Why have the practices of visualization and manifestation become so popular, and why might they be dangerous?
The English philosopher G.K. Chesterton once said that when a person stops believing in God, they will believe in anything (Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton, 2021). This same process seems to happen with many New Age or spiritual but not religious people. Visualization as a practice of contemplation has many different aspects to it. This essay will look at how visualization is used in the practice of manifestation and whether there is any truth to claims that a person can consciously create their reality through an invisible force of energy called the law of attraction. While some paranormal activities seem to have genuine effects without a scientific explanation, that does not mean we should accept all supernatural beliefs without applying a filter of critical thinking. Practices of visualization and manifestation have many components with verifiable benefits, but sprinkling in the extra layer of magical thinking does not hold up to scrutiny. In addition, we will discuss the coaches and wellness practitioners abusing this spiritual tradition for financial and egoic gain.