On The Nature Of Intention

Despite what the title may suggest, the following essay is not meant to be purely expository.

Rather, this essay is more akin to a riff session, of sorts, regarding intentions and rituals, as well as my own, personal, interests in both of those subjects.

Some of this information may be of use to you; a clarification, of sorts. But, some of it may not.

Regardless of that, though, thank you for reading this essay and allowing me to share some of the pieces that comprise my own, ever-growing/ever-changing, philosophy with you.

What Is An Intention?

Our philosophy — well, my philosophy, but you get the idea — is rooted in intention.

The value of intention and, in turn, the power of intention.

And, with that information in mind, an intention is defined as the following: a thing intended; an aim or plan.

You can intend for anything and you can set any intention.

Some examples of an intention might be:

• Stepping into a rich state of inspiration.
• Acquiring a specific amount of money.
• Traveling to another country.
• Entering a lovely relationship with someone you love.
• Owning your own home.

And so on and so forth.

Everything we do may, on some level, be rooted in our intentions.

Some of these intentions may be known to us. But, other intentions may be unknown to us, rooted in old fantasies and notions that have, since their inception, been buried within the depths of our mind.

No matter our intentions, though, and no matter the intensity of desire behind these intentions, there is possibility.

Our every intention exists as a possibility.

A possibility that can be brought to fruition within this moment.

No, our intention, as a possibility, may not arise within this moment. But, on some level, it can.

Or, at least, that is my understanding, but it may be wrong.

Regardless of that specific point, though, our intentions can be brought to fruition.

No matter our intentions — and, more importantly, no matter your intentions — they can be brought to fruition.

All of this begs a question, though: how?

Seriously, how can your intentions be brought to life?

While there are many, many answers to this question — some specific to the intention, and others less so — the answer we are concerned with, within this essay, is as follows: ritual.

What Is A Ritual?

A ritual is defined as the following: a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order.

And, that’s a good definition.

But, with that being said, a ritual is more than that.

Rather, a ritual is, in essence, an act that both means something other than what it appears to be and is, on some level, meant to serve the fulfillment of a particular intention.

You can apply this same line of thought to things like “methods” and “processes.” But, right now, ritual is a good place to be.

Many of the essays within this Medium blog center on rituals.

Rituals that engage with nature of feeling and creativity, allowing you to satisfy your intentions.

Some of these rituals are rote and mundane, while others are not.

No matter what, though, these rituals are effective.

To me, that is, and hopefully you, too. But, if they aren’t, that’s okay; this is all meant to be playful and curious!

With all of that being said, though, rituals are not the source of an intention’s fulfillment.

Rather, the act of appreciating a particular wish, as if it were present, is not the source of an intention’s fulfillment.

The source of your intention’s fulfillment is, instead, a creative power or energy, that we appear to either possess within us or have direct access to, that ritual serves as a medium through which we can direct.

Very few things bring me more love and joy than clarifying rituals that can assist you, and myself, in bringing our intentions, no matter what they may be, to fruition.

My goal, with this Medium blog, is just that: to develop rituals that assist people in bringing their intentions to fruition.

Don’t get me wrong, this goal may not have been satisfied in any genuine manner. But, this does appear to the goal and the acts that go into satisfying this goal continue to bring me a great deal of pleasure.

Some Thoughts On My Passions

Our final section, within this rather meandering essay, is about me.

Or, more specifically, my passion.

My passion for developing rituals and, then, clarifying my rituals.

Some of my favorite books to read clarify methods and processes for, well, anything.

Many of my favorite methods and processes are those that tap into some greater power or energy — our ability to feel what we desire as a fact, for example — allowing a particular intention to arise.

You can consider these methods and processes as rituals; they don’t possess the power, but they work in our favor.

And, with that in mind, one of my greatest passions is developing rituals.

Developing rituals that allow myself — and, you, too, of course, but all of this begins, and perhaps ends, as a remarkably selfish endeavor — to bring abundance, inspiration, love, novelty, and beauty into my life.

To live a rich, abundant life, as it were.

And, when thinking on this matter, a great sense of clarity arises within me: this is my purpose.

No, not the only one — we all have many purposes, it would seem — but a purpose.

A purpose of significance that can, and will, guide me throughout my life.

The essay you are reading, and the Medium blog it belongs to, is one manifestation of this purpose.

But, there are many other manifestations, and the mystery and magic of these manifestations excites me.

We will see what new rituals can be developed and, in turn, where this thread may take us.

Conclusion

My apologies for the rather narcissistic essay.

None of this is of great value to you or your intentions and, for that, my apologies.

Even though the above is true, thank you so much for reading!

As always, if you want to reach me, for any reason at all, you can do so at “maxwellcakin@gmail.com.”

Best wishes and have a truly wonderful day!