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Table of Contents

Overview

Manifestation vs. Traditional Meditation

Benefits

Getting Started

Examples and Success Stories

Other Ways to Reach Your Goals

Frequently Asked Questions

Close

Manifestation meditation is a self-help approach to achieving goals through visualization and intentional thought. During manifestation meditation, you utilize meditative techniques to focus on visualizing goals and outcomes. The hope is that it will help align your thoughts and emotions so that you’ll be better prepared to bring about the changes you hope to see in your life.

“Manifestation meditation differs from traditional meditative practices in which the ultimate goal is to achieve an inner calm and connection to your true self,” explains Radha Metro-Midkiff, a certified life coach and executive director for theIntegral Yoga Institute New York.

At a GlanceManifestation meditation is a growing trend that combines the positive thinking of manifesting with the ancient practice of meditation. While social media might be overflowing with manifestation success stories, it’s important to distinguish between the real potential of this technique and the hype surrounding it.Keep reading to learn more about how you can use manifestation meditation to foster greater positive thinking and visualize your success–while recognizing that reaching your goals also requires motivation and effort.

At a Glance

Manifestation meditation is a growing trend that combines the positive thinking of manifesting with the ancient practice of meditation. While social media might be overflowing with manifestation success stories, it’s important to distinguish between the real potential of this technique and the hype surrounding it.Keep reading to learn more about how you can use manifestation meditation to foster greater positive thinking and visualize your success–while recognizing that reaching your goals also requires motivation and effort.

Manifestation meditation is a growing trend that combines the positive thinking of manifesting with the ancient practice of meditation. While social media might be overflowing with manifestation success stories, it’s important to distinguish between the real potential of this technique and the hype surrounding it.

Keep reading to learn more about how you can use manifestation meditation to foster greater positive thinking and visualize your success–while recognizing that reaching your goals also requires motivation and effort.

Introduction to Manifestation Meditation

Manifesting what you want has become a popular approach to self-help and goal attainment, particularly on social media. A quick scroll through TikTok or Instagram will reveal hundreds of posts devoted to this idea.

Manifestationis a technique that involves focusing your thoughts on the goals and outcomes you are trying to achieve.Manifestation meditation involves incorporating these manifestation strategies into your meditation practice.

The underlying goal is to “think” your goals and aspirations into reality usingself-talk,positive thinking, andvisualization.

It’s not exactly a new idea. Other popular concepts like thelaw of attractionare rooted in this belief that how you think plays a role in what becomes your reality. Even therapeutic approaches likecognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) emphasize the powerful impact of thinking on mood and behavior.

But can thinking about your aspirations really bring them to fruition? While the idea that just thinking about what you want can make it happen seems appealing, the reality is that things sometimes work out differently than we hoped.

While manifestation meditation has certainly gained much traction in popular culture, it’s important to exercise caution to avoid oversimplifyingbehavior changeand success. However, manifestation meditation does have the potential to cultivate apositive mindset, boost motivation, and help you feel better about your direction in life.

So how is manifestation meditation different from traditional meditative practices? “Traditional meditation often emphasizes mindfulness, presence, and detachment from specific outcomes. It encourages practitioners to observe thoughts and sensations without attachment,”  Metro-Midkiff says.

Conversely, manifestation meditation is goal-oriented; it involves focusing on specific desires or outcomes, visualizing them as already achieved, and fostering a belief system that aligns with those desires. Manifestation meditation will utilize more visualization techniques and positive affirmations.—RADHA METRO-MIDKIFF, CERTIFIED LIFE COACH

Conversely, manifestation meditation is goal-oriented; it involves focusing on specific desires or outcomes, visualizing them as already achieved, and fostering a belief system that aligns with those desires. Manifestation meditation will utilize more visualization techniques and positive affirmations.

—RADHA METRO-MIDKIFF, CERTIFIED LIFE COACH

Benefits of Manifestation Meditation

If you’re tempted to write off manifestation meditation as toodeluluto be trululu, it’s important to remember that positive thinking and meditation have been shown to have very real benefits.

While there is little empirical research on the potential benefits of manifestation meditation, some of the perceived benefits that people commonly describe include the following:

Reduced Stress and Anxiety

In one study, researchers found that replacing negative thoughts with positive ones effectively reduced feelings of worry and anxiety.

Feeling less anxious and worried can also give you the fearlessness to go after your hopes and dreams.

Challenging and reframing our thoughts is part ofcognitive behavior therapy (CBT), an evidence-based treatment for many conditions including anxiety and depression.

Better Performance

Increased Mental Clarity

Meditation can be a helpful tool for improving mental focus. An important part of meditation is observing and learning to focus your thoughts. This can be a great way to improve your ability to control and direct your thought processes.

Combining meditation with manifestation can be an excellent way to clarify your goals and better understand what is important to you. Meditation also has a wide range of other positive benefits, ranging from decreased stress to increased self-awareness.

More Positive Mindset

Proponents of manifestation suggest that engaging in this type of thinking can foster a more positive, optimistic mindset. This idea is more than just wishful thinking–evidence suggests that thinking positively is a great way to cultivate a more positive outlook.

One randomized controlled trial found that an eight-week positive thinking intervention led to significant improvements in thinking,resilience, and life satisfaction.

Getting Started With Manifestation Meditation

Before you start manifestation meditation, it’s important to master the basics.Meditationis a mind-body technique that creates heightened awareness and focused attention.

According toMelissa Hoffman, a life coach and hypnotherapist, the best way to use manifestation meditation is to practice it when you first wake in the morning or before you go to sleep at night. The brain’s slower, relaxedalphaand theta waves are more prominent during these times. As a result, you’re better able to access your subconscious mind, which can improve your ability to manifest effectively.

Your subconscious mind doesn’t know the difference between real and imaginary, so when you show it with visualization what you are manifesting, it creates the belief that this is what’s real for you, so you start to believe that it’s happening and take action towards achieving it.—MELISSA HOFFMAN, LIFE COACH AND HYPNOTHERAPIST

Your subconscious mind doesn’t know the difference between real and imaginary, so when you show it with visualization what you are manifesting, it creates the belief that this is what’s real for you, so you start to believe that it’s happening and take action towards achieving it.

—MELISSA HOFFMAN, LIFE COACH AND HYPNOTHERAPIST

Once you’ve mastered basic meditation, it’s time to incorporate manifestation into your meditative practice.Ali Levine, a certified breathwork facilitator, recommends some tips for those who are getting started with manifestation meditation:

Levine also recommends other mind-body, meditative practices to help you achieve your goals and manifest what you want in life, includingwalking meditation. “Take a slow walk. Be intentional on your speed,” Levine explains. “Pay attention to every sensation in the body, look at nature, breathe it in. Let yourself go into another state of being while walking.”

Mindful MomentNeed a breather? Take this free9-minute meditation for enjoying the little moments in your day—or choose from ourguided meditation libraryto find another one that will help you feel your best.

Mindful Moment

Need a breather? Take this free9-minute meditation for enjoying the little moments in your day—or choose from ourguided meditation libraryto find another one that will help you feel your best.

Real-Life Examples and Success Stories

Master Svietley, a sacred symbolism artist, meditation instructor, and philosophy teacher, has witnessed the power of manifestation meditation in helping people fulfill their potential. In his practice, he also incorporates sacred objects and symbols, which can help serve as focal points for meditation.

“Manifestation meditation, as I’ve practiced and taught, is not merely an exercise of the mind. It’s a profound spiritual engagement that taps into the very essence of our divine creative nature,” he explains. “This method has the power to transform lives, guiding practitioners toward achieving their goals with an almost uncanny precision and depth. The integration of sacred art and symbols into this practice significantly amplifies its effectiveness.”

While manifestation meditation can be helpful, Metro-Midkiff notes that you can achieve many of the same goals using traditional meditative practices.

“If you calm the mind and realize your true self, all attachment to worldly pursuits will fall away, and at the same time, it will seem like money and fortune will begin to chase you. Thus ultimately, practicing traditional meditation will have the same result as manifestation meditation, with the added bonus of achieving true peace and joy,” she explains.

Recognizing ChallengesIt’s also important to acknowledge that while manifestation meditation can be a powerful tool for visualization, goal attainment, and personal growth, real-life challenges can impact individual outcomes. Systemic issues and structural barriers can affect a person’s ability to pursue and achieve goals. Disparities in access, resources, privilege, and community support also create challenges.

Recognizing Challenges

It’s also important to acknowledge that while manifestation meditation can be a powerful tool for visualization, goal attainment, and personal growth, real-life challenges can impact individual outcomes. Systemic issues and structural barriers can affect a person’s ability to pursue and achieve goals. Disparities in access, resources, privilege, and community support also create challenges.

Other Strategies to Help You Reach Your Goals

Manifestation can be a great tool for cultivating self-awareness and building a more positive outlook on life. However, it’s important to remember that thinking alone isn’t enough to bring your hopes and dreams into reality. In addition to manifestation and meditative practices, it is also important to:

Finally, remember to stayopen-mindedandflexibleas you pursue your goals. Sometimes, you may need to adapt your plans or find new ways to cope with challenges. By being open to trying new things, you’ll be more resilient in the face of setbacks.

How long it takes to start experiencing benefits depends on many factors, including yourmindset, emotional state, goals, and expectations. In many cases, you may start to notice greater feelings of positivity and motivation fairly quickly. How long it takes to actually achieve your goals depends on the nature of your intentions and the efforts you put toward bringing them into reality.

Consistency is one of the keys to getting the most out of meditation, Hoffman explains, since the subconscious mind loves repetition. The good news is that evenbrief meditationscan be very effective–research has found that even 10 minutes a day can produce significant benefits.Try to set aside 10 to 20 minutes a day to focus on your manifestation meditation practice.

Manifestation meditation does have limitations. It’s not a way to replace actions, so make sure you don’t develop unrealistic expectations about what you hope will happen. Set realistic goals and use manifestation as a tool to help you develop a positive outlook on achieving them.

She recommends visualization and breathwork to help overcome such problems. “You can access higher states of consciousness this way all through the breath, which is a great way to override your mind and your own limiting beliefs,” she says.

Combining manifestation and meditation can be a useful tool for building greater self-awareness and focusing on your goals. It’s important to remember, however, that thinking alone cannot replace action. Use manifestation meditation to foster greater attention and clarity about your goals, but make sure you take active steps toward making your goals a reality.

Keep in Mind

Manifestation is a compelling practice that offers a way to explore your deepest aspirations. By incorporating aspects of intentional visualization with meditation, you can develop a more positive mindset that can help you stay focused on your goals.

It’s important to remember that making your dreams a reality is about much more than just imagining those outcomes. Integrating other strategies into your routine is important, including setting goals, making plans, and consistently taking action to make your dreams a reality.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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