Wise Intention

Wise Intention, in the context of the text you provided (and often in Buddhist philosophy), is a guiding principle that shapes our thoughts, words, and actions toward ourselves and the world. It’s about consciously choosing a path of non-harming, kindness, and wisdom, rather than being driven by confusion, greed, hatred, or self-centeredness.

Here’s a breakdown of key aspects of Wise Intention:

• • A Conscious Choice: It’s not something that happens automatically. It’s a deliberate decision to align our actions with positive values and to avoid actions that lead to suffering for ourselves and others.

• • Non-Harming (Ahimsa): A core element is avoiding actions, thoughts, and speech that cause harm. This extends to physical, emotional, and psychological harm, directed at ourselves and others.

• • Detachment: Wise Intention involves detaching from cravings and clinging, recognizing that these desires often lead to unwise decisions and suffering.

• • Kindness and Compassion: Cultivating a kind and compassionate attitude toward ourselves and the world is central. This involves recognizing the suffering of others and responding with empathy and a desire to alleviate that suffering.

• • Good Karma: It’s about choosing actions that generate positive karma and avoiding those that create negative karma. Karma, in this context, isn’t a system of punishment or reward but a natural law of cause and effect. Our actions create patterns and habits that shape our future experiences.

• • Impacts Relationships: Wise Intention affects all our relationships – with ourselves, other people, our community, and the world. It encourages us to act in ways that foster connection, harmony, and well-being.

• • Generosity: This is a key aspect of Wise Intention. Generosity combats self-centeredness and teaches us to let go of clinging to “me” and “mine.”

• • The Four Heart Practices: It’s closely linked to the four heart practices of Buddhism:
    
    
    • • Appreciative Joy: Taking joy in the happiness and success of others.
    • • Compassion: A willingness to be present with suffering and a desire to alleviate it.
    • • Lovingkindness (Metta): Wishing well for all beings and offering goodwill.
    • • Equanimity: Maintaining a balanced and peaceful state of mind in the face of both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.

• • Forgiveness: Wise Intention makes forgiveness possible by promoting understanding and compassion for the pain and confusion that give rise to harmful actions.

• • Making Amends: When we have caused harm, Wise Intention prompts us to take responsibility for our actions and make amends to those we have hurt. This is about restoring balance and fostering reconciliation.

In essence, Wise Intention is a commitment to act with awareness, kindness, and responsibility, guided by a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all things. It requires conscious effort and a willingness to examine our motivations and the potential consequences of our actions. It’s a path that leads to greater well-being, both for ourselves and for the world around us.

How Wise Intention applies to my life:

Wise Intention is becoming my North Star. For so long, I acted on impulse, driven by cravings, fear, and a deep sense of self-loathing. Looking back, it’s clear that I was often operating from a place of unwise intention, fueled by a desperate need for relief and a complete disregard for the consequences of my actions. I was chasing the fleeting pleasure of the addiction, blind to the trail of destruction it left behind.

Now, Wise Intention is a daily practice, a conscious effort to shift my mindset and behavior. It’s not always easy, but it’s essential if I want to create a life of genuine happiness and meaning.

Here’s how it’s playing out in my life:

• • Pausing and Reflecting: Instead of reacting immediately to a stressful situation or a craving, I’m trying to pause, breathe, and ask myself: “What is my intention here? Am I acting out of fear, anger, or selfishness? Or am I acting from a place of kindness, compassion, and wisdom?” This pause gives me a chance to choose a different path.

• • Non-Harming My Own Wellbeing: I am learning not to reach for unhealthy actions to fix difficult emotions. Emotions are allowed to happen, and learning to embrace this is the key to understanding and fixing my patterns. I am also learning to not reach out to people who actively contribute to negative feelings.

• • Cultivating Compassion: I’ve started practicing self-compassion, which is probably the hardest part. For years, I was my own worst enemy, constantly berating myself for my mistakes. Now, I’m learning to treat myself with kindness and understanding, recognizing that I’m human and I’m doing the best I can. I’m also extending this compassion to others, recognizing that everyone struggles and that their actions often stem from pain and confusion.

• • Choosing Generosity Over Selfishness: Addiction bred a deep sense of selfishness. It was all about me, me, me. Now, I’m trying to actively cultivate generosity – being generous with my time, my resources, and my attention. I’m volunteering, supporting friends in need, and simply being more present and engaged in the lives of those around me.

• • Making Amends: This is a concrete way to put Wise Intention into action. I’m working through my amends process, acknowledging the harm I caused and making a sincere effort to repair the damage. It’s not about seeking forgiveness, but about taking responsibility and restoring balance to my relationships.

• • Facing Difficult Situations with Equanimity: Life is full of challenges and disappointments. Wise Intention helps me approach these situations with more equanimity – accepting things as they are, without clinging to what I think they should be. It doesn’t mean I give up or become passive, but it means I face difficulties with a more balanced and peaceful state of mind.

• • Decision-Making: When faced with tough choices, I now try to consider the impact of my actions on myself and others. For example, with the living situation, if I moved out right away and left roommates in the lurch, that would have a harmful impact. How can I take care of my emotional health and also have a beneficial impact?

Takeaway

It’s an ongoing process, and I often stumble. But the more I practice Wise Intention, the more it becomes a natural part of my being. It’s helping me create a life that is not only free from addiction but also filled with purpose, connection, and genuine happiness. It’s about making choices that align with my deepest values and contributing to a more compassionate and harmonious world. It’s about living a life that is guided by wisdom and kindness.