Manifesting your intention

“You are what your deepest desire is. As your desire is, so is your intention. As your intention is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny.”

-The Upanishads

Today's society is focused on the power of doing. We believe that you create your desired outcomes by making things happen for yourself. We respect the idea of a "self-made" man or woman, because it implies that your current stature of success is a result of your previous actions. We pay more attention to the voice in our heads that believes we are in charge and that obsessive vigilance is the only way to get things done.

I realize the importance of writing this as I sit here anxiously fretting over planning every detail of an important meeting next week. In my head, I have a response ready for every question that may or may not be asked.

Then a thought occurs - despite my painstaking preparation, how much control do I really have over the outcome of the meeting?

This is what action based thinking insinuates; that we are in control of our situations, circumstances, events and outcomes. We as humans believe that what we do, controls our outcomes. But, intention on the other hand emphasizes on human-being rather than human-doing.

The dictionary defines intention as: purpose or attitude toward the effect of one's actions or conduct. An intention is a directed impulse of consciousness or energy that contains the seed of what you want to manifest. What that means is - that which you focus your energy on, you will manifest more of in your life.

Everything is energy. At our very core we are all beings of matter with a certain frequency of energy. In order to manifest our intended outcomes, we need to put energy into matching the frequency of the reality we desire.

So how do you use the power of intention to your advantage?  Here's what has worked for me, personally.

1)  Fuel your desires - So often we worry ourselves more with the things that could possibly go wrong. We over-compensate by planning more for the negative case scenarios that we end up putting more energy into the un-desirable outcomes. Rather than fretting over things that are out of control, focus on your desired outcome or intention. Plant that seed in your heart, let it take birth. In order for this intention to truly take birth, you have to be able to visualize the intended outcome. Imagine how you will feel when it has already happened, imagine your excitement. Imagine the people you are surrounded by at the time and their expressions. Are they proud? clapping? smiling? Manifest your desired reality by letting it take root in your heart and then let it go... release it into the universe. According to Deepak Chopra, this is best done through daily practice of meditation.

 

2) Surrender - Accept and believe that things happen for you and not to you. This thought process helps ease the process of acceptance and builds a deeper sense of knowing that everything happens for a reason.  That whatever happens is for the greater good. When you surrender, you detach yourself from the outcome and relinquish your rigid attachment towards a specific aim.  Attachment of any form comes from a fear that your options are limited and a belief that you control your outcomes. This mentality limits your possibilities and closes you off from the abundance of opportunities coming your way.

 

3)  Believe in your Self - Have you ever woke up and suddenly have the solution you were racking your brain for the night before? Or you have exactly the right words to write the paper you saved till the last minute? Our sub-conscious mind is far greater than we can comprehend through our logical mind. Planting your intentions allows your sub-conscious to bring forth the abundance of knowledge that is already in you. Believe in your inner wisdom and guidance and ask that it be revealed.  Don't seek the answers, just ask the question. Soon you will be moving into the answers as situations, circumstances, conversations, relationships, and imagination work in order to reveal the answer.

 

So next time you find yourself in an uncontrollable situation that is causing you anxiety or stress, try the approach of Intention.  If you are interested in this topic and would like to learn more, I highly recommend looking into some of Deepak Chopra's works.

-Ankitha