Intent versus Intention; Is there a difference?
Intent, rather than intention, is an important aspect of the
Toltec philosophy and certainly a challenging subject to talk
about. We must use our concepts to discuss something utterly
abstract, something that is not conceivable within the rational
mind. For Toltec's, Intent is the force that life uses to create
our entire universe. Most of us think of Intent as intention,
but this is not true from a Toltec viewpoint. An intention is
something that we are aiming to do or accomplish. It is an
uprising from the rational mind and involves rational thought.
Intent, on the other hand, is a force similar to what we might
imagine as volition, a conscious act involving will. So where
intention involves thinking and not necessarily doing, Intent is
the force that life uses to move and propel everything forward
in the manifest reality and to change or reorder it.
Intent is also the force that glues the Tonal (matter) and the
Nagual (spirit) together in all of their perfection. Toltec's
know that Intent is constantly pushing life to express itself
around us (for example, the passing of the seasons and children
growing); life could not express in manifestation without the
medium of Intent. We can also say that life creates the edifice
of Intent, or the conceptual structure that orders the knowledge
of our rational mind. When we become impersonal (and totally
detached from the constructs of the rational mind) that edifice
no longer rules our life and we are free from its boundaries and
limitations.
Intent can also be imagined as the executor of the commands of
the Infinite (spirit/God/higher power) directing all creation.
This command tells everything in the manifest universe how to be
and also how to perceive. We perceive the way we do as humans
because we have been commanded to do so by the Infinite; that
command is encoded within our physical bodies (as DNA, for
example).
Although we can't tell Intent what to do, Toltec's do invoke it
and use it. I know that this seems to be a contradiction in
terms. But since we are all part of the one universal life, if
our purpose is the same as the purpose of the Infinite, then our
command becomes the command of the Infinite. When this happens,
we can align with Intent and utilize it in creating our life.
By expressing an exceptionally well-defined desire from the
heart with total confidence, and without any conflicting
thoughts from the rational mind, unbending Intent can make
anything happen. It's like experiencing single-mindedness that
does not take place in (or have anything to do with) the mind.
Channeling Intent is not about thinking or wishing; it is a
feeling that comes from deep inside us and is so overwhelming
imbued with purpose and focus that we know there is no other
possibility that could conceivably manifest in our reality.
Before we can align and utilize Intent, a few qualifications
must be met. First, we must have cleaned up our mind and ensured
that the tyranny of our domesticated programming has ended. At
this point, a different tone enters our lives. We feel at peace,
like everything is perfect and we are aligned with life both
within us and outside of us. It is from this place that we are
able to utilize Intent. We no longer feel like we are fighting
anything anymore; the battle is over. That doesn't mean our life
challenges are over, no way! It simply means that we don't feel
like we have anything to fight (inside or outside of us), nor do
we feel that life is out to get us. We face and enjoy life's
challenges; this is simply the acceptance of what is.
Once we are no longer ruled by the mind, we have total faith in
ourselves and our capabilities. We know that we can do anything.
The question becomes, what do we do? Well, anything our heart
desires to do! When we have transcended our mind, all our
personal power comes back to us (we are no longer using it to
maintain our belief system or fear-based emotions) and our faith
and will are strong. Our internal will becomes a personalized
force that we can employ in our lives.
For example, let's say we want to stop smoking but we can't. The
reason we are having trouble is because our will is not strong.
That is because our personal power is invested in too many other
draining things (like getting aggravated during the day or
arguing, emotions that are the result of us defending our
fear-based beliefs). As we begin to free up our power, our will
becomes stronger. Then, if our Intent aligns with the Intent of
the universe, we command it and our will is done. At that point,
a Toltec's will is at her service and so is Intent, as her will
becomes her Intent.
I think we should take a moment to acknowledge that a Toltec
never uses Intent to hurt others. In our tradition we teach
mastery of Intent as the final mastery, knowing that the
apprentice will have transcended his egotistic desires and have
no more need to control people or harm them by this point. By
the time we make it this far, we have absolute gratitude for our
lives, no more resentments, and nothing to gain or lose from our
interactions with others.
I encourage you to experience this for yourself. (Toltec's like
to say that in the world of the Tonal we talk, and in the world
of the Nagual we act.) Intent is one of those things you can't
analyze through talk; you just have to live it! By living
impeccably, you will reach this point and your silent knowledge
will lead the way. So wherever your heart directs you to go, you
can feel confident that you will create a beautiful life dream,
simply because it is your command.