If you’re involved in most any spiritual consciousness discipline, undoubtedly, you’ve heard the word intention pretty regularly. You’re instructed to “set an intention,” but you’re not really sure what that means. Is it a prayer? An affirmation? A goal? Waste of time busy work?
As someone who learns best via the pie-in-the-face method, here’s what happened that brought the concept home for me.
Several years ago, I went out to dinner with a large group of my students celebrating the completion of their retreat. Entering this tiny restaurant, I immediately felt concern for the lone server, knowing how wacky this post-retreat group could be.
As this harried server took our orders, many laden with special requests, I kept giving her compassion-filled sideways glances, trying to ease the blow of dealing with this silly bunch.
Everyone’s orders were served, special requests perfectly cooked, including a glass of ice water for each person.
Except me.
Thoughtfully, I waited until she seemed less frazzled and then kindly asked for a glass of water. Although she acknowledged hearing me, she immediately left to do something else, completely ignoring my request.
A few minutes later, I caught her eye and asked again. Still no water.
Figuring the third time would be the charm, but no water arrived.
My students, observing this interaction, started giggling. Their all-knowing spiritual teacher, who spends oodles of time talking about the power of intention, couldn’t even manifest a glass of water!
My cheeks reddened. I considered feigning an excuse to skip out on dinner. Even some justified anger started bubbling up at this server’s terrible service even though I was the only one having that experience.
Instead, I decided to practice what I preach by doing a quick inner check-in.
Immediately, I realized that, although I was saying the words, water please, what I was really saying was I’m so sorry this group is such a pain so please don’t bring me water, it’s just too much to ask for! I will protect you from them, and honestly, I don’t deserve water because I brought this rowdy group to deal with.
Yikes. That was my true intention.
Here’s the miracle: The instant I consciously realized what I’d been subconsciously intending, I saw her make a beeline toward the water. Sprinting to the table, she apologetically handed me a full glass of water.
It felt like magic.
But, what magic caused this?
It was simply shifting my intention.
Noticing what I was asking for wasn’t showing up (three times!), I changed the energy behind my words. My intention to NOT get water was quickly changed to “I deserve water!”
What is Intention?
Intention is energy, your inner power to manifest what you want.
Ultimately, whatever shows up in your life (or doesn’t) is a reflection of your true intention, what you really mean, either subconsciously or spiritually.
Noticing and clearing subconscious counter-intentions – negative programming, false beliefs, fears, deservingness issues -- can help speed up what you’re requesting. (I can help with that)
But, keep in mind that your Higher Consciousness has the final say about what you’re requesting.
In other words, you set a powerful intention to meet your soulmate this year, but it doesn’t happen. It could be that your wiser-than-you spirit is saying no way, you’re not ready, there’s more to learn.
Clarifying Intention
Rather than complaining when something isn’t manifesting, tap into your inner-awareness and notice what you’re really putting out there. Admit the truth about what you really want, and what you don’t really want.
Acknowledge the “payoffs” you’re getting for not receiving what you’re asking for. Subconsciously, you could actually be enjoying getting pity, being rescued, or even the negative attention you’re getting, rather than having what you say you want. Often, getting to be a martyr-ish victim is a comfortable place for your lower consciousness to be.
Intention is not wishful or magical thinking. It’s understanding and being attune to how life works. It’s your consciousness manifesting. It’s being the creator of, and master of, your authentic power.
So, what’s your intention? Really??
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Royce Morales, a renowned spiritual teacher for decades, shares inner-breakthrough tools to discover and resolve the roots of negative, self-sabotaging programming. Create the life you deserve!
Royce offers remote group classes, an e-course and private inner journey sessions using her empowering spiritual clearing techniques.
Contact Royce for a free fifteen minute consultation to see if this inner-journey is a good fit.
Royce is the author of three fascinating books about her teachings: “Want: True love, past lives and other complications;” “Know: A spiritual wake-up call;” and “Back: Rebirth After Stroke,” all available on amazon.com
Her website is www.RoyceMorales.com and Twitter is @RoyceMorales. She can be reached at LvsreaL@aol.com
