So, We Tried a Group Intention Setting Experiment... Here's What Happened

[skeptical_chime]

Lately, my small circle here in Bozeman decided to run a structured experiment on group intention setting. We met for three consecutive nights, spending twenty minutes each session focusing our minds on a shared goal: cultivating deeper community trust and mutual support.

Psychologically, this taps directly into Durkheim's concept of collective effervescence—that palpable energy generated when a group unites around a common focus. But to ground the practice, we layered in symbolic anchoring. We chose The Star tarot card as our visual reference. Instead of just reading the card's meaning, we spent time visualizing its specific imagery: the central figure pouring water and the prominent eight-pointed star. This helped translate an abstract intention into a concrete mental image.

The results were fascinating. We didn't get fireworks or dramatic visions. What we got was a profound sense of alignment and a noticeable lift in group morale. It felt less like flashy "magic" and more like a shared psychological reset.

I was reminded of Alan Watts' view on consciousness—that it's not just locked inside our skulls but a permeable field we can all tune into. This approach feels worlds apart from Aleister Crowley's often toxic and aggressively individualistic take on "will." Crowley's methods can easily alienate the very community spirit we're trying to build. Watts reminds us that shared intention is about resonance, not domination.

So, here's what I'm curious about from this community: Have you ever run a group intention experiment? Did you notice that same psychological shift? And how do you usually anchor your intentions—through tarot, meditation, or something else? I'd love to hear your experiences.