Summary of “The Power of Intention: Learning to Co-Create Your World Your Way”: Dr. Wayne Dyer explains in this book how to become happy and radically change our lives by connecting ourselves to this pure and unlimited energy that is intention.
By Dr. Wayne Dyer, 2006, 340 pages
Chronicle and summary of “The Power of Intention“
Part One: The Essentials of Intention
Chapter 1 – Intention From A New Perspective
1.1 – What is intention?
Dr. Wayne Dyer begins his book The Power of Intention by explaining what intention is.
Despite the commonly accepted definition of intention being “a purpose or aim clearly stated, accompanied by the determination to produce the desired result,” Dr. Wayne Dyer believes that intention is much more than that. According to him, it’s something that goes far beyond the ego and the individual will.
In fact, he believes that intention is not something that we do, but a force that exists in the universe as an invisible energy field:
“I know that intention is a force that we all carry within ourselves. Intention is an invisible energy field that flows beyond our normal, everyday patterns. Intention existed even before our conception. We are able to attract that energy and live our life like never before.”
1.2 – Where is this energy field called intention
Dr. Wayne Dyer explains that there is actually not a single place where it’s not, since intention is an integral part of everything in the universe. In his opinion, we are, at our origin, a formless energy, and it’s in this field of formless and vibratory spiritual energy that intention is.
Thus:
Intention is this place that is nowhere and manages everything for us.
1.3 – The meaning of omnipresent intention
Intention is a force that is everywhere existing in the form of a field of energy; it’s not limited to physical development. It’s also a source of nonphysical development. This field of intention is here, present, within your reach. When you activate it, your life will take on a whole new meaning and you will be guided by your infinite self.
1.4 – How did we come to consider ourselves disconnected from intention
In fact, according to Dr. Wayne Dyer, by letting ego guide our lives, we deactivate the power of intention.
He then tells us six beliefs about the ego that can determine our life:
“I am…
- What I have: my possessions define who I am.
- What I do: my achievements define who I am.
- Distinct from others: my body defines me as alone.
- What others think of me: my reputation defines who I am.
- Cut off from all that is missing in my life: my life space is disconnected from my desires.
- Distinct from God: my life depends on God’s approval of my own worth.
1.5 – The four steps towards intention
To activate the power of intention, we must then make contact with our natural self and stop identifying ourselves with our ego. This process takes place in 4 stages:
- First stage: discipline
To learn a new task and to materialize your wishes require commitment and training (Ex.: taking on nontoxic habits, eating healthy, etc.)
- Second stage: wisdom
Wisdom combined with discipline reinforces our ability to concentrate.
- Third stage: love
After disciplining our body with wisdom and intellectually studying the task ahead, we must learn to love what we do and to do what we love.
- Fourth stage: surrender
This is the place of intention. Our body and our mind leave the spotlight. It is simply a question of accepting to be carried by an immeasurable and indescribable force: that which transforms acorns into trees, flowers into apples and tiny cells into human beings.
1.6 – Merging our individual thoughts with the universal mind
It is our thoughts that put us in touch with intention and set in motion the manifestation of our desires.
In fact, according to Dr. Wayne Dyer, our ideas or desires already exist in the universe. As a result, if we act as if we have already received all that we ask, if we eliminate all our doubts about it, then our desire will come true. This is the power of intention.
1.7 – Five suggestions for putting into practice the ideas presented in this chapter
First suggestion for putting into practice the act of surrender in our life
Whenever we feel off or lost, we can visualize ourselves in a tramway, with a handle one meter above our head (earlier in the story, Wayne Dyer tells us to use this example of visualization he has used since his childhood). We imagine ourselves floating in the air as the tram transports us to our intention.
Second suggestion for staying calm and serene
When we are feeling anxious, we can simply repeat the word “intention” or the word “intent”.
Third suggestion
The author suggests that we tell ourselves that we have a mission and a silent partner whom we can always count on. He tells us to say to ourselves: “I am here with a purpose; I can accomplish all that I desire and I do it in harmony with the creative force of the universe that provides everything.”
Fourth suggestion
Wayne Dyer encourages us to act as if everything we desire has already been acquired. Therefore, we must believe that we have already received everything we need, treat ourselves as if we were already the person we would like to become.
Fifth suggestion
The idea is to copy this ancient Hasidic saying and carry it with us for a year:
“When you cross a field with a pure and holy mind, from all the stones, all that grows, and all animals, springs from their soul a spark which clings to you, and then they are purified and become a holy fire within you.”
Chapter 2 – The Seven Faces of Intention
2.1 – Moving from awareness of intention to knowledge of intention
Intention is an invisible energy field inherent in all physical forms. Therefore, this is part of the non-material world of Spirit: neither our words, nor our writings, nor our symbols can explain it.
Thus, there is no point in trying to understand intention through reasoning or through words. Intention is actually an inner awareness that we feel explicitly as such.
By removing doubts and trusting our intuition, we can create a space that allows the power of intention to seep into us. Wayne Dyer believes it’s a way to empty your mind and to enter the heart of mystery.
2.2 – The seven faces of intention
Intention has seven faces. The faces of:
1. Creativity
The power of intention has to be creative or nothing would exist. Indeed, we are in a physical body but, before that, we have been an embryo, a cell, a formless energy. This formless energy carries within it intention which brought us from nothingness to being.
2. Kindness
Any power that naturally feels the need to create and convert its energy into physical form is automatically a benevolent power. Intention is therefore a benevolent energy that wants its creations to thrive and to be fulfilled and happy.
3. Love
The energy field of intention is pure love resulting in a nourishing and totally cooperative environment. Thus, if we were able to see this energy field, we would see, according to Wayne Dyer, creativity and kindness in an infinite field of love.
4. Beauty
A creative, kind, and loving expression can only be beautiful. In fact, the face of beauty is always present, even where people don’t see it.
5. Expansion
To understand this aspect of intention, you can think of a tiny spec which continually reproduces itself, which gets bigger and bigger, then moves forward, while continuing to expand and express itself. Thus, the power of intention manifests itself as an expression of expansion, creativity, kindness, love, and beauty.
6. Unlimited abundance
There are no boundaries. This reality is everywhere at the same time and endlessly abundant. There is, in fact, no limit to our potential.
7. Receptivity
Nothing and no one is rejected by the receptive face of intention. Indeed, intention welcomes everyone and all living beings, without judgment, never granting more power to some than to others.
2.3 – Five suggestions for putting into practice the ideas presented in this chapter
- Visualize the power of intention and recite the seven words that represent the seven faces of intention: creativity, kindness, love, beauty, expansion, abundance, and receptivity.
- Reflect: If the power of intention accepts us and reflects on us without judgment or attachment, then we must be like a mirror and try to do the same in our lives.
- Bring beauty into your life: love yourself and love your environment with all your heart and have reference for all forms of life.
- Cherish the energy we share and feel the surge of this life force that allows us to think, sleep, move, digest, and even meditate.
- Dispel doubts: so, everything will come in abundance and become possible.
Chapter 3 – Connecting to Intention
3.1 – Our will and our imagination
For Dr. Wayne Dyer, having a will of iron and strong determination are admirable traits, but they are not enough to reconnect to intention.
Indeed, our will is much less effective than our imagination, which is what connects us to the power of intention. According to Wayne Dyer, imagination is the movement of the universal mind within us. It’s that which creates the mental image allowing to participate in the creative act. Thus, the author encourages us to have a purpose in life and to show determination; however, he strongly insists that it’s an illusion to believe that it’s our will that makes it possible to achieve what we desire.
For an idea to manifest itself in reality, we must “jump into the inconceivable”, imagine and observe not what we lack but what we want to achieve.
Imagine what you want to be, and you will be it. […] Concentrate on the end you are looking for, fully confident that it is already present in the physical world.
3.2 – Applying the seven faces for connecting to intention
Dr. Wayne Dyer urges us not to ask, “what must I do to get what I want” but rather “what must I do to get what I intend to create?”
We obtain what we intend to create by being in harmony with the power of intention. To achieve this, we must become the image of intention.
We must therefore be:
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Creative
To express our creativity, Wayne Dyer recommends us to practice Japa, a technique developed by the ancient Vedas. This method of meditation consists in repeating the names of God while specifying what we want. This generates the creative energy needed to manifest our desires.
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Kind
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- Kindness towards ourselves: we must treat ourselves kindly when we eat, exercise, play, work, and love.
- Kindness towards others: when we’re kind to others, they return the favor; indeed, it is necessary to give to receive.
- Kindness towards life in general: that is to say, with our environment, life on earth, animals, forests, beaches, deserts, etc.
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Love
The more we extend love, the closer we get to our goal of becoming love. In addition, Wayne Dyer suggests thinking of love in two ways:
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- Love is cooperation rather than competition.
- Love is the force behind the will of God: it is not about love defined in terms of affection and sentiment, but of the spiritual vibration that makes the divine intentions concrete.
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Beauty
We must seek and experience beauty in everything we do. As a matter of fact, life, truth, and beauty are all symbols of the same thing.
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Expansive
The universal force from which everything emerges, which is at the beginning of all life, is perpetually expanding and still growing (flowers are cited as examples). Therefore, by being ever-expansive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually, we identify ourselves with the universal mind.
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Abundant
We come from an unlimited consciousness. It’s then possible for us to join this infinite consciousness in our mind.
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Receptive
Staying connected to the universal mind, we will receive all that this power is capable of.
3.3 – Five suggestions for putting into practice the ideas presented in this chapter
- To fulfill your desires, you must harmonize them with your inner speech.
- Think from the end.
- To reach a state of perfection, we must demonstrate unyielding intent.
- Write the seven faces of the intention on 6 cm by 10 cm cards, print them and place them in strategic places to see them every day.
- Always keep in mind the idea of divine abundance. Therefore, if other thoughts arise, replace them immediately with thoughts of divine abundance.
Chapter 4 – Obstacles
Three aspects of our life can prevent us from connecting to the power of intention: our inner speech, our energy level and our self-importance. Furthermore, by taking these obstacles one by one, we will be able to become aware of these blockages and explore ways to overcome them.
4.1 – Our inner speech
Dr. Wayne Dyer lists four ways of thinking that can prevent us from reaching and connecting to the power of intention:
1. Thinking about what’s missing in our life
We must then monitor our inner speech and harmonize our thoughts with what we intend to create. You will then think not of “what is missing in my life” but about “what I intend to manifest and attract into my life”.
2. Thinking about the circumstances surrounding our life
If you are in an unpleasant situation, it’s preferable not to think about it. We must instead:
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- Teach our imagination to turn away from what we don’t want in order to focus on what we do want.
- Get in the habit of thinking from the end.
3. Thinking about what has always been
When our inner speech focuses on how things have always been, we act upon those thoughts. The power of intention therefore continues to produce what has always been.
4. Thinking about what “they” want for us
It is important to show unwavering faith and to not think about how others would want us to live our lives.
4.2 – Our energy level
We are an energy system
Dr. Wayne Dyer contends that everything in this universe is a movement of energy. We must therefore perceive ourselves as an energy system. In addition, faster and higher energy dissolves and converts lower and slower energy.
“You are an energetic system, not a collection of bones, secretions and cells, but a multitude of energetic systems embedded in an internal energy system of thoughts, feelings and emotions. […] Every thought within you can be calibrated energetically, along with its impact on your body and your environment. The higher your energy, the more you are able to neutralize and convert lower energy that weaken you, and to positively influence all those who live in your immediate surroundings and even in your environment.”
Therefore, the goal is to match ourselves with the highest of all frequencies. For this, we must work on the five frequencies listed below. In order from the lowest and the slowest to the highest and fastest, it is the world:
- Of material.
- Of sound.
- world of light.
- Of thought.
- Of Spirit: this is the ultimate energy, from which we come and the one which we must match.
Program for increasing one’s energy level
Depending on their level of vibration, each of our thoughts and emotions has an energy that can either strengthen or weaken us.
We can then raise the energy level of these thoughts and emotions to a higher and faster vibratory point in order to connect to the power of intention.
For this, Dr. Wayne Dyer’s advice is:
Shifting as quickly as possible from a weakening thought to one that strengthens:
It only takes a fraction of a second and everyone can do it.
- Meditate every day
- Become aware of the food you eat:
Some foods are low in energy (foods treated with toxic chemicals, artificial foods, flour-based cereals, meat, dairy products, sugars…). Others have higher energy (alkaline foods: fruit, vegetables, nuts, soy, non-yeast bread, virgin olive oil, etc.). In reality, there is no absolute rule to this. The best is to see how you feel after eating.
- Get away from low-energy substances (e.g., alcohol and drugs).
Become aware of the energy level of the music you listen to:
Harsh musical vibrations with loud repetitive hammering, as well as words expressing hatred, pain, anguish, fear and violence, lower our energy level.
Become aware of the energy levels of your home:
Feng Shui is a thousand-year-old Chinese art that describes different ways to increase the energy field of our homes and workplaces.
Reduce your exposure to television:
News, for example, has a steady stream of negativity, as does violence, advertising, and so on.
Enhance your energy field with photographs:
They are a form of energetic reproduction. Thus, it’s wise to post photos of moments of happiness, love, receptivity, landscapes, animals, expressions of joy and love, etc.
Become aware of the energy levels of our acquaintances, friends, close and distant relatives:
The author recommends surrounding and interacting with energizing people.
Monitor your activities and the places you visit:
It’s vital to avoid places associated with alcohol abuse, drugs, violent behavior, etc. The author recommends rather to walk in nature, to attend conferences on spirituality, to get a massage, to visit monasteries, places reserved for meditation, etc.
Commit acts of kindness without asking anything in return:
For example, you can provide financial assistance, pick up litter, and so on.
Be specific when you express your intentions to raise your energy level and create what you want:
Wayne Dyer suggests placing affirmations in strategic places.
Have thoughts of forgiveness, as often as possible, in mind:
Revenge, anger, hatred are associated with extremely low energies. The simple act of forgiving, on the other hand, can elevate us to the level of Spirit.
4.3 – Our self-importance
The idea of our self-importance
It’s essential to have a good image of ourselves and the impression of being unique. Nevertheless, this becomes problematic when we identify with our body, our success and our profession. In this case, we begin, in fact, to consider people who have accomplished less than us as inferior beings. Yet, the feeling of our own superiority means that we are constantly offended by someone or something.
Seven steps to get rid of the clutches of our ego, which will help us transcend the idea of our self-importance:
1. Stop being constantly offended and remain calm: by being offended, we create the same destructive energy that offended us in the first place.
2. Don’t always want to win: the ego loves to divide us into winners and losers; yet we are not our winnings and victories.
There is no loser in a world where we all share the same energy. All you can say is this: today I have performed at a certain level compared to that of others. But tomorrow is another day; the competitors will not be the same and the circumstances will have changed.
3. Stop always wanting to be right: Wayne Dyer strongly encourages us to free ourselves from this egocentric need.
4. Get rid of the need to be superior:
True nobility is not about feeling superior to others, but about feeling superior to what you were in the past. Concentrate on your personal growth, while remaining aware that no one on this planet is superior to anyone.
5. Give up our need to want more and more: it’s the realization that we don’t need much to be satisfied and to be at peace with ourselves.
6. Stop identifying ourselves with our achievements: the less we feel the need to give ourselves credit, the more we will be free to accomplish what we want and the more successful we will be.
7. Free ourselves from our reputation.
4.4 – Five suggestions for putting into practice the ideas presented in this chapter
- Monitor your inner dialogue.
- Dispel your doubts and depressing thoughts.
- Be wary of lower energy: if you maintain thoughts of low energy, quickly bring a higher-level vibration.
- Speak to your ego and let it understand that it has no control over you.
- See obstacles as opportunities to circulate the power of your unyielding intent.
Chapter 5 – Our Impact on Others When Connected to Intention
By being more and more in harmony with the seven faces of intention, we discover that we:
- Have a big impact on others.
- We can see in others what we feel inside of us.
- Are able to override their lower energies.
On this subject, Dr. Wayne Dyer mentions two points:
- Alone, we can do nothing: when we eliminate from our thoughts and actions the idea that we are separated from others, we immediately begin to feel that we are connected to everyone and to everything. We have a sense of belonging.
- From ordinary to extraordinary: one of the best ways to go from ordinary to extraordinary is to say “yes” more often and to stop saying “no”. Dr. Wayne Dyer calls it saying “yes” to life.
5.1 – How our energy influences others
The author describes the ways in which we influence those around us when we coincide with the power of intention. According to him, our presence:
Inspires calmness
People tend to feel more at peace, less threatened and more at ease.
Gives energy to others
Without having to say a word or doing anything, our energy of intention alone makes people mysteriously reinvigorated, just by being close to us.
Allows others to feel better about themselves
With our compassionate energy, people feel that we care about them, understand them, and are interested in them as unique individuals.
Gives others the feeling of being unified
When in contact with a person emitting higher frequencies, people have the impression of being connected to nature, the human race and intention. They feel then united and willing to help each other to achieve a common goal.
Makes others understand that they have a purpose in life
Our presence and our behavior become a catalyst. In fact, the energy from intention has a strong motivational power that can help people feel that they have a purpose and that there is always hope.
Leads others to establish authentic personal relationships with complete confidence
People trust us and want to share their stories with us.
Inspires others to do great things
We become a source of inspiration for others.
Makes people more attuned to beauty
At the highest level of the energy of intention, we see what is beautiful in everyone. So, whether people are young or old, rich or poor, pale or dark, there is no distinction. Everything is perceived in a way that favors appreciation rather than criticism. Thus, when people are given that feeling of appreciation for beauty, they begin to feel more attractive and develop a better image of themselves. As a result, when people feel beautiful, they act beautifully.
Spreads health rather than sickness
The higher our energy field, the more we can produce a positive effect on others through our own healing energy. Thus, we can greatly influence the healing and health of those around us.
5.2 – Our impact on the consciousness of humanity
For the author, it’s essential to keep in mind that our thoughts and actions affect everyone.
“In this universe where everything is closely linked, every improvement we make in our private sphere improves the world as a whole. We all make up the collective level of consciousness of humanity, and therefore all development ends up coming back to us. We all contribute to our common moral strength through our efforts to improve our fate. It’s scientifically proven that what is good for you is good for me.”
Excerpt from “Power vs Force”, Dr. David Hawkins
The counterbalancing idea of Dr. David Hawkins
The author explains that the work of Dr. David Hawkins shows that nearly 87% of humanity displays a level of collective energy that weakens them. Then, he continues with the idea of counterbalancing as follows:
People who emit high energy counterbalance the negative effects of people with lower energy. But since 87% of humanity is at a weakening frequency, this process cannot be done from person to person. One person connected to intention can have a huge influence on many people circulating in the lower spheres of energy. The more one ascends the ladder that leads to true enlightenment and knowledge of God’s consciousness, the more one can counterbalance a large amount of negative vibratory energy.
In addition, the author shares two surprising statistics presented by Dr. Hawkins:
- A single living avatar at the highest level of consciousness like Krishna, Buddha, Jesus Christ would counterbalance the collective negativity of all humanity in today’s world.
- The human population would self-destruct if it were not counterbalanced by higher energy fields.
Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the impact we have on others. Indeed, by raising our own level of energy to reach a state in harmony with intention, we become an instrument and a tool of peace. This works everywhere.
5.3 – Five suggestions for putting into practice the ideas presented in this chapter
- Become aware of the importance of making all your relationships “divine” relationships.
- When we don’t know how to behave towards others, we must simply ask ourselves, “What would the messiah do?” For the author, the term “Messiah” here represents the seven faces of intention, manifested in a spiritual being with a human experience (Christ, Buddha, Mohammed, etc.).
- Monitor our thoughts, to dispel the judgments we make against ourselves and others and to replace them with ideas of compassion.
- Longing for others to get what they want.
- Be aware that by nurturing thoughts and emotions that are in harmony with the seven faces of intention, we counterbalance the collective negativity of at least 90,000 people, and perhaps millions.
The author concludes this chapter by quoting Mahatma Gandhi:
“We must be the change we want to see in the world.”
Chapter 6 – Intention and Infinity
6.1 – Life is eternal:
According to Dr. Wayne Dyer, we come from a universal field of Creation (intention). “Universal” means “everywhere and at all times”. Consequently, we are at the heart of an infinite universe, with neither a beginning nor end.
6.2 – Our own death
We are bodies destined to die but act as if this was not the case. And that’s what loses us.
In general, people think of death in two different ways:
- We are physical bodies that come into the world, live for some time, deteriorate, age, then die and are dead forever.
- We are eternal; and have an infinite soul temporarily manifested in a being of flesh and blood. Only our physical body will die.
6.3 – The active side versus the inactive side of infinity
According to these two ways of thinking about death, we will find ourselves on one of these sides of infinity:
On the active side of infinity:
On the active side of infinity, we are perfectly aware that we have a body that will one day die. Therefore, we know, deep down, that we are not that body, its mind or all of what it has accomplished or accumulated over the years. First and foremost, we are an infinite spiritual being, temporarily experiencing a human life.
On the inactive side of infinity:
On the inactive side of the infinite, we are first and foremost a human being having an occasional spiritual experience. As a result, our life is guided by our fear of death, the idea that we are separate from others, the sweetness of competition and the need to dominate and conquer.
6.4 – Differences between those who live on the active side of infinity and those who deny possessing an eternal nature and who opt for the inactive side of infinity
The person on the active side has the sense of:
- Destiny: they have a destiny that will not let them die before it’s fulfilled, as the author says, “to the end of their score”.
- Possible: according to this person, everything that can be thought of can exist.
- Wonder: the person is in a state of perpetual gratitude.
- Humility: the person puts him/herself at the service of others by making contact with something great, which goes beyond the body, the mind and the ego.
- Generosity: Because our nature is giving, it makes giving a way of life.
- Certainty: As the power of intention never doubts, the person sees then what they wish to acquire as if they already had it.
- Passion: in Greek, the word “enthusiasm” means “God within”; thus, the person has a passionate soul wishing to express itself.
- Belonging: The person inspires a strong sense of belonging and the feeling of being in touch with all the beings and things in the cosmos.
6.5 – Five suggestions for putting into practice the ideas presented in this chapter
- Since we now know that we have an appointment with infinity and that we will one day leave this physical world behind us, Wayne Dyer invites us to choose to do it now. It’s then a question of ceasing to identify ourselves with our body and our spirit, but to identify ourselves with an infinite being.
- Repeat the following mantra every day: “I exist for all eternity. Just as love is eternal, so is my true nature. I will never be afraid again because I am eternal.”
- During meditation, the author proposes to think about these two conceptions: a human being who lives spiritual experiences or an infinite spiritual being who lives temporarily human experiences.
- Whenever you have thoughts associated with lower energies (fear, despair, worry, sadness, anxiety, guilt, etc.), ask yourself whether these ideas make sense from the active side of infinity.
- Take the time to think about the people we have known and loved and who are now in the afterlife; then feel the presence of those souls who cannot die and who are not dead.
Part 2: Putting into practice what we know about intention
Chapter 7 – I Intend to Respect Myself at All Times
7.1 – Four ideas about self-respect
- When we live life yielding to our ego, our value as a human person is measured by our acquisitions and achievements; therefore, we cannot respect ourselves because we constantly have the impression of being judged for our failures.
- The law of attraction states that we attract disrespect if we think we are not worthy of respect.
- What we think of ourselves reflects what we think of the world: if you don’t have high self-esteem, you shut down the whole process of the power of intention.
- Self-respect attracts higher energy. Conversely, a lack of self-respect attracts the lowest levels of energy.
7.2 – 10-step program to manifest our intention to respect ourselves
- Look into a mirror, look straight in the eye and say “I love you” as often as possible during the day.
- Write down and repeat as often as possible: “I am a perfect whole as I was created”. Keep this affirmation on you wherever you go.
- Respect others and all forms of life; love the people around you more and remember that when you judge your fellow man, you define yourself as someone who needs to judge others.
- Tell yourself and everyone you meet: “I belong” (the feeling of belonging is one of the highest attributes in Maslow’s self-actualization pyramid).
- Remember that you are not alone.
- Respect your body.
- Meditate to stay in contact with your Source and stay true to your self-respect.
- Make amends with adversaries: by being mature enough to replace anger, resentment and tension with kindness, you respect yourself much more.
- Never forget the self in self-respect and realize that the opinions of others are not facts but just opinions.
- Appreciate rather than belittle what is in your life because to be grateful and respectful is one and the same thing.
Chapter 8 – I Intend to Live My Life Purposely
Our purpose in life is not so much what we do but what we feel.
8.1 – There’s no point in asking what our purpose is: it will find us
It is deep within us, at the essence of our very being, that we can discover what we are supposed to become, to accomplish and to be.
“Somewhere in the depths of our being, our purpose is calling us. It’s not always a rational calling or perfectly clear, and sometimes, it seems even absurd, but it’s nonetheless present. […] This silent knowledge will never leave you alone. You can try to ignore it or pretend that it doesn’t exist, but in your moments of solitude and intimate communion with yourself, how can you not sense this emptiness waiting to be filled by your own music? It wants you to take that risk, of ignoring your ego and that of others who repeat to you that it’s better for you to take a safer and easier path.”
In Dr. Wayne Dyer’s opinion, it’s all about creatively and lovingly sharing the talents and interests that are inherent to us (dancing, writing, healing, gardening, cooking, raising children, teaching, composing, sing, surfing, etc.).
8.2 – 10-step program to practice living your life purposely from now on:
Step one:
In fact, inside an intelligent system, no one is there by accident, including us. Wayne Dyer then suggests affirming in our own words, in thought and in writing, that we are here for a specific reason and that we intend to live without ever losing sight of it.
Step two:
It’s important to seize every opportunity, no matter how small, to serve others. In the end, it doesn’t matter what you want to do in life, but your main motivation must be something other than the desire to be rewarded.
Step three:
It’s about matching our purpose with our power of intention. This approach implies believing that the Creator knows why we are here, even if we don’t. This actually means abandoning the little mind for the big mind.
Step four:
Wayne Dyer encourages us to ignore those who claim to know why we are here. Indeed, no matter what one tells us, only we know what our purpose is. Our parents and friends may try to convince us that they know what our destiny is: it’s up to us to ignore their opinions and those of others and to listen to our hearts.
Step five:
It’s essential to remember that, whatever happens, the power of intention will work with us. Indeed, the universe is always willing to support us. We live in a friendly and non-hostile world.
Step six:
Dr. Wayne Dyer recommends that we study and replicate the lives of people who have discovered the meaning of their lives. For example, we can read the biographies of people we admire the most, explore how they lived and what motivated them to stay the course in difficult times.
Step seven:
We must act as if we are living the life we are supposed to live, even though what we call “the meaning of life” is not quite clear in our minds. Finally, what happens to us must be seen as an opportunity to break with routine and move us closer to our purpose.
Step eight:
We must meditate to keep in touch with our purpose. For this, we can use the Japa technique and silently ask our Source to guide us in fulfilling our destiny.
Step nine:
It’s about making sure that our thoughts and emotions are in harmony with our actions.
Step ten:
The last step is to always be grateful to live our life purposely in tune with intention.
There is no way to happiness: happiness is the way. And it’s the same for you when you decide to live your life in harmony with your purpose.
Chapter 9 – I intend To Be Sincere and Caring Towards All My Relatives
9.1 – Others treat us the way we teach them to treat us
To change the nature of our family relationships, we must begin by changing the way we think. We need to stop worrying about what others are doing, to focus on what we think. Indeed, by showing our parents how we want to be treated through treating ourselves with respect, it’s very likely that they will change.
Furthermore, it’s essential to take responsibility for the way our family or others treat us.
9.2 – 10-step program to make this intention a reality:
- Declare our intention verbally and in writing, and long for its realization more than anything.
- Wish our parents what we wish for ourselves.
- Be the peace that we seek in others.
- Match up with the seven faces of intention.
- Examine all the obstacles to our intention to bring peace in our family.
- Act “as if”, start acting as if what we intended to create was already a reality.
- Detach from the outcome, and if nothing changes, free ourselves from our need to transform our parents.
- Affirm loud and clear that serenity is the only thing we want to attract into our lives.
- Don’t hold grudges and forgive because our parents actually only replicate the behaviors they were taught in the course of their existence, as were taught to many of their ancestors.
- Be grateful, express our gratitude for the presence of our family members in our life and for all that they have to teach us.
Chapter 10 – I Intend to Be Successful and Live in Abundance
10.1 – Five ideas about success and abundance
- Our intention to succeed and live a prosperous life actually depends on the way we view ourselves, the universe, and intention. Wayne Dyer tells us:
“One of my secrets to being successful and living in abundance is this axiom that I practice every day. It’s: change the way you see things, and the things you look at will change. It has always worked for me.”
- When it comes to the original Source, the concepts of shortage and scarcity don’t apply. Indeed, the universal mind is naturally abundant. It is constantly giving and offering us what we need in unlimited quantities.
- If we tell the universal mind what we are lacking, it will leave us in this state of want where we will always have the need for more, without ever having enough.
- Our habit of rejecting abundance feeds on the beliefs we have maintained over the years. We can put an end to these rejection thoughts with assertions.
- We must avoid accumulating and detach ourselves from life’s experiences to allow their free flow in our life.
10.2 – 10-Step Program to success and abundance in life
- See the world as an abundant, generous and friendly place, a world that gives rather than limits, a world that wants our success instead of a world that conspires against us.
- Affirm “I attract success and abundance into my life because that’s who I am.”
- Remain in a state of permissiveness, that is, ignore the deterrent efforts of those around us and remove the ego-oriented beliefs about abundance and its accessibility.
- Enjoy the present moment and activate thoughts that will give us a feeling of well-being.
- Listen to our passion and act “as if” abundance and success were already present in our lives.
- Remember that our success and our prosperity will benefit others, and that no one will be in want because we live in abundance (the reserves of the universe are infinite).
- Monitor your emotions, because some, like passion and bliss, are indications that you’re connected to the Spirit and that you are inspired.
- Be as generous to the world as intention has been for us; for that, don’t stop the flow of abundance and use our prosperity in the service of others and in the service of causes greater than our simple ego.
- Devote time to meditate on the Spirit within us as the source of our success and prosperity.
- Adopt an attitude of gratitude towards all that manifests in our life, learn to marvel and appreciate what surrounds us, even if our desires have not yet been realized.
Chapter 11 – I Intend to Live a Serene and Stress-Free Life
11.1 – Four ideas about stress
- The moments of life where we are happy, joyful, fully alive and in harmony with our purpose, are the moments when we are aligned with the universal mind.
- There is no stress or anxiety in the world. There are only people who think stressfully.
- Wayne Dyer tells a story in which he mentions a trick to calm stressed and anxious people called “Rule No. 6”. It’s simply saying to yourself, “Stop taking yourself seriously, you idiot”.
- Accept the fact that we will never be able to do everything. Begin to live fully in the only moment that is truly yours: the present moment! Indeed, the secret to getting rid of the harmful effects of stress and pressure is to live in the present moment.
11.2 – 10-step program to create a serene and stress-free life
- Remember that our natural state is joy.
- The cause of our stress is in our thoughts, not in the outside world; these stressful thoughts are a resistance to the joy, happiness, and abundance we want to create in our lives.
- It’s possible to change our stressful thoughts at any time and thus eliminate our anxiety.
- Monitor our stressful thoughts and our emotional state right in the moment.
- Promote thoughts that put us in a good mood or mental images associated with a sense of well-being.
- Observe how babies behave and emulate their joy.
- Keep in mind what Wayne Dyer calls “Rule No. 6”.
- Accept the guidance of our Source.
- Practice staying in silence and daily contemplation and meditation.
- Be grateful, in awe and appreciate everything we have, everything we are and everything we observe.
Chapter 12 – I Intend to Attract Ideal People and to Build Divine Relationships
The moment you commit to being part of the power of intention, “Providence moves too,” and unexpected assistance comes your way. The right people will come to your aid no matter what problems you face.
12.1 – Five ideas about attracting certain people into our life
- The people we want to meet are already present in our lives. However, they will only appear if we are willing to receive them.
- We must trust the power of intention to give the right people the opportunity to manifest in our lives.
- It’s essential to embody what we want to attract.
Once you have a mental picture of the person or people you intend to attract to your immediate environment and then determine how you want them to treat you and interact with you, you will have to become yourself what you are seeking.
- Everything unfolds according to a divine plan. It’s then a question of trusting in this invisible life force and in this creative mind. The good times, the struggles, the tears, the insults, all this is part of our past. Ultimately, regardless our situation at the time, we attracted the right people and the right events.
Thinking of your life as a play where all the characters, entrances, and exits are written by your Source and correspond to what you need to attract into your life will release you from low energies of guilt, remorse and even revenge.
- We have to know how to be patient and to be certain to have a “superior partner” who will send someone to help us or get by ourselves.
12.2 – 10-step program to attract ideal people and build divine relationships
- Stop hoping, wishing, praying, and begging for the right person or people to show up in our lives. Our universe is based on energy and the laws of attraction. Therefore, we have the ability to attract people who will help us achieve our desires. However, for that, we must have a deep conviction that it’s not only a possibility but a certainty.
- Conceptualize the invisible connection that unites us to the people we want to attract to our life.
- Form a mental image of our meeting with the person (people) from whom we would like help or support.
- Act as if all the people we meet participate in our efforts to attract the ideal people to our lives and be proactive and attentive to the signs of synchronicity.
- Take the path of least resistance.
- Practice being the kind of person we wish to attract.
- Demonstrate infinite patience, be confident, and let the universal mind of intent handle the details.
- Practice meditation, especially Japa meditation, by literally seeing in our minds the energy we radiate and the people we want to come across in our lives.
- Consider that everyone who played a role in our lives did it for our good and that nothing happens by accident.
- Be eternally grateful even to those who cause us pain and suffering.
Chapter 13 – I Intend to Optimize My Capacity to Heal and Be Healed
13.1 – Four ideas about healing
- All human beings are potential healers. However, to make contact with these innate healing powers, we must first make the decision to heal ourselves.
- Confronting the lower energy of disease with a higher spiritual energy can convert it into a healthy spiritual energy. These principles are put into practice in the field of energy medicine.
- You cannot create a healthy body if you think about the disease and if you see yourself plagued by the disease. In fact, the universal mind knows precisely what we need to optimize our health. Nevertheless, we must, on our part, monitor the thoughts and actions that might oppose resistance and interfere with the healing process.
- We aren’t sick because we are bad or ignorant or because we have done wrong in the past: in fact, we experience disease because we have something to learn from it.
13.2 – Five conclusions about healing from the world of scientific research
- Even ordinary people are able to heal through the power of intention; healers simply have more experience or more ease in tapping into this energy field.
- Healers often claim to manifest their intention and then rely on some kind of healing power greater than them.
- The method used is seemingly not that important. What’s important is that the healer has the firm intention to heal their patient and is certain that they’ll succeed in doing so.
- According to the researchers, intention can heal on its own. However, “the healing process is based on the collective memory of a healing spirit”. This would explain, among other things, the enormous collective healing power of the saints.
- The best treatment a healer can offer is to restore hope and to ensure the well-being of those who suffer from a disease or trauma.
13.3 – 10-step program to optimize our capacity to heal and be healed
- Understand that you can’t heal anyone until you have accepted to be healed yourself.
- Give to others our healing energy.
- Know that by raising our level of energy to the field of intention it strengthens our immune system and stimulates the production of well-being enzymes in our brain.
- Practice surrender by letting go and letting God handle the details.
- Don’t ask to be healed, ask to be restored to the perfection from which we emanate.
- Refuse to talk about the disease and try to activate thoughts about recovery, well-being and health.
- Search and cherish silence, take the time to meditate in silence.
- Identify ourselves with the wholeness of our being.
- Become aware of the resistance we oppose to the natural flow of energy in us.
- Remain in a state of gratitude.
Chapter 14 – I Intend to Appreciate and Express the Genius That I Am
14.1 – Two ideas about the genius in us
- Our very existence is proof of our genius. This genius can manifest itself in different ways in each of us. The important thing is to know that it’s present in us, waiting for the right circumstances to express itself.
- The genius is:
The art of surrendering yourself to your Source, of connecting to it in such a spectacular way that the ego is immediately substantially minimized.
- To appreciate our genius, we must learn to trust our creative insights. By no longer doubting these great intuitions, you express your ideas and you begin the process leading to their realization.
14.2 – 10-step program to realize our intention to appreciate and express our genius
- Declare that you are a genius.
- Listen more carefully to your insights, even if they may seem insignificant.
- Take constructive action toward putting into practice your intuitions and personal inclinations.
- Understand that all our thoughts about our own aptitudes, interests and inclinations are valid.
- Know that it is by aligning ourselves with spiritual energy that we will discover the genius that is in us.
- Be extremely humble, meaning don’t take pride in your talents, your intellectual abilities, your aptitudes, or your skills. Be in a state of awe and bewilderment.
- Remove resistance by becoming aware of your genius.
- Be attentive to the genius of others, tell them about their genius and pay attention to the greatness around you.
- Simplify your life by removing complications, rules and obligations.
- Be humble and grateful.
Third part: The Connection
Chapter 15 – Portrait of a Person Connected to the Field of Intention
People who live in union with the power of intention are ordinary individuals. However, they are distinct from others because they are people:
- Open to success, speaking with conviction.
- For whom the past is unimportant.
- Who are seemingly immune to pessimism.
- Who claim to live in a universe governed by energy and the laws of attraction, and who accept the idea that nothing happens by accident.
- Always grateful, even if they happen to face an obstacle.
- Good with appreciation and bewilderment.
- Who think “starting from the end”.
- Who are aware of the unity of the human race: for them, no one is spiritually cut off from others.
- Not surprised by synchronicities.
- Who have a soothing effect on people, a calm and serene energy.
- Having made the choice to feel good.
- Who refuse that their well-being is based on events of the external world.
- Who don’t fear death.
- Having full confidence in the energy Source.
- Extremely generous: what they want for themselves, they want it even more for others.
- Living in abundance and seemingly never wanting anything.
- Very inspired and inspiring.
- Who devote themselves above all to their purpose.
- With an exceptionally high energy level.
- Who bring peace and convert low energy into high energy.
- Rarely sick.
- Radiating an energy of joy and appreciation that heals.
- With infinite patience.
- Who often reflect the seven faces of intention.
- Possessing extraordinary creativity.
- Extremely kind and affectionate.
- Knowing how to appreciate the beauty of our world.
- Having no desire to judge others or to describe them in negative terms.
- Who can never know enough and who want to know everything about life.
- Who never say no to the universe and are open to all possibilities.
- Always receptive to abundance.
Book critique of “The Power of Intention: Learning to Co-Create Your World Your Way”:
For the reader in search of spirituality
With the exception of a few ideas of affirmations, “The Power of Intention ” is a work that doesn’t propose any practical methods to apply to everyday life. In fact, Wayne Dyer instead encourages us to reflect on a model of wisdom and spiritual tenets. The “programs” at the end of each chapter guide the reader through this process.
Thus, depending on the expectations of the reader, one will either “stick around” or “won’t stick around” for the book’s entire reading. The very pragmatic reader, who is looking for concrete tools, may not cling to the reading, whereas the reader who is on a quest for spirituality will find deep reflections to move ahead on their spiritual path.
A complex reading
The “divine” language used by Wayne Dyer makes reading The Power of Intention somewhat strange. Even if, throughout the reading, we get used to it, the book is still quite difficult for the lay person. Moreover, the content is rather redundant. The author’s suggestions for connecting to the power of intention and thus transforming one’s life are ultimately always the same.
Key Ideas of “The Power of Intention“
In conclusion, I will summarize these suggestions to connect to our intention by listing off seven ideas to remember, namely:
- Do “as if” or “starting from the end”;
- Manifest your ideas, be what you expect from intention, from others and from life.
- Change your beliefs, view differently the things you want to change.
- Forget your ego.
- Express your gratitude.
- Have faith, certainty, surrender to intention, trust blindly.
- Meditate.
Strong points:
- An interesting spiritual guidance for those who follow this path.
- Deep and inspiring reflections.
- Wise advice.
Weak points:
- A long book with ultimately always the same messages.
- The divine and theological vocabulary makes the reading quite complex and difficult to access.
My rating : 
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