Summer Meditation- Setting an Intention

It’s the second week in our weekly meditation for August to help us slow down and live more intentionally. Last week, we learned the importance of sitting and breathing intentionally and how one minute can set the tone for the rest of the day. This week, my daughter is sharing about how to delve in and center bit more. There is one additional minute for meditation this week for two minutes in total, and we will be directing our focus to the importance of setting an intention. 

Setting your intention

Setting an intention during meditation is a great way to calm your mind, direct your focus, and help you feel more grounded. When I say set an intention, all I mean is to take a moment to focus on a positive goal for the day, saying it in your mind as “I set the intention to achieve this today.” 

For example, if I want to have a relaxing day, I might set the intention for a slower day full of rest. If I’m going to be working, I might set an intention for increased productivity or increased creativity. The best part is you can set an intention for anything you want to. If you don’t have a specific goal in mind for the day, your intention can be as simple as “I set the intention to have a positive day today.” The most important part is focusing on it, believing it, and trusting in the power of intentional thought, much like an affirmation. 

So, for this week’s meditation, take one minute to focus on breathing and clearing your thoughts, as we learned last week. Then, around the second-minute mark, speak your intention in your mind or out loud, taking a few seconds to breathe it in and out with positive intent. 

You can repeat your intention to yourself if you would like and can also envision what that intention means for you. For example, if you set the intention to accomplish a specific task today, then take a moment to visualize what it looks like once it is completed. Visualize how it feels, how you feel, and the overall feeling of completion that goes along with it. Keep your thoughts positive and full of gratitude as you do this. The more you focus on it and the more you believe it, the more aligned you will feel. 

Take as long as you need, breathing slowly and steadily as you do. Once you feel you have relaxed your mind and set your daily intention, release your breath, open your eyes, and return to the moment.

Wrapping it Up

Setting your intention only takes a few moments but can make a huge difference in the quality of your day. Aside from helping us feel more determined and focused, it can also help us feel more aligned, balanced, and happy in our lives, and it is a great way to help us bring our goals to fruition. 

This week, I encourage you to practice this meditation for two minutes a day, striving to get more comfortable with breathing and sitting with your intention as each day passes. If you continue to make time for this practice each day, you’re bound to see just how crucial these two intentional and inspired minutes are and how they can positively help to shape your day, your mood, and your outlook on life in no time.