Latest news with #manifestation
ABC News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Manifesting is popular but some experts say it has a dark side
When Oprah Winfrey first read the Alice Walker novel The Colour Purple, she became obsessed with it. Speaking to Larry King on his talk show in 2009, she explained how she was cast in the 1985 Steven Spielberg film. "I ate, slept, thought all the time about The Colour Purple … when I moved to Chicago, I got a call asking me to audition [for the] movie, I had never gotten a call like that in my life from anybody," she says. Despite that stroke of luck, Winfrey was convinced she hadn't got the role. "I'm singing, praying and crying, and a woman comes out to me and says there is a phone call for me … It was [director] Steven Spielberg saying he wanted to see me in his office in California tomorrow." Oprah was offered her dream role playing Sofia in the film, which went on to be a box-office hit. Winfrey's interview on Larry King was about the self-help book she endorsed, The Secret, which had exploded in popularity at the time. Written by Australian author Rhonda Byrne, the book claimed to help readers harness the laws of attraction — essentially the belief that thought alone could help you get what you want. It's been nearly 20 years since the book was published, and the practice of manifestation and positive thinking continues to gain popularity across cultures. It can involve methods like being clear and intentional about your goals and practising rituals to help bring those goals into reality. The rituals are varied, but can include journalling, vocalising mantras, practising positive self-talk and creating vision boards. Manifesting is also big business with self-help professionals, like Mel Robbins and Gabrielle Bernstein, releasing countless books, podcasts and international speaking tours on how to do it. In a 2022 podcast episode about manifestation, Robbins claims the form of manifesting she promotes is "backed by neuroscience" and isn't just wishful thinking. "It is a tool that you are going to use precisely, intentionally, systematically with purpose, because you use manifesting to rewire your mind … to help you do the work to achieve your dreams." There's no denying that manifestation is popular, and the way that individuals use it in their own lives can be varied. But is there a dark side to the practice? Winfrey's public endorsement of The Secret on her widely watched show helped boost the book's popularity, but it was not without criticism. For example, when Kim Tinkham appeared on the show in 2007, she told Winfrey she was so moved by The Secret that she was going to forego cancer treatment, against her doctor's advice. Winfrey tried to talk her out of this, clarifying that she didn't think this was the message to take away from the book. Tinkham died in 2010. The insidious nature of our algorithmic feeds When discussing the book on King's show, Winfrey wanted to clarify her endorsement of The Secret, saying that the mistake it made was that it "tried to let that be the answer to all questions." She added: "The law of attraction is just one law, there are many laws working in the world". Laura D'Olimpio is an associate professor from the University of Birmingham and says she believes manifestation stops many people from learning. "I see manifesting as a form of wishful thinking and therefore, in my mind, it's an intellectual vice, because it's a way of thinking that interrupts our attainment of knowledge," she tells ABC Radio National's Future Tense. D'Olimpio claims that manifesting promotes self-centredness — and self-blame if it doesn't work. "The thing that strikes me about manifesting is that it really narrows down just on 'what I want'," she says. This approach worries her. Manifesting, like many self-help concepts, comes with rituals. One is the 369 manifestation method, which went viral on social media in 2021, and includes the act of writing down what you want to manifest three times in the morning, six times in the afternoon and nine times at night. D'Olimpio says rituals like the 369 method promote obsessive and compulsive thinking. "It seems to really encourage that obsessive ritual of trying to make this belief come into reality through the power of thought," she says. Along with Winfrey, celebrities including Ariana Grande, and Dua Lipa, have credited manifestation as one of the reasons for their success. For example, when Lipa headlined Glastonbury last year, she told the crowd, "I've written this moment down and wished for it and dreamt it and worked so hard". While it's a romanticised way to frame your dreams coming true, D'Olimpio has concerns that manifestation is a "closed theory", meaning that if it doesn't work, we won't know about it. "[Those that practise are] pointing to the outcome that they want to say, 'See, I'm right in manifesting'. But that's a form of confirmation bias," she says. "When it doesn't come about, they often say, 'Oh, well, it wasn't in my higher good or my best interest' … So you can't falsify it, which means that they're not deterred by instances where it doesn't come true." People turn to manifestation for a variety of reasons, and many do so in the hope that they can maintain a positive mindset and attract good things. And in recent years, it can feel like remaining optimistic is increasingly hard to achieve. People are grappling with the impacts of climate change, an increase in natural disasters and global conflicts, most notably Israel's war in Gaza. Humans need optimism to move forward, but there can be confusion about what that means, says author Sumit Paul-Choudhury. "Being positive about the future doesn't necessarily mean that you have to think that everything is fine and will turn out to be fine," he says. While thinking optimistically can be a segue into engaging with self-help materials that promote manifesting, Paul-Choudhury says people should aim for dispositional optimism instead. "It is this general approach to life in which you think that there are solutions to your problems and that there are always opportunities ahead," he says. "You're generally always believing that there are ways forward that seem to be associated with better outcomes." Paul-Choudhury says those who aim for this type of optimism and mindset are more likely to live happier lives. "People who rank reasonably strongly with that kind of optimism seem to live for longer." While D'Olimpio acknowledges there are valid concerns about manifestation, she doesn't want it to be viewed as criticism of optimism. She says there is an important role for optimism in our society, and that "manifesting distorts that positive thinking into thinking that thought alone can create reality". "I'm hoping that with education and other ways of opening up people's thinking, they can see that [manifesting] is a distorted version of positive thinking and very self-focused rather than community-based."
Associated Press
19-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Dr. Joe Dispenza Closes Day 2 of Mindvalley's Manifesting Summit LA With a Powerful Call to Embody the Future Self
Day 2 of the sold-out summit delivers emotional healing, energetic embodiment, and quantum transformation in the heart of LA LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, CA, UNITED STATES, May 19, 2025 / / -- Following an emotional and healing first day, Mindvalley's Manifesting Summit LA 2025 returned for Day 2 with a powerful focus on embodiment, deep transformation, and quantum growth. With over 15,000 participants joining both in-person and virtually, the summit continued to ignite personal breakthroughs and global unity. Day 2 took place at LA Center Studios and felt like the peak of the entire event. The energy was strong as the crowd moved from feeling inspired to fully living what they learned, guided by top transformation coaches and spiritual teachers. Highlights from Day 2: •Regan Hillyer: Returned to guide attendees through 'Surrendered Manifestation', teaching how to embody your highest vision by becoming what you desire to attract. •John Lee & David Ghiyam: Delivered insights into spiritual technology and wealth energetics, giving practical tools to remove inner blocks and step into limitless receiving. •Anodea Judith: Spoke on manifesting wealth in the digital age, and later closed the day with an unforgettable in-person session titled 'Creating Miracles Together'. •Vishen Lakhiani: Led immersive embodiment work and advanced teachings on the Silva Method for virtual attendees, followed by a session on becoming a manifesting master. •Dr. Joe Dispenza: lighting up the crowd with his signature approach to aligning the mind, body, and energy field to manifest radical change. Day 2 was full of energy. People joined in breathwork and movement with Lee Holden, and many talks ended with big cheers from the crowd. The crowd danced, cried, and shared real, powerful moments of change. 'This wasn't just about learning techniques,' one attendee said. 'It was about becoming the person who already lives the life I've been dreaming about.' With the skyline of Los Angeles in the background a city healing from recent fires, Mindvalley's mission to bring peace, growth, and conscious community felt more urgent and impactful than ever. As the Manifesting Summit LA ends, Mindvalley will keep growing its mission to help people change their lives. More summits and immersive experiences are on the horizon. For more information, please visit ABOUT MINDVALLEY Mindvalley is the world's premier transformation platform, committed to empowering individuals to unlock their greatest potential. The platform's mission encompasses a broad spectrum of personal growth areas, including longevity, wellness, peak performance, and spirituality. By offering innovative and cutting-edge programs designed by the world's leading experts, Mindvalley fosters a more conscious and connected global community. Mindvalley's pioneering learning platform, 'Quest,' redefines education by integrating advanced technology, captivating storytelling, exceptional educators, and dynamic community engagement, resulting in five times better outcomes in human transformation. With a presence in over 195 countries and a thriving community of 25 million passionate learners, Mindvalley is at the forefront of personal development, with impact amplified through diverse channels, including Mindvalley Talks, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Megan Pormer Megan Pormer Media +1 310-987-0864 [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
RHOM star Jackie Gillies reveals how escaping a toxic relationship helped tune her psychic abilities...and how she used them to 'manifest' marriage to Ben Gillies
Former Real Housewives Of Melbourne star Jackie Gillies has revealed that a toxic relationship in her teens, helped tune her psychic abilities. Writing in The Australian on Saturday, Jackie, 44, admitted that she had the ability to 'see spirits' from an early age, before blocking them out during her teenage years. She revealed that it was a 'controlling relationship' she was in at 19 that had helped reacquaint the former reality star with her gift. 'It wasn't until one day I remember I was crying in my bed and I said to God, why is this happening to me? And I saw a vision of every time this person ever cheated,' Jackie shared. 'I went to this person and told them what I'd seen. It was like I was looking at a movie theatre. 'I was looking at my bedroom wall, but it was like a movie theatre of images. It was after this relationship broke down that I started to do the inner work and tuned back into my intuition.' She also revealed that, with the help of a 'manifestation board' she had used her gift to engender everything she wanted, including her RHOM role and marriage to Silverchair rocker Ben Gillies. She shared that she knew her future hubby as a teen before losing touch after high school. After becoming reacquainted with Ben at a party, that night she had a dream of her and Ben together and, upon telling Ben, he admitted he'd had the same dream. 'We hung out for about a year, I was 29 and I'd said to my Dad I'm going to be married by the time I'm 30,' she said. 'Finally Ben kissed me. Then two days later he proposed with a diamond that was on my vision board, that he had no idea about. We got married a day before I turned 30.' Jackie's admission comes after she made a surprise appearance on Real Housewives Of Sydney. Having left RHOM back in 2020 after starring since 2014, Jackie was called in to offer her psychic and medium services to this season's Sydney cast. The former reality star told that she was encouraged to make her surprise cameo by current season cast member Terry Biviano. 'When I was asked by Terry to come on, she was like, "Jackie, I want you to try and help this group because there's so much fracture in the group,"' she said. 'It was a no-brainer for me because I have been in this dynamic before.' Jackie said she tried to lead the group to better themselves but 'a lot of ego' and 'a lot of jealousy towards some of the other ladies' among the cast. 'In the beginning, they were all willing, open and receptive, but it was almost like they were triggered by their experiences with whoever they've had those experience with – and it went like left field' she explained. 'It was gnarly. There's so much anger in this group'. Jackie was asked if she would consider returning full time - and said she is absolutely up for getting the 'old school cast' back together. 'The fans want Real Housewives in Melbourne back, and I believe it's time to bring them back,' she said. In 2020, Jackie announced she was quitting the show to focus on starting a family with her musician husband Ben Gillies, 45. She told Stellar that she was confident in her decision to put a pause on the show and to grow their family in their hometown of Newcastle in NSW. Jackie revealed to the publication that at the time, she was on fourth round of IVF and that she kept her treatments under wraps because she felt she'd be judged. 'Keeping it hidden meant I also wasn't being honest to who I am. And since I've started telling people, everyone has been so supportive,' the TV personality said. She also revealed that her time in the South African jungle on Channel 10's I'm A Celebrity back in 2018 helped her realise she wanted to be a mother. The medium added that while her physic abilities do not show her everything that will happen in life, she knew motherhood was for her. 'Do I know I'm definitely going to have children? From the depths of my heart, yes' she said. 'But what I haven't been prepared for is the way it was going to come' she said. The pair welcomed twin boys, Bonham and Rocco, three years ago.
News.com.au
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Jackie O breaks down on-air when asked about finding love: ‘I never felt good enough'
Jackie 'O' Henderson broke down live on-air this morning during a discussion with American author and motivational speaker Gabrielle Bernstein. Henderson and her co-host Kyle Sandilands welcomed the New York Times best-selling author to The Kyle & Jackie O Show to discuss her speaking tour of Australia. But the conversation got emotional as Henderson was asked about her love life. 'How would you manifest your ideal partner when you don't have a vision of what they look like? How do you do that?' the radio host asked Bernstein, after admitting she wants to manifest love in her life. 'I can't tap into that. But I also have done quite a lot of work on myself, and I didn't realise that I never felt good enough until I went deep. And then it all came up and it was like a bloody pressure cooker and everything came out. Sometimes I think we have core beliefs that we're not even aware of,' Jackie confessed. When Sandilands asked her why she doesn't think she's 'good enough', she cried: 'I don't know, I'm working on it. I feel like I've been working on it for two and a half years constantly.' Bernstein reassured Henderson that 'everyone is worthy of love'. 'We are in our being and in our presence, we are an energy of love and that is always reflected back to us when we align with it,' the author said. Sandilands then told Henderson not to be so hard on herself as she has 'dated some donkeys. You're way better than the donkeys you've dated.' Henderson has been on a journey of self-discovery in recent years, telling the Daily Telegraph in January that she realised she had to learn to love herself first before she could share her life with another person. 'I think the thing was – for years – I was crying out [to be loved],' she told the outlet. 'But also realising that I wasn't loving myself either. And I think that was the biggest realisation.' The star was married to then co-host Phil O'Neil, aka Ugly Phil, in the 90s and in 2003 she went on the wed British photographer Lee Henderson. They welcomed daughter Kitty, now 14, but split in 2018. She sparked dating rumours in 2023 when spotted enjoying a glass of wine on the balcony of her eastern suburbs home with 29-year-old tradesman and model Jack Tyerman, but since then, Henderson has been unlucky in love. However, these days she is looking within to 'fill that void'. 'It was like I was expecting someone else to fill that void of giving me the love that I wasn't giving myself, and then when I did start doing that, the peace that came with that, the contentment of not needing it – because I do have wonderful people in my life,' she said. 'I have wonderful women, especially, and I do get a lot of love, but it was me that wasn't giving myself that love, and that's where the yearning was coming from, and expecting it from a partner. 'It was cry for help, but I think I was just a little lost, to be honest.'
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I wrote myself a letter to find a husband – and married the teenager I kissed at prom 27 years ago
A WOMAN has revealed she met her now husband just weeks after writing herself a letter to manifest Mr Right - and he turned out to be her prom date from 27 years ago. Kelly Lundberg, 44, from Edinburgh, Scotland, married Graham Ross, 44, last year after using 'very clear words' on what her future partner would be like and the exact words he would say to her. 6 6 6 The pair, who shared a first kiss at their high school prom in 1998, had lost contact shortly afterwards when Kelly moved to Dubai at 21 to work as cabin crew with Emirates. But they were reunited in 2019 after Kelly's mum Heather convinced her to join a dating app to get over a heartbreaking divorce. Kelly - who owns personal branding business Kelly Lundberg Official - and her mum had jetted off to the Seychelles for a 'cheer up' holiday. During this time, Kelly wrote a desire statement - written by her 'future self' - about the man she wanted to meet. She said: 'It was the second time I'd attempted one. The first had been filled with ambitious dreams. This time I played it simpler, really being honest with myself. "When you are in your late thirties and have gone through a breakup, you start to question so many things. You wonder if you are going to be alone all your life, whether you will ever have children. 'And so I thought about the person I would like to meet next, using very clear words of what he would look like, his personality, and how we would act together.' The desire statement Kelly penned for her future partner, included the words: 'My love life has never been so fulfilling. I am in a new relationship - he is tall, in great shape, picks me up easily, loves my playful nature, and thinks I am beautiful (and tells me often). "He is handsome, super thoughtful, and generous. We love working out together.' Four weeks later, during a trip back home to Scotland in May 2019, Kelly's mum convinced her to join Bumble and promised she'd manage it for her daughter. My libido is through the roof at 49 after reconnecting with my husband - we have hot date nights away and he's the man I fell in love with again, says BGT's Francine Lewis It was then Kelly saw a picture of a man she recognised - Graham, who she hadn't seen since they were 17. Kelly said: 'I reluctantly agreed to join Bumble - which allows women to make the first move if they're matched with someone. "Graham's face was one of the first to appear. He may have been 20-odd years older than when I'd last seen him, and now with a beard, but I recognised him straight away. 'He was the boy I'd liked all the way through school and who I'd shared a kiss with at our prom. We never saw each other again. Despite the fact I'd liked him for five years, it never went anywhere. The timing just wasn't right.' Kelly admits there was initial confusion - as her mum had set up the Bumble account, and he had wondered if Kelly had moved back to Edinburgh - but the pair started messaging each other straight away. They arranged to meet one afternoon - and Kelly admits that at 5ft 2ins, she had to stand on tiptoes to give Graham - 6ft 2ins - a kiss on the cheek. The date went on until 2am. It was on the first date in June 2019, Graham said to Kelly the words to her that were on her desire statement 'you're beautiful'. Kelly said: 'I'd known Graham since I was 12 but I was still incredibly nervous. 6 6 'Our prom kiss had given me butterflies, and I thought that was what happens at 17 if you kiss the guy you like. But, some 21 years later, we kissed on our first date, and I had the same feeling! It's definitely the person that makes you feel that way.' For the next four years, Kelly and Graham managed a long-distance relationship, with calls lasting for hours, sitting down with a bottle of wine and a pizza 4,000 miles apart. The couple got engaged in 2023, and Graham moved to Dubai. They then had an intimate wedding in the Seychelles, and threw a party for all their friends and family at Turin Castle in Scotland in June 2024. Kelly said: 'Graham and I have often talked about the timing of how our relationship has happened. And how we are right for one another right now, but that wouldn't have been the case 20 years ago. Would we still be together if we'd got together after high school?' Kelly admits Graham doesn't share her enthusiasm for manifesting, but is fully supportive of Kelly, who helps luxury businesses and entrepreneurs with their personal branding. She added: 'I apply desire statements to all aspects of my life. I strongly believe you can create the life you want. It's empowering.' A desire statement is a technique personal branding expert Kelly says she has used to also manifest both personal and professional achievements in her life. Figures show there are more than one million global online searches every month for 'manifesting', a technique that celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande have used. Kelly, author of personal branding title Deseed The Lemon, said: 'A desire statement is a lesser-known manifestation technique that a life coach had introduced me to. "You write a note as your future self, as though what you desire has already happened, and what it looks like from that perspective. 'Six years ago I wrote the desire statement that manifested Graham. 'I stuck it on a wall in my bathroom when I got home and pretty much forgot about it. When I read it again after re-uniting with Graham, I was so surprised; it's basically a description of him!' How to write a desire statement Choose a date in the future that feels right for you not too far away, but far enough that some of the things you're dreaming about could realistically come to life. Anywhere between 6–12 months is a good place to start. Imagine you've just bumped into someone, and you're telling them what's happened in your life. Really live it as you write, with the same energy and excitement as if it just happened. Think about all areas of your life: – Work and business goals – Travel and places you want to see – Health and how you feel in your body – Relationships, home, experiences... the list is endless. Use your senses to bring it to life. What does it smell like? Are there any sounds? What words are being said? Is there music playing? Be honest with yourself. This isn't about being fake-positive or pretending everything is perfect, it's about imagining what's possible while staying true to your values and experiences. Be mindful of negative language, not because you should ignore challenges, but because you don't want to anchor yourself in what's already passed. You're not erasing the past; you're simply choosing not to relive it every day. Keep your statement somewhere special. I've loved reading mine back and seeing what's become reality. And then I ask myself: are my daily actions aligning with this vision? I'm not just sitting on the sofa expecting it all to magically happen… I'm showing up and doing the work, step by step.
