Originally Posted by MagicalRealist  I manifested the loan I needed in order to buy my current house. The house was far more expensive than I thought it was possible for me to afford, but the moment I saw a picture of it online I knew it was my house, and that I was going to get it. And I did.
Then, years later, I decided I wanted my entire mortgage to be paid off. I intended to own the house free and clear. It was a huge amount of money, but I intended it to happen within six months. Six weeks later, through an absolutely outrageous set of circumstances, it was done--and best of all, I didn't have to come up with a single dime to do it.
I've also manifested a small monthly income that involves no work on my part. I didn't expect that one; it really was just an idle bit of wishful thinking. But there it is.
On top of that, I seem to get a lot of stuff for free that turns out to be worth some money, or I get things I've been wanting for free or at bargain prices. I'm routinely not charged for items in restaurants, the grocery store, or when I go shopping. Clerks in stores sometimes give me a discount on my purchases for no reason at all. And on a few occasions I've asked for and received a steep discount on a damaged or dirty item--only to discover that it's in perfect condition once I get it home.
Actually, it's not. "Hard work" implies struggle, which implies resistance to your current circumstances--and since what you resist persists, "hard work" won't get you very far. Look at how many people spend their lives busting their butts, trying to stay above water, hoping to get ahead--they definitely work hard, but where does it get them?
Instead of hard work, using the LoA to your advantage involves what Joe Vitale cals "inspired action." You know what needs to be done next, and you do it. And since it's the right thing to do at that time, it's easy. There's no struggle, no "hard work."
ETA (because it would be nice to answer the original question, wouldn't it?):
I've read a lot of books--pretty much any book that's been mentioned here? I've read it. And for the most part, they all say variations on the same few things. Some say one thing in a way that resonates with me, others might do a better job for me at discussing other points, but it's subjective--what books worked for me might not be the ones that help you. So I advise reading a variety of books to find what fits.
For myself, Abe-Hicks was probably the most helpful because of their emphasis on feeling good, consciously reaching for he best possible feeling in a situation, and choosing the course of action that will take me "downstream," rather than struggling upstream. Does Esther Hicks really channel Abraham? I honestly don't give a damn whether she does or not; even if she's a very well-read actress playing a role the information is still good.
When I started really getting into I-M, I also found an audio presentation by Joe Vitale (The Missing Secret) very helpful, as well as his book The Attractor Factor.
As far as techniques, I focus on changing my thought patterns, beliefs, and dominant/default emotional state, first and foremost. It all really comes down to that for me, and trying to manifest specific things is secondary. Doing that involves remaining aware of how I feel and recognizing negative thought patterns as they're running through my head so I can turn them around. And during the course of my day, I constantly look for things to appreciate, no matter how small or mundane they might seem.
To make deep changes I use affirmative statements that are either written or spoken 100 times in a single session. Sometimes I'll write it one day, then speak it the next. I'll use variations on the same belief, working at it from different angles until it feels "real." This takes time and persistence, especially when doubts arise during the process, but it really works for me.
As long as I'm still holding on to negative, limiting beliefs about what is possible and what I deserve, or making my happiness dependent upon my external conditions, or wanting something more because I don't appreciate what I already have, my ability to manifest is hindered. But when I'm happy, when I appreciate everything I have, when I feel connected to other people around me, and when I follow my intuition and pay attention to what my emotional state is telling me, everything is easy. Maybe I'll intend for something specific, but most of the time I don't bother anymore because I'm happy with what I have right now, and don't really need anything else. Money and material items just seem to show up on their own, sometimes, like surprise gifts. And I know that when I do decide to shake things up and intend for something different, I'll get it, so I don't worry over it. |