The Power of Intention

Other studies, such as the groundbreaking discovery of neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, reveal that focused conscious intention can alter the structure and function of the brain itself. When we consciously direct and focus our thoughts, they forge new neural connections and pathways. Nobel prize winner Eric Kandel found that directing our attention changes neural activity and, with persistent practice, can rewire the brain.

The late scientist Masaru Emoto captured people’s imaginations when he published photos showing how water crystals changed shape when people consciously directed thoughts toward them. Beautiful symmetric patterns emerged from water exposed to positive emotional words like “love” and “gratitude,” while asymmetric, fragmented forms arose when exposed to negative emotional words.

Quantum physicists have long known that directed human attention influences photons—light particles—to behave as particles or waves. Now, researchers Dean Radin and others are quantifying the effects of human intention on water, which is robust evidence for how subtly our awareness creates structure in the physical world.

Self-Awareness: The Key to Transformation

Becoming more self-aware is a journey of introspection and a powerful tool for personal transformation. It expands our free will and conscious choice in interacting with the world. We can deliberately rewire our brains toward more elevated emotions like compassion, joy, and inspiration. Researcher Richard Davidson found that when expert Buddhist monks focused on these positive qualities, they lit up a specific region of their brain: the left prefrontal cortex. After sustaining this positive focus over time, they had permanently altered their baseline brain-state activity to one of calm awareness rather than anxiety or distress.

Davidson also found that novices learning meditation and mindfulness could induce similar brain state changes with regular practice. Other studies confirm that mindfulness meditation boosts mood, focus, and compassion while shrinking the brain’s fear center, the amygdala.

Accessing Higher States of Consciousness

Our awareness is not limited to our immediate surroundings but connects us to a unified field of consciousness that transcends space and time. This connection gives us access to inspired ideas, intuition, or mystical states of cosmic awareness. Moments of insight, creativity, or divine inspiration bubble up from this unified field into our waking state. Einstein often spoke of thought experiments where fully formed ideas emerged spontaneously. Nikola Tesla frequently entered elevated states where inspiration poured like ‘torrents from the heavens.’ He claimed his epic inspiration for AC arose fully formed in an instant.

Abraham Maslow called these “peak experiences” of transcendent awareness. Neuroscientist Andrew Newberg found transcendental states alter brain activity in the orientation association area, diminishing our sense of separation from the whole.

A 2013 Socio-affective Neuroscience and Psychology study found that a seven-week mindfulness course produced tangible changes in the brain regions associated with awareness, introspection, and memory. After just seven meditation training sessions, participants had increased gray matter density in the hippocampus, the area responsible for memory, learning, compassion, and emotional regulation.

Rewiring Your Brain

The key is sustained, regular practice focusing your attention and intention. You can train your brain for greater resilience, elevated mood, and expanded awareness, such as exercising a muscle. Start with just 5-10 minutes a day. Focus on anchoring yourself in the present while sitting quietly, bringing attention to your breathing. Expand spatial awareness beyond your body into your energy field. Consciously intend what you would like to manifest or cultivate within yourself.

Neurofeedback uses real-time EEG feedback to teach people to reshape their brainwave patterns, relieving anxiety and boosting mood. Regular use of affirmations and visualizations can also help rewire the brain. You can create new neural pathways supporting your desired reality by associating positive thoughts and feelings with specific outcomes.