I have one of those Deepak Chopra books that’s been hidden among the other tomes on my overfilled bookshelves for years. For some reason, I pulled it down and put it somewhere so it will get read every now and then. The pages I landed on when I dipped into it today talk about Intentions.
Intentions, as in visualizing a desired state to be achieved. Some books call this manifestation, but the terminology matters less than the idea. It’s a very powerful thing creating your next reality.
Before you pshaw what I’m saying as not applying to you, suspend your doubt for a moment. We all do it, whether we realize it or not. Sometimes we’re cognizant and deliberate about it, sometimes we generate a situation that we’d rather avoid if we thought things through instead of reacted through habit. All the things we do and say, even and especially those that are automatic, impact us. Reprogram us or set those old programs in more solidly. Every time we say we “can” or “can’t” do something, we’re setting a program. Every time we use those silly figures of speech that don’t really mean what they say, somewhere, there’s a literal part of our brain that doesn’t realize that. This topic could be expounded upon for pages and pages, but I want to keep this short.
What Dr. Chopra was noting in the pages I read was tips on mindful intention– creating a scenario. In athletic psychology speak, visualization. As amatuer and pro triathletes, we spend a substantial amount of time training. Why not spend a little energy on this process too? Draw on all of our resources.
Here’s Dr. Chopra’s recommendations:
1. Sit quietly and use any of the methods…for relaxing your body and feeling calm inside.
2. Intend the outcome you want. Be specific. You can visualize the outcome or express it to yourself verbally.
3. Don’t get bogged down in the details. Don’t force or concentrate. Your intention should be as natural as intending to lift your arm or get a drink of water.
4. Expect and believe in the outcome. Know that it is certain.
5. Realize that doubt, worry, and attachment will only interfere with your success.
6. Let go of the desire. You don’t have to mail a letter twice; just know that the message was delivered and your result is on the way.
7. Be open to the feedback that comes to you either inside yourself or from the environment. Realize that any and all feedback was elicited by you.
I could relate innumerable stories of how this process has worked for me. No joke.
Happy intentions!
[...] Those of us that are triathletes do this all the time. We did it when we became a triathlete. We do it to try a new challenge like a longer distance or maybe something off-road or whatever. We discovered a new facet of our lives that we wanted to change or futher develop and we set about doing it. We reinvent who we are, which is another way of saying we create new life all the time. The oak tree’s two-week metamorphosis can serve as a reminder that much more is possible than we ever thought. With belief, focus and intention, we too can sprout branches upon branches of new growth. So reach for the sky for the sunlight and stay attached to the ground for sustenance, just like the oak tree. It feels great to create new life! [...]