Manifestation: How It Works, Why It Works, and the Science Behind It

Manifestation is one of those buzzwords that’s taken the world by storm. You’ve probably heard the term thrown around a lot, especially in spiritual and self-development circles. But what does it really mean? How does it work, and—perhaps more importantly—why does it work?

As someone who’s been on my own manifestation journey, I can tell you that it isn’t just about ‘thinking positive thoughts’ and waiting for magic to happen. Manifestation is a powerful process that involves aligning your thoughts, emotions, and actions with what you want to create in your life. But it’s not just spiritual mumbo jumbo—it’s grounded in both science and universal principles.

Let’s break it down.

What is Manifestation?

At its core, manifestation is the process of bringing something into your life through the power of focus, intention, and belief. It’s based on the idea that our thoughts and energy create our reality. When we focus on what we want, rather than what we don’t want, we begin to attract opportunities, people, and circumstances that align with those thoughts.

Gabby Bernstein, a huge influence on my own journey, explains manifestation as “the process of co-creating with the universe.” It’s not about forcing things to happen, but about aligning yourself with what’s already out there, waiting for you to claim it.

The Science Behind Manifestation

Now, you might be thinking, “That sounds great, but is there any science behind this?” The good news is: absolutely! Manifestation isn’t just a spiritual concept—it’s rooted in psychology, neuroscience, and quantum physics.

1. The Reticular Activating System (RAS)

One of the most well-known scientific explanations for manifestation is the Reticular Activating System (RAS), which is a bundle of nerves at the base of your brain. Think of it as your brain’s filter. The RAS determines which information gets sent to your conscious mind based on what you focus on.

For example, if you start thinking about buying a new car, you’ll begin to notice that same model everywhere. Your RAS filters out irrelevant information and highlights what’s in your focus. When you set an intention and focus on your goal, your RAS helps to filter in opportunities, people, and resources that align with your desires. This is why we often hear people say, “When you focus on what you want, the universe conspires to help you get it.”

2. Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This means that your brain is constantly changing in response to what you focus on. If you’re constantly thinking about negativity or scarcity, your brain will reinforce those neural pathways, making it harder for you to break free from those thought patterns.

But, on the flip side, when you focus on abundance, positivity, and your goals, you are essentially rewiring your brain to support these new beliefs. Through manifestation techniques like affirmations and visualisation, you’re not only changing your mindset but physically changing the way your brain functions, creating new pathways that support your desires.

3. Quantum Physics and Energy

Quantum physics is another area that ties into manifestation. Everything around us is made up of energy, and that energy is constantly vibrating. The law of attraction, a key principle in manifestation, suggests that “like attracts like”—meaning that the energy you put out into the world will attract similar energy.

When you focus on your desires, you begin to emit the energy of those desires. In essence, you start vibrating at a frequency that matches the things you want to manifest. This idea is supported by the concept of quantum fields—essentially an invisible, interconnected energy field that connects everything in the universe. When you send out positive, intentional energy, the quantum field begins to bring people, opportunities, and experiences into your life that align with that energy.

Why Manifestation Works

Manifestation works because it’s based on the concept of energy alignment. When you focus your thoughts and emotions on your desires, you begin to align your personal energy with what you want to bring into your life. This doesn’t mean you have to sit back and wait for things to magically appear; it means that you are shifting your mindset, actions, and energy so that you become a magnet for the opportunities and people you need to achieve your goals.

The key to manifestation is understanding that you’re not forcing things to happen—you’re allowing them to flow naturally by becoming a vibrational match to what you want. As you align with your desires, you begin to see signs, synchronicities, and opportunities that you would have missed otherwise.

Taking Action: Aligning Mindset, Emotions, and Action

Manifestation is a co-creation process, as Gabby Bernstein puts it. While focusing your energy and aligning your thoughts is essential, it’s not enough to just sit back and hope things happen. Action is required. Manifestation isn’t passive—it’s an active process of taking steps towards your goals, backed by a belief that those steps will lead to the right outcome.

This is where many people get stuck: they want to manifest their soulmate, their dream career, or financial abundance but aren’t taking the aligned action necessary to make it happen. Manifestation requires both mindset and movement. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and trusting that the universe will meet you halfway.

In My Next Blog: Common Manifestation Questions Answered

I know a lot of you have questions about manifestation: How long does it take to start seeing results? What if I don’t feel like it’s working? In my next blog, I’ll be answering some of the most common questions I get about manifestation and helping you better understand the process so you can start manifesting with more confidence and ease.

Stay tuned!