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Linoprinting, one-square-metre gardening,
amateur keyboard-playing... There are few
fads my boyfriend hasn’t seen me through.
But perhaps his most skeptical reaction to
date was when I told him we should manifest
together. (To his dismay, it is not a sex thing.)
“So you’ve gone full Rhonda Byrne?”
he replied, referring to the author of 2006
self-help bestsellerThe Secret. But 12 years
on, manifestation is less daytime Oprah,
mums on “magick” and the cult of positivity;
more white linen jumpsuits, Fornasetti
incense and getting yours.
Leading the way is Lacy Phillips.
Alongside it-girl poet Cleo Wade and
“human design” guru (think chakras meets
Myers-Briggs) Jenna Zoe, she’s part of the
new-age spiritual mentor clique guiding
needy millennials – a generation riddled
with debt but conditioned to crave affluence
and status – through life. The charismatic
Phillips runs in-person workshops and gives
one-on-one coaching from her home in LA
(though good luck getting an appointment).
Her website, Free & Native, also offers
online courses to help you deep dive into
your subconscious and manifest your best
life, for a fee. She explains that you can
manifest a promotion or a holiday in
Positano, but it’ll only work if your intentions
are pure and it’s wholly for you. Also, be
patient, because it can take up to six months
to see opportunities arise.Her approach to manifestation is more
psychology-based than previous iterations,
and she credits her pragmatic, 11-step
“Formula” to her many years of practice.
“All that woo-woo stuff which I call
superstition, and thinking that if you’re
negative you’ll attract something bad –
really hindered me. It wasn’t empowering
at all. [My Formula] is about breaking down
all the boxes that have been put on you
throughout life and actually starting to revisit
and reintegrate with your authentic self.”
According to Phillips, we’re all born
as our authentic selves, but between
childhood and early adolescence, we
are imprinted with specific ideas and
behaviours from family, friends, society and
the media which can impact our ability to
grow and find happiness as adults. “I tell
people, welcome your negative thoughts
and negative energy, they’re actually
a beautiful road map to discovering the
blocks on your subconscious plane. Most
of my clients doing this work are working
side-by-side with their therapist to process
it further, because it really does open
up Pandora’s box.”
Perhaps the most appealing thing about
manifestation 2.0 – other than visualising
a chic, moderately priced apartment – is the
unpacking of the subconscious; figuring out
stuff like why you’re sensitive to criticism or
struggle to say “no”. Tackling those deeply
embedded perceptions of self-worth can
only make getting the things you want in life
all the better, because you’ll have shown
your subconscious that you’re truly deserving
of it. Something tells me my foray into
manifestation is more than just a fad, but
I’m not going full Rhonda Byrne. I’m
going full Lacy Phillips.ESELF:things
that
make
you go
woo-woo
In the search for
her manifest destiny,
Laura Collins inds
something deeper22-YEAR-OLD SOUL
SENSATION JORJA SMITH
Latest/greatest discovery:
Pip Millett is beautiful and
honest. I’ve had “Make
Me Cry” on repeat.
Last live show:
Kendrick Lamar at The O2
[in London] was inspiring,
his visuals were insane.
House-party pick:
“Hold You” by Gyptian,
so I can get into the
mood to move.
All-time album:
Amy Winehouse’sFrank
is so honest and real.POND’S NICK ALLBROOK
(FORMERLY OF
TAME IMPALA)
Latest/greatest discovery:
BbyMutha has a super
late-timed flow and her voice
drips with swag and sex.
Last live show:
Moses Sumney at the
Sydney Opera House- it’s one of the best
shows I’ve ever seen.
House-party pick:
If I know everyone, I’d put
on “Shell” by Valee and
cop the eye rolls as
I dance on the table.
All-time album:
Sly and the Family Stone’s
There’s a Riot Goin’ Onand
OutKast’sSpeakerboxxx/
The Love Below fit the bill.
Head to@elleauson Spotify
to hear these (and other)
fresh picks.EPondJorja SmithWords: Elle McClure; Laura Collins. Photography: Sam Kristofski; Emma Svensson
“IT’LL ONLY
WORK IF YOUR
INTENTIONS ARE PURE
AND IT’S WHOLLY
FOR YOU”