The conscious warrior is the artist of his/her life.

When we speak to purpose we often refer to living a life of clarity, direction and wisdom. We often observe those who live in or on purpose as individuals that were born with this innate gift of simply knowing themselves and are able to move through life with great ease.

The reality is that no one per-say is born with purpose. We develop purpose through various means and modalities, namely beginning with two primary focal points: attention and intention. And it is with these two areas of life that we will begin this blog with.

“When our actions align with our intentions, we are manifesting. When our outcomes are aligned with intentions, we have perfected the art of creation”. S.Sifandos.

Deliberate Intention

Intention is the beginning point of every dream. It is the creative power that fulfils all of our needs, whether for wealth, relationships, spiritual awakening, material needs or love. Our intention and careful attention to the detail we place on our environment truly determines the quality of the lives that we live and lead.

The sages and wise people of Eastern Mysticism observed thousands of years ago that our destiny is ultimately shaped by our deepest intentions and desires for coming in to self and moving through reality. The Vedic text known as the Upanishads declares,

‘You are what your deepest desire is. As your desire is, so is your intention. As your intention is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny’.

An intention is a directed impulse of consciousness that contains the seed form of that which you aim to create and manifest. Like real seeds, intentions can’t grow if you hold on to them. Only when you release your intentions into the fertile depths of your consciousness (awareness of life and reality) can those intentions grow, flourish and materialise.

The word intention carries a connotation of power and determination, of laser-like focus and clarity. I’d like to, however, offer a complimentary alternative to this definition. Intention is not so much an act of doing (ego-based), but rather a state of being, a state that we connect to deeply.

This state of being is defined by an authentic clarity of self, an authentic understanding of the connection of self, how we present to the world and how we perceive ourselves. We wish to place ourselves in a space that allows us to feel and be in harmony with this field of intention. The greater connection and harmony we have with this field of intention, the greater we are able to live authentically, fully and ON PURPOSE.

“Intention is the meaning we attach to life. It is the sacred art of the well intended warrior that allows him/her to experience a full range of consciousness”. S.Sifandos.

 

Intention Is Awareness

Awareness of self and awareness of our reality. Awareness of self leads to profound clarity and this underpins our purpose in life. When we are aware of our experiential reality we are empowered to transition in to transformation if we wish to.

An authentic intention aligned with our truth and highest purpose for self and others, coupled with our ability to be kind to ourselves allows us to experience life fully and openly (whatever that may entail). This openness is where the magic of life and insight into deepened states of reality occurs.

Intention is suspending the ego and connecting to an interconnected, intimate, intuitive field of wellness. It is connecting to the source of all that is – both metaphysical and physical.

All things known emanate from this source. That is why our intention when expressed sincerely and truthfully is not separative, but rather united. A pure and prime and harmonious intention involves intention that is larger than us, that is inclusive of all ‘things’. The grand field of intention includes you, me, and all else that can be imagined. Nothing is seperate from the source, we are all deeply connected.

By the very nature of the creative process we are connected to all that we are able to perceive and understand. We are one with the infinite contemplative realisation of all reality. Therefore, contemplation of this matter, this source as the power which we wish to produce by default provides us the ability to use that power. The manner in which we use this process is then to envision ourselves as surrounded by the conditions which we want to produce.

The Power Of Attentive Awareness

When we choose to pay careful and deliberate attention to our lives, the manner in which we move, the way in which we perceive life, transmutes and transforms dramatically.

An example of this is: if we observe two people having very similar life experiences (placing aside personal biases, life-based values, interpretations and personal experiences) and we then witness the familiar repetition of these actions or behaviours that take place within this area, we begin to understand something of worth and power.

That is that we have capacity to partake in richer life experiences, developing greater insight, understanding, wisdom and knowledge from those life circumstances rest within our capacity to pay careful, meaningful and well-reflected upon attention to inner state and our external world within those sets of experiences.

Authentic Wholeness In Wisdom

Why is it of benefit to experience an enriched existence that leads to deepened understanding of self, with greater levels of felt wisdom? Because these states are greater evolved states to be in, we gain more, feel more and are able to give more.

We are able to get more from life from these postures and states of being, hence enriching and inspiring the entirety of our existence. Awareness leads to maximising our exposure and the amount of information assimilated in those lived experiences.

So, the two people side by side, s/he who pays more attention to their actions, thoughts, circumstances simply gains more from life and maximises those experiences. Why live life by halves? Where is the fun, evolution and expansive growth in this?

Deep attention and awareness to self and our lives allows us to get very clear on our intentions. Now, the more attentive we are to the wholeness of who we are (inclusive of the ‘dark stuff’ or the shadow self that we do not resonate with, neglect or push away due to discomfort, fear or societal judgement), the more empowered we become.

The more we take ownership of this aspect of self and then marry a powerfully deep, expansive, sustainable, inclusive, Universal and global intent to the darkest aspects of self, the more connected we become. Ultimately, the more whole we become and the more integrated we become as human beings. We expand our consciousness and learn to give to ourselves with greater care and wisdom.

Living On Purpose Through Self-Examination

Our attention to self is what allows us to live expansively. Our lives (in part) are a series of choices that are defined by the attention we place on life. This attention determines the information, knowledge, focus, wisdom and meanings we are exposed to.

How can life happen to us, without specificity in intention? We reach intentional states via faculties of attention and attention comes from deliberate action or intent towards choosing to be attentive. This process is cyclical and very powerful.

Ultimately intention and attention to our lives is something that is lived every moment, it is a form of being, not doing. It is a posture that leads to an empowered and open state.

It is ever-evolving for us and for all. When we are conscious, we are required to be in service for all living and sentient beings. Intention is something that transpires naturally when others are looking or when you are on your own. Intention equates to deep authentic integrity.

We must not look to the world for evidence of our intention – we look within ourselves, this is where our power resides and this is where intention is born. It is greatly from this space that we can cultivate a deep and meaningful purpose for life and for our paths.

One is always glad to be of service.

STEFANOS SIFANDOS

Relational Alchemist, Speaker & Author