Intention and Attention

The universe is filled with information and energy. Energy constantly changes to matter and back and we study and explain that through Physics. Information, however, are thoughts, consciousness and ideas. We represent information through recording it using various physical media such as cave drawings, hieroglyphics, pen and paper, and electronic ones and zeros in a circuit. Even then, we fall far short of a true representation of the infinite possibilities of consciousness and ideas because we are trying to represent the infinite nature of thoughts  and possibilities to a finite and physical form. The information in the universe interacts in infinite ways with each of us through our awareness and consciousness, which in turn generates our thoughts and ideas. Our thoughts and ideas in turn have the capability of influencing the information in the universe. From a physical perspective, if we go down to the quantum level, there are no physical boundaries between what we perceive as two distinct objects in the physical universe. Through our own thoughts (information generation), we quite obviously have the capability of influencing the physical nature of the universe as well. 

Two factors that influence the physical and informational nature of the universe are attention and intention. Both of these factors working in unison can help us achieve anything we set our mind to doing. However, we have to apply them in a way that is of benefit to the universe or else we bring negative outcomes and energy into the universe. Attention is being present at the moment. Intention is to project a thought or an idea of a future outcome. Attention without intention will bring stagnation. You will be doing work without any outcome. Whatever you put your attention to will grow, and in reverse, whatever you take attention away from in your life will wither and die. Intention has the capability of transforming energy and information when applied with attention. 

When you consciously apply attention and intention together, it opens up an infinite number of possibilities. Intention simply means your thoughts on how you think something should be. It is your end goal of a series of events, or a particular moment. If you have an intent, then you are looking to the future. It is crucial to have an intention that is devoid of selfish desire as that does not add positive energy to the universe, and will therefore pollute your intention. With that intention in mind, you can apply your attention to the present moment and work towards that goal. Therefore, attention is the present and you should be completely focused on the universe as it is happening to you. You have to accept the present as it is and respond accordingly without resistance to the moment. Your attention in the present can be influenced by your recollection and lessons from the past. In this way, you are living in the past, present and future all at once. 

In Jiu Jitsu, as a white belt, when we initially start training, we are fighting for survival. By design, the art is meant to make us feel highly uncomfortable, and come to terms with our innermost insecurities. We are humbled and put into painful and anxiety inducing submissions repeatedly. However, an interesting thing starts to happen to those of us who are able to survive the initial gauntlet and look towards a longer jiu jitsu practice. We start learning how to move and survive longer. Our training partners have to start working harder and longer in order to submit us. We learn that every position, hand placement, leg placement, head placement is for a purpose. A sweep can occur with a change of millimeters in positioning. A slight change in the angle of a submission can bring about the tap. Therefore, we start learning that everything is to be done with intent. Obviously, as white belts, we are only being exposed to the idea, and by no means are we at a black belt level of expertise in this arena. However, if we start drilling and rolling with intent in everything we do, then our jiu jitsu learning curve gets less steep. As I have explained, we have to let go of our inherent desire to overcome our partners and simply manifest our intent. We have to be completely in the moment with our attention fully focused on our intent. We also have to fail repeatedly and learn the lessons from our past in order to inform our attention. When we are living in the past, present and future fully, without any egotistical desire to overcome our training partners, it becomes a magical roll!

Taking the lesson of rolling with intention and attention and without desire, and applying it to our lives, we will find that nothing is impossible for us. We can accomplish any outcome that we intend as long as we are bringing a non-ego-driven intent into the universe, as we will then be in harmony and the infinite possibilities of the universe will open up to us. This practice of living with intention and attention is not easy, and will require rigorous and disciplined practice over time, but if our consciousness becomes accustomed to living in this way, we will be successful in anything we define as our measures of success.