What is your intention?

Our intention & the Brain

Which part of the brain is responsible for intention?

Parts of the parietal cortex & the prefrontal cortex has been activated in many intention-related studies.³

The power of our intention has the ability to literally change the shape of our brains. Scientists now know that the brain has an amazing ability to change and heal itself in response to mental experience.  This process is known as neuroplasticity , where the the brain can form new neural pathways, and therefore repair some of the damage it sustained. It can even transfer functions that were once held in damaged parts of the brain to new, healthy areas.⁴

Our Intention, actions & goal setting

The concept of intentions has been central to describing and explaining human goal directed behaviour. In everyday life we constantly plan, store and implement intentions⁵.

Intentions are interests being manifested through behavior. Although actual in another’s psychological field, interests are not intentions until they become manifested. Intentions are the transformation of interests into a cognitive and behavioral process directed at a conscious goal. Intentions are living interests.⁶

A 2007 book, The Intention Experiment, explored the science of intention, drawing on the findings of leading scientists around the world. Author Lynne McTaggart uses cutting-edge research conducted at Princeton, MIT, Stanford, and other universities and laboratories depicted that intent is capable of profoundly affecting all aspects of our lives.

In the book, William A. Tiller, a professor emeritus at Stanford University, argues: “For the last 400 years, an unstated assumption of science is that human intention cannot affect what we call physical reality. Our experimental research of the past decade shows that, for today’s world and under the right conditions, this assumption is no longer correct.” ⁷

Our Intention & our material world

Some scientists in recent times have investigated how a simple intention can have a physical effect in the material world.⁸ According to research by Japanese scientist Dr. Marasu Emoto – whose findings are beautifully documented in his book, ‘The Hidden Messages in Water’⁹ –  the power of words and vibrations can impact the molecular composition of water. In his experiments, Dr. Emoto took samples of water from various sources such as lake water, tap water and polluted water and treated each water sample by exposing it to specific words, music and even prayer. For example, if the intention was ‘gratitude’, he put the word on paper facing the water and subsequently froze the water sample. He then extracted a water crystal from the ice and photographed it.¹⁰

Our Intention & our Health

Studies have shown that our thoughts alone can improve vision, fitness, strength & health.

The placebo effect¹¹, works because of the power of thought. Expectancies and learned associations have been shown to change brain chemistry and circuitry which results in real physiological and cognitive outcomes, such as less fatigue, lower immune system reaction, elevated hormone levels, and reduced anxiety¹².

Research conducted by Fabrizio Benedetti (is professor of physiology and neuroscience at the University of Turin Medical School in Turin, Italy and a researcher in the field of placebo studies) , found that Placebo painkillers can trigger the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals called endorphins. Patients with Parkinson’s disease respond to placebos with a flood of dopamine. Fake oxygen, given to someone at altitude, has been shown to cut levels of neurotransmitters called prostaglandins (which dilate blood vessels, among other things, and are responsible for many of the symptoms of altitude sickness)¹³

Intention & your Genes

You are speaking to your genes with every thought you have. The fast growing field of epigenetics¹⁴ is showing that who you are is the product of the things that happen to you in your life, which change the way your genes operate. Genes are actually switched on or off depending on your life experiences, and your genes and lifestyle form a feedback loop. Your life doesn’t alter the genes you were born with. What changes is your genetic activity, meaning the hundreds of proteins, enzymes, and other chemicals that regulate your cells…

These cells are thus affected by our thoughts ; It all starts with your thoughts…

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