The Intention Revolution

LYNNE McTAGGART is one of the central authorities on the new science of consciousness, and the award-winning author of seven books, including the internationally bestselling The Intention Experiment, The Field, The Bond, and The Power of Eight.

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In part 2 of this interview with PURNIMA RAMAKRISHNAN, Lynne talks about the role of spirituality in intention and healing, the effect of interconnectedness on our state of being, the science of altruism, and the intention revolution.

Q: What is the role of spirituality in intention and in healing? Do you see it as an essential part of the process, or is it more a personal aspect of the participants?

It’s central to the work, which is all about group intention. A lot of my work is centered around small groups, using the Power of Eight. In 2008, I scaled down what I was learning in intention experiments to smaller groups of eight or so.

I started by introducing it in a workshop in Chicago in 2008, and I didn’t expect it to be more than a feel-good effect, like getting your back rubbed. I put people in groups, had them send intentions to a member of the group with a health challenge, and then had the people report on how they were the next day. I expected them to say, “I’m feeling a little more relaxed,” but they didn’t. One woman who had been limping badly because of arthritis in her knee was walking normally that day. Somebody else who had depression said she felt it was lifted. Somebody else with irritable bowel syndrome said her gut felt normal that day. And somebody else with cataracts said they were 80% better. I was astonished and kept trying it out. I have worked with tens of thousands of people and see amazing healing all the time.

One aspect is altruism. When you study the science of altruism, it’s like a bulletproof vest. People who do things for other people without regard for what they’re going to get back live longer, healthier, happier lives. The scientific data are very clear. If you are ill and you help somebody else with the same problem, you’re more likely to get better yourself.