Last time we talked about the danger zone of affirmations and positive thinking (if you missed it, be sure to check it out here). Let’s follow that up with a few topics that often go right along side affirmations—manifestation, co-creation, and intention setting. These techniques are becoming more popular by the hour, and they seem like such a positive thing to do. However, there are a few traps to be aware of. This week we are going to go deep, so get ready!
HIDDEN TRAP #1: YOU HAVE TO WANT SOMETHING
Manifestation, co-creation techniques, and intention setting all start with the same thing. Have you ever heard someone say, “Decide what you TRULY want out of this life, then set your intention to co-create a manifestation of your deepest desires.” …Or something to that effect? Point being it all starts with you wanting something.
What’s wrong with wanting something? Instead of thinking about it being “right” or “wrong”, let’s explore the messages it sends you.
To want something implies lack. Think about it. If you want something…anything, you are telling yourself you are separate from whatever it is you are wanting. It could be anything from a person (in the form of a relationship) to a new car or a piece of chocolate pie. It doesn’t really matter. It’s still separation mentality. Even though we live in the world of duality where things appear separate (and we are indeed required to play the duality game full on in order to grow spiritually), the truth is separation is an illusion.
HIDDEN TRAP #2: EGO DESIRE TAKES THE CAKE TOO OFTEN (LITERALLY)
As we discovered in #1, ego desire is typically a precursor to manifesting. Desire has a spectrum of expression. At its highest octave, desire expresses as pure desire for God. But let’s be real here. For most of us, more often than not we aren’t exactly coming from a state of pure desire for God. We have moments where we straight up want a piece of chocolate pie.
Then how do you tell the difference between ego desire and pure desire for God? Let’s take the chocolate pie example. There is pie. It looks good. Do you eat the pie to satisfy your temporary sugar craving (ego desire)? Or do you see that the chocolate pie momentarily fills a void and a yearning for something deeper? That “something deeper” is a desire for God.
The Essene Teacher of Righteousness once said, “Dost thou forsake the eternal for that which dies in an hour?”
HIDDEN TRAP #3: IT IMPLIES THERE IS A “YOU” SEPARATE FROM CREATION
Here’s where we get deep, so stay with me. A great story my teacher would often share regarding co-creation and manifestation illustrates this point beautifully:
He was once traveling to Europe to teach a workshop. As with any workshop, it required months of planning to prepare for the event. Everything (even menu planning) had been considered. The first morning of the workshop, a woman participating in the workshop went into the breakfast hall, looked at what was being served and said, “I manifested this breakfast! This is exactly what I envisioned eating today!” My teacher looked over at her and said, “This menu has been planned for six months. Perhaps consider that you didn’t manifest or co-create this breakfast, but that you tuned into the flow of life unfolding—in this case what was being served for breakfast.”
At the deepest level, there is only God. There is no “you” separate from God, even though we appear to be separate on this physical plane of existence. So, then how can there be a separate “you” manifesting creation outside of the will of God unfolding on this planet?
Instead of thinking that you are the doer and that you are the one doing the manifesting, consider for a moment that you simply are the unfolding of creation. Your ego and having a subtle sense of separation are still necessary in this physical world because they create the conditions necessary for you to grow spiritually. However, when you go beyond the ego, there is only the will of God unfolding.
When you go beyond the ego, there is only the will of God unfolding. @ShalvahZ
HIDDEN TRAP #4: IT IMPLIES YOU KNOW BETTER THAN GOD
This is a big one. If you aren’t careful, manifesting your “deepest desires” can mean you are actually blocking the flow for even greater things to happen in your life. Manifestation techniques can be limiting—especially if you are attempting to manifest from ego desire, which 99% of the time we are. You are saying that you know exactly what you want out of life, that you know how to get it, and that you know better than God what is best for you. It’s like locking the door on grace and throwing away the key. Beyond that, how many times have you asked for something, only to realize after you got it that it wasn’t what you really wanted?
So, am I saying don’t use manifestation, co-creation, or intention setting techniques? Not necessarily. What I am saying is that there is a lot of misinformation out there on these topics and it’s important to be aware of the subtle messages that happen behind the scenes if you are using manifestation techniques.
If you are going to set intentions or work with manifestation techniques, keep these blind spots in mind and set intentions from a desire for God. For example, set an intention to manifest that which will elevate you on all levels and bring you closer to God, but leave the details up to God. This opens the door for grace.
I know this goes against the common schools of thought that say you have to be specific in you manifestation and intention for it to “work”. The downside to getting specific is now you are back into ego desire and the grace door closes. Whether or not you personally use manifestation techniques in your life, the big take away from these 4 hidden traps is to ALWAYS leave room for grace.
- If you want something…anything, you are telling yourself you are separate from whatever it is you are wanting.
- Ego desire is typically a precursor to manifestation or intention setting.
- Turn ego desire into a desire for God.
- There is no such thing as a separate “you” manifesting creation outside of the will of God.
- Instead of thinking that you are the one doing the manifesting, consider for a moment that you simply are the unfolding of creation.
- If you are going to set intentions or work with manifestation techniques, keep these blind spots in mind and set intentions from a desire for God.
- Leave room for grace.
P.S. For all you chocolate pie lovers out there (myself included), I’m not advocating giving up chocolate pie. I’m simply offering loving perspective using a yummy example. 
