When Dr. Dossey starts talking about prayer as empathetic intentionality at a distance, however, he steps out onto the leading edge of medical practice. He cites a growing body of evidence that shows prayer profoundly affecting the course of disease and recovery. Dr. Dossey goes farther. He believes prayer is responsible for non-local manifestations of consciousness anywhere in the world. As with any powerful medicine, there can be negative side effects.
Prayer can also be manipulative, irresponsible, controlling, even harmful.
It's a choice people make. Larry Dossey believes it's the power of empathy, which also goes by the names compassion or love or concern for others. It works, he believes, because we are all connected, by a universal consciousness as fundamental to the universe as gravity. Prayer taps us in, is our avenue to the Absolute. Dr. Dossey urges people to liberate themselves from the temptation to micro-manage the universe, suggesting we simply be open to a higher wisdom.