The Power of Attention & Intention

The essence of Buddhism and Mindfulness can be boiled down to two words; INTENTION & ATTENTION. There is a complete interconnectedness between our sense of what truly matters (intention) and how we pay attention.

It is really powerful when we deploy these two concepts at the same time. When we connect to what truly matters and we pay mindful attention to that, we find clarity, space, and often gratitude. The action of paying ATTENTION to our INTENTION actually strengthens our connection to our INTENTION (what truly matters). Its a beautiful circle.

On the mat we practiced this. We set an intention together for our asana practice that was to offer care. Care to our body and mind. When we connect to that intention on the mat and pay mindful attention; what we need on the mat becomes very clear. It frees us up to take a break, to modify this pose or that and it also frees the mind from expectation and judgment.

Off the mat it is the same. When we can often remind ourselves of what is truly important it can keep us focused (attention) on thoughts, feelings and actions that support that intention. The more we pay attention, the more powerful our intention becomes. There is the circle.