Don't Manifest; Pray!

Luis Nava
Jul 23
5 min read

By: Luis Nava

Beware of dangerous traps like manifesting!

Preface Note:

This article focuses on the dangers of manifesting, which is a New Age idea. However, New Age and New Thought ideas are extremely dangerous and Catholics need to be weary of anything concerning these two philosophies. New Thought and Age are similar, and both of them should be avoided. I will write in more depth about them in the future, but for now, this article simply aims to expose the truth and peril behind manifesting.

The earthly culture is full of fads and trends that disappear as fast as they were created. Some of these trends are harmless, but sometimes, they give the appearance of being harmless, when in reality, they are wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Recently, the term “manifest,” which is part of the new age set of ideas (which are ideas opposed to the teachings of the Catholic Church), has been spiking in popularity, particularly among young people. So much so, that some people I have encountered are even wearing shirts with the word printed across them.

Manifesting is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as, “the act of using methods such as visualization (= picturing something in your mind) and affirmation (= repeating positive phrases) to help you imagine achieving something, in the belief that doing so will make it more likely to happen,” and by Hanah Velez, a writer for The Good Trade and a manifestation advocate, as, “transforming ideas and desires into reality. Similar to the law of attraction, it stems from a belief that the universe (sometimes referred to as the Universe) creates and provides for you that which your thoughts are focused on.”

Already, some red flags begin to appear behind this seemingly innocent practice. The most obvious flag is that manifestation is compared to the law of attraction, which belongs to New Age ideas. New Age/Thought is based on flawed ideas that lead to flawed conclusions, and they are very dangerous to be involved in, which should make Catholics cautious of anything that could be considered similar to or belonging to New Age/Thought.

Secondly, we have to acknowledge that the goal of manifesting is to accomplish something. Then, we have to examine what means are used. In the case of manifesting, people are choosing to enforce their own will by asking ‘the universe’ for a favor or by believing that visualizing something will cause it to happen. Here, the problem is that individuals are trying to make their own will come true via their own means, instead of prayerfully asking God for the item of their yearning. By manifesting, you are adopting an arrogant attitude. It is necessary to know that everything we want may not be good for us. Only God knows what is best for us, and He wants that for us. Therefore, it is best to accept His will instead of trying to convince ‘the universe’ to make your own desires come true.

Manifesting is also superstitious in many if not all cases. For example, one fad that has spread through the internet is writing down what you want to happen over and over again until it happens.

The issue is even deeper, because say a teenager decides to write down, “I will pass my math test,” over and over again, then the day of the test comes, and they pass. The teenager may attribute the success to the manifesting, but, in scientific terms, correlation is not causation. That means that just because two things happened, does not mean that one caused the other. For example, say that in Pennsylvania, the amount of people wearing blue shoes is increasing, and so is the temperature. They have correlation because one is increasing as the other is too, but it would be illogical to claim that people wearing blue shoes are causing the temperature to rise, or vice versa. Similarly, the student tried manifesting and passed the test, but the manifesting did not CAUSE him to pass the test.

The student may have studied for the test, or maybe he had a natural affinity to the subject, and he was going to pass regardless of whether he manifested or not.

It is important to note that positive thinking - meaning, believing in yourself and your abilities - can help you achieve your goals. In some instances, it is easy to distinguish between positive thinking and more dangerous manifesting practices. For example, if you want to win the lottery, there is no skill or effort from your part put into reaching that goal; therefore, thinking positively cannot help you win, and it would be superstitious to think to yourself, “I’m going to win, I’m going to win,” with the belief that your thinking will make it happen.

However, if you have a test coming up, as in the previous example, believing in yourself can give you a confidence boost, which may improve your performance. However, as Catholics, we must be careful not to cross the line from self-motivation to asking the universe for help.

Some of the dangers that may arise from asking the universe for help is that, if what you are asking for is very bad for your relationship with God - say you are asking for your parents to leave town so you can host a rowdy party - a demon may try to answer your request.

In order to keep yourself safe from the wickedness and snares of the devil, it is best to ask God for what your heart desires, making sure to ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate you as to the advantageousness of your request.

Some people may argue that manifesting is only a game, but in reality, it is much more serious than that. As mentioned previously, it may give the appearance of being a game, but it is best not to open any doors to evil spirits.

As humans that want to always improve our own condition, it can be tempting to try manifesting, but it is best to stay away from any possible danger. Instead, turn to God humbly.

Chapter 7 of Matthew’s Gospel says,

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will

be opened to you.

For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one

who knocks, the door will be opened.

Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread,

or a snake when he asks for a fish?

If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how

much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. (USCCB)

As illustrated in this Bible passage, God loves us, and He who knows what is best for us, will grant us our deepest wishes if they are for our own good.

So, instead of manifesting, which is superficial, fickle, and dangerous, let’s turn to God with a loving and open heart. Instead of resorting to an unknown, uncaring, and evil “universe,” let’s pray to our personal and loving God.