10/21/2024
AI blows my mind! I'm in an amazing workshop facilitated by Anthony David Adams. We were prompted to invite ChatGBT to come up with an article reviewing our book 10 years from now. Check out this beauty! Makes me want to read it - I mean, write it! (109 pages written, will keep you posted)
:))
The New York Times
October 21, 2034
The Book That Changed Relationships—and the World: The Intentional Relationship Becomes a Global Phenomenon
By Jane McCallister
In a world increasingly defined by fleeting digital connections and fractured relationships, a quiet revolution has emerged in an unexpected place: the intimacy between couples. The Intentional Relationship: 9 Weeks to Greater Consciousness, Connection, Playfulness, and Passion has taken the globe by storm, and its ripple effects have extended far beyond the confines of personal love stories.
Released just over two years ago, the book by relationship coach and spiritual guide, Lily Eggers, quickly climbed bestseller lists in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. But it wasn't just another self-help manual promising quick fixes for relationship woes. Rather, it introduced a radical, almost spiritual approach to modern love—offering couples a pathway to healing, deepening their connection, and finding meaning in their shared journey.
A Radical Approach to Love
At its core, The Intentional Relationship invites couples to approach their relationship not as a series of problems to be solved but as a spiritual practice—a conduit for personal and collective growth. Eggers’ 9-week program combines guided exercises in mindfulness, emotional vulnerability, and playfulness, while emphasizing the importance of daily rituals to foster conscious intimacy. Each week’s theme—from “Building Conscious Connection” to “Playfulness as a Path to Passion”—offers couples tools for healing and transformation, regardless of the state of their relationship.
"Love can be one of the most profound spiritual practices," Eggers writes in the opening chapter. "We are taught to seek enlightenment through solitude, but what if the deepest growth happens in the messy, vulnerable spaces between two people? The real work begins when we realize that our partner is our mirror, our guide, and our greatest teacher."
Healing Relationships, Healing the World
The book's premise struck a chord at a time when the global divorce rate had reached a historic high, and many couples reported feeling disconnected in an increasingly fast-paced, screen-dominated world. But it was the unexpected impact of the book on the larger social fabric that has sparked a broader conversation.
Studies by the Global Institute for Relationships and Social Health have shown that since the book’s release, couples who completed Eggers’ program reported not only improvements in their romantic lives but also in their overall mental well-being. Rates of anxiety and depression dropped significantly among couples who embraced the book’s teachings. Even more striking, communities where the book became popular saw a marked reduction in domestic violence rates and increased participation in local support networks for couples.
Dr. Hannah Reyes, a psychologist specializing in relationship dynamics, describes the phenomenon as a “wave of conscious partnership.” She explains, “What Eggers has done is offer couples a blueprint for intentional living, not just within their relationship, but in how they engage with their entire environment. We’re seeing couples becoming more empathetic, communicative, and connected—not only to each other but to their communities.”
Consciousness Expansion Through Love
Beyond its immediate influence on couples’ lives, The Intentional Relationship has also garnered attention from spiritual leaders and consciousness expansion advocates, who see Eggers' work as a crucial step in humanity's collective evolution. Meditation centers and mindfulness retreats across the world have incorporated the book into their teachings, emphasizing the idea that romantic relationships can be used as a vehicle for spiritual awakening.
Buddhist teacher Thich Van Lieu calls it “a modern dharma for couples,” noting that “the book brings ancient wisdom into a format that resonates with today’s world—transforming love into a path to enlightenment.”
Indeed, The Intentional Relationship doesn’t shy away from the mystical. Eggers devotes an entire chapter to the idea of “sacred union,” where the connection between two people is seen as a microcosm of the larger cosmic dance of energy. She introduces practices like “conscious play”—using joy and lightheartedness to deepen intimacy—and “spiritual conflict resolution,” which helps couples navigate disputes with compassion, rather than anger.
The Playful Revolution
While the book’s title might suggest a serious approach to healing relationships, its most beloved feature might be its emphasis on playfulness. Eggers writes that “true passion emerges when we allow ourselves to return to the spontaneous, joyful parts of ourselves.” To that end, the book is filled with exercises that encourage couples to reconnect with their inner child—whether through impromptu dance parties in the living room or surprise love notes tucked into everyday places.
The effect, many readers have reported, is liberating. “It gave us permission to have fun again,” says Maria Ortiz, a reader in Buenos Aires who credits the book with saving her marriage. “We had become so consumed by the daily grind, the responsibilities, that we forgot how to laugh together. The program showed us how joy can be healing.”
The Global Impact
The book’s influence has not been confined to individual couples. Cities like San Francisco, Copenhagen, and Tokyo have started offering The Intentional Relationship workshops, where couples gather in community centers and public spaces to participate in the 9-week program together. The movement has fostered a sense of collective healing, with people finding that their personal relationships can be the starting point for larger societal change.
In a TED Talk viewed by millions, Eggers explained, “When we heal the connection between two people, we are also healing the world. Strong, loving relationships are the foundation of a healthy, conscious society. It’s time to stop seeing love as something separate from our spiritual or social life—it is, in fact, the most powerful force for transformation.”
As the movement grows, The Intentional Relationship seems poised to continue reshaping how the world views love, connection, and consciousness. For many, it’s no longer just a book—it’s a revolution, one couple at a time.
A Future of Intentional Living
Looking forward, Eggers and her team are developing a global foundation to further the mission of conscious partnerships. Already, there are plans for international retreats, online programs, and certified coaches to help spread the book’s message worldwide.
In an era where disconnection and alienation often feel like the status quo, The Intentional Relationship stands as a beacon of hope—a reminder that healing and transformation start in the most intimate of spaces, with the simple yet profound act of loving intentionally.
