by Richard Albert
Most regular readers of this magazine would agree, I suspect, that our intentions play a large part in our well being. In other words, what we wish for, consciously and unconsciously, profoundly influences outcomes in our lives, physical, emotional, social and spiritual. It seems to me surprising therefore, that even knowing as we do the power of intention, most of us give so little time and energy to cultivating wholesome intention, to being careful what we wish for.
Why is this so? Perhaps it is because our society gives rather short shrift to the power of intention, preferring instead to emphasize the power of information, or the power of doing, hence the common expressions, "information is power" and "just do it". Or, perhaps it is because we lack effective strategies for uncovering the intentions that drive our choices, for weeding out harmful intentions, and for installing wholesome ones.
Some other societies, it would appear, were much more aware of this fundamental power of intention. "Intention = Consequences" (in Sanskrit, "Cetana = Karma") was, I am told, commonly stated among members of certain societies in the East. What this expression means, it seems to me, is that our intention, i.e. what we wish for, consciously and unconsciously, drives our choices, our actions, which in turn carry inevitable consequences.
Despite the tendency in our own society to underestimate the power of intention, traces of this understanding can be found. One of its best known expressions is Mr. Stephen Covey's famous best seller, "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" in which it is claimed that the first habit of highly effective people is uncovering their intentions, what they deeply wish for in life. The second habit of such people is to state those wishes, to themselves, in words, repeatedly, which in turn enables the third habit, endeavoring to live in accord with those oft' reiterated intentions. Other indications that interest in the fundamental power of intention exists in our society are certain ‘meditation’ practices in which the modus operandi is to cultivate wholesome intention by numerous repetitions of distilled wisdom, captured in mantra. Nevertheless, the overarching belief system of the society in which we dwell is that the power of information and the power of doing easily trump the power of intention. Immersed 24/7 in the waters of our own society, we cannot escape being influenced by its prevailing belief system.
The realization of just how profoundly intention determines life's outcomes hit home with me via the Alexander Technique. Concerned with psycho-physical wellbeing, this method includes regular repeated stating of the fundamental principles for moving effectively (neck free, head forward and up, back lengthen and widen, etc.). Repeated stating of these what are called 'principles for good use of oneself' serves to awaken one's capacity to notice when one is not moving well, when harmful habits of moving are driving one's choices about how to use one's body. Underpinning these harmful habits are unconscious harmful intentions about the use of oneself. Cultivating wholesome intentions in this regard challenges, shakes and eventually dislodges the harmful habits, thereby opening the door to improved psycho-physical wellbeing.
Better understanding of the power of intention has enriched my chosen artistic/athletic pursuit in life, ‘Dressage’, the classic definition of which is for horse and rider, together as one, to move with the same grace and ease seen in horses in the wild. In practicing this discipline, I regularly state to myself the three well known principles that permit this activity to approach Art, namely ‘forward, straight, and rhythm’. In teaching riding to others, I see my primary job as ensuring that these three principles are not sacrificed or forgotten however difficult or absorbing any particular movement might be. I try never to forget the words of my own teachers of riding, “If ya ain’t got forward, straight, and rhythm, ya ain’t got nuthin.” In my role as a teacher of the Alexander Technique, having understood how to work with intention while horse riding, I feel better able to assist clients in achieving similar artistic/athletic goals of their own.
Last but not least, in learning how to replace unconscious harmful intentions with consciously cultivated wholesome ones, we will have acquired a very useful tool for freeing ourselves, little by little, from deeply corrosive psycho-emotional habits such as fear, depression, anger and greed. This particular aspect of self liberation, profoundly life altering, will be discussed later in the depth it deserves, in part two of ‘Being Careful What We Wish For’
For further exploration, please contact Richard Albert,
life-long seeker and certified teacher of the Alexander Technique