I love that the start of the new year is a time when people make resolutions and set intentions. In my mind, anything that brings people to a place to deeply consider their intentions is awesome.
When Deepak Chopra was in Kingston a few years ago he said something that strongly stayed with me. He said, “Intention is subtle action”. What we think and how we act is based on the intentions we hold, whether we are aware of them or not. This is completely inline with what my meditation teacher Larry used to tell us about “intention being the roots of all spiritual practice”.
Since our intentions are at the roots of our behaviour, I find the daily practice of intention setting to be really important, and very powerful. If my actions are going to be influenced by intention, then I want to be deliberate and mindful in setting my intention everyday.
I also believe it important to set our intentions from our heart-minds, not from our brain-mind. Setting an intention from a heart based placed is more likely to connect us to our soul, whereas the mind is more likely to connect us with our ego. When you’re working on your intention, go with how things feel over what you think about them. Feeling connects us to our heart, and our heart connects us to our soul, and to each other.
When formulating your intention statement there are a few key things to consider:
- Your intention is all about you. The only person whose actions you can truly influence are your own, and it begins with intention. This is one way we empower ourselves.
- Formulate your intention in the present tense – it’s happening right now. The present moment is the only one we have to act in. The past is over and the future isn’t here yet, all we have is right now.
- Use positive language, cause those are the seeds you want to plant in your mind. The mind often doesn’t register “don’t” or “not”. A statement like “I am not afraid” can embed in the subconscious as “afraid”. Instead, let’s intend to be “courageous” or “empowered” or “capable of handling all life brings my way”.
- Keep your intention really simple, anything from one word to one phrase, to be helpful. I love words like: peaceful, abundant, compassionate, loving, accepting, healthy, happy, courageous… If you put “I am” in front of any of these words, you have a powerful intention statement.
My intentions eventually become affirmations of our truth. If your heart desires something, it’s because the manifestation of that is already waiting to unfold in the universe. I am peaceful. I am abundant. I am healthy. I am happy J The moment of realization when your intention has become a statement of truth is a powerful time when we can see the subtle transformations that take place through dedicated practice. We realize that everything we desire for our own health and happiness already exists within us <3
In my life when something comes up and I’m not sure what to do, I go back to my intention and allow it to be a guide, something to keep me in alignment with my heart. It’s not only a great way to bring in the new year, it’s a wonderful way to live life.
Wishing you and yours a brilliant 2015 filled with love, peace, laughter and whatever your heart desires!
m xo
Mona is a warm and joyful educator. Her depth of knowledge, passion and dedication to all aspects of the practice of yoga are abundantly evident. Amidst her tremendous amount of training and research, she is deeply passionate about yoga’s sister science, Ayurveda, and teaches with an Ayurveda lens.
Authentic and open, Mona leads by example and as a student you are encouraged to be and honour yourself, your practice, and others. Her trainings are for students who want to ground themselves with thoughtful information and feel confident in their subject areas. There will be a lot of learning, much discussion, and a lot of laughter.
Mona teaches in Kingston Ontario, where she lives with her wonderful husband, their enthusiastic dog, and ninja kitten. When she’s not teaching, practicing or talking about yoga, you might find her enjoying a good meal, kayaking, climbing a mountain in Ireland, or zip-lining over a forest in Costa Rica, Roatan, or Whistler BC.