Catch & Flip
In the previous post, we discussed the concept of manifestation, its origins, its methods, and its benefits. In this post and the following, I drill deeper into several of the key processes for manifesting in your daily life.
We know that the concept of manifesting has deep roots in ancient cultures. In modern times, the term “manifestation” arose with the New Thought movement of the 19th century. The main tenant of the New Thought movement was the idea that our thoughts and beliefs influence our experiences. It also developed and introduced the concept of the Law of Attraction, which is part and parcel of manifestation.
It makes sense to define both terms as they are different despite being closely related.
Same Same but Different: Law of Attraction vs. Manifestation
The Law of Attraction is a specific principle within the realm of manifestation. It is the idea that like attracts like. The energy you emit through your thoughts and emotions attracts corresponding energies and experiences into your life. Your dominant thoughts and feelings create a vibrational frequency that resonates with similar frequencies in the universe.
Therefore, by directing your thoughts and emotions toward what you desire, you align yourself with the energies that can help manifest those desires. In other words, focusing on positive thoughts and feelings makes you more likely to attract positive outcomes. So to, will focusing on negative thoughts and emotions attract adverse outcomes.
Manifesting is a broader concept encompassing bringing your desires, intentions, and goals into physical reality. It involves aligning your thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and actions with the energy of what you want to manifest. While the Law of Attraction is a principle that explains how energies attract similar energies, manifesting involves the practical steps and practices you undertake to facilitate the realization of your desires.
In essence, the Law of Attraction is a guiding principle that explains the mechanism of attraction based on energy and vibration, while manifesting is the active and intentional process of applying various techniques and practices to bring about desired outcomes by leveraging the Law of Attraction.
Manifesting includes visualization, affirmation, meditation, and energy work, all intended to create a harmonious and focused alignment between your inner world and the external reality you wish to make.
Spiritual practice and manifestation are closely linked. Recall that the purpose of our spiritual practice is to locate and embody our higher selves. Our higher selves are our spiritual counterparts. It is the part of us that is free from the ego of the material world and connected to the divine, the universal conscious energy. Yet, this requires inner work and a lot of it. Self-reflection, clearing blockages, and raising vibrational energy are essential.
Key # 1
The work needed to develop a spiritual practice and greater awareness also cultivates an ability to manifest. It’s as if manifestation is a byproduct of a fruitful spiritual practice. Manifestations will occur if we are on the right track with our awakening.
Simply put, the key to manifestation is positivity. Think about it this way: is there a benefit to a negative mindset? A positive outlook can only have good outcomes, even if you don’t believe in manifestation as a fundamental principle. Even in the face of adversity, a positive mindset will always be better than a negative one. I would rather have a naïve optimism than a general pessimism.
We must adopt a positive mindset deep into the essence of our being. Through this, we achieve a higher vibrational energy. That higher energy resonates with the universal conscious energy; together, you co-create your physical reality.
Catch & Flip
So, how do you achieve and maintain a state of elevated positivity? I’d be bullshitting if I said it was easy. Still, I have developed a technique that, with painful repetition, can begin to recondition your mind toward positivity.
I call it the Catch & Flip Method. It’s simple in principle but challenging in practice. When a negative thought or emotion arises, you catch it and flip it to its opposite.
It might look like this:
You: “I’m going to finally sit down to write that book on spirituality I’ve been planning for years.”
Your Ego: “What’s the point? No one will ever read it. Why would they? You’re a nobody. What makes you think people are interested in what you say?”
Fuckin mean, right? That ego is such a dick. So what should you do the second your ego chimes in? Well, you could say:
You: “Hey, ego! Every ‘somebody’ was once a ‘nobody.’ How do I know if no one will read it if I don’t first write it? The book could be a best seller. The book will be a bestseller!”
This means of stifling negative and limited beliefs is similar to the “Cancel Cancel” practice in The Silva Method. For those unfamiliar with the Silva method, it is the brainchild of writer and parapsychologist Jose Silva. It is based on the idea that we all have the potential to access untapped mental capabilities and harness them to improve our lives. The Method recognizes the importance of positivity and belief. The “cancel cancel” practice is the act of saying “cancel cancel” each time a negative thought or emotion arises.
Like Catch and Flip, the Silva Method works on the conscious and subconscious parts of your mind, telling your brain that those thoughts are invalid and, therefore, have no influence over your life.
Develop Your Awareness First
So, with the Catch & Flip, you shut it down and turn it around whenever your ego chimes in. It’ll happen a lot at first, but it will get better in time.
However, this requires you to be extra aware of your thoughts and emotions. If you still need to start observing them, then I would begin that first.
The more familiar you are with yourself and your perceived circumstances, the more likely you will catch and flip them around. The faster you can catch a negative or self-limiting belief, the quicker you can flip it to a positive or self-affirming one. If you do this enough, you will condition yourself to always tip to a positive state.
It Worked For Me, Will It Work For You?
I have noticed this change in myself, as I used to be a more negative, problem-focused thinker. With Catch & Flip, I lean more toward a positive, solution-based mindset. On a regular basis, I find myself assuming the best of people in instances where their intentions or motives may not be clear.
An excellent tool for developing the ability to catch and flip is mediation. I wrote a previous post on mediation (provide link). It doesn’t need to be a formal or ceremonial practice if you don’t want it to be. It is, however, a necessary means to cultivate thoughts and emotions surrounding the higher self. So, sit in quiet contemplation, remember to breathe deeply with your eyes closed, and imagine what it would feel like to have your desires manifested. When that pesky ego eventually pipes up, and you know it will catch that shit and flip it around. You deserve it, and your dream life depends on it.
Try the Catch & Flip method for yourself; let me know how it goes.
Simon is a former renovation contractor turned writer and author. Apart from writing about his experiences with spiritualism, Simon has a passion for reading, podcasts and spending quality time with his family.