Summary
In "The Power of Intention," Dr. Wayne Dyer explores the transformative concept of intention as a force in the universe, rather than merely a strong personal desire. He argues that intention is an omnipresent field of energy we can all access to co-create our reality. This field, according to Dyer, isn't something we do, but rather something we connect with. He suggests we've become disconnected from this force due to our ego, which defines us by our possessions, achievements, and the opinions of others, fostering a sense of separation from our true selves and the divine.
Dyer introduces the concept of the "seven faces of intention": creativity, kindness, love, beauty, expansion, abundance, and receptivity. These faces represent the qualities of the universal Source, and by aligning ourselves with them, we can tap into the power of intention. He offers practical techniques like visualizing a "trolley strap" connected to the field of intention and repeating the word "intent" to shift our focus from ego to Source. He emphasizes the importance of imagination as a link to this power, allowing us to "think from the end" and create a prototype of our desires in the universal mind.
The book delves into obstacles that prevent us from connecting with intention, primarily focusing on our inner dialogue, energy levels, and self-importance. Dyer suggests that dwelling on what's missing, negative circumstances, past experiences, and the expectations of others creates resistance. To counteract this, he advocates for raising our energy levels through practices like meditation, consuming high-energy foods, surrounding ourselves with positive influences, and extending acts of kindness. He also emphasizes relinquishing the ego's need to be right, superior, or offended, advocating for humility and gratitude to connect with the power of intention.
Dyer explores the paradoxical relationship between free will and intention, suggesting that while intention shapes our potential, we still have the power of choice to align with or resist it. He emphasizes that free will is about choosing to connect with Spirit or ego. The book also discusses how our connection to intention impacts others, creating a calming, energizing, and inspiring presence. Dyer posits that we're all interconnected, and by raising our energy levels, we positively affect the collective consciousness of humanity.
The latter part of "The Power of Intention" provides practical applications for using intention in specific areas of life, including self-respect, living on purpose, fostering peaceful family relationships, attracting abundance, living a stress-free life, attracting ideal people, optimizing healing capacity, and expressing our inner genius. Dyer offers ten-step programs for each intention, emphasizing practices like affirmations, visualization, meditation, gratitude, and aligning our thoughts and actions. He encourages readers to act "as if" their desires are already manifest, trusting in the power of intention to bring them to fruition. Throughout the book, Dyer weaves together spiritual wisdom, personal anecdotes, and insights from various traditions, offering a compelling guide to understanding and harnessing the power of intention to co-create a fulfilling and meaningful life.