When she was growing up, Natascha Shah filled her art diary with imagined scenes from her future life. A few years later, she realised she was living many of those scenarios, including going to Australia for a postgraduate degree.
At the time, in 2004, she was unaware of manifestation, a self-help technique that requires focusing one’s thoughts on a desired outcome. After the concept began to rise in popularity — thanks to Rhonda Byrne’s 2006 book The Secret, as well as with celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey — Shah began to draw parallels with her own practice.
Now a manifestation coach in Delhi, Shah says while writing can be effective, she prefers drawing as a tool to articulate her goals. “Among manifestation techniques, like writing or speaking, I find drawing to be more focused, creative and effective,” she says.
She shares her manifestation art, which includes whimsical and intricate black ink sketches, on social media. One intended to unleash creativity, for instance, shows a woman with cascading hair holding a sitar, sitting amid swirling leaves and dancing vines. Meanwhile a cosy cottage surrounded by mountains, pine trees and twirling smoke, spangled with stars and a crescent moon unfurling from the chimney, is symbolic of new beginnings.
Eyes on the prize
Critics question manifestation’s pseudoscientific basis, but the global popularity of this practice, with its comforting premise of “believe and you shall receive”, is undeniable.
“The practice of setting intentions is a valuable one. Through it, we focus our mind on the goal we want to attain and minimise the unlimited distractions that will keep us from reaching that goal,” says Dr Paul Hokemeyer, clinical psychotherapist and founding principal of Drayson Mews clinic in London.
Advocates of drawing as a manifestation tool believe it to be more effective because humans are visual creatures. “When we see an image explaining a complex idea, it helps us further our understanding and go deeper with it,” says artist Leeanne Brennan, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, who was drawn to manifestation in 2012. “Because I'm an artist, the way I learn is by drawing out complex information into easy-to-understand visuals.”
It may take time, but I’ve even had clients tell me their goal materialised within a week of creating their drawing
Natascha Shah,
manifestation coach
Through her company, Epic Bones, Brennan creates manifestation art and guidance programmes to “unblock limiting beliefs”.
Artistic skills are not a prerequisite for creating manifestation drawings, however. “Even stick figures and squiggles are fantastic because you are not distracted by the ‘beauty’ of the art. Manifestation art is powerful because of the meaning and deeper understanding it creates for you, not anyone else,” says Brennan, who creates simple black and white drawings including a figure going through what it feels like to break through to the other side of what one desires.
A clean slate
But it’s not as simple as just drawing. Shah highlights the importance of the pre-drawing process to create space mentally by releasing any emotional blocks or trauma that may be inhibiting you. “Many people skip this first step before drawing. If I want to manifest a certain goal, but I don’t have the space for that kind of energy, I need to first accept these emotions, and face and release them before moving on,” says Shah, who teaches various release techniques in her manifestation drawing workshops, encouraging clients to practise these for a few weeks before attempting their drawings.
Dreams do not manifest in a vacuum. They manifest through discipline, hard work, resilience and grit
Dr Paul Hokemeyer,
clinical psychotherapist
Drawing concepts such as transition or growth can be difficult, Shah says. It led to her compiling a list of symbols from various world mythologies that represent a range of emotions and concepts. “I share this list with clients, but encourage them to incorporate personal symbols," she says. "If you associate balloons with happiness, then use that symbol in your drawing."
The aesthetics, then, are inconsequential. Brennan says" “It is the act of having the image come through your hand that is important. Focus on the meaning.”
Brennan and Shah credit their manifestation practice with several fulfilled goals, including travel, career changes, education, dream homes and more. “It may take time, but I’ve even had clients tell me their goal materialised within a week of creating their drawing,” says Shah.
Different strokes
Determination may motivate you towards a goal, but it is insufficient without action. “Focusing one’s thoughts is not enough,” says Hokemeyer. “Dreams do not manifest in a vacuum. They manifest through discipline, hard work, resilience and grit.”
Shah agrees that one cannot wait for things to happen. “Manifestation prepares your mind to work towards a goal. When your thought is right, energy aligns and action synchronises accordingly.”
Further, the practice is not suitable, in and of itself, for everyone. For instance, there is the risk of people with anxiety manifesting their negative thoughts into reality, which can do more harm than good.
“The practice of visualisations can be unhealthy for those suffering from mood, personality and mental health disorders, including depression, borderline personality disorders, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia,” says Hokemeyer. “They could project features of their disorders into their images. If they then focus on these images, they run the risk of amplifying negative outcomes.”
However, he suggests manifestation as a reparative clinical intervention, supervised by a trained mental health professional. “A trusted professional or even a friend can help see them through negative thoughts, and work to enable them to move from despair to a place of healing and hope.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
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U19 World Cup in South Africa
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Vriitya Aravind, Deshan Chethyia, Mohammed Farazuddin, Jonathan Figy, Osama Hassan, Karthik Meiyappan, Rishabh Mukherjee, Ali Naseer, Wasi Shah, Alishan Sharafu, Sanchit Sharma, Kai Smith, Akasha Tahir, Ansh Tandon
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Transmission: Automatic
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
