The Power of Intention
January 2010
By Heather Eilering
It’s that time again, time when the voice inside says, “lets start fresh, let’s be healthy, let’s be happy, let’s be powerful and beautiful and strong, let’s be the best I can be!”
So we listen, and wet set goals, we search out that which will give us what we desire; a better job, the perfect partner, a healthy body… You know the list, you make it almost every year. This year I challenge you to put some power behind the New Year ritual. Instead of setting goals that most likely will fade like the melting snow in spring, discover your true will to be a more peaceful joyful you!
It’s winter time, the seeds are hibernating safely in the earth and the mind is free to plan for the spring. Winter is a powerful time for self-study or Swadhaya in the yogic tradition, more on that in a bit. Right now let’s explore the limitations of time-based goals, we already know the benefits. The problem with planning for the spring is that we don’t really know when spring will come and what the conditions of spring will be. Planning in and of itself isn’t bad, but being attached to the result of planning creates a problem when the seed doesn’t flourish the way we want. Or sometimes we realize that the particular flower that grows only creates happiness for one fleeting moment in time. For example, how many times have you set New Year’s resolutions and a few weeks later give up on them? Or you stuck to it but when you got what you wanted a moment later you were wishing for the next thing you desire?
Goals are very important in the world of form. They help us live productive lives, but in the world of Spirit they mean nothing, not good or bad, they are literally meaningless. Spirit in and of itself contains everything, therefore no planning is needed, no seeking is required, only the willingness to be open and receive. So how does one learn to live in the fulfillment of Spirit? One doesn’t. Spirit is all-inclusive, something that cannot be learned, only experienced. The fulfillment of Spirit entails joining, therefore, the question must be, how does one join? The answer is simple, let go of the mental, emotional and physical idea that you are separate.
Remember what happened to last years New Year’s resolution? If you keep doing the same thing over and over again, you will keep getting the same result, that feeling of not being fulfilled which is indicated by asking for the next thing in the next moment. Yes, the form of the thing may change, this year I want to lose weight, last year I wanted a better job, but the result is always the same. Whether you get what you want or not, the moment of joy or pain ends and once again you are left asking for something else. But remember, fulfillment comes from joining, and when you choose to join is up to you, when you choose to let go of the idea that you are separate is up to you.
So, how do we deal with the fact that we haven’t chosen fulfillment yet? First we have to resist the urge to indulge in self-pity, then we have to forgive the choice we are making, then we consciously choose a tool/practice to assist in traveling through the darkness that is hiding the light of fulfillment. At that point all we can do is devote our self to that practice and let Spirit be. As we practice in that way more and more we begin to release our separate self-identity and join with our true Spirit Identity. I’ve already hinted at two tools we can use in this process and one can act as a bridge to the other.
The first tool in your box is intention. This year change your pattern of unfulfilling goals and replace it with the power of intention. The difference between a goal and intention is simple. A goal has a result that occurs sometime in the future and thus you must wait for what you want. An intention holds the answer in the present moment and thus can be used in its’ entirety whenever one needs it. An intention gives us the opportunity for fulfillment now. In order for your intention to be useful in the present moment it must be worded using present terms. So instead of saying “I want fulfillment” one would say “I am fulfilled”. Thus putting the power back into your own hands and not making it something you have to go out into the world to fight for and wait for. When an intention is aligned with Spirit then it is automatically filled. Once you have discovered your intention you can then use it whenever you feel disconnected from the peace of Spirits’ presence. If a disturbing thought or situation arises in your life you are empowered to replace it with your intention thus aligning yourself with the solution and Spirit’s Grace.
Our second tool, the bridge I mentioned earlier is Swadhaya, self-study. When one gets to know oneself then the perfect intention is made clear. You have to know what your heart desires because the whole universe is working together to give it to you every moment. Once you know what you truly desire you can accept it or change it. The reason for changing it has already been given. What one desires in the world of form is constantly changing and thus the joy of fulfillment is always somewhere in the future, but if one’s heart is aligned with fulfillment, then the joy and peace of that fulfillment will be received and shared now. We are all creators; we create whole worlds every moment. Pause, take a moment and look around… what are you creating right now? What sounds, sights, emotions, thoughts? You are divine, you are powerful beyond understanding, you are limitless, why settle for such a small container? Get to know your world and your heart intimately. Love what you see, what you do, every thing and person that enters into your life because it all comes from you. Remember, Spirit is all-inclusive and thus so are you! Don’t be ashamed of what you see, just be available to see it filled with light instead of darkness. That’s all Spirit really needs from you, to simply be available to the possibility of Light instead of darkness. A Light beyond opposite and that is all-encompassing. Let’s hold hands and make the next step together. Spirit is all-embracing, when we join in heart and mind so are we.
Love yourself, love your world and let that love guide you Home.
Peace
Peace
Peace
-Heather
