The Power of Intention
by G. Ross Lawford Ph D
The thoughts that pass through a person's mind, sometimes even without conscious awareness, have more far-reaching effects than most of us realize. Instantly and automatically, they register with each and every cell in that person's body. What we call "the stress response," for example, is the body's response to an anxious or fearful thought.
But the effect of one's thoughts doesn't stop with one's own body. Scientific studies show that thoughts (in this case in the form of prayers) have the capability to affect the health and well-being of other people without regard to the distance between the location where the prayerful thought was generated and the location of its effect (see Healing Words: The Power of Prayer and the Practice of Medicine and other books by Larry Dossey, M.D.).
Prayer is but one example of the type of thought called an intention. Intentions, properly used, have tremendous power. They can be used to create with almost effortless ease the outcomes we want, and to do this in a way that is sustainable. These outcomes include the things our hearts most desire such as love, peace of mind, as well as a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Intentions can be used to heal one's self and others; they can be used to create loving relationships, works of art, or a better world. On a more mundane level, intentions are useful in producing a specific outcome from a meeting, a sales call, an interview, or any interaction whether with a spouse, boss, employee, child, etc.
Experiments on the effects of an intention have been performed in several countries using a variety of protocols. In addition to the effects on humans who are subject to the power of suggestion, intentions have been shown to have a statistically significant effect on plants, yeast, bacteria and even machines.
There are three basic components to an intention:
-- an identified goal or outcome (the "what?" component)
-- the strength of commitment to that outcome ("how serious" are you about achieving it?)
-- the motivation behind the desired outcome (the "why?" component )
Each of these three components requires special attention, or else like so many of our "good intentions," the results will be disappointing, perhaps even the opposite of what we wanted.
Be clear about the outcome
It is important that the desired outcome be specific enough that the mind/body be able to clearly visualize it and experience it as already accomplished. This keeps the mind from jumping to questions of how to accomplish the goal, or focusing on the barriers that may stand in the way.
Sometimes our stated or conscious intention co-exists with other competing or mutually exclusive intentions of which we may not even be aware. When this happens, the power of the stated intention gets diluted or even overcome by the power of these other thoughts that lurk in the background. For example, the stated intention of telling someone, "I love you" might be to express affection toward that person. Simultaneously, however, you may have the intention (conscious or subconscious) to manipulate the other person into professing their love for you, or even acquiescing to some demand. In this situation, neither intention ends up being as powerful as it could have been.
High levels of commitment produce strong intentions
The strength of an intention is often indicated by the words we use in stating it. "I'll try to ___" and "I hope to ___," for example, betray a low level of commitment. You are giving yourself permission not to achieve the goal. On the contrary, words like "I'll do whatever it takes to _____" signal a strong intention, and therefore one that is much more likely to be achieved.
Even intentions to which you have a high level of commitment can end up weak and ineffectual if countervailing thoughts coexist. What makes these competing thoughts especially damaging and hard to deal with is that frequently they occur below the level of our consciousness. For example, the subconscious belief that my desired outcome is unattainable or that I don't deserve to succeed will give rise to thoughts that reduce the strength of my stated intention, perhaps to the point of impotence. It is important, therefore, to try to bring to consciousness any competing thoughts and then, having decided which outcome you really want to create, to minimize any thoughts that could block that outcome.
Be honest with yourself about "why"
Before rushing into action or considering the "how to" questions it is important to be quite clear on the "why" question. Not only can one have mutually exclusive outcomes in mind, for each outcome there may also be several different motivations (including some of which we are not consciously aware) acting at the same time. Each of these motivations acts as a separate intention even though they may all share the same desired outcome. For example, your goal could be to stay in your marriage. This goal could be motivated by a fear of being alone or it might be motivated by love for your partner. Again there is the possibility that these motivations will compete with each other such that neither of the corresponding intentions will have much power.
To simplify matters, I suggest that you think of motivations as arising from one of two sources: your ego or your authentic Self. Motivations originating in the ego are usually expressed in terms of fear, guilt, "shoulds" or "oughts," getting something, achieving power over someone, or greed. The outcomes of intentions motivated by the ego are not as powerful as those originating in the authentic Self in that they bring no lasting sense of satisfaction. This is because they cannot deliver what we all ultimately want: the peace of mind that comes with feeling worthy, being valued and loved, and having a sense of fulfillment. The ego operates on the assumption that these goals can only be achieved by meeting certain conditions (be perfect, work hard, be smart, be attractive, etc.), and it measures worth in terms of possessions, position, prestige, and other trappings it associates with power.
The authentic Self, on the other hand, has nothing to prove, nothing to fear; it has no need of affirmations, no need to take credit, and no need to diminish anyone else. When our intentions are aligned with the authentic Self, we are connected to the creative power of the universe - the universal spirit or consciousness (which we call God, the Absolute, the Ground of our Being, or a variety of other names). When we are "real" we connect to that powerful force that sustains, unifies, and energizes all of creation.
The power of a strong, clear intention, which is also aligned with your unique purpose as represented by the authentic Self, is freely available to everyone. It doesn't have to be earned or won because it comes from within. All that is necessary to realize this innate power is the courage to put aside all the ego-generated masks, persona, and beliefs that are keeping your authentic Self largely hidden and inoperative.
Replace control with trust
Having given proper attention to all three aspects of your intention, it is only necessary to release control and trust your intention to carry you towards your goal. The path and the opportunities will present themselves to you. All you need to do is watch for them.
G. Ross Lawford, Ph.D. is a Toronto-based consultant and lifestyle coach. He works with individuals and organizations helping people in their quest for meaning, fulfillment, and well-being. He is author of The Quest for Authentic Power: Getting Past Manipulation, Control and Self-Limiting Beliefs, Berrett-Koehler Publishers. |
The Power of Positive Thinking from the web site http://www.successconsciousness.com
by Remez Sasson
Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds.
Not everyone accepts or believes in positive thinking. Some consider the subject as just nonsense, and others scoff at people who believe and accept it. Among the people who accept it, not many know how to use it effectively to get results. Yet, it seems that many are becoming attracted to this subject, as evidenced by the many books, lectures and courses about it. This is a subject that is gaining popularity.
It is quite common to hear people say: "Think positive!", to someone who feels down and worried. Most people do not take these words seriously, as they do not know what they really mean, or do not consider them as useful and effective. How many people do you know, who stop to think what the power of positive thinking means?
The following story illustrates how this power works.
Allan applied for a new job, but as his self-esteem was low, and he considered himself as a failure and unworthy of success, he was sure that he was not going to get the job. He had a negative attitude towards himself, and believed that the other applicants were better and more qualified than him. Allan manifested this attitude, due to his negative past experiences with job interviews.
His mind was filled with negative thoughts and fears concerning the job for the whole week before the job interview. He was sure he would be rejected. On the day of the interview he got up late, and to his horror he discovered that the shirt he had planned to wear was dirty, and the other one needed ironing. As it was already too late, he went out wearing a shirt full of wrinkles.
During the interview he was tense, displayed a negative attitude, worried about his shirt, and felt hungry because he did not have enough time to eat breakfast. All this distracted his mind and made it difficult for him to focus on the interview. His overall behavior made a bad impression, and consequently he materialized his fear and did not get the job.
Jim applied for the same job too, but approached the matter in a different way. He was sure that he was going to get the job. During the week preceding the interview he often visualized himself making a good impression and getting the job.
In the evening before the interview he prepared the clothes he was going to wear, and went to sleep a little earlier. On day of the interview he woke up earlier than usual, and had ample time to eat breakfast, and then to arrive to the interview before the scheduled time.
He got the job because he made a good impression. He had also of course, the proper qualifications for the job, but so had Allan.
What do we learn from these two stories? Is there any magic employed here? No, it is all natural. When the attitude is positive we entertain pleasant feelings and constructive images, and see in our mind's eye what we really want to happen. This brings brightness to the eyes, more energy and happiness. The whole being broadcasts good will, happiness and success. Even the health is affected in a beneficial way. We walk tall and the voice is more powerful. Our body language shows the way you feel inside.
Positive and negative thinking are both contagious. All of us affect, in one way or another, the people we meet. This happens instinctively and on a subconscious level, through thoughts and feelings transference and through body language. People sense our aura and are affected by our thoughts. Is it any wonder that we want to be around positive persons and shun negative ones? People are more disposed to help us if we are positive. They dislike and avoid anyone broadcasting negativity.
Negative thoughts, words and attitude bring up negative and unhappy moods and actions. When the mind is negative, poisons are released into the blood, which cause more unhappiness and negativity. This is the way to failure, frustration and disappointment.
Practical Instructions
In order to turn the mind toward the positive, inner work and training are required. Attitude and thoughts do not change overnight.
Read about this subject, think about its benefits and persuade yourself to try it. The power of thoughts is a mighty power that is always shaping our life. This shaping is usually done subconsciously, but it is possible to make the process a conscious one. Even if the idea seems strange give it a try, as you have nothing to lose, but only to gain. Ignore what others might say or think about you, if they discover that you are changing the way you think.
Always visualize only favorable and beneficial situations. Use positive words in your inner dialogues or when talking with others. Smile a little more, as this helps to think positively. Disregard any feelings of laziness or a desire to quit. If you persevere, you will transform the way your mind thinks.
Once a negative thought enters your mind, you have to be aware of it and endeavor to replace it with a constructive one. The negative thought will try again to enter your mind, and then you have to replace it again with a positive one. It is as if there are two pictures in front of you, and you choose to look at one of them and disregard the other. Persistence will eventually teach your mind to think positively and ignore negative thoughts.
In case you feel any inner resistance when replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, do not give up, but keep looking only at the beneficial, good and happy thoughts in your mind.
It does not matter what your circumstances are at the present moment. Think positively, expect only favorable results and situations, and circumstances will change accordingly. It may take some time for the changes to take place, but eventually they do.
Another method to employ is the repetition of affirmations. It is a method which resembles creative visualization, and which can be used in conjunction with it. It is the subject of another article on this website.
The other articles at this website, about the power of concentration, will power, self-discipline and peace of mind also contribute to the development of a positive mind, and are recommended for reading and practicing. |
