A wise person once commented on modern life, ‘We live in a world where we are told we can have whatever we want, however, a wise person learns to want whatever they have’. I was like a kid in a lolly shop when I discovered the notion of manifesting. We live in such exciting times. Being human is the modern adventure. Standing at the doorway of a new era of possibility we are resculpting the arc of human potential. The lines between mind body and achievement are dissolving. We are discovering latent abilities and integrating them into our lives. Manifestation, the buzzword of the new paradigm: we can create our own reality. Hearing this, I went wild, experimenting with countless courses, programs, websites, books designed to enable me to create the life of my dreams, my perfect partner, job, career, house, parking spaces, all at the click of the fingers. ‘ Whooee!’ I exclaimed, ‘finally, I can have the life I know I deserve’. My journey to fathom the great powers of manifestation was fraught with humbling moments and searing insights into the workings of my hapless ego. I discovered there is something far grander on offer, than parking spots, and perfect partners. Manifesting not working for you? Read on…
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”
Marianne Williamson
Fear and manifestation seem to go hand in hand. Asking for what you really want makes for an uncomfortable conversation with yourself. For years I considered myself crap at “manifesting”, quietly embarassed because nothing I ever visualized hoped or wished for ever came to fruition. I was dedicated, tenaciously creating dream boards, wish lists, bright goals, cutting out pictures of my perfect car, partner, wads of money and pasting them on my bathroom mirror, and fridge door, carrying them in my wallet, religiously repeating affirmations, I got ‘energetic’ clearing, (coz I was sooo blocked), coaching, read Shakti Gawain and all the other manifestation-made-easy books. But when I looked out my window in the morning the bright red shiney Porsche, Blonde Swedish backpacker, and super yacht were not parked in my driveway. I came to loathe the word manifestation. The power to activate the life of my dreams eluded me. I grew to see my inability to manifest as the universe’s way of showing me I was a loser. Just between you and I, I had a good life: a successful international business, great friends; belonged to a wonderful community of people who loved me. But I was failing to impress people the way I wanted to impress them.
“It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?”
Marianne Williamson.
I first heard about the “power of manifestation” whilst on a residential let’s get rich quick seminar in Hawaii with 350 other hapless hopefuls, haphazardly parting with wads of cash in the hope of making an easy million or two. By the end of the 10 day course people all around me had manifested new businesses, relationships, money, contacts and success. Me? Nada. I left with the cold comfort of the seminar leader’s words ringing in my ears: “Manifesting not working for you? It all happens in divine timing”. I knew what he really meant was, “Manifesting not working for you? You are a loser!”. I had flunked manifesting 101. And I am so happy I did.
If I had achieved all my goals and ambitions I would have been an insufferably egotistical pain. The “dream” life I was setting out to achieve was not my dream. I was desperate to be accepted and seen as someone who had made it, ie the dream of success that included the flash car, big beachside house handbag wife, knowing all the right people eating at all the right restaurants international trips: looking good and being painful. I watched many of my friends and colleagues happily attain all these things, whilst I seemed to be the universe’s forgotten manifestor. In the wee dark hours you would find me ruminating and harrumphing over my deep sense of unworthiness. Pain breeds enquiry. I began to question the dreams I was aiming for. Were they really my dreams? Did they resonate for me at a core level? What was the source of these dreams?
“You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.”
Marianne Williamson
I began to see that attaining my dreams of a better car, house and partner would simply serve my own vanity. I was like a dog trapped in a palace of mirrors, everywhere I looked were images of me barking back at me. I was bent out of shape with a sense of lack and unworthiness. It was ‘all about me’ and attempting to look good in the eyes of others. I was awash with questions, ‘What is my dream? What brings me alive? ‘ What is the life I want to live’? My mind rampant in its responses, left me exhausted. Slowly I began to ask in a soulful way, from the heart. Prayerful, I sought the answers from deep within. Finally I asked, ‘What are my unique gifts and talents? And how might I serve others?’ In the wee quiet hours I waited for the answers to arise.
“There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.”
Marianne Williamson
The central focus of my life ever since I was in my late teens had been a life of meditation, contemplation and self enquiry. I was drawn to exploring the mystery of life. I felt a deep yearning to go deeper into this part of myself. I uncovered a desire to make a difference in this world. A phrase arose from the depths of my soul, ‘ I want you to enlighten the world’ as I heard this it shook me awake; and ever since it has been my guiding mantra. All of the projects I work on now are dedicated towards this end. I have since realized that my great god-given gift is to gather great hearts and minds together with the aim of uplifting and inspiring others. My personal work is to connect people to their deepest gifts and create pathways for their successful fruition in the world. Ever since I started to be true to my inner calling manifesting has taken on a whole new panoramic perspective. I come at it from a deeper place. I ask for whatever I want, no matter how big and scarey, and I am constantly humbled by the effortless flow of resources towards the projects I embark upon. I no longer look out the window for the Porsche and yacht. I have a deep happiness within with what I have.
“We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.”
Marianne Williamson
Manifesting a life of exquisite blessings is everyone’s birthright. Manifesting not working for you? It’s a journey. I keep studying the principles underlying manifestation and always seek to improve my capacity and capability to enhance the lives of others. I have moved out of the palace of mirrors. My journey has been to find what my highest purpose is and to say yes to living in accord with it. I can see manifestation flows from the highest point downwards. It aint an easy road; but I no longer confuse easy with effortless. In these past years working alongside fellow changmakers and visionaries I have come to see that we are all born with a unique gift; and we all make a promise to ourselves to bring this gift into the world.
” We are all meant to shine, as children do. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Marianne Williamson
Our job is to remember our divine source and to come good on our promise. Never in the history of the world has it been more incumbent upon us to remember our promise and bring our gift to life. I believe there is a plan underlying life, fuelled with the intelligence of nature; when I pause and align myself with this deeply intelligent plan, manifesting becomes effortless, and the world shines a little brighter. The world needs you to remember your promise and purpose. We have work to do, you and I, good and honorable work. You need to be at your best to get the job done. You will need resources, people, money, contacts and a plan. Learning the simple skills of manifestation are essential to all of us who are here to make a difference. This calling is not for the fainthearted.
