Image of Intention: An arrow-straight, direct, powerful. Its clarity and purpose suggest it arose fully formed from the smooth terrain of the mind. Yet, I know differently. I know that it evolved from curiosity-maybe desperation; inspiration-maybe boredom; intuition-maybe discipline; mystery-maybe knowledge; reflection-maybe confusion.
Oscar Wilde revels in this primary marinade:
“Besides, Dorian, don’t deceive yourself. Life is not governed by will or intention. Life is a question of nerves, and fibres, and slowly built-up cells in which thought hides itself and passion has its dreams.” (Dorian Gray)
Can we allow all these elements to realize their final distillation?
Parker Palmer counsels us:
“Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent.” (Let your Life Speak)
With patience, our intention reveals itself as a guidepost that slows and arrests our sideways drift in the crosscurrents of life. This manifestation reminds us to embrace life with purpose and galvanizes us into action. Our beating hearts act as the filter for delivering an intention whose purpose is creative or destructive. When creative, grandiosity and complexity are not its hallmark. It condenses into the simplest, yet strongest of statements:
“As soon as I wake up… I remember that everything is interrelated, the teaching of interdependence. So, then I set my intention for the day, that this day should be meaningful. Meaningful means, if possible, serve and help others. If not possible, then at least not to harm others. That’s a meaningful day.” ~ Dalai Lama (The Book of Joy)
What is your intention for today?