In recent years, manifestation has been a practice that people adopt in their daily life. What exactly is manifesting, and why do people do it? Is manifesting a sin? Well, let’s find out!
What is Manifestation
In the Merriam Webster’s dictionary, Manifestation’s definition is
MANIFEST verb
manifested; manifesting; manifests
transitive verb
: to make evident or certain by showing or displaying
From this definition, it seems that manifestation is something very harmless and not likely to be associated with sin, but manifestation is also largely connected to the Law of Attraction.
What is the Law of Attraction?
The Law of Attraction is simply put as the capacity to have the power to attract whatever you are honing your attention to. It suggests that negative thoughts bring negative things to your life, and positive thoughts bring positive outcomes. The Law of Attraction is a pseudoscience-based belief and is part of the New Age Movement.
What is the Difference between Manifestation and the Law of Attraction?
In Manifestation, you are familiar with certain thoughts that you need to have to attract a certain power or event to happen in your life, and you purposely harness it. Here, you intentionally and consciously harness a mindset through you your thoughts, beliefs and feelings to attain whatever it is that you are desiring.
The Law of Attraction is based on your energy and vibrations in life. Unlike manifestation, you don’t necessarily have to purposely practice or harness your desire here. The Law of Attraction believes in your own personal vibrations, whether it’s positive or negative.
Is Manifestation the same as Praying?
As we mentioned, Manifesting is a way to purposely harness something for yourself, in other words, it is a way to get something for yourself. Some may confuse that manifesting can be the same as praying because of asking for something materialistic to happen in your life but do know that it is entirely different.
Praying is a conversation with God, it is the time that you spend with Him and talk to Him. Oftentimes, you ask God during your prayer time for things that you need or want, both material and spiritual.
Manifesting on the other hand is an intense self-belief and faith that you will attain whatever it is that you are thinking of that you want or need.
These two practices are entirely different. To simply answer the question, No. Manifestation is not the same as Praying.
Is Manifestation a Sin?
There are different interpretations out there if Manifestation is a sin, some people think that it is harmless as it is mostly done with good intentions to attain things in life that won’t do harm to a person, like getting a good job, being successful in a business, passing an exam, etc. Manifestation also coincides with work, meaning people know that they have to manifest and work hard to attain whatever it is that they are desiring to have, they know that manifestation does not work like magic.
However, manifestation is seen as something connected and rooted to the Law of Attraction, which is one of the spiritual movements that is deeply connected to witchcraft, magic, or divination, which is regarded as a sin.
Manifestation is tricky and can definitely backfire if not done right. If you are manifesting something for others that will cause them great harm and danger, that will also be categorized as sin. It’s also seen as a sin if you are manifesting something for yourself that you know will hurt others. Remember wishing anything ill to others will always be a sin.
Is reading books about the Law of Attraction and Manifestation a Sin?
It is well known that the best way for us not to commit a sin is to eliminate temptation. Engaging in books and materials that talk about the Law of Attraction and Manifestation can be treading into dangerous waters. For anyone’s benefit, is always best to stay away from risky circumstances.
What Can I do as a Catholic to stay away from Manifestation?
If you want to stay away from Manifestation and the Law of Attraction, the best thing to do is to set a good amount of prayer time with God, and our Blessed Mother. You may seek support from Our Lady to pray for you, and you may ask God to help you accept and live a life that is dedicated to His will.