Intentionality – The Matrix of Healing: A Qualitative Theory for Research, Education and Practice

by Rothlyn Zahourek

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Saarbrücken, Germany: VDM Verlag 2009  456 pp  US$112 paperback

This is an excellent book for a variety of reasons. It explores in great depth the meaning of intentionality in the healing process for healers and healees. Questions examined include:

What are the properties, antecedents, consequences, and characteristic relationships of intentionality in a healing dyad? Related questions include: 1) Can intentionality be explained and/or observed in healing, 2) How does intentionality manifest in client-healees and nursehealers, 3) Does intentionality occur within both healer and healees during healing as some contend (Epstein, 1996; Schlitz, 1997a&b), 4) Does the concept of intent relate to intentionality, 5) Do dyadic patterns of intentionality emerge from the interview and observation data, or are separate patterns identified for the nurse and client, and 6) Does intentionality have any relationship with the healing outcome as perceived by the participants? (p. 17)

Rothlyn Zahorek brings us a very thorough exploration of these questions, with a wide-ranging review of the literature, careful definitions of terms, and then the fascinating responses to her doctoral dissertation questions from healers and healees. For instance, I had never considered how intent and intention might be different. Zahourek clarifies:

The description that became most useful to differentiate intentionality from intent and intention came from existentialist Rollo May (1969). He explains that intentionality is a capacity for, or the quality of intent and intentions. It is not intention per se, and, as a capacity, it reflects the entire nature of the person. It is also not only reflected in will, motivation or desire. (p. 18)

Diagrams and explanations of theories facilitate the flow of explorations in clarifying what intentionality is and how it shapes healing processes.

Zahourek also provides a clear description of her process of distilling the individual responses into common denominators that underlie the experiences, perceptions and explanations offered by her subjects.  Where in other dissertations I've read, I've found these sorts of details dry, laborious and deterring, in this exposition I found these details fascinating.

HealingIntentionality became the primary core category. This communicated that the two categories were tightly linked, if not mutually interdependent. The healing process was influenced by how participants experienced and, later, described intentionality. Achieving a sense of wholeness and meaning even in illness was consistently described as healing by the participants. (p. 92)

The concept of shift, as related to restoring balance in a state of need, emerged as an essential aspect of HealingIntentionality. (p. 93)

A last gem I would share is Zahourek's poem summarizing the concepts gleaned in this study.

INTENTIONALITY IS
Capacity for awareness
Of ones self Of others
Of the world around
Of wholeness
Capacity for learning about
The ineffable
Spirit
Wholeness
Capacity for knowing
Ones self Another
Pattern
Wholeness
INTENTIONALITY IS
Appreciation of
Consciousness
Energy Information
Synchronicity
Paradox
Duality Unity
Meaning
Wholeness
INTENTIONALITY
Evolves from
Needing Wanting
Feeling splintered
Wanting wholeness
INTENTIONALITY
Manifests as
Motivation Action
Commitment Dedication
Determination
Seeking wholeness
INTENTIONALITY
(p. 13)

For anyone interested in intentionality as a factor in therapy, this book is a most useful and helpful resource. You may, however, be tempted to get your library to order it, due to its very high price.

Review by Daniel J. Benor, MD
IJHC Editor in Chief

2009.   226 pp    US$24.95

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