The Sabbath, and How to Identify It
When I first started out on my journey into conscious creation, one of the most distinct new feelings was the sense of Sabbath. Like a lot of people, it struck me as a very intense feeling that I haven’t quite experienced prior to learning the law and applying it to my craft.
This was especially true of manifestations that felt big to me, or things I perceived as significant. Things like my specific person, income and lifestyle changes, and changes in appearance were things that came with a period of seemingly intensive mental work, and then a very stark feeling of indifference.
This indifference is concerning to a lot of people. We might worry that we’re failing our manifestation in our lack of want or ability to continue doing the mental work. We might feel uneasy that we’re not thinking about it as much anymore, and that when we do think about it, we don’t seem to care one way or another. We may be unsure what the feeling is, and think we’ve just “given up.” Or, most concerning of all sometimes, we might think that we don’t even want our manifestation at all anymore.
If you’ve felt this or are feeling it now, rest at ease knowing that it is normal, and for the intents of manifestation, it is good. This is the state of mental rest, what Neville Goddard calls the Sabbath. It is the figurative “day of rest” in the Bible that indicates one thing:
You, as God, have seen your creation. And it is good.
The Sabbath, this feeling of indifference around your goal, indicates that your subconscious accepts it as truth. The subconscious mind does not judge what has been seen in the physical world versus what has been seen in the mind’s eye. She only takes in information and recreates it in the physical experience. When we see something to be true, we tend to become indifferent to the concept, and our desire to do mental work will decrease significantly.
In my personal experience, I tend to have a vivid dream about my manifestation shortly before (ie; a few days at most) entering a state of mental rest. While sleeping dreams are not a necessary part of manifestation, I appreciate receiving them because it tells me that my subconscious has been impressed with my desire and knows it to be true. It’s no wonder why, after dreaming of my desire, I simply no longer “want,” my manifestation anymore!
Think of it this way. You, right now, have something you value and cherish. It could be your home, your partner, a piece in your wardrobe, a pet you adore, a job or attendance at a school, or a plethora of other wonderful things. Surely, when it was shiny and new, it brought you a great thrill to have it. But over time, that home or piece of clothing or wonderful pet became normal to you. You still love the thing. You still appreciate the thing. But you don’t desire it. You don’t think about it constantly. It’s a normal, wonderful thing you have that rarely brings you a thrill anymore but still brings you happiness.
Your indifference simply means that your desire has become normal to you on a subconscious level. You may still prefer it, but you wouldn’t put effort into attaining something you already have. Your subconscious knows this, and reflects it in your feelings as the physical world catches up.
That doesn’t mean we will completely cease all mental experiences with our goal. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Although it’s said we must rest to keep the sabbath holy, that doesn’t mean we have to never think of our desire, abandon our mental diet, or stop visualizing. All this can, and should, be done as long as it feels natural, and you will still be in the sabbath and ready to accept the physical version of your desire.
The key to this is that what once may have seemed like “mental work” is now more of “mental play.”
In the sabbath, techniques are no longer a means to an end, but a pleasant experience that makes you feel good. In this stage, I usually tell people to simply continue their mental diet, and let all other things flow naturally. If you still visualize because it’s enjoyable, or have imaginary acceptance speeches in the shower and didn’t realize you were doing it, or imagine in the car that you’re driving to a special event or place because you forgot you weren’t, so be it! Enjoy your imaginal experiences knowing that it’s more true than your physical experience. If you don’t, that is also okay, because you already have your desire anyway!
One thing to keep in mind when it comes to the state of mental rest is that it cannot be forced. The sabbath comes when the work is done; not a moment sooner and not a heartbeat later. You cannot cling to the want of the sabbath and have it come. The rest will come when the manifestation is complete, albeit unseen, and only when the manifestation is complete. If you do not have a distinct sense of rest, know that it will come with time, and that is okay.
When the sabbath comes, know that it is good for your desire. As long as you still prefer (instead of want/need) to have your manifestation, rejoice knowing that it is yours.
Observe the sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you.
Deuteronomy 5:12
