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Foster growth ~ go with the right intention
Right intention is an attitude, principles that guide the way, values that accompany our thoughts, plans and actions.
It is a moral compass that supports decision making, encourages positive growth and fosters the desired outcome.
In short, it adds to our well-being.
Mind training teaches us to stop, identify and keep clear of potential suffering.
It directs us to opt for motivations that won’t lead to regret.
To uncover the intrinsic motivations that set the tone of what is to come, we use the tool of analytical meditation.
Why is it so important to dwell on the intention rather than the action itself?
Because it is here, at this critical stage, that begins the resonant effect of our intention economy.
The economy of intention
“Karma is intention, having intended, one does karma through body, speech, and mind.” Buddha
We are asked to make endless decisions throughout the day, even the most trivial carry potential.
Each and every one may guide the course of our lives in the future.
However, most of us journey day-to-day without clear awareness or intent.
We move from here to there, we forget to check if the place is right.
In contrast, those who have planned the way diligently, find that with each step they make waves.
Every ripple giving rise to unforeseen outcomes; every choice bringing well-being or suffering.
Thus, if we are aware of the choice and its consequences, we can re-direct the path as well as the destination.
As we learn to walk in awareness, we remember to take a moment and ask ourselves the right questions.
Time is of essence, if we want to ensure on our part that our intention will produce the right result.
Karma ~ from right intention to right result
“Karma is created and perpetuated by our actions as we continue living—by our individual actions, and by our interactions with others.” Traleg Kyabgon
The term Karma (Sanskrit) refers to an action, its visible and invisible effect, present and future, to ourselves and our environment.
According to the law of karma, every action brings about a result of the same nature.
In fact, what leads to the result is not the action itself but the intention underlying the action.
Intention “the essence of karma”, determines the tone of the relationship with everything we encounter.
In effect it directs the steps ahead; thus, intention serves as the cornerstone of a thought in motion.
Consequently, we need be mindful of our motivations, if we want to cultivate good relationships in our lives.
With each step we take, we remember that at any moment we are free to change direction.
At liberty to evaluate and exercise judgment, and aim for a better place.
The wish to be happy and free of suffering
“When we consciously choose actions that bring happiness and success to others, the fruit of our karma is happiness and success.” Deepak Chopra, David Simon
We all have hopes and fears, what do they hide within?
A yearning common to all human beings, the desire to be happy and not to suffer.
Everything is relative, everyone has a different definition of happiness.
What matters to me is not important to another, which makes me happy can cause another suffering.
Because of Karma and our being interdependent, wise is one who works more towards the common good and less for himself.
A happy environment makes being happy easy…
So, we stop before any decision.
We make sure we’ve taken into account those around us and have considered the implications.
We take responsibility for our choice.
This is a fundamental shift in perception, a change that brings about resistance at first.
So we have to go back often and make sure that our motivation aims to benefit all.
To benefit others
“People favor themselves and neglect others.” Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai
How much happiness is there in a joyful gathering? What about the satisfaction found in the experience of collaboration?
How hard of a suffering does resistance meet?
We want happiness not suffering, but we’re unaware that we often take the paths that lead away from happiness, causing suffering.
A proper understanding of our relationship with things, of our being dependent on terms and conditions, leads us to change.
Over time, we become more skilled at recognizing what is beneficial and what is less.
Better at identifying where potential for suffering lies in the immediate and in the future.
Understanding that intentions, thoughts and words come with consequences, compels us to slow down.
Above all, it directs us to widen our vision, to think.
Right intention & mind training
“Those who consider the inessential to be essential And see the essential as inessential Don’t reach the essential, Living in the field of wrong intention.” The Dhammapada
Every action is led by our mind, which reads into circumstances and determines our reaction.
If the mind it is not skilled, it leads us to unskilled action.
Mind training plays a major role in the ability to direct ourselves.
Specifically Mindfulness, attentive awareness, which helps us catch the intention in action.
As practice becomes established, awareness of changing circumstances and conditions increases.
Our maneuvering space widens and we become more flexible.
Turning our attention to the right place, we uncover the motivations behind our urges.
Thus, seen clearly makes it easier for us to let go.
We find support in meditation, which helps us cope along the way.
By facilitating the development of emotional resilience, it keeps our nervousness in check.
We turn to the practice when we find ourselves in uncomfortable places, so we don’t react impulsively.
Revising the course dailyॐ
“The development of awareness in meditation allows us to become mindful enough or conscious enough to recognize our heart and intentions as we go through the day.” Jack Kornfield
We invite the practice to life itself, to accompany our every activity.
We seek to remember to come back to this moment again and again, aware of the motivations that drive our actions.
Our intentions in the present shape our tomorrow, with this in mind, we learn to pause often.
Also, we want to make sure that one intention does not hide another, so that we’re clear.
So we take a minute to look at the external and internal factors that affect how we meet the situation.
We make sure we’re not biased.
For this purpose, we support our journey with the practice of patience, presence and compassion.
We take the time to examine everything, inside and out, so we know we move intelligently.
The main thing is to look with honesty and understanding.
To make sure that egocentric motivations like anger, pride or greed do not determine the direction of our actions.
Remember, it’s never too late to realign the course, if the compass is in hand.
Nathalie Bizawi, founder of Wisdom & Mindfulness meditation center. Senior Meditation, Mindfulness and philosophy instructor, From Wingate Academic College. M.A in Education from TAU University, Tel Aviv.
Wisdom & Mindfulness your meditation center in Tel Aviv.