I recently posted the following quotation from Jean Houston to one of my Devadana Sanctuary postings on Facebook: “My prayer is, let me be a blessing to someone or something today.” It got me to thinking about how powerful it is when we live into our intentions, when we actually follow through with what we say we want to do.
I also recently offered the following quotation from Joanna Macy in another Devadana Sanctuary posting on Facebook: “…every act we make, every word we speak, every thought we think is not only affected by the other elements in the vast web of being in which all things take part, but also has results so far-reaching that we cannot see or imagine them.” This quotation also brought to mind the importance and power of the intentions we carry and those we actually live into.
For this week’s practice, I invite you to notice what intentions you carry that have the same kind of positive qualities as those above. In this troubled world, it seems to me that the one contribution we can all make, regardless of our circumstances or physical abilities, is to hold positive intentions about how we move through the world with care and awareness—how we treat ourselves, others, and our environment.
Notice what thoughts, qualities, concepts, and possibilities touch your heart and bring its presence even more alive in you. Then, notice the actions that spontaneously arise in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors when you resonate with, are attuned to, your intention.
Again, here are the quotations I mentioned above. Read them and notice if they touch you, or if other words arise that feel more alive and real to you:
“My prayer is, let me be a blessing to someone or something today.” ~ Jean Houston
“…every act we make, every word we speak, every thought we think is not only affected by the other elements in the vast web of being in which all things take part, but also has results so far-reaching that we cannot see or imagine them.” ~ Joanna Macy
Also, remember that our self-talk is a form of self-hypnosis. We constantly program ourselves through the conversations we have internally. It matters what we think. It matters what we believe. It matters what we create as our intentions about how we will move through and interact with our world and ourselves.
An important aspect of this practice is also to track and stop any self-criticism you may discover in your self-talk. Keep in mind that what you say to yourself reinforces the self-hypnotic learning that naturally unfolds in this process. It seems to me that it is often much more challenging to be kind to ourselves than it is to offer kindness to others, so please make this part of your practice, as well—holding the intention to be as kind to yourself as you are to others.
As you explore these statements and other ones that may arise, take a moment to notice what happens in your body as you consider them. Also, notice your chest, the area of your heartspace. Is your chest relaxed and open or clenched in any way? Does your body feel settled as you explore these ideas, or do you notice tension anywhere? If you discover areas of tension, notice what happens if you invite your body to settle just a bit more, perhaps becoming more aware of the surface supporting you, perhaps noticing your legs and feet, tracking wherever your body finds support.
As with all these practices, please also remember to bring along curiosity as your constant companion and to pat gently on the head any judgments that may arise, allowing them to move on through without your having to do anything about them. And, as always, please be sure to make room for mixed feelings. They are part of your wholeness and they can arise without your necessarily having to anything about them but notice them for later consideration.
Here’s the audio version of the practice if you would prefer to listen to it…