By Jeanne & John Adams
www.InnerConnectionsYoga.com
Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change. – Wayne Dyer
Many people have negative thoughts and some more than others. When we allow our mind to attach to negative thoughts, we may spiral down a rabbit hole that can lead to anxiety and depression, taking our confidence and self-esteem along with it. If we allow ourselves to dwell in negativity, our thoughts may become self-fulfilling prophecies.
Consider limiting beliefs you have about yourself or others. Do you find yourself negating your abilities, minimizing your successes, and thinking you cannot do something before you even try, even if it is something you really want? In the same vein, do you find yourself begrudging others' success because you feel minimized by their triumphs, even though you logically know this is not necessarily true? Learn to recognize negative thinking patterns and cognitive distortions, and then change them. Use the power of intention-setting to reframe your thoughts.
The Intention Experiment, written in 2007, explored the science of intention, drawing on the findings of leading scientists around the world. Author Lynne McTaggart used cutting-edge research conducted at Princeton, MIT, Stanford, and other universities and laboratories to reveal that intent is capable of profoundly affecting all aspects of our lives. In the book, William A. Tiller, a professor emeritus at Stanford University, argued: “For the last 400 years, an unstated assumption of science is that human intention cannot affect what we call physical reality. Our experimental research of the past decade shows that, for today’s world and under the right conditions, this assumption is no longer correct.”
Yoga tradition refers to intention as Sankalpa, which is defined as an intention, solemn vow, determination, or will, formed by the heart and mind. Sankalpa has little or no regard for the outcome - it is about how you are being now. Yoga intentions help bring more meaning and mindfulness into yoga practice and life. Intentions amplify the power of yoga to calm, focus, strengthen, uplift, inspire, optimize, and even heal both body and mind. And you can take your intention off your mat and into the world with you, where it can translate to other aspects of life and provide valuable focus, clarity, and awareness. Intentions are powerful – and they must be unambiguous.
The Buddha famously said, “The mind is everything. What you think, you become.” Taking time to mentally create our desires is essential to achieving them. We do not have to speak words for the universe to hear and act on them; thinking is enough. Setting an intention is about harnessing the power of thought into a clear and concise statement and using it to turn our ideal life into reality.
Using clearly stated intentions for yourself in your life is a powerful way to be your best Self. Clarity of intent sheds light on the path ahead even if it is not clearly visible and moves you in the direction of well-being. Setting daily intentions is a powerful practice as it enables you to go about your days with a specific focus and let go of your attachment to your limiting beliefs. Plant the seed of intention and watch it grow and manifest. This, in turn, sprinkles meaning into everything you do, even the most mundane tasks.
Become the conscious creators of your days and your life by setting the intention to release negativity in your mind and body and surround yourself with love and protection as you transform limiting beliefs into wisdom.