How do affirmations and meditation work?

An old English proverb says: "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride". It means wishing alone does not make things happen.

- B.K. SURYA

If simply wishing for something, such as a horse, were enough to get it, even the poorest people, including beggars, would have what they want.

If wishing does not make things happen, how do affirmations and meditation work?

There is a key difference between simply wishing for something, and trying to realise it through affirmations or meditation. Wishing is passive—it is merely wanting something without necessarily doing anything about it. Affirmations and meditation are tools that support action by shaping our mindset, focus, and emotional state.

Affirmations are positive, present-tense statements. For example, "I am confident and capable." They do not magically create results, but they can reprogram our thought patterns, boost self-belief and motivation, help us visualise success, which drives our actions, and orient the mind to look for opportunities.

If I say, "I am worthy of success" daily, I am likely to start acting more confidently, which could lead to better job interviews, or bold decisions.