A group of friends over at Good Vibe U has been talking about whether to get clear on the specifics of a desired manifestation, or to let that go and focus on feeling good in this present moment.
Manifestation: Process or Product?
This is a pretty hot topic in the world of manifestation and law of attraction: Do I focus on the details of what I want, or do I let go of it all and surrender to the pure joy of now?
The answer is (drumroll please)…
Do both.
But first, a bit of background.
This concept may well have its roots in the process vs. product paradigm, a discussion that is hotly debated in various fields.
A process is a means by which something is done. It’s the journey, not the destination. If you were to, say, write a blog post (gosh, I wonder why this example comes to mind?), then the process would be the writing itself.
A product is the end result, the outcome of a process. It’s the destination, not the journey, In the blog post example, the product would be the post itself – what you’re reading on your screen right now.
In the worlds of education, art, business, communication, and beyond, you’ll find some folks who believe firmly in either process or product, who look at the other side with a raised eyebrow and a tiny frown.
The process folks love the process, the journey from this point to that point. They value it more highly than they do the outcome, while the product folks love the outcome, the end result. They value it more highly than they do the journey.
And then there are the folks who love both: process and product together. They love the journey and the destination. They love that the destination itself just launches another journey.
In my undergrad days, I studied creative writing. I spent most of my days writing in a feverish altered state, completely immersed in the process of creation. I’d spend the rest of my time sifting through what I had created, attempting to decipher my handwriting and create deep meaning from the words.
Most of the time, this worked pretty well. I was able to create some beautiful pieces of poetry and fiction by surrendering to the process, listening to the words as they flowed through my awareness. I followed this with intense focus on the product: editing, polishing, and preparing it for human consumption.
It looks like I moved from process to product in a linear fashion… yet that intense focus on the product was, in itself, process. Interesting, isn’t it? They merge into each other.
Manifestation is an art, just like writing or painting or intuition. Because of this, we can learn about manifestation by taking lessons from the world of creativity.
Focus on the product by visualizing, writing out your dreams, getting clear on the details of your desires, creating vision boards, and employing the endless techniques available to help you focus on your goals. These techniques engage your mind, your intellect, and eventually your feelings.
Focus on the process by simply enjoying this moment right now, with all of its beauty and fulfillment. You allow yourself to feel feelings that simply feel good. This usually begins with appreciation for what is, careful attention to the sumptuous sensory details that surround you, and simple awareness of your breath and heartbeat. It is surprising how satisfying this can be. Process engages the feelings, bypassing the many demands of your mind.
When you get good at both, allow them to merge and flow. In a state of heightened creativity, process and product become one. Let your awareness surge between them. It’s not process or product; it’s not details or letting go. It’s both, in a blend that you create for yourself, day by day, fresh for each moment.
If you want my advice (and who doesn’t?), play with process first. It is guaranteed to give you instant fulfillment, because that’s what it’s designed to do. As your desire increases for product, it will inevitably weave its way into your process. Allow them both, observe them both, and see what comes into your life from this play.
Image credit: grisha_21
Who WOULDN’T want your advice, Harmony?
I love the idea of combining product and process. Even though my life is about creative writing, it has never occurred to me to liken the manifesting process to the writing process, but you’re so right–they are the same.
In writing, I vacillate back and forth between focus on the product and the process, so it makes sense to do the same in manifesting. I’m powerfully into process at the moment. Also, in writing, I find that when focus on the product tenses you up (fears or doubts rear up about whether you can create the product you want), it’s best to step back and just focus on the process of writing, playing with the words and molding them together. I am doing that now in manifesting because the result focus takes me out of the vortex at the moment. Just focusing on feeling good gives me relief.
Thanks for giving me another perspective on how these work together!
Ande Waggener recently posted..The Big Manifesting Mistake You Make Everyday
Ande, it’s interesting how many parallels there are between artistic creation and creation creation! As a fellow writer, I get what you’re saying about moving back and forth between process and product – and how product-focus can invite in quite a few fears.
I love what you said about playing with the words and molding them together… that’s a great way to have fun with manifesting, too – play with the daydream, mold it this way and that, see how it feels…
Thanks for dropping by & commenting!
Hmm. I will have to give this some thought. I definitely enjoy both process and product in writing, although for me the product is less the written item, and more the reaction and interaction of the people who read it. That’s the part I like the best, because really, why write or create anything if nobody is there to receive it?
As for manifesting, I’m not sure there really IS a product, because there never is anything but now, and everything else is just a story we’re telling about some future now. I’ve read that you’re supposed to behave as though the things you want to manifest already exist in your life, and I do find that to be helpful, since it sort of pulls the product into the middle of the process, I suppose, and makes them both a part of your present awareness.
Or maybe I’m making no sense at all. I haven’t had my dinner yet! Great thought provoking post, though!
Anna Barlowe recently posted..It’s Only a Phase
Let’s simplify the analogy here. You can’t have a good product if you don’t process it well. Stay focus is the key to achieve the goals.
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