Paying Attention to Intention

In an attempt to stay better connecting to the ShivaShakti family we are starting a weekly blog. I, Janice, am starting it out with a thought that Lori Candon has been pondering – intention and attention. 

     

     What does it really mean to set an intention, how does attention fit into that?

The definition of attention, from the psychological point of view sounds as if it could have been written by the ancient yogic sages. It is:

• concentration of the mind on a single object or thought, especially one preferentially selected from a complex, with a view to limiting or clarifying receptivity by narrowing the range of stimuli,
• a state of consciousness characterized by such concentration,
• a capacity to maintain selective or sustained concentration.

Intention on the other hand is:

• what one intends to do or bring about,
• the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offered.

It seems to me that setting an intention, while not easy as it requires decision making, is much easier than paying attention to it. Attention here would imply staying awake and aware to where the energy is going. It is said that attention follows intention and the more the attention follows, the more potent the intention becomes. Richard Miller Ph.D. says that the intention is the anchor that aids in creating focus. Often, however, we drift about on the surface, looking everywhere for an answer without stopping to figure out what we are seeking. We set the intention, we anchor ourselves and then the mind gets distracted by the surface waves — “is that what I seek over there or perhaps it is in the opposite direction? Perhaps I need to anchor somewhere else”. But when we stay anchored, like in meditation, something deeper may be revealed. When the attention stays focused we may find ourselves diving underneath the surface where there the waters are calmer and clearer. Then a deeper meaning of our intention may arise. Every intention is a desire to find our way back home to the true Self. By setting the anchor via the intention and then staying awake to it, we awaken to the Self.

We would love to hear your thoughts, insights, questions and experiences about this. And if you have any questions you would like to have explored please send them to us.

Shanti, Janice