The Power of Intention

Specialist in Intercultural Communication in Spain and Latin America, Prof. Dr. Irmela Neu, looks at how discovering the power of intention can become a journey full of adventures and gives us some exercises to help us.

We all know that “positive thinking“ has a tremendous effect upon our wellbeing – even more if we combine it with “positive emotions“. The energy which comes from our heart is much more powerful than our thoughts. We need the right combination from both.

Sometimes, when we like something very much, we are overexcited and enthusiastic. It may inspire us and give motivation to initiate or to continue a project. Enthusiasm can also irradiate from nature – the colours, smells, beauty – as it touches our souls. The more we are open minded to this, we feel enlightened. It is important to mention that stress cuts us from this source of regeneration and feeling of connexion.

Of course, for our daily life we also need our mind to direct enthusiasm in the direction we want. It is like a fire: it needs careful handling, otherwise it would burn too much or too little – with the possible dramatic consequence of burn-out on one hand and lethargy on the other hand – or both at the same time. Our inner fire is a precious resource which asks us to be managed in a sustainable way. “Intention“ is much more than “positive emotions“. It refers to the knowledge of adjusting mind, soul and emotions.

What comes first? Does a thought – the mind – invoke emotions, or do emotions trigger our mind? It is the often-repeated question of what was first: the egg or the chicken?

Exercise:

Remember a very touching event, whatever it is: with children, friends, or family, in nature etc. Close your eyes, cross your hands on your heart, breathe deeply in and out, move softly. Let the feeling of enthusiasm overwhelm you.

After a certain time, you will feel that your heart, all the cells of your body become wider, they warm up.

Without doubt, a smile will appear on your face, your body language will express wellbeing. This reaction comes automatically as a result of animmersion in this activity. We can also ask our inner self, our heart which procures us with a good feeling; our mind diving into the ocean of imagination creating happiness. The better we let reality become what we imagine, the greater we feel. As there is a danger of getting lost in the empire of dreams, we establish a strong dialogue between “imagination“ and “reality“.

How can we create a harmony between reality and imagination? The answer is clear: by managing our intention.

The word “intention“ comes from the Latin language and describes an inner process. In our body and mind, we can distinguish three centres: the vital one, our “belly“, the heart and the mind. Sometimes, the vital centre seduces us to unfiltered, spontaneous reactions; in principle, it is a positive quality, but it becomes negative, when we are dominated by destructive impulses, emotions or basic instincts like anger, fear, hate etc. The consequences may be worthier than the reason of our uncontrolled reaction.

Our heart – the second centre – loves all that is connected to love. Our third centre, the mind, is like an institution: it selects, gives ideas, communicates what comes from inside and outside. On one hand, our mind is highly receptible of all the emotions, sensations, manipulations coming from inside and outside. On the other hand, it is able to create a distance, to reflect and to analyse. The three centres are connected by a flow we can imagine and feel as the number 8.

The combination of mind and emotions, of the three energetical centres leads us to the very centre of our intention. How to develop its power?

Our inner fire is a precious resource

To start, please check the five questions: 1. Can you feel the reactions of your body in relationship with emotions and thoughts? 2. Does one of the three life centres act separately creating blockages? (Impulses, old patterns, blockages, unreflected reactions, stress)? 3. Are you open-minded for your intuition? 4. Do you have some experiences regarding your creativity to find “win-win“ solutions? 5. Can you feel the flow of the number 8 between the three centres?

The three centres function perfectly as long as they are in flow. If we only react from our vital centre, we may feel in the hands of unreflected impulses; they become balanced by the wisdom of our heart and enriched by the mind activities. We can imagine the flow between the three centres as a river filled with fresh water, full of fresh energy. Furthermore, you will notice the richness of your balanced intuition as a wonderful source of answers and questions. It creates the harmony which enables us to become creative, receptive for new ideas, solutions and outcomes.

Let‘s focus and feel fully the flow in form of the number 8 and practice the following exercise: Cross your arms and hands at the level of your heart. Move a circle above inhaling and below exhaling. Bound your knees smoothly as part of the movement, and let the whole body move in a natural way. Practice this exercise regularly. Then, use your imagination to intensify the body movement. Even if you don‘t have the opportunity to exercise physically, do it with your inner imagination.

The power of intentions comes from the strength to focus our energetical 8. We can direct it to a concrete goal, a wish, a project, a vision. Therefore, we need a clearing process of what is worthy of being focussed by my/our intention.

Exercise:

After completing the earlier exercise with the 8, write down what you really want, desire, wish, hope. As our brain does not understand a “no“, please find positive words. Welcome this clearing process, give yourself enough time, space and patience. You may find your own technique and enjoy mind mapping, painting….etc. Check if your imagination is solid enough, positive, feasible and reachable. In order that your imagination becomes the power of intention, let‘s check something very important: does it come from a certain egoism “I want to be the greatest“ or is my intention in harmony with let‘s say spiritual values:

• to give and to receive must be balanced knowing and feeling that to give is an inner source of joy. • to share with empathy creates a loving community. • to be humble, honouring what life offers us as opportunities; life wants us to accept all that happens in our life unconditionally as part of life in order to grow and to become a grateful member of humankind.

Just discover the power of intention as a journey full of adventures.

The power of intentions comes from the strength to focus our energetical 8

Prof. Dr. Irmela Neu , from the University of Applied Sciences, Munich/ Germany, specialised in Intercultural Communication in Spain and Latin America and has been published in this field. She has worked with UNESCO in the field of Education. She focuses on seminars in Mindful Communication and in body-based teachings to open our heart, combined with Mindful Communication. Her message: Life is lovely. www.Irmela-neu.de 53

Irmela Neu