Choice 13
The Manifesting Power of Positive Thinking

Norman Vincent Peale’s book The Power of Positive Thinking has received an amazing level of worldwide attention, selling over 20 million copies. In it he wrote:112

I suspect it is fair to say that Peale’s popular book has been received by the public with a widely varying response. Some have considered the book to be a life-changing and revolutionary philosophy to live by. Others, with a more intellectual, scientific, and skeptical bent, have perhaps viewed Peale’s positive thinking philosophy as being largely unrealistic and unsupported rhetoric.

However, over the years many of the elements of Peale’s claims have gradually received support from experts and researchers. Recently a whole new research movement has emerged under the umbrella label “Positive Psychology” that shifts from the traditional focus on psychological dysfunction to positive considerations such as optimism, positive emotion, self-regulation, and well-being: that is, to what is right with people.⁴⁸ And this new movement has begun to have an impact in the work literature as well, involving researchers at prominent universities such as the University of Michigan and the University of Nebraska.⁴⁹113

The research and writings of prominent psychologist Martin Seligman on helplessness, pessimism, optimism, and now positive psychology, are probably the most visible body of work related to this recent emphasis. The jacket cover of his book Learned Optimism proclaims: “There is scientific evidence that optimism is vitally important in overcoming defeat, promoting achievement, and maintaining or improving health.” Inside the book Seligman writes, “Optimism…can protect you against depression; it can raise your level of achievement; it can enhance your physical well-being; it is a far more pleasant mental state to be in.”⁵⁰

Peale himself viewed his work as scientifically sound and tried to connect it with contemporary knowledge, at least as it was understood in the early 1950s. For example, he cited preeminent psychologist William James who said, “Our belief at the beginning of a doubtful undertaking is the one thing that ensures the successful outcome of your venture.”⁵¹

One of the more interesting recent applications of a similar philosophy has been in the area of manifestation. Authors Fred Fengler and Todd Varnum have described many cases involving people who have reportedly created outcomes in the physical world by willing and believing that they will occur. The accounts in their book Manifesting Your Heart’s Desire are primarily based on a 20-person manifestation group that voluntarily agreed to meet for one year while setting aside the belief that much of their life experience was outside their control. The surprising reported experiences of the group resulting from their experimentation revealed wide-ranging outcomes including manifesting parking spaces, lost articles, mechanical repairs, athletic success, timely arrivals when running late, and even money and success in business.⁵²114

The essence of the primary elements for effective manifestation that the group discovered include the following:

• Clarify what you want to manifest (your goals)
• Use visualization (actually picture receiving what you want) and/or use verbal affirmations of receiving your desired outcome
• Let go and detach from the outcome. Don’t dwell on what you want, but rather simply trust that you will receive what is best for you regarding your goal
• Be open to different possible forms that your desired outcome might take.

Though skeptical at first, I found the idea of manifesting to be fascinating, and I performed some simple experiments in my own life in an attempt to replicate some of their findings. As strange as it may sound, when I personally visualized something happening, and simply let go and trusted that I would receive the positive results I desired, I experienced occurrences that I cannot explain. I realize some readers may be skeptical about the results of some of these simple experiments I performed to test some of the manifesting group’s results, but all I can say is that they happened. For example, when applying the principles I consistently found parking spaces in crowded locations where they are almost impossible to find.115

I have also arrived exactly when I needed to for meetings when I was running very late and there was seemingly no way I could be on time. I simply pictured a time I wanted to arrive, did not check my watch but rather believed and pictured that I would be on time, and traveled at a safe comfortable speed. And almost magically, when I checked my watch just as I arrived where I needed to be, I was on time to the minute. And I repeated this experiment several times with a nearly perfect success rate when I was able to really believe it would happen and let go of the outcome.

If all this seems a little too mysterious and “new age-y,” there are many ways that the manifesting power of positive thinking can be applied in very practical and more “left brain” logical ways. For example, the popular concept “Psycho-cybernetics,” which centers on vividly imagining outcomes that you desire, has been widely used by athletes, entrepreneurs, managers, students, and many others to reach life goals. The original book titled Psycho-Cybernetics written by Maxwell Maltz has now sold over 30 million copies, and a new version was released in 2002 co-authored with Dan Kennedy.⁵³

Maltz, who was a plastic surgeon, discovered in his practice that when he removed disfiguring scars from some of his patients, they still felt the inadequacy and flaws that had resulted from their past “ugly” physical appearance. Maltz concluded that the real scars were psychological ones that affected the personality and that what really needed to be changed was the self-image.116

Psycho-cybernetics challenges us to stop the habit of replaying past failures and instead purposefully replay our successes in our mind, which over time will enhance our self-image. Further, it calls for imagining in detail perfect completion of activities, whether a golf swing, a speech, or becoming a happy person. The approach suggests that through repeated vivid positive imagination (taking time out every day for this practice), our lives, our selves, and our world are positively transformed. Psycho-cybernetics is a practical approach that involves a choice to think more positively (especially through mental images of our past and our immediate performance) that millions of people have used to manifest a better future.

Another more concrete example of the manifesting power of positive thinking applies to the areas of feeling lonely and in improving human relationships. Psychiatrist and author Howard Cutler once asked the Dalai Lama, “Do you ever get lonely?” The response was clear and simple, “No.” “No?” Cutler asked incredulously. “No,” repeated the Dalai Lama.⁵⁴

The Dalai Lama then went on to explain that he looks for the positive aspects of people, which helps him to connect with others. He also added that he has little fear that his actions will cause people to view him with negative judgment and that creates a kind of openness between him and others. In particular, he advocated the value of compassion, which he says automatically changes your attitude toward people. Relating to others with a spirit of compassion will reduce fear, help establish a cordial atmosphere, and increase the chances of receiving an affectionate response.117

I have also tried the same basic approach with many people over the years and have found the results to be very powerful. When I have purposely looked for the best in people and treated them with openness, respect, and a sense of compassion, I have been very pleased with the positive effects. I have often been surprised at the warm response I have received, even years later, when I had but a brief positive encounter with people so long before that I had completely forgotten about it.

The Dalai Lama has offered practical advice indeed. By approaching others in a positive and compassionate way we can actually create a more positive world for ourselves. In doing so we can establish the basis for rich and fulfilling relationships and largely eliminate loneliness in our lives all because of the manifesting power we release through our positive thinking based actions. This is perhaps one of the most potent secrets of emotional discipline. That is, when we choose to view the world through an optimistic and positive lens, we can actually unleash a force that helps to manifest the very world we choose to see.