Unknown to me until now, Lynne McTaggart (author of The Field and The Intention Experiment, discussed in my previous post) has apparently been spearheading a series of actual "intention experiments" online. This is done by giving online readers a certain task to "intend" upon, and observing the results.
I found a very interesting discussion thread on the JREF Forum that details the various iterations of McTaggart's website over the last several months. Apparently, every "intention experiment" promoted by the website is referred to as "the first intention experiment." When that experiment fails or produces inconclusive data, the next experiment is called the "first," and so on.
The "experiments" themselves appear to be completely nonsensical. For example, one of the experiments was to measure the emissions of "biophotons" from plants that were being intended to glow by distant observers. According to the website:
Our first experiments examined the alteration in the tiny light — called biophoton emissions — being emitted from living things. We chose to look at this tiny current of light, because it is infinitely more subtle than, say, cellular growth rate.
Of course! Why measure something tangible, when you can measure something "infinitely more subtle"!
The current incarnation of the Intention website doesn't even brag about the results of the experiments anymore, but instead directs visitors to purchase McTaggart's books and DVDs, and join an online community that's reminiscent of some kind of sad, pathetic support group for people who are uncomfortable saying, "won't you pray for me?"
Here's an example of the Intention website's community posts:
...In 2001 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I had a mastectomy & chemo (experimental) that just about killed me. I had a bad reaction that left me with nerve damage and constant bone/joint/muscle stiffness & pain. Last week I had my annual mammogram on the remaining breast. I rec. a letter saying there was a "suspicious" area, so I have to return on 8-8-07 for more films/sonogram. I would really appreciate as many members as possible to send the intent that all will be fine...
Wait a minute... for some reason that has a very familiar ring to it. What if we replace the word "intent" with the word "prayer"? Isn't this the exact same thing?!
Who are they trying to kid? Instead of praying to an invisible supernatural deity, they're simply praying to an invisible supernatural "field"! Well, I'm afraid the old adage still applies: Nothing fails like prayer.
June 29th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
You are entitled to your opinion. That does not make you absoulutly right. You should try to be more open minded about this beautiful mystery..... there are too many unexplained coincidences.I will pray for you....
June 29th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Robbi:
Instead of contributing something constructive to the conversation, your comment contains nothing but condescension, which is regrettable. Just because I don't share your beliefs doesn't mean that my mind is closed. Unlike you, I've actually researched the facts, read books and medical journals, and heard just about every crackpot theory from New-age fanatics. This is what my conclusions are based upon -- not feel-good testimonies, nor the pseudo-intellectual hogwash of McTaggart or Neale Donald Walsch, but the straightforward evidence gathered over the centuries by hard-working scientists.
If you'd like to contribute further, then try clarifying this for me:
- Name some coincidences that you feel are "unexplained," and why you feel that way. What is the meaning behind these coincidences?
- When you pray for me, which god will you pray to? And, for the record, what precisely will you pray for? This could be a good opportunity to find out if prayer works. If you pray for something sufficiently unlikely, and it comes true, then I assure you I'll reevaluate my conclusions.
January 17th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
I am a pretty open minded person, and this stuff seems cool, but just out there. From what I hear, some of this stuff defies physical laws that have been around for many many years, such as, matter can not be created or destroyed. Maybe we could have been wrong about it, but for now, I highly doubt that. But hey, if someone proves it, then awesome. I don't think they will, and I feel as though this whole thing is a bunch of bullshyt.
November 1st, 2010 at 12:46 pm
So, you have reviewed the research and made a scientific conclusion here?
November 1st, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Dave,
The experimenters haven't produced any research from which conclusions can be drawn. Are you referring to something specific?
November 14th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
You go girl. I am proud of you. I spent much of my live believing in prayer, which in my mind would be the same thing as sending intentions for some thing to change. IT DOES NOT WORK!! My thinking is now completely scientific based. The Intention Experiment is the same con job that people like Oral Roberts and others like him have used to take advantage of people.