The Manifestation Formula

Thoughts, Words, Actions

Happiness, often misunderstood as a simple fleeting emotion, is, in fact, a complex construct that includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

Contrary to popular belief, happiness is not a prize to be won or a finish line to be crossed.

Rather, it is a state of mind that can be cultivated, practiced, and nurtured.

I’ve taken two weeks off from writing, so this one is going to be a doozy and loaded with nerdy shit on happiness 🤓

Oh, and be sure to read atw through. I’ve got an invitation for you below.

Let’s Begin…

High-Level Overview of Today’s Philo Letter

• Quote: Mahatma Gandhi

• Plato’s Philosophy of Happiness: “Eudaimonia”

• Developing Happiness as a Skill: 7 Key Principles

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." - Mahatma Gandhi

The key f****** point in this quote from Mahatma Gandhi is that ALL three must be in harmony.

One will not suffice.

Two will not suffice.

ALL 3 are required.

This goes back to the trilogy of “Thoughts, Words, Actions”.

This is the formula for manifestation.

These are arbitrary numbers, but entertain yourself and follow along.

I reckon 90% of people regarding the manifestation equation stop at simply thinking.

They think, “ok…if I sit in lotus position, tighten my butthole, connect my index to my thumbs, and think about becoming happy, then surely I will be happier.”

While 9% take it one step further, i.e., “ok…if I sit in lotus position, tighten my butthole, connect my index to my thumbs, think about becoming happy, and speak about becoming happy, then surely I will be happier.”

And then the remaining 1% take it all the way home. “ok…if I sit in lotus position, tighten my butthole, connect my index to my thumbs, think about becoming happy, speak about becoming happy, write down what happiness means to me, and develop a framework for bringing myself back to baseline then there is no doubt I will be happier.”

That last piece is crucial.

Why?

Because you can think it all you want, you can speak all you want but respectfully, f*** your affirmations.

Sorry, not sorry 🤷‍♂️

The brain knows when you’re lying to yourself.

Now, affirmations are not useless; I want to be very clear on this.

Positive self-talk is FAR more productive on a physiological and psychological level than negative self-talk.

But Thoughts & Words backed by behavioral adjustments (Action), i.e., breaking old patterns is necessary because, if you’re unhappy, then what you’re doing now is not going to get you out of the rut that you are currently in) therefore, again a behavioral adjustment is required.

Phew 😮‍💨 rant over.

You can't unsee this formula once you understand this system.

It’s another example of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave…once you see the light, there is no going back.

In this case, once you discover the system for manifesting there is no going back, and it’s going to work 99.99% of the time because YOU are taking action rather than living in turmoil stuck between your thoughts and actionless words.

Share your goals with your peers only if you never want to achieve them.

Receiving premature praise for a goal (or words you speak to another) makes follow-through less likely.

Why?

Because you spoke your goal/words into false existence.

You’ve successfully psyched yourself out that you're going to take action on said goal but haven’t taken the physical action.

The key point in all of this is…

Thoughts, Words, Actions

Now moving on to Plato’s philosophy on Happiness.

Eudaimonia - “Happiness”

Plato believed that happiness, or eudaimonia, was the ultimate goal of human life, but achieving it was tied to the cultivation of virtue and wisdom.

In Plato's view, happiness is not derived from external sources such as wealth or power but rather from the internal development of the individual.

The basis of happiness, according to Plato, is a just and harmonious soul.

The soul consists of three parts:

• The Rational part

• The Spirited part

• The Appetitive part

To all my OG Philos reading this, we’ve spoken extensively live on this tri-parted soul or what we like to call The Man, The Lion, and The Monster.

If you’re new here:

1. Thank you 🤗

2. You can learn about the 3 Parts of The Soul in this letter, accompanied by an optional 36 minutes video I made.

When these three parts are in harmony and are ordered according to their proper roles, an individual is just and experiences true happiness.

To achieve this harmony, one must cultivate virtue, which includes wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice.

Wisdom enables the rational part of the soul to make informed decisions.

Courage empowers the spirited part to support and defend the rational part's judgments.

Moderation ensures that the appetitive part does not disrupt the balance of the soul.

Justice ensures that all parts work together harmoniously.

Furthermore, Plato believed that pursuing philosophical knowledge was a crucial aspect of achieving happiness.

Through philosophical inquiry, individuals could gain insight into the nature of reality, the Forms (abstract concepts or ideals that exist independently of the material world), and ultimately the highest Form, the Form of the Good.

By contemplating the Form of the Good and aligning one's life with the principles it embodies, an individual could experience a profound sense of happiness.

In short, Plato's philosophy on happiness is grounded in the cultivation of virtue and wisdom, the harmony of the soul, and the pursuit of philosophical knowledge.

Happiness, for Plato, is not a fleeting emotion but rather a state of being rooted in the internal development and balance of the individual.

Here are some key (modern-day) principles to keep in mind as you move along your journey of building happiness as a skill:

Develop Self-Awareness:

Understanding yourself is the foundation of cultivating happiness.

Self-awareness involves recognizing your emotions, thoughts, and behavioral patterns.

This awareness allows you to identify what makes you truly happy and how you can work towards incorporating those elements into your life.

Cultivate Gratitude:

Gratitude is a powerful tool in the quest for happiness.

Regularly reflecting on and appreciating the good things in your life can shift your focus away from negative thoughts and emotions.

Share, often, what you are most grateful for.

Practice Mindfulness:

Being present and fully engaged in the current moment can greatly enhance your sense of well-being.

Mindfulness involves focusing your attention on the present without judgment or distraction.

Try meditation, deep breathing exercises, or even just a quiet walk in nature to develop this skill.

We just dropped a 5 Day Alignment Practice at Somatic Breathwork. Check it out here or click the button below.

Foster Positive Relationships:

The relationships we build and maintain significantly impact our overall happiness.

Investing time and energy in nurturing positive, supportive connections with others can lead to increased life satisfaction.

Surround yourself with people who uplift, encourage, and inspire you.

Embrace Growth and Challenge:

Seeking out new experiences and embracing personal growth can contribute to a greater sense of happiness.

Stepping out of your comfort zone, taking on challenges, and striving to learn and improve can be incredibly rewarding.

Remember, happiness isn't a static state – it's an ever-evolving journey.

Practice Resilience:

Life is full of setbacks and challenges, but it's how we respond to them that determines our happiness.

Cultivating resilience means developing the ability to bounce back from adversity and adapt to change.

Build resilience by embracing self-compassion, seeking support, and viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.

In fact, if you’re feeling rather lonely as of late and looking for a community I want to invite you to our next Somatic Breathwork session (no cost) 🫶 Click below to register for May 21st @ 12pm PST.

Foster Meaning and Purpose:

Having a sense of meaning and purpose in life can lead to greater happiness.

Dedicate time to activities and pursuits that are meaningful to you, whether that's volunteering, pursuing a passion, or cultivating deep relationships.

When we feel that our lives have meaning, we are more likely to experience lasting happiness.

Happiness is not an end goal to be pursued but rather a skill that can be developed over time.

Focusing on these key principles and dedicating time and effort to the journey, you can actively work to cultivate happiness in your life, one brick at a time.

Final Thoughts

Happiness is not a choice.

It’s a skill, and to develop that skill is a choice.

It may be hard at times, but you’re not alone, trust me I know.

Take aim at the behavior(s) that need to be adjusted and make way for just 1%.

That’s all it takes, just a slight edge each day.

Big Love, Nadeem

p.s. join the waitlist below for a free course I’m making for you on Developing the Skill of Happiness.

Join the Waitlist

→ Happiness is A Skill - The pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal, yet many people struggle to find lasting happiness. This course (completely free) offers an in-depth exploration of the nature of happiness and provides practical techniques and strategies for cultivating greater happiness and well-being.

Oh, and one more thing! Here’s a short 23-second video I made on Happiness as a Skill.