The Power of Intention

Dr. Wayne Dyer shares his thoughts on life, laughter and the power of public television
Edited for Applause Online by Mary Eileen O'Connor

In his latest special for public television, Dr. Wayne Dyer: The Power of Intention, which debuts Monday, March 8 on WHYY TV12, best-selling author and speaker Dr. Wayne Dyer offers a new definition of the concept of intention and explains how every individual can connect to his or her own infinite potential.

With unique interpretations of the scientific and metaphysical philosophies of history's greatest thinkers, Dr. Dyer has inspired countless people to enjoy richer, more spiritual lives. In the following interview, he talks about the program and the book, and his own life's path.

Q: You describe "the power of intention" as the driving force in the universe. What drove you to write this book and tape this special for public television?
A: I was, quite simply, inspired. I think that there's a difference between motivation and inspiration.

Motivation is when you get an idea yourself and then you put motion to it, motive to it...and you feel like a driving force to go out and accomplish something. And people have told me my entire lifetime that I am highly motivated. In fact, some people call me "the father of motivation," which is strange. I have eight children and I don't need another one called motivation!

Inspiration is the opposite of motivation. It's what happens when an idea gets a hold of you from someplace that you can't even identify and you feel almost compelled to let that idea carry you. That's what happened with this book and this show, and I'm in awe of how it came about.

Q: What's the single most important thing a person can do every day to invoke their power of intention?
A: They have to repeat the five key words: I want to feel good; or I intend to feel good. Remember that feeling good is the same things as saying I want to feel spirit, or I want to be in harmony with source - and this is a source of well being; it is a source of abundance; it is a source of healing; it is a source of kindness; it is a source of love.

You can call my cell phone and you will hear the message, "This is Wayne Dyer that you've reached and I want to feel good. If your message is intended to do anything other than that then you've reached the wrong number and I suggest you call Dr. Phil." It's a funny sort of message, but I really want to feel good and I remind myself of that all the time. It can take away a stomachache, it can take away fear, it can take away depression and it can take away scarcity, and it can take away lousy relationships.

So, anytime during the day when you feel out of sorts, when things aren't going the way you want them to go...when you are a little depressed, when you feel perhaps anxious or when you're afraid, you can repeat to yourself, "I want to feel good; I want to feel good." What it does is allow you to reconnect...to be in harmony with your source.

Q: This program is so uplifting - and it has more humor and laughter than your previous specials - are you "letting your hair down" so to speak?
A: I'm able to laugh at everything, even losing my hair. Humor has always been a very important part of my life - and I've always been able to see the sunny side of life and in different things. I think it's a part of feeling good. If you want to feel good, you want to laugh. Remember, you can't be depressed and laugh at the same time. It's impossible. The more laughter we can have in our lives, the richer and less stressed and happier we will be.

Q: You've committed so much time to public television and its viewers - why do you feel so strongly about public broadcasting?
A: I think there's no better place on the TV dial than public television. The television sets that everybody has in their homes are really just energy systems. And when we allow into our homes low energy, negative energy, violent energy, we exacerbate that in our lives, and in the lives in the people in our community, and in our country and in our world and in our universe.

But...negative [programming] isn't something that you see on public television. On public TV you see something that is enriching and uplifting, and I believe that we can use this medium and these frequencies that public television has been granted to help raise the energy and consequently make very dramatic positive shifts in our lives.

Q: What is the most important lesson you learned along the path you've taken that you might not have learned if you'd taken another?
A: The lesson that stands out for me is that true nobility is not about being better than anyone else -- it's about being better than you used to be. One thing I know about myself in all aspects of life is that I'm better than I used to be in every regard -- as a writer, speaker, husband, father, lecturer, and as a man. When I look back at some of the things I said and did 25 years ago, I wonder who that person was. I've been traversing a path of growth for as long as I can remember and I believe I will do that until my last breath.

Q: What's on the horizon for Wayne Dyer?
A: I have no idea. I go where I'm sent. I say what I'm told to say. I listen to that inner voice and wherever it takes me is where I'll go.

Q: And if I can borrow my last question from James Lipton and Bernard Pivot, what would you like to hear your co-creator say to you when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
A: Go back and do it again.