Intention (From Self to Soul)

One way I gauge my spiritual fitness is by asking a simple yet powerful question: What is my intention?

Before I speak or act, I pause and reflect—Is this for me? For my ego? What do I hope to gain from this word or action? Or, is this aligned with my soul—an action rooted in love, guided by something deeper than self-interest?

This practice was deeply influenced by Gary Zukav’s The Seat of the Soul. Zukav teaches that intention is the energy behind every experience. It shapes our reality long before any result is visible. He explains that when we align our intentions with the wisdom of the soul—especially with love and compassion—we begin to cultivate what he calls “authentic power.”

He reminds us that every intention is a cause, and every cause sets energy in motion. Becoming aware of our intentions is a practice of spiritual clarity. It is how we begin to live not just from the mind, but from the heart.

In this practice, I’ve found a deep sense of ease. When I pause to reflect on my intention, I no longer feel the pressure to impress others or seek validation. I’m not trying to perform—I’m simply trying to be present, honest, and aligned with something greater than myself.

Asking, “What is my intention?” often turns into a prayer: “God, where do You want me here?”
This shift lightens my spirit. The world feels less like a stage and more like sacred ground. I find peace in playing a smaller role, because I trust that God’s will is greater than mine. Acceptance becomes not a passive act, but a powerful one.

I try not to force myself onto the world or others. I don't speak with hidden agendas or act with ulterior motives. Instead, I aim to let love lead—and leave space for God to work.

My hope, dear brothers and sisters, is that our intentions would be guided by something holy. That our words and actions would reflect the true desires of our soul—those planted there by God Himself.

Let us live with intention, not for attention.

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”
— Psalm 139:23