Manifesting Your Heart’s Desire
“Tell me what you want. What you really, REALLY want.”
~ The Universe (also, The Spice Girls)
Is Manifestation really as simple as the opening lines of a catchy 90s pop song? Well, yes and no. It is true that the Universe is constantly conspiring to bring us whatever we desire. It is not true that manifestation works with the instant, precise gratification of waving a magic wand. I am manifesting as I write these words. You are manifesting as you read them. Most people manifest unconsciously, unaware of how and why they attract and repel certain experiences in their lives. Badass Butterflies know how to manifest whatever their Hearts desire with intention and skillfulness, like a Master Magician.
A Master Magician
In Tarot, the Magician is the first person the Fool encounters on his journey through the Major Arcana. The Magician shows the Fool what is required to manifest any desire. His tools are spiritual (a wand), emotional (a cup), physical (a pentacle), and intellectual (a sword). His countenance is quiet and confident; the Magician knows exactly how these tools work to bring whatever he can imagine down to earth: as above, so below.
For simplicity’s sake, let’s imagine that you are the Magician and you desire a sandwich.
Manifestation in Four Parts
Manifestation is NOT a linear, step-by-step process. I have merely organized it into four parts: Desire, Committed Action, Emotional Management, and Shadow Work. You will revisit each part many times to manifest one desire, which is good news. As with any skill, practice yields proficiency. Remember to be gentle with yourself and Don’t Give Up!
Desire
As a Magician, you do not think you want a sandwich, you listen to your Heart and KNOW you want a sandwich. Your Heart’s desire is an expression of your Soul, and your Soul speaks through your body, not your mind. Your mind is a powerful manifestation tool, but your Soul is the one calling the shots.
Once you acknowledge your body’s desire for a sandwich, get specific about your desire; ask your Heart (and gut) “what kind of sandwich?” and listen without judgment. Then, employ your intellect to FOCUS on that specific desire and, more importantly, how you’ll feel when the desire is met. Keep the end result in mind and find or create those feelings, NOW.
Committed Action
To manifest your Heart’s desires, you must demonstrate your commitment to your desire. Desire alone won’t make (or eat) the sandwich for you. The concept of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely) Goals is useful here. Perhaps you could eat the whole sandwich all at once, but it’s much wiser and more pleasurable to take it one bite at a time. Deconstruct your Desire into digestible, bite-sized components as an effective way to work through ANY goal… or sandwich!
Sometimes your Heart’s desire feels like it’s at the top of a distant mountain. This feeling, more than any fact, may tempt you to quit or keep you from trying. When this feeling arises, realize that even a journey to a distant mountain top is also a series of steps. Write down your SMART Goals so you won’t embellish or forget them, and celebrate your achievements. Celebrating the completion of parts of your desire aligns you with success, reignites your motivation, and attracts more victories!
Emotional Maintenance
Managing your emotions is an INTEGRAL component of manifestation. Your emotional state is a metaphysical magnet, pulling experiences towards you. This process happens constantly, whether you are conscious of it or not. Master Manifestors know that the Universe is made up of energy, and that emotion is “energy in motion,”so they pay attention to their current emotional state and do the work to move that energy into alignment with their desire.
Ok, but what if your “hunger” has evolved into “hanger?” Will frustration inhibit your ability to attract that sandwich? Maybe. At the very least, the time between you and the sandwich will feel much longer. The Buddha actually said that “thirst is the root of all suffering,” not desire. Thirst combines desire and despair, and leads to desperation. SO unattractive!
When a Magician notices desire morphing into despair, her strategy is to embody the vibrational alignment of achievement. Some target emotions include:
- Patience
- Appreciation
- Contentment
- Curiosity
- Excitement
- Joy
Alternatively, you can complete interim goals (e.g., call the delivery place) or do something else that engenders similar feelings. These feelings attract a future where your desire is already met.
Shadow Work
Warning: ignoring your obstacles only hides them so you can’t resolve them. This is true for external obstacles AND internal resistance. Both are overcome with creative thinking and determination; resistance also requires deep, introspective healing work. In either case, the first step is awareness.
Shadow work refers to any process of moving towards painful emotions, as they arise, to heal them at their roots. Find a practice that works for you. I have many courses and videos available for guidance, but only you can do the work. Happy Manifesting!
