Beyond the Brain: Do Thoughts Change Reality?

For most of human history, people have believed that thoughts, intentions, and prayers have real power. Entire religious and spiritual traditions assume that focused mental states can influence events beyond the body of the thinker. Modern science, however, operates on a different assumption: that physical events have sufficient physical causes.

So here is the question: Can mental states cause changes in the physical world without physical action? Or are thoughts only effective throughout the brain and body that produce them?

If thoughts can directly influence external events, what does that imply about prayer, manifestation, collective intention, and even moral responsibility?
If they cannot, how should we reinterpret centuries of spiritual practice and contemporary claims about mindset shaping reality?

MEETING STATUS Please Read: Last year, we discussed moving off Meetup as fees continued to increase, and I created www.room4thought.org as a potential transition platform. At the same time, I realized that Meetup plays an important role in keeping the group visible and bringing in new participants. Without that steady influx, our discussions would likely be much smaller. In November, I chose to renew the current six-month Meetup plan myself to ensure continuity. The next renewal is May 8, 2026, at $178.99 (plus tax), and I’m not able to continue funding it alone.

If we value keeping the Denver Philosophy Meetup open, visible, and accessible to new thinkers, I’d like to invite shared stewardship. If 10 members contribute $20 each, we cover the next cycle and maintain our presence on Meetup while continuing to build our independent website list. (Currently, the website only has about 40 people signed up)

Contributions can be made through Meetup’s donation feature (which includes a processing fee). or directly via Venmo. I’ve come to value this community deeply and hope we can sustain it together. Meetup donation link (and FYI, the amount shown in donations is for the entire 6 years of operation). or my personal Venmo: @Diana-Thompson-76

If you have not signed up on Room4Thought, please add your name to the list.

ZOOM LINK: [https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZIqd--oqjwtHdObW733acLmjha607MyF1ic/ics?icsToken=DFq9nvBOXML6_dc2dAAALAAAAMDeNo2wY3IXcdPu5uEOTDn-oCTpLx8GJOuuDk0sAoyZRpawQSPLtH3SEkbvd4vjq-TKVpSxJ9BDlu22TzAwMDAwMQ](ZOOM LINK)

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