Personality, Manifestation and the Law of Attraction

Some people report great success with  Manifesting and the law of attraction, others seem to be less successful. It seems likely that personality plays a role in how easily a person can use these techniques and that some will have to  take into account their personality and develop techniques that use  aspects of  their personality either before or simultaneously with trying to use these methods.

From about 1930   a model of personality  in terms of five factors (perhaps better called tendencies or traits), each having a number of facets,  has become recognised as  describing personality completely.  The factors are Extraversion, Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and Openness. High Extraversion Scorers  are outgoing, optimistic and enthusiastic. High Neuroticism scorers  worry a lot, Those low in Agreeableness tend not to care about other peoples feelings, Those high in Conscientiousness  like  to follow well defined routines,  and those high in Openness  tend to be creative and open to unusual ideas: they tend to have expeirences similar to those of mystics who see everything as connected.

These traits are independent and  50% of your personality is inherited, the rest coming from  an individual's experiences and abilities:  if you are big strong fast you need not be as nice to people as if you  were small weak and slow.  They are also  largely unrelated to intelligence. 

I think those who do best at Manifestation tend  to Score highly on extraversion – meaning  they seek out rewarding experiences whether that be a party or a beautiful sunset. Since  the Law of Attraction is not generally accepted they probably have to  score highly  on Openness dimension, meaning that they are open to unconventional ideas and can make unexpected associations between  things:   It seems likely that  low Agreeableness scorers will find it hard to accept the limitation that what is manifested is that which is best for all affected.

I think  high intelligence High Neuroticism and high Agreeableness scorers are  the most likely to have problems  in Manifesting.  In the  first stage, knowing what you want,  the high intelligence scorers will  probably see  enough goals to paralyse them with an abundance of choice, the High Neuroticism scorers will see the  risks of each option and the high Agreeableness scorers will  be concerned with how to please others , often at their own expense. in the second stage, knowing you have it the same groups are likely to see reasons why they do not or should not  have it and in the third stage, relaxation, the High Neuroticism scorers will be unable to relax and let things happen while while high Conscientiousness scorers may be so focussed on following their normal routine that they miss opportunities.

This section is aimed at those who are not natural Manifestors. 

First note that Intelligence and education, while valuable, fulfilling and recommended  for all, can be obstacles.  Some miraculous phenomena have been carried out by people who have great faith, religious or otherwise, but  can be most charitably described as not  the sharpest knives in the drawer. The friar who  was observed to levitate when in ecstasy during a Mass and the Indian Deacon reported to have prayed all the  unwelcome insects out of a farmers crop come into this category. Intelligence, like logic,  has its limits and can only  take you so far. Meditation helps as does the realisation that you can analyse alternatives to death but in the end  you go for the choice that feels right.

Worriers, high in Neuroticism have to realise that their fears can help eliminate  unsuitable goals and that many problems can be seen as advantages.  They may need some form of self help therapy such as meditation in order to be able to relax.   High agreeableness scorers should realise they may be  able to please and help others better if they look after themselves first.

Regardless of whether I have the details right, the take home point is that certain personality types may find their personality getting in the way of manifestation.  The therapies helping with the biggest problem, the Neuroticism trait,   range from exercise, yoga and meditation through techniques such as cognitive behaviour therapy which challenges negative ideas  with logic. As a first attempt simply asking yourself  what is the worst that can happen, how likely is it to happen,,  does it matter and having a plan to deal with it can reduce anxiety dramatically,