Manifesting Your Intention Exercise

This article describes an exercise I have used in Life Purpose Intensives and some of the experiences people have had. The full exercise can be found in my book Inner Journeys.

This exercise is an energetic guided meditation, which is done after people have already gotten some idea of their life purpose. The begin by sending the energy of their intention to manifest this purpose out into the world. They envision carrying out this intention and what positive things result from that. Then they imagine themselves as part of a much larger movement of people who are living out their life purposes and helping to improve the world. Finally they stand in a circle and declare to the group something about what they intend to do. The group responds by empowering them.

Sandra’s Vision

Sandra envisioned herself as a student or apprentice to a sculptor.  She saw herself actually in his studio working on a particular piece which she intended to create.  She imagined having plenty of time in her life to learn and practice sculpting and to take art courses in other areas that interested her as well.  Within a year she had made this vision a reality in her life, taking a leave of absence from her job and devoting herself full time to studying art.

            There was another part to Sandra's vision.  She imagined a place where people who are in pain could come and be healed.  She saw it as a tunnel leading into light, where they would emerge able to be in charge of their lives.  She also envisioned herself touching many people briefly during the course of her daily life and giving them something that would help them along their path, though it wasn't clear exactly what form this would take.  This aspect of her life purpose will need to be explored further.

A Budding Writer

            We have met Judy a number of times, as she has been healing the lack of nurturing in her childhood.  Now we see a another side of her as she explores her life purpose.  She reported on this exercise:  "It was especially important to visualize my intention, to have that assignment and to face it squarely.  It allowed the fantasy to flow."

            "It was a unifying experience for me to feel part of something greater.  It was very helpful to know that there are other serious people, and lots of them.  I felt lighter, like a load was lifted, a feeling that I'm not alone."  It was especially valuable for her because in her everyday life she is not in touch with people who are socially concerned.

            "I felt a real connection when we were imagining the world healed.  I liked going through all the different aspects of how the planet was healed.  It is “so important to visualize peace.”  As she danced during this part of the exercise, Judy found herself making circles with her arms signifying that things were becoming whole and complete.

            "Declaring in front of the group was neat.  It was scary, and I almost didn't make the really important declaration--to write plays for peace.  It's something I've wanted to do for a long time, but haven't.  But when I declared myself, I felt like I had made my commitment.  It also made me feel like I could do it.  The group support was helpful, too."

Sample Declarations

            "I'm going to live from that place that I felt this morning, that place of connection, so that the work that I'm doing is really motivated from a desire to serve."

            "I am releasing that part of me that feels passion and creativity.  I'll be leading groups and inspiring people."

            "I want to learn how to put my words on paper with as much force as they come from my being, so that they can travel where they need to."

            "I'm going to demonstrate at the Nevada nuclear test site."

            "I intend to accept myself unconditionally, and to use the energy that is freed in healing myself and the planet."

            "I want to let go of my fears in order to see people clearly and be with them, to give them the love I hold inside, so that they also can be released from their prisons."

            "I would like to reclaim my hostile and angry side, so that I can reclaim my power."

            "I want to find a way to find a way to feel even a small amount of the openness and the love that I feel right now, all the time in my life."

            Even though this part of this exercise can be threatening to people, the group is usually so alive and energized at this point that people are eager to declare their intentions publicly.  During the declaring, people feel excited and connected, and some are also deeply moved.