Why your vision board and manifestation attempts aren't working (Dr. John Demartini)
The secret, behind the secret
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“The secret behind the secret, left out of the secret, in my opinion, is don't waste your time on fantasies. Go after true objectives that are deeply meaningful that you will pursue persistently, relentlessly, and build momentum to achieve it.” (45:44 in this cast)
Dr. John Demartini is a world-renowned human behavior expert and educator whose life journey from learning disabled youth to global teacher embodies the power of human potential.
His signature teaching, the Demartini Method, helps individuals dissolve emotional baggage and align with their highest values to live inspired, purpose-driven lives. Drawing from over 30,000 hours of research across disciplines, he integrates science, philosophy, and spirituality to help others remember who they truly are.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Demartini shares his profound insights on discovering your authentic self, understanding your values hierarchy, and creating a life of meaning.
I was particularly drawn to chat with him because I've experienced firsthand how living in alignment with my deepest values can transform your life.
This episode is great for:
Anyone whose vision for their life hasn't manifested despite sincere efforts
People who feel stuck in patterns of starting projects but not finishing them
Those wondering why certain areas of life flow easily while others remain perpetual struggles
Anyone interested in the deeper science behind manifestation rather than just magical thinking
Ideas that really stuck out to me:
The "Secret Behind The Secret" is congruence with your highest values. Dr. Demartini explained that we each have a unique hierarchy of values that determines where we focus, what we notice, and what we'll naturally accomplish. When you set goals aligned with what truly matters most to you, manifestation becomes natural. Your brain's pulvinar nucleus (a filter for conscious awareness) maximizes information related to your highest values helping you spot opportunities others miss. Goals that don't align with our true values remain perpetual struggles regardless of how many times we visualize them.
True manifestation requires embracing both pain and pleasure. One of the biggest misconceptions about manifestation is that it should be effortless and purely pleasurable. Dr. Demartini emphasizes that anything meaningful involves both support and challenges. When we're willing to embrace both sides of the experience, we stop sabotaging ourselves.
Life gives you feedback through resistance. When you experience friction and struggle it's often because you're misaligned to your values. This resistance isn't a flaw, but an intelligent feedback mechanism guiding you back to authenticity. The universe loves you enough to let you know when you're off track.
Most people are completely unaware of their true values. There's often a massive gap between what people say they value and what their lives actually demonstrate. In one powerful example Dr. Demartini asked an audience who wanted financial independence what they'd do with $10 million. Around 80% planned to spend it on depreciating assets rather than investments revealing their true priorities were immediate gratification not financial independence.
Vision boards fail when they reflect fantasies rather than true objectives. Many people fill vision boards with images that represent what they think they "should" want or what they admire in others, rather than what deeply resonates with their authentic self. Dr. Demartini distinguishes between fantasies (one-sided, unrealistic desires) and true objectives (meaningful goals that you'll pursue despite challenges).
Lasting success comes from expanding your space and time horizons. Dr. Demartini observed that the most successful people think in terms of decades or centuries rather than immediate gratification. When you live by your highest values, your vision naturally expands beyond your own lifetime, and you create greater impact as a result.
One of the most striking points Dr. Demartini made was about the conditions for successful manifestation. Whenever you're living congruently with your highest value, you're more objective, reasonable, and calm because the blood glucose noxious goes into the medial prefrontal cortex which is a self-governing center. This neurological explanation shows how our physiology actually supports manifestation when we're in alignment with our true values.
If you've been frustrated with vision boards and manifestation techniques that don't seem to deliver this conversation offers a powerful recalibration.
I hope you enjoy it!
- Scott
If you liked reading or listening to this, feel free to click the ❤️ or 🔄 button on this post so more people can discover it on Substack 🙏
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Episode Transcript
Show Notes
05:48 - The Journey to Discovering Authenticity
12:07 - Navigating Resistance and Feedback from Life
16:08 - The Nature of the Soul and Authenticity
23:56 - Reflections on Self-Discovery and Judgment
29:43 - Reflections of Self: Understanding Our Reactions
32:14 - The Power of Authenticity: Embracing True Feelings
35:13 - Values and Financial Prosperity: The Connection
41:07 - The Secret Behind Manifestation: Aligning with Values
47:09 - The Journey of Individuality: Embracing Your Unique Path
54:23 - Expanding Horizons: The Importance of Big Vision
There’s something refreshing about Demartini’s approach.
He gives structure.
His insights are profound in that they’re a total reframe of what it means to pursue purpose.
It's wild how often we overlook the deeper stuff behind manifestation. Dr. Demartini really breaks it down. Time to rethink our approach and get real about what we truly want.