Writer and researcher Lynne McTaggart discussed her new work on the science of intention, and how it relates to healing and consciousness. Living beings are receivers and transmitters of information, and thoughts have a physical reality to them, like currents of light, she stated. While there have been some methodological problems in a number of studies that tried to measure the effectiveness of prayer, other experiments have shown that mental intention or healing is effective 50-80% of the time, she reported.

Healers "power up" by getting into a meditative state, noted McTaggart-- but interestingly, a brain study of monks showed they produced gamma waves (the fastest type of brain wave) while in a state of "utter peak attention." Certain places or times can enhance mental intention, and it also helps to make the intention as specific as possible, she shared.

McTaggart plans a series of global experiments through a new website, theintentionexperiment.com. One will involve trying to change variables such as temperature in a terrarium that will be seen on a live webcam. Ultimately, she said, the goal is to learn how to use intention for positive purposes, such as lowering the crime rate in a community.