Over thirty years ago, a small band of people began an intentional community called Findhorn. They lived by applying principles of attracting to oneself, through love, whatever materials, energy, or help were needed to promote wholeness or further growth. David Spangler, who was one of those early residents of Findhorn, began writing down how those laws worked. In 1975, his writings were first published as The Laws of Manifestation . This longunavailable book is now available again with a new introduction by the author. Spangler shows how we can all transform our lives by working with these natural laws. In clear and lucid prose, he recounts the history of manifestation and how to grow in spiritual riches (the most important of all) in a stepbystep guide to enlightenment. While other experts in this suddenly burgeoning field tend toward applying manifesting energy toward real estate, money, and myriad materials, Spangler looks at the basis of what he describes as a change of form, or state, or condition of being, NOT creating something out of nothing.
The lengthy new introduction to this long out-of-print new age classic clarifies how David views manifestation within a broader spiritual context. Though the rest of the book is in many ways, as David puts it, "an historical document" arising from the early history of Findhorn Community, the seeds of his current view are very present in the original writings. David grounds his manifestation guidelines in a spiritual and community context that provides a welcome antidote to many of the current writings on the topic (The Secret, for instance) which emphasize materialistic goals for manifestation.
This was a great book in that it was another viewpoint on manifesting in terms of the good that it can bring rather than just accumulating material things. You learn how to manifest by first questioning if what you want to manifest will help you grow consciously and creatively as well as providing value to others. The teachings in this book are based around having a belief in God and knowing that God is the source. It is a refreshing read if you are used to LoA books that are all about satisfying one's ego.
David Spangler, one of the famous members of Findhorn Community and founder of the Lorian Association, writes very thoughtfully about manifestation. The bulk of the value is in the introduction to this volume, as the author admits that the remainder of the talks (given at Findhorn in the early 70s) were presented when his understanding of manifestation was still developing. So it is worth reading the remainder of the book (although some of it is specific to the community itself), but if you really want to know Spangler's current thoughts on the subject, pick up another one of his titles (which I plan to do!).
For those who have lost faith in the Law of Attraction, this book brings a proper perspective of what Manifestation is really all about. It reminds us to let go of the idea of force of will to get material things we want in favor of seeing Universal connection to source as the root of Manifestation. Our sense of separation from source and each other is at the root of difficulties bringing the good we seek into our lives. Putting these actions into practice will shift your ability to bring states of being that make Manifestation second nature.
Spangler writes about manifestation from the systems perspective. Manifestation can only occur because we are interconnected and willing to help each other, i.e, resources come to us because someone else is willing to let them go. Therefore, manifestation is less about a tangible thing and more about the patterns and relationships that come with it. When manifestation is seen from the systems or soul level, concepts such as "need" and "abundance" shift in meaning. Abundance is understood in terms of quality instead of quantity. Need is understood in terms of an opportunity to grow in self-realization and express divinity. Ultimately, manifestation is revelatory and incarnational. It is the divine finding creative expression in the world.
Collected and edited from a series of talks given by Spangler while part of the Findhorn community, the book offers a refreshingly straightforward take on how manifestation really works. Spangler rightly places emphasis on circulation, how we are required to participate in and give to Life, that it may give to us. Recommended to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the practical application of universal Law.
This is actually quite profound and surprised me more than once with the relevance of the insight. The gender exclusive language (he,he,he at all times) is a true bother though I recognize it as an outcome of its time of publication. The insistent reference to God is off putting for me , though here I also recognize that the author moves away from a childish anthropocentric/ Christian view of God to one that is more universalist .