How to Use Intention to Get What You Want

There are practical ways to develop intention. A lot of them focus on heightening one’s intuition.  But firstly, one should learn to still the chattering mind. You can do this by…

• Observing the inflow and outflow of your breath with one-pointed awareness. This will sharpen your mind.
• Observing the sensations in your body with equanimity.
• Observing your thoughts. Imagine you’re lying on your back on the grass outside and each thought is a cloud in the sky. Your thoughts, just like the clouds, will come and go.

Such practices will help you bring your awareness to the present moment. You can practice these techniques during 20 minutes of meditation every day. It’s important to remember to practice from a non-judgmental perspective.

Likewise, it’s important to transfer this mindfulness into your daily life. So whether you’re at home observing your dogs, your children or your partner, or at work, observing your colleagues – stay present to what’s arising in the moment.

Once you've created some space around your thoughts and feelings, you’ll be ready to create your intention. However, it’s useful to create a connection with the object of your intention first. If it’s someone with whom you have a bond, send them your intention. Or communicate your intention to the person you wish to send it to, so they can be open to receiving it. If it’s an animal or plant you wish to send an intention to, keep it in your mind’s eye.

The next step is to enhance the connection by building compassion. Bring your awareness down to your heart centre to increase the flow of compassion between all living beings. Radiate this light all around your body and then send it out to whomever you wish to send it to. This creates incredible powers of healing.

To further enhance compassion, take on other perspectives. This could be a family member, a colleague, a loved one or a beggar. Put yourself in their shoes and imagine what their hopes, fears and dreams could be like. Be present and vulnerable to this compassion. Feel it fully, meditate upon it.

Next, it’s important to state your intention as a positive outcome in the present moment. Describe or feel your intention to have a clear picture or sense of what you’d like to create. Visualize your intention with all 5 senses.

Practice visualization with words, metaphors, pictures or feelings to see what works best for you. As an athlete visualizes his/her performance before an event, so you must visualize your intended outcomes.

You can do this to change just about anything – a negative emotion, a limiting belief or attitude, or to overcome a barrier that stands in the way of your potential. Practice, practice, practice! Building intention is like building any muscle – the more you work it, the stronger, more powerful, articulate and clear it will become.

One last tip: outline your intention, communicate it clearly, and then let it go! Don’t crave, cling to, or try to avert any particular outcome. This will block the flow of energy in your intention. Rather learn to stay present to whatever arises in the moment once you've put your intention out into the universe.