The importance of setting intentions for your meditation practice
For your meditation practice to have the most impact, you need to be clear on why you’re meditating before you start.
This is called setting your intention.
By definition, your intention is a short-term goal for your mindset or the focus of your meditation and should be quite simple and straightforward.
Setting your intentions is an extremely powerful tool and a key part of the process for your meditation practice. If you don’t set firm intentions, you’ll eventually lose sight of the reason you’re meditating.
This is because when you set an intention, you put your focus where you want it and help to manifest the benefits of your practice throughout your daily life. This means if you intend to have a good day, you will look for the good or find ways to reverse and find lessons in those moments that don’t go to plan.
How to set your intentions
Intentions are deeply personal for each individual and can be as broad or as specific as you like.
An example of intention that you could focus on for your meditation is ‘I intend to quiet my mind’ or ‘I intend to release stress' or ‘I intend for my meeting to go well’.
Whatever you hope to achieve, here’s some tips to help you set intentions with your meditation practice:
1. Write it down
There’s power in the physical act or writing so ensure you write your intentions down to maximise their power.
2. Be positive
Avoid using negative words. Your intention has to be elevating, positive and always in the present tense.
So rather than saying ‘I intend for people not to annoy me’ try, ‘I intend to be more patient’.
3. Keep your intentions in mind
There’s no point setting intentions and then never thinking of them again.
Read your intentions before your meditation practice, go over them when you wake up and before you go to bed… remind the universe (and yourself!) what you’re aiming for.
4. Let go
A huge aspect of setting intentions is accepting the fact you can’t control everything. Be open to endless opportunities. Your intention may not always manifest in the way you expect it to, but if you’re following the above steps it won’t be long until you feel the benefits.
A little bit extra…
Try and set an intention every day this week for the following day.
Think of why you want to set this intention. Consider your motivation behind your meditation. Then write it down – either on paper, or in the notes of your phone – somewhere you can keep it close.
Don’t forget to look at your intention throughout the day and keep reminding yourself of it. It’s a lot more likely to come true.
The art of the intention will grow on you, and you can apply it to all aspects of your daily life. By setting intentions you will benefit from more focused meditation, less stress, less resistance to challenges in your day, increased calm, and much more.
Ready to take the next (or first) step on your meditation journey?
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As a Meditation Teacher (Accredited with the British School of Meditation), my mission is to make meditation simple and accessible for everyone, to give people the tools and inspiration to begin a continual daily meditation practice.
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