The Intention-Creation Dynamic
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by James Rick
In every moment you intend something. To be aware of this intention is to take control of creation. It requires real effort to continuously control and regain control of intention. It’s easy to simply let go and react to circumstance. In fact, because most people were given no formal training on how to control intention at birth they very easily slip into a reactive state and remain there through most of life.
YOUR HABIT TRACKS
The brain is a series of deep grooves, like carved out patterns on a circuit board the electrical impulses in your brain tend to run down the same tracks, producing the same thoughts and patterns. How do these patterns form? Every experience you’ve ever had, since the time your brain began forming in the womb, has made an impression on your malleable neural network, forming tracks for electrical impulses also known as thought to run on. Scientists estimate the average brain thinks 50,000 thoughts a day, and most of these thoughts are the same day to day.
THE BRAIN’S INTENT
The brain primary function is to ensure survival of individual and perpetuation of the species. The habit tracks that have been laid thus far have been proven to serve the brain’s primary function. For the brain, the fact that you are still alive proves that the habits you possess are useful to that degree. Though the brain might be capable of more, every new experience represents danger to the brain’s status quo. It goes against the brain’s basic programming to endanger itself for less practical desires like adventure or happiness. The brain will not reach for higher levels of experience on its own. Intention must directed by you, a power superior to the brain.
When you first attempt to control intention you’ll find that your mental muscle is weak. Just try to focus on your breath for more than a few seconds without thinking of anything else – you’ll see how difficult it is to maintain intention. The brain has ruled supreme for so long, it will not give up this control easily. The brain’s struggle for control really thinks (on an unconscious level) it has your ‘best interests’ in mind. Preventing you from attempting new things ensures a greater chance for survival. Preventing you from focusing upon a single point ensures that you don’t forget your obligations. But deep down you know that survival is not the sole purpose of life. And once you’re willing to do something about it the struggle for control over the brain begins.
HOW DO YOU DIRECT INTENTION?
STEP 1: BECOME AWARE OF THE SPLIT
Directing intention begins with careful awareness. To notice the split between your intention and your brain – just try to carry out an exercise where you tell your self very clearly that your intention is to focus on your breath for 10 seconds without thinking of anything else. YOU have setup a clear intention, to only focus on your breath. But if new thoughts enter your mind, something else is obviously trying to take control. Now you’re aware of a split and you can realize that YOU are NOT your brain. This is the first step.
STEP 2: MAINTAIN AWARENESS
Once you recognize a force in opposition of your intention, and you understand that it’s not you, you will start noticing this force more and more. This is the beginning of awareness. You will intend some thing new and outside distractions or old internal habit tracks will take you away from what you intend. Don’t get frustrated by this, get curious. Like a careful spy, you will soon infiltrate the system.
Careful observation for a few days will lead you to greater self awareness. At first with this new awareness, you’ll have to confront how weak your will power is compared to your established habit tracks and outside influences. Moods, thoughts, emotions and behaviors will rule your intention at first. But now you’re in training, and soon you will be champion over them all. To champion all parts of yourself is to integrate and accept them. Like accepting the surrender of a conquered army, two opposing forces become one.
STEP 3: START BUILDING WILL POWER MUSCLE
By exerting effort to be aware, you’ve already started building muscle. Every time you remember to be aware, you are growing a little bit stronger. (So don’t get frustrated if you realize you weren’t aware, that realization means you’re growing stronger.)
Next plan ahead and honor your intention. Even if you plan on doing something fun, plan that block of time. This doesn’t kill spontaneousness, it just creates structure. And to do what you intend requires a structured approach. Structure helps you raise priorities above obligations or distractions. Disciplined structure builds will power muscle.
One Response to “The Intention-Creation Dynamic”
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December 14th, 2009 at 9:48 am
I know precisely what you mean about concentration, it makes a WORLD of difference. Great suggestion.