Happy to be in the last month of the year as also a bit in-between as I near the end of the time-cycle when my propensity to feel hopeful, anxious, happy, guilty, rudderless and despondent is abound. This is universal. One of these many emotions is about to rule the tide of inner dialogue, and some of us will cave in, some will emerge gritty, while some will deal with the queer mishmash of anxiety and hope.
Often, at these times of an impending crossroad of emotions, I get drawn to ideas and framework that can potentially help one co-create a more deliberate and constructive mental space. One such idea — the Power of Intention, proposed by Dr. Wayne Dyer in his book by that name, delivers on many counts. We all understand intention as a pit-bull kind of determination, propelling us to succeed at all costs by never giving up on an inner vision. Dr. Dyer’s idea of intention is a force in the universe that allows the act of creation (action) to take place. He explores intention — not as something we do — but as energy we are a part of. We are all here surrounded by the invisible power of intention, free to access this energy to begin creating our individual lives.
This definition holds radical resonance for me in its promise of access to an existing field of energy, to become part of a larger collective of believers and strivers, to create, pursue and accomplish our dreams. In simple terms, it is about training ourselves to believe that the conditions we want are already present. There is an abundance of potential in this world, and the only thing that keeps us from seeing it is our inner monologue. Intention can overpower this monologue.
Root of the matter
Going back to the ‘why’ of despondency at this time of the year, the truth is that most of us set the year off without formalising an intention or purpose. We invariably forget to define a start-point or a goal for the finite time-period we would like to hold ourselves accountable for. This absence of alignment to our own potential and to a larger source of creative living, marks the onset of a drifting journey. We drift for a while and don’t really notice till we hit a shore that we neither allocated as route nor as destination.
Intention is not a mere declaration but a process involving alignment, openness and positivity:
There are some who Dyer calls connectors, to imply their harmonious connection with the field of intention. They are individuals who have made themselves available for success and its connected possibilities. They are open and optimistic about achieving their desires and dreams. Their inner dialogue is resourceful and contagious ‘I intend to create this and I know it will work out.’
Simply put, these individuals have internal practices to move from intention to accomplishment; they seek energy from a larger belief that a dream can be pursued and achieved and that limitlessness is a human reality. These individuals excel in trusting their purpose and combine an attitude of unbending intent in daily thoughts and activities.
The how
Dyer gives us are four stages to harness intention:
Discipline – Live with integrity, with the self, and build strong habits and realign with the body.
Wisdom – Align thoughts, feelings and intellect with the work of the body (discipline).
Love – Love what you do and do what you love.
Surrender – This is when intention reigns, overruling the mind and body.
The New Year is round the bend. Let us commit to intentional living.
The author is a freelance writer, blogger, and life coach. nivedita@lifealigncoaching.com
