Manifesting the life you desire is simple: Ask, Believe, Act, Receive. Easy peasy, yes? Not entirely. I’ve been working on my manifesting practice since 2006 when I first encountered the Law of Attraction bible, The Secret. I’d be trucking along manifesting handbags and parking spots when my marriage blew up in my face and I wondered if I’d somehow “attracted” that into my life. Spoiler alert: I didn’t.
Manifestation is not magic or religion. It’s simply leveraging how your brain naturally works to overcome mental blocks, align your actions to your desires, and see opportunities that will lead to your success. It does not prevent bad things from happening but it allows you to transform them into purpose and passion.
Babe and I have read almost every manifestation book out there and made a list of our favorites. Some books (The Source and Mind Magic) explain the brain science behind it all. Others are decidedly more woo-woo in their approach (I’m looking at you, Esther and Jerry Hicks). The key is to find a book that resonates with you so you can stop wondering if this will work and set your goals, create an action plan, and trust that the universe - as Gabby Bernstein puts it - has your back so you don’t self-sabotage.
Happy reading!
Xx Jen
Dr. Tara Swart is a neuroscientist and psychiatrist who teaches at MIT. She explains (in basic terms - yay) how the brain can help you manifest more of what you want in your life. If you like to understnad the science behind manifesting and want a non-woo woo approach, this book is an excellent primer.
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
This is the companion book to the film that got Babe and me on our manifesting journeys years before we met each other. The downside is this book can get a little into self-blame territory. I read it right before my marriage imploded and wondered if I’d somehow willed that to happen. So read the positive parts and ignore anything that does not resonate.
Ask and It Is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires by Esther and Jerry Hicks
This is the most woo woo of the bunch - the authors channel a non-physical presence named Abraham - but a lot of people are huge fans and say this is the book that started then on their journey.
Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life by Roxie Nafousi.
This book is a great starting point. This is the Kate Moss of books: a slim volume that oozes confidence and coolness. Nafousi was a London party girl (she dated Harry Styles and Damien Hirst) who had an aha moment on a yoga retreat. She’s distilled everything she’s learned into an elegant seven-step process. We love her vibe.
Super Attractor by Gabrielle Bernstein
Gabrielle Berstein struggled with addiction when she read A Course in Miracles, which sent her on a journey of discovered how the universe wants to support our goals and dreams. Some manifestation approaches are quite materialistic in nature, but Gabby is more focused on alignment and spiritual wellness.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
I have to admit, I struggle with this one, which is a fable about a shepherd looking for hidden treasures. But, I know a lot of people who found that this unlocked the idea of manifesting for them and it is a classic that everyone should read once.
Girl Code: How to Choose Yourself, Burn the Rule Book, and Blaze Your Own Trail in Life and Business by Cara Alwill
Cara is what Babe calls a rockstar human. I’m in her coaching containers and I love all her books. This book is not about manifesting per se but gets into the mindset of success that underlies the practice. This book has resonated with women all over the world and will light the fire in you to take the inspired action to manifest your goals.
Rich as F*ck by Amanda Frances
Amanda Frances went from a modest middle-class upbringing in Oklahoma to buying Kyle Richards RHOBH house through her online money manifesting courses. She manifests wealth in a fairly low-effort way (sometime she’s literally eating a hamburger in her bed), which I love but she can be polarizing. I adored this book, which provides you a manifesting roadmap.
Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything by James R. Doty, MD
This book by neuroscientist, Dr. James Daughty is a primer on how manifestation actually works from a brain science perspective.
The Selfish Season: Putting Yourself First in Midlife by Babe Smith and Jen Lawrence
We’d be remiss to ignore our new book. We discuss the brain science behind manifesting and share how we’ve manifested our success. Learn how to set boundaries, audit your time, friendships and energy, overcome money blocks, manifest what you want, and center your needs for a change. Plus, you will have a good laugh!
