doty of the Stanford University School of Medicine.
What is Manifestation?
Manifestation is a consistent practice of setting personal intentions & goals, believing in yourself so completely that the universe has no choice but to bend to your will.
From a neurological perspective, manifestation helps rewire your brain to subconsciously seek out your desires and ambitions. The brain has conscious and subconscious cognitive networks, specifically, two complementary systems that can explicitly learn the relationships between actions and outcomes: the basal ganglia (BG) allows simple, fixed, goal-directed behaviors to be quickly learned, whereas the prefrontal cortex (PFC) gradually learns more complex and long-term goal-directed behaviors. (Buschman et. al). The ability to maintain goals that differ from automatic behaviors is central to cognitive flexibility. We are here to help tickle some neurons!
Below is some literature for you to deepen your understanding. Simply click on each item to learn more about it!
Principles of Manifestation
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The universe always says “yes.” What you privy your energy to is what is affirmed.
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Evolution did not shape us to perceive reality as it really is, but to perceive it through survival.
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Those open to receiving are those who believe everything they need is already within themselves. Affirmations are a great way to increase neuroplasticity.
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Visualization tells your subconscious that your success is inevitable.
Manifestation Through Meditation
Focus on a goal, and visualize in depth as if a memory. Listen to the things that come up in stillness. I personally love NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest Meditation) before starting my day. In yoga, palms up means you are opening to receiving, as well as an open body position. This is a good way to manifest consistently while having limited time.
Manifesting Through Journaling
One way to start manifesting is to write down a list of the routines, habits, and facets in your current reality. Then write the reality and routines of your higher self (what you want to achieve). While doing this, visualize these experiences in detail, allowing yourself to operate at this frequency. What would you look like? What would you be doing? How would you feel? Rehearse your successes. Be as specific as you can. Throughout this, note tangible steps to bridge the gap between your present and future reality.
Example: Current Reality
Feeling insecure in partnerships and reciprocity
Going to the gym once a week
Low self-concept
Stress about money
Weak hygiene
Example: I am manifesting my higher self where I…
Feel safe, secure, and valued in my relationships
Go to the gym 2-3 times per week
Eat whole foods consistently
In love with who I am and who I am becoming
Money is attracted to me and comes to me easily
Strong hygiene
Guide to Achieving Your Goals
Set sleep schedule (i.e., be in bed by 11 pm) to increase opportunity to work out in the morning
Self-dates: journaling, tarot, exercise, reading in place of phone use
Spend my work tips; save my paycheck
Creating a higher self-concept: validating through communication, affirmations, gratitude, and releasing internalized projection
In conclusion, manifestation is best understood as a practice that combines intention, belief, and consistent action with the brain’s natural ability to adapt and change. Rather than relying on the universe alone, it works by training the mind to focus, recognize opportunities, and reinforce behaviors that align with your higher self. Ultimately, manifestation is not about creating something from nothing. It is about aligning with the gifts that already exist within you, and taking intentional steps to expand them into your physical reality.
To learn more about manifesting and intention setting, you can sign up for our Intention Setting Workshop Event with YANA’s Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Vivid. You can RSVP and acces all of our events with the link below!
