Over the past few months, however, I have been playing with Intention setting before my floats. Have you heard the saying “where the thought goes the energy flows”? Setting an intention before your float can help to focus your energy to one area of your body or mind that you would like to shift, change, resolve, or explore further.
What is an intention?
Intentions are the small repeatable actions that move you towards a goal and express an important value. Making a statement is essential. You can declare it to yourself and others, or it can be written and posted. Intentions are most powerful when they are shared or declared outside of your own head.
Clarity Matters
Whatever your intentions are, it’s important to be clear about what you want to achieve and how you will benefit from achieving it. Being intentional simply means placing your attention on the things that are important to you.
If you know what you want, it’s easier to focus and put all your energy into it. Intentions can help you maintain course and remind you why you want to do it and the results you desire.
Gaining clarity is important for the whole range of wants and desires. Clarity while pursuing a big goal or accomplishment can of course make that process so much easier and more successful. .
Gaining clarity on the more subtle aspects of life are arguably even more important. Being clear on your personal boundaries, dreams for the future, both sides of an argument and what brings you joy can change your life.
Words Make a difference
Whatever your intentions are, it is important that it be phrased as a positive rather than a negative. We know that negative emotions can overpower positive ones, so how you focus your energy is important.
Some examples of intentions include:
- “Today, I will be present.” compared to “don’t be so scattered.”
- Today, I will eat healthy things instead of “I won’t eat junk”
- “Today, I will be patient instead of “Don’t be so harsh.”
Try setting your intention with a sense of curiosity as to what will be revealed. Let your mind explore the subject, rolling it around, looking at it from different angles. Be open to the thoughts that come. Relax into your intention – perhaps unrelated thoughts will come up that end up shedding light on your intention.
To help you get started in forming an intention, here are some thought starters:
- What matters most to you?
- What would you like to build, create, or nurture in your life?
- What would you like to let go of?
- Who would you like to forgive in your life?
- How do you feel when you are your happiest self?
- What makes you proud?
- What word(s) would you like to align yourself with?
- What fears would you like to release?
- What are you grateful for?
We would love to hear how this works for you, and if intention setting had a positive impact on your float practice.