Does The Magic of Affirmations Really Work? : My Perspective as a Sikh

The new fervour of the old science of Universal laws gripped the world recently, with focus on the law of attraction. As social media provided an easy platform to Mankind, there has been a deafening propaganda about the magic tricks of the Universe that could uplift anyone’s life with a quick fix of ritual. A novel subspecies of wordy affirmations was thus born. The influencing message behind the success of the affirmation- theory has been to invoke positivity to live happily after. While a positive mindset is indeed the nucleus of a happy life, the source of positivity and also happiness varies from person to person. So, many people, including myself realised that one size does not fit all. For me, this was the first step towards not accepting the vociferous preaching blindly. I couldn’t, I wouldn’t, and I didn’t.
As I’ve previously concluded in my book about the universal laws, manifestation is all about ‘seeking, acting and creating’ it yourself. Out of these three steps, seeking what one really desires is pivotal to creating satisfaction because every manifestation is not fulfilment, but every desire must fulfil a person.
Desire is an overly complex subject and should not be mistaken for instincts and impulses. To know what one desires is more than half the battle won. I’ve written at length on the topic in other posts as well.
To discover the truth about what would fulfil a person is the ultimate positivity and it can only be generated from within oneself; the closer one is linked to own subconscious, the more heart gets tuned with its true aspirations. Everyone thinks that they know their own- self, but few really do. Accepting this would be a prime initiative towards connecting with oneself. Practise a daily ‘unbiased’ introspection and find the healthy desire that awaits to enrich your life.   
Prior to reaching this stage, I tested various affirmations to grow positivity and manifest success for me. For the sake of this article, I have picked three affirmations that I practised and the following experience helped me to find crucial answers in my spiritual voyage, even though the magic of affirmations didn’t produce the rabbit out of a hat.
First, I heard that telling your image in the mirror repeatedly that it is the most beautiful sight, would enhance your beauty.
Second, repeating  a certain number of times that you ‘are’ successful’ would actually deliver success in your hands,
And thirdly, a bold claim of telling yourself that you are the best shall actually place you on top of the world.
!!! …!!!
I must admit that these affirmations boosted my optimism instantly, and I felt high on the potent dose of positivity. But when the temporary high descended back to ground reality, I was none the wiser, even though I mustered all my passion into these rituals, as prescribed by the motivational gurus. Those who have experienced severe hang-over would appreciate the deflated feeling which is much worse than the initial superficial optimism. Such is the side effect of un-substantiated affirmations. This is when my real adventure began to seek the meaning of positivity.
I discovered that the real beauty was in my ‘core being’ pursuing higher moral standards and endeavouring to connect with my awakened subconscious. I was convinced that beauty was not merely corporeal contours, socially sculptured to exhibit in the frame of vanity.
However, I also accepted that it is my responsibility to maintain inner beauty by grooming it regularly. This incorporated following the daily routine of cleansing my thoughts, toning my mindset and moisturising my subconscious with blissful tranquillity. Yes, I am talking about introspection, acceptance and meditation.
As a result in time, when I look in the mirror now, I don’t merely see but feel the inner beauty, that we all are blessed with by our Maker. We just need the right focus. No mirror can reflect the lovely virtue until we seek it deeper within. Thus, merely shouting at the mirror won’t affirm the vision one is desiring. The desire itself needs to mature and evolve above the physical plains.
Why the concept of ‘inner’ is paramount? It’s the filament inside which lights up, making the bulb glow on the outside. It’s the wick wrapped around with wax that enables the candle to light up. Hence, the subconscious seated deep inside enlightens the image reflected in the mirror of our conscious mind. I can say with confidence that every mirror smiles back at me now in affirmation of positivity.
So, the true affirmation for me is – ‘I shall unveil my true beauty and be responsible for maintaining it.’
Let’s analyse the second affirmation- ‘I am successful…’
To begin with, I was associating success with money and the relationship.
I was earning decent money even before acquaintance with the concept of affirmations, but somehow my wages lacked fulfilment. I have had a healthy family life, but still there seemed lingering vacancy. This is when I began to explore the notion of ‘success.’ What did success actually mean for me? I started dissociating my sense of achievement from the expected social standards. It proved to be a step in the right direction.
Then, I probed into why I even desired success, in anything? What does success actually mean and how it is relevant to my life?
The answer that came back scintillated me with its simplicity! To feel fulfilled, my echoed. There I had the key! So, money alone is not success but it can become a source of satisfaction when one figures out how to spend it. This collected my scattered priorities into a neat stack of selfless charity, sharing without expectations, spending wisely to enrich my surroundings without cluttering, and investing in my well-being rather than impressing others. As a result, my desire itself felt satisfied. I understood that ‘feeling’ fulfilled is the real success. The same money I was earning before went much farther and I felt truly prosperous.
So, my new affirmation transformed as, ‘Learn to be satisfied to feel abundant.’

The third affirmation I would analyse is that of, ‘I am the best.’ I must admit that it intrigued me from the beginning, but I had to experiment sincerely. So, I tried to logicise by comparing myself with another to score my value. The results were quite a ‘hit and miss’ experience. For example, to acknowledge myself as the ‘best’ writer, I had to find a measuring yard. Being modest, I began by comparing myself with someone who needs AI assistance to compose a simple email. Well, it kind of worked since my writing skills should be better than that, I thought, or my education meant nothing. But this only proved that my grammar was not bad; it didn’t establish me as the best writer though. Also, I realised that the bar to compete was too low in this case. So, I proceeded to the other end of the spectrum, comparing myself with any commercially successful writer. This endangered downgrading me to the point of feeling like a failure. No amount of chanting with eyes closed or writing on the posters that ‘I am the best’ was fooling anyone or myself.
I concluded that the first option reeked of ego, while the second one threatened my self-confidence.
So, I researched my own being to redefine ‘my’ value to ‘myself.’
I had already found what success and satisfaction meant for me, which made searching for my own value easier. I had to step outside the frame of other’s opinions.
Life is about evolving and as such, if I could be a better version of myself today as compared with yesterday, and am motivated to improve further for tomorrow, I do not need to compare myself with anyone else. I am my own complete entity and my life is the only measuring yard I need. Learning from another to enhance your existing capability is a sign of progression, and not a sign of inferiority. Superlative like ‘the best,’ is to pursue, not conquer.
So, I redefined the affirmation for my own purpose- ‘Be your own better self than before, to be the best version of yourself at any given time.’

Thus, I feel that an affirmation is hollow and un-substantiated if it’s not aligned with one’s core and does not clarify one’s purpose to desire.
However, if the 3Rs of Writing affirmations repeatedly, Reading positive statements recurringly and Repeating certain rituals daily have manifested magic for someone, I am heartily happy for you.
In daily Ardaas ^(prayer) all Sikhs pray – ‘Tere Bhane ^{(With your blessings)}, Sarbat Da Bhala ^{(wellbeing to all your creation).}   
Hence, the only consistent affirmation which is thoroughly fulfilling is – ‘May God bless all.’

Understanding Sikhism and Sikh issues