Therapeutic Intention: Into the Next Generation

The belief that one organism can affect the well-being of another through therapeutic intention (TI) alone is ancient; no one knows how old because the oldest data about belief we have show it. Across time and geography this conviction can be found in every human culture. Usually it is framed in a religious context so it is not the individual intender, or even a congregation of intenders, but an intervening deity, god, or spirit that is responsible for success, if it occurs. This allows a measure of disassociation —it was not me but (fill in the name of the god) that did this thing and, because it works with surprising regularity, it conveys acknowledged authority to the deity, and this strengthens group faith.

Source: Explore - March 3, 2017 Category: Nursing Authors: Stephan A. Schwartz Tags: Schwartzreport Source Type: research