The idea of Intention Manifestation is insulting

[keysersoze311]

I've had a lot of experience with synchronicity, so much so that it makes me think the world is a funny old place. However, I never consciously choose to make it happen, it just does, and it's meaningless, but it's cool nonetheless.

However, I find the idea of intention manifestation a bit insulting. Saying that we can create wealth and abundance with positive thinking - try telling that to starving kids in Africa. If we really "choose" our reality, then what are the limits of this? I've never met anyone who could use the power of intention to win the lottery, turn themselves into a pink elephant or create a universe made of marshmallows. So if intention manifestation actually works, where's the cut off point? If you ask me it's a load of bollocks, the interesting thing about this universe is that there are lots of individual beings, each possessing free will. That makes it unpredictable, because no one person can control the actions of others. If an angry thug is looking for a fight and approaches me on the street, no amount of positive thinking on my part is going to make him go away.

Thoughts?

[joylangtry]

I find the idea of intention manifestation a bit insulting

Your choice... but why choose to be insulted?

I've never met anyone who could use the power of intention to win the lottery, turn themselves into a pink elephant or create a universe made of marshmallows

IMO, these examples are very limiting. Many people feel as though their only entry into extreme wealth would be by winning the lottery, which in itself is an indication of scarcity thinking. And the pink elephant and marshmallow universe? My guess is that few would want that.

So if intention manifestation actually works, where's the cut off point

Probably the point at which one's imagination and beliefs meets their boundaries.

no one person can control the actions of others

Correct, but I can control what I attract by controlling my focus.

If an angry thug is looking for a fight and approaches me on the street, no amount of positive thinking on my part is going to make him go away.

Do you really know this? Personally, the only reason an angry thug might approach me on the street is to seek what I am offering... like unconditional love, friendship, stuff like that. I don't believe in helpless victimhood, so if the thug seeks a helpless victim to inflict violence upon, he just won't see me.

Do you still feel insulted? I found your comments energizing to respond to... thanks!

Love,
Joy

[wolfgang]

Originally Posted by keysersoze311

If an angry thug is looking for a fight and approaches me on the street, no amount of positive thinking on my part is going to make him go away.

Thoughts?

I just have a little thought (actually a little syncronicity, since I heard this on some CD audio program by Bruce Lipton). There's something about nature that relates to thugs going after the easy targets. Just like a lion will find the weakest gazelle to kill, thugs also naturally prey on those that are looking scared or break into houses that have no alarms. Positive thinking or confidence when walking by thugs may just be what deters them.

"why are you taking karate?" - "so I don't have to fight"

[1000feet]

Originally Posted by keysersoze311

However, I find the idea of intention manifestation a bit insulting. Saying that we can create wealth and abundance with positive thinking - try telling that to starving kids in Africa.

If I say we can get the food we need to survive by growing it, would you also be insulted on behalf of people who don't have the tools to grow as much as we do? If Steve (or Oprah) claims that using intentions can get people out of poverty and starvation, they aren't saying that people have consciously decided to put themselves in that situation. They are saying that people can make the choice to do something that will improve it.

If you want to know the truth, you can't just "manifest" whatever you want someone to tell you when you read something.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by 1000feet

If I say we can get the food we need to survive by growing it, would you also be insulted on behalf of people who don't have the tools to grow as much as we do?

1000feet, I LOVED that statement! what a great response to this question which comes up so often.

I didn't understand what you meant in your last sentence. Would you please clarify that?

[theknightwhosaysni-NI]

Originally Posted by keysersoze311

If an angry thug is looking for a fight and approaches me on the street, no amount of positive thinking on my part is going to make him go away.

Thoughts?

My thought on this is that it probably is your Higher Self that would manifest this if it happened. Why? To help you understand something, to teach you a valuable lesson.
In this case the lesson could be : "stop seeing others as ennemies" or "stop seeing yourself as a victim" or something else depending on your situation.

The paradox is if you learn the lesson given by your higher self (assuming he manifested that for you), that would result in you stopping manifesting this kind of violence. (by stopping seeing others as ennemies).
But your Higher Self is the same as you anyway so... (only he has a greater awareness than you and knows better what is good to manifest for you)

[1000feet]

Originally Posted by Angela

1000feet, I LOVED that statement! what a great response to this question which comes up so often.

I didn't understand what you meant in your last sentence. Would you please clarify that?

I'm just pointing out that the original post responds to things Steve didn't actually say. This is an example of an "intention" (reaction to some phrase) "manifesting" something that the rest of us don't see

[Mr.Mustache]

Originally Posted by keysersoze311

I've had a lot of experience with synchronicity, so much so that it makes me think the world is a funny old place. However, I never consciously choose to make it happen, it just does, and it's meaningless, but it's cool nonetheless.

However, I find the idea of intention manifestation a bit insulting. Saying that we can create wealth and abundance with positive thinking - try telling that to starving kids in Africa. If we really "choose" our reality, then what are the limits of this? I've never met anyone who could use the power of intention to win the lottery, turn themselves into a pink elephant or create a universe made of marshmallows. So if intention manifestation actually works, where's the cut off point? If you ask me it's a load of bollocks, the interesting thing about this universe is that there are lots of individual beings, each possessing free will. That makes it unpredictable, because no one person can control the actions of others. If an angry thug is looking for a fight and approaches me on the street, no amount of positive thinking on my part is going to make him go away.

Thoughts?

The starving kids should be helped they are stuck in a rut, its hard to become alighned with abundance when their is such a lack thereof in their everyday life. Intention-manifestation is usually gradual because people slowly change their perception of reality and their habits.
Unless I allowed myself to be I would not find myself in a situation in which to get mugged.

Oh, and I don't think anyone really cares that you are insulted, Steve is just reporting what he has experienced. So, don't get all boo hoo about it.

[Angela]

Hey, Mr. Mustache, Keysersoze311 asked a thoughtful question and you responded with a disrespectful answer. What do you reckon you're likely to manifest with that kind of talk? Don't forget, there's nothing like a dissenting opinion to help you clarify your own thoughts.

Love,
Angela