Setting an intention is more than just stating your plans for an experience or wishful thinking. It’s a guiding principle that supports you throughout your journey. The focus ushers you towards awareness, resilience, and purpose. Defining your intention before a consciousness-expanding experience is a precursor to achieving your desired outcome while aligning your journey with your core objectives. 

What Is Intention Setting

Setting intentions is widely used in various ways, before meditation, psychedelic journeys, yoga, to name a few. At the same time, intention setting uses mind-expanding activity and any experience that has a potential positive outcome in mind. Many confuse intentions with goals, but it’s the intention that can lead to your goals. Unlike plans, intentions do not carry expectations or evaluations. We often set goals for our business, fitness and personal health, self-improvement initiatives, and more, but we often fail to realize that intention is the driving force behind our goals. 

In essence, goals are the target or desired result, while intentions are the plan to achieve the said goal. For example, if my goal is to achieve inner peace, my intention might be to surrender to chaos. Goals require the cognitive mind, embracing our ability to analyze and execute actions while intentions align our thoughts, acting as the motivating factor for meeting our objectives. Goals and intentions complement one another, making intention setting an integral and necessary aspect of mind expansion. 

The Importance of Setting Intention

Our brain rewards us when we achieve our goals. The brain releases hormones such as dopamine each time we engage in this goal-oriented cognitive process. This process is one of the many reasons plans depend on intention. Intention setting goes beyond establishing motivation. It can be a life source when all reservoirs deplete. At some point, you may find yourself lacking the willpower or discipline to move forward, meeting somewhat of a fork in the road—a time where you have the option to give up. 

Without intention, you may choose to raise your white flag and surrender to the unforeseen obstacle that fate has thrown at you, but you can transform difficulties into resilience with intention. Because the intention is our purpose, or an internal alignment we are connecting to, it allows us to perceive the positive even in stagnant or undesired situations, continually directing us towards our intended path like an inner compass.

Peter M. Gollwitzer, a psychologist at New York University, conducted a study displaying how intentions play a vital role in achieving your goals. The study asked University students to identify two goals for the upcoming winter months. Students chose goals based on settling family issues, academic targets, and sports-related objectives. Half of the students drew upon a specific implementation plan to accomplish their goals. More than half of those who set implementation intentions achieved their desired outcomes. While most of those who didn’t have intentions failed to meet their goals. Forming an intention can catalyze our pre-determined goals and, therefore, our reality. Wayne Dyer, the author of The Power of Intention, stated, “Our intention creates our reality.” We base the very fabric of our existence upon our thoughts. What we think becomes us. So, as we focus our thoughts on our specific intentions, we align ourselves with our desired reality. 

Implementing Intention Setting

Knowing when to set an intention is just as important as setting an intention itself. Intention setting can transpire at any moment, but the most valuable time is before or during a transitional period and preparation for mind expansion. Setting intention when the outcome is unknown during a time of change can empower us to align with an unchanging aspect within ourselves that is intention. So, during these times of several moving pieces, we can balance our inner self. 

Similarly, mind expansion is a period of internal change and as with external transitions, staying true to our inner compass allows us to remain focused on our goals. Once set, using your intention is a continuous process. Intentions act as a reminder, alerting us when we go off track. Revisit your purpose as needed to balance yourself back to your center. There are a few general guidelines to follow when setting an intention. First and foremost, focus on what you want instead of what you don’t want. Setting your intention from a state of abundance is more valuable than concentrating on dearth. Having a clear and specific intention will alleviate any confusion, distraction, or obstacles along the way. It’s best to center your intention around a particular goal rather than a broad or vague objective. Your intention should align with a goal that is meaningful to you. 

Get connected to your thoughts, values, and perspective on life when setting an intention. Ask yourself questions that stimulate deep thinking: What matters most to you? What fears would you like to overcome? When do you feel your best self? Deep contemplation ensures that your intention holds personal value making your commitment to it much more significant. Some examples of intentions include, “to bring my awareness to my heart”, “to let go of control and find stillness in adversity”, or “to surrender to what is meant for me in this very moment”. Finally, get out of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself to take risks and to navigate parts of yourself that encourage you to face your fears. More often than not, these testing intentions bring about the greatest clarity and a sense of purpose. 

Manifest Your Reality 

When faced with obstacles or distractions attempting to remove you from your most-aligned self, intentions generate an automatic response. Setting intentions are the foundation that your goals depend on to become a reality. When you are not thinking straight or confronted with challenges, rely on intention to be that supportive force paving the way to your intended path. Complement your journey to fortify your connection with your deepest goals. Center your mind through intention when needed and, most importantly, manifest the reality you desire. 

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Author: Bre Jenkins

Bre Jenkins, a certified health coach, previously worked in mainstream wellness before shifting her focus to energy healing and psychedelic medicine to support deep healing and personal expansion. She is certified in Reiki levels 1, 2, and 3, as well as Inner Dance and Psychedelic Integration. Her work has been featured in major publications, and she is also a significant voice in the psychedelics space, contributing to renowned psychedelic companies such as Doubleblind Mag, Third Wave, The Ancestor Project, and more.