Affirmations vs. Intentions

[tomcha]

What is the difference between intentions and affirmations?

I have been doing affirmations apparently thinking that they were intentions, but recently realized that they were two different things!

I'm cofused out of my mind. Can someone help me figure out the difference and what is to be use for what purpose? When do I use what for when? What is their use (how are they different)?

Thomas

[alexie]

Whoa this is scary, i was just going to post the same exact topic as well LOL.

Yes they are different but they very similar as well. For affirmations , i would think its for intangible things you want in yourself like " I attract success" or " i deserve to be rich" . For intentions you would want materialistic thing like " i intend to attract a large amount of money" but sometimes you can you use that affirmations as well.

I dont believe it matters as long as you put emotions and visualizations in each intention or affirmation you use. Thats what i think.

[Honky_Spiritbird]

I know Steve's not fond of affirmations, but I don't see much difference.

Affirmations are things you say to yourself to try and change your thinking. New thoughts that you want to add to your mind that require repetition to believe and stick to your subconconscious. For instance if you have marriage problems you might try, "I appreciate my wife". You think it, you feel it, you visualize it, you ponder the reasons why. Because you hold this new thought and not "My wife is the devil!", your relationship should improve.

Intentions are statements you commit to to change your life. They can be written down like affirmations, or just thought about in your head. This way you would say something like "It is my intention to have a harmonious marriage.' This too requires you think about it often, try and imagine what that would feel like as you visualize it.

Both usually require direct action to change things, but sometimes that is not the case. Using these techniques correctly, the actions you take will overall be easier, more inspired and focused on your goal than if you hadn't used either one.

[judge45]

Affirmations are usually spoken intentions, but don't forget that a fundamental belief will trump an affirmation of intention.

Core beliefs are the very structure of your reality, change them and watch things change dramatically.

HTH

Jeff

[tomcha]

Thanks for everyone's input. Interesting ideas.

Here's what I've been thinking about the difference between affirmations and intentions.

It appears that affirmations are limited to what I can do for myself within myself (e.g., subconscious 'programming'). And intentions seem to have much to do with forces outside of myself, namely the universe, God, and other such names.

This points to the idea that there is something greater than myself and that I (anyone) can harness that power to change or create desired circumstances.

The affirmations are similar in that I (anyone) can utilize one of the greatest resources that I have; my brain and my subconscious mind. But the boundaries are quite clear. The effects do not reach beyond my own mind. But by affecting my mind, I can create desired results in my life. I view this as a secondary effect, whereas the intentions effect my life directly as a primary effect; if it works the way I understand it.

Does this sound right?

If so, my second question still is unanswered for me, which is when do I use what? How do these two fit together, if at all?

Thomas

[desertlady]

Intentions are the goal (the concious will),

Affirmations (when effective) entrain the subconcious (eventually) from limiting beliefs that may contradict.

Peace,
Donna

[alexie]

true but cant they be the same as well. For example, i can use an affirmation such as "money comes to me easily and effortlessly" or is it more effective by putting out an intention like " i intent to have more money"

[tomcha]

I think both affirmations and intentions can be goals. It just depends on what your goal is.

If I want to be a better public speaker, I could say "I feel comfortable as a public speaker" or something like that as an affirmation. But this would be an end.

But if my goal was to become a multi million dollar public speaker, then it just might be a road clearing exercise for my ultimate goal/intention "I intend to earn $1 m this year from my public speaking engagements."

I'm not sure if these statements are good examples, but I think you get the idea if you don't get too hung up on the wordings that I've chosen.

I wonder if they are both the same in that they can equally lead a person with equal ease to the goal, whether it is within the person or outside the person, but only differ in their approach. One from the inside and one from the outside.

If I wanted to make a million bucks through my business, then I could see it going it both ways. Affirmation of "I am a successful millionaire business person" will start to open up my road blocks within my own mind and help me to build up the confidence and other elements necessary to make that statement true.

On the other side, stating the intention "I intend to earn over a million dollars through my business" might start its way from the outside-of-me and begin to effect the circumstances around me. But in the process, I would end up gaining similar if not the same elements necessary to make that statement come true.

Just a thought.

Maybe it's just a matter of preference; believing in oneself as the source and/or limit of one's affective influence or believing in an outside power as the source and/or limit of it. Maybe what really matters the most is the faith that it's going to work. By having a strong faith that it will work, you can make affirmations and intentions to manifest your desires.

What do you think?

[desertlady]

Intentions are the prize (goal),

Affirmations are the mantras (to embed the beliefs) to get the goal.

I believe in the simplest terms. It makes life so much easier.

With ease and grace,
Donna

[tomcha]

Wish I could do that. It's one of my 'curses' to think too much of something and to make it overly complicated beyond necessity and reason.

Thomas

[starlet]

I refer to everthing in the present tense, like "I am in my dream career." When I begin a sentance "I intend" it brings up the feeling that I have no yet achieved, but when I say "I am" or "I have" then I get this wave of happiness over me and I feel my energy surging.

[tomcha]

I tried using "I am" statements, but I found that my mind kept objecting to it saying "But I know it's not true....yet, so I can't use that phrasing"

Thomas

[starlet]

Originally Posted by tomcha

I tried using "I am" statements, but I found that my mind kept objecting to it saying "But I know it's not true....yet, so I can't use that phrasing"

I had the same problem at first, so I'd argue with myself and tell myself that it was true, I just did not know it yet. Now, I do believe its true everytime I make an I am statement. I know I have it, I know its mine, it just has not been packed up and shipped by the Universe yet

[Honky_Spiritbird]

Yeah tomcha, that can be a problem. But what the problem inherently is is that your subconscious/belief system is rejecting what you're trying to change.

Whichever way you use, try to treat the process as fun, like a game. Just imagine how it would be to feel the way you're trying to, to have accomplished the goals you would like to a accomplish.

[alexie]

In my opinion , you can state your desires as both an affirmation and an intention. Since you only need to ask once, you should only intent your desire the first time, after that, use the I AM affirmation for the rest of the way.

For example, first time : I intent to get a 80 percent on my exaM

the rest of the time: i have recieveed a 80 on my exam

[tomcha]

I've been giving this a lot of thought and whether to use intentions or affirmations. And if to use both, how to mesh the two together in a harmonious way.

Because of my preoccupation with the two, I think I might have overlooked something that was mentioned here earlier in this thread and one of the first things that I learned about IM.

Visualization.

If you think about it, a lot of great achievers in history used this as their main tool for achieving their goals and dreams. I think those of you who mentioned this is right on the money. I think it is probably one of the most powerful tools in bringing about the desired change whether from affirmations or intentions.

I done have enough personal evidence or experience to commit to it and claim it as the 'best way', but I think just the sheer number of achievers who used this method as their main tool is convincing enough at this point for me to give it a good honest try.

But I'd like to add one little thing here. I come from a teaching background and I know that visualization is tough for some people. I myself am a little more of an auditory learner. That just means that I think, concentrate, remember, etc.... better when I speak something or hear something, rather than see it.

I'm sure there are others like me on this thread.

So the visualization works great for those who are visual learners, who happen to be the majority, but what about us auditory learners or even worse kinesthetic (by touch) learners?

I offer this potential advice based on what I've observed in students.

Auditory learners might do better if they couple the visualization with a lot of auditory input. Hear the sounds in the environment that you are visualizing. How do you sound? What kinds of sounds are there in the background? If you need to, touch or tap various objects in your visualization and listen to them. How does the piano sound (if you have one in your vision)? What does your new car door sound when you close it? How does the engine sound? etc... Also, I think repeating a simple mantra like affirmations might help a great deal to help stay focused on the visualization in general. I think this may have been why I was automatically trying to use a lot of auditory cues instead of just doing visualizations.

For kinesthetic learners, the same advice applies, but to substitute kinesthetic stimuli for the auditory ones. In other words, touch the objects in the visualization process and feel the sensations of the limbs, hands, feet, head, fingers, etc.. and the textures of the objects that you 'touch'. Be aware of the temperature, smoothness, etc.. of the various objects.

I hope this helps a few others who, like me, are not very much visually oriented. I have to regurgitate an advice I was given here. Play with it and have fun.

Alexis, perhaps you were going to post similar question initially because you were having similar troubles with intentions and affirmations as I was having. Hope this helps.

[starlet]

I mainly use visualization, but I found I cannot do it everywhere. Trying to visualize while driving is a no-no I do my visualizations right when I get up in the morning and right before I go to bed, then pepper the day with "I am" whenever I want to get myself up-there and energized.

[tomcha]

Thanks for your input starlet. I understand what you mean. I find myself going back to the affirmations or repeating intentions over and over again with more emotions (just like I would with affirmations) while driving and while at work.

Besides this being because I'm an auditory learner, I think it's a lot simpler and easier to 'stick with it' because you can do it almost anywhere at anytime.

The visualizations are powerful, I admit, but it's hard to find time for it throughout the day, unless you designate a set time for them. I always do mine after family prayer time at night before going to bed.

[alexie]

the problem with repeating intentions over and over again is that you are asking it over and over again meaning that you think the universe hasnt heard you which makes you attached. You only need to ask once then affirm it after and be greatful for it.

[tomcha]

I don't know if I completely agree with that view.

I know that most people say something similar regarding LoA. But here's my explanation.

1. I'm not "asking" the universe for the intention over and over again. I'm stating that this is what I expect to have happen in my life, just like visualizing.
2. But because I'm more of an auditory person, I say it and hear it rather than "see" it as a form of affirming that it is happening or has happened already or that it's on its way.
3. If repeating the intention for such purpose is equal to "asking" the universe repeatedly, then visualizing is equally guilty in "asking" the universe for the intention again and again.
4. But in both cases, we're not "asking" repeatedly. We're merely reinforcing the intention (for the lack of a better word), feeling that it is happening or that it's on its way. It is merely a difference in the choice of sensory, depending on what is more dominant for the person.
5. As such, as I repeat, it helps me to visualize or feel how things are/will be. If I could just do the visualizing and get it, then I'd probably do just that. That's why I suggested that perhaps those of us who are more auditory try it this way and test if this will help in the visualization process.

Hope I'm making sense here. This is what I think anyways. Does anyone see if there's anything wrong with my assumptions or logic here? If someone can tell me for sure why verbally repeating the intention is less effective than just the visualizing alone, please let me know. I'd hate to waste anymore of my time practicing this the wrong way.

Thanks.

[starlet]

Originally Posted by alexie

the problem with repeating intentions over and over again is that you are asking it over and over again meaning that you think the universe hasnt heard you which makes you attached. You only need to ask once then affirm it after and be greatful for it.

No, you are not asking and getting attatched. Asking is "I want." When you say "I am" you are training your concious and subconsious to believe that it is already true, therefore finding the feelings of joy and therefore bringing it to manifestation. If you have negative feelings, or your attention is on what-is, or the absense of your intention, then you are attatched, When you focus on what you want and feed it positive feelings, you are detatched, because you believe and know it is going to happen, and by feeding it good vibes, it brings it into this time-space reality.

[tomcha]

I think it's helpful to get back to the fundamentals. Let's assume that the initial intention has been set and 'released' to the universe to do its thing.

Then, you can visualize, affirm or whatever other method that you can think of to keep your focus on the intention and what you expect the universe to bring to you. And the main thing is to keep you feeling good. Because without the right feelings (good ones), nothing will amount to any good.

In that light, I don't think visualization vs. affirmations or anything else much matters. If you can rev up your feelings and get into that feeling good zone, perhaps that's what you need and all that you need.

Both of these are just a way for us to get into that feeling zone after all, aren't they?

Think of thoughts that make you feel good. Visualize? Affirmations? Whatever tickles your funny bone, I say.

[CamC]

Affirmations are the statements you repeat to yourself to strengthen (or create) a belief.

Intentions are the things you want to manifest.

They can go side by side however.
For instance, say you've intended to earn $10,000 unexpected income in the next month. You could make an affirmation that you repeat to yourself saying "I am now manifesting $10,000 unexpected income." This would help you believe it more, and as you believe it, it will come to you faster.

So basically, an intention you only have to state once, an affirmation you repeat to yourself over and over to implant it in your mind.

[Sly Apple Pie]

Personally I think it's best to use intentions in most instances, though it is true that they can go side by side sometimes.

When we intend to do something - to improve ourselves in some way, for instance - we are basically saying to our consciousness "look, I want this to happen and I'm going to take X action to make sure it does happen". We're in full control because we know and accept that a conscious effort will be required to bring the intention to reality.

When we use affirmations we're simply expressing a message to our subconscious. As a result, we're not really consciously encouraging ourselves to take action, and we can easily become complacent - potentially leading to procrastination.

For instance, if I give myself the affirmation "I weigh 12 stone on June 30th" in the hope of indeed weighing 12 stone by the 30th of June, all I'm really doing is programing my subconscious to believe that it's possible. There's no responsibility there, merely a wishful desire. I'm not all that inclined to take action because there's no conscious empowerment.

Whereas if I say "I intend to weigh 12 stone by June 30th", I'm now taking full control and responsibility for my desire. I'm saying "I am going to do this, and I'm aware that I need to figure out and TAKE the required steps to make it happen".

The wording of intentions is stronger, more self-demanding and therefore far more empowering, in my opinion.

[starlet]

Originally Posted by Sly Apple Pie

When we use affirmations we're simply expressing a message to our subconscious. As a result, we're not really consciously encouraging ourselves to take action, and we can easily become complacent - potentially leading to procrastination.

I have not yet seen that in my experience. I do not believe in just taking action for the sake of taking action. To me, saying "I will" puts it in the future, and there is no future, there is only now. That subconcious programming, that belief will bring about ways to help that goal be achieved. A friend of mine who thought I-M was "bunk" decided to humor me and his affirmation was "I am now 225 pounds." He did take action by running and changing his diet, which proved to the Universe he was serious.

Two weeks after he started his affirmations and exercise/diet program a new gym opened near his home, and offered all residents in the surrounding area a free 6-month membership. One of his neighbors, whom he had never met was actually a personal trainer who befriended my friend and worked with him personally, for free. He also met a woman at the gym who was a professional chef and taught him better foods to eat and how to prepare them. He's well on his way to getting to that 225, but he's slightly altered it because of his muscle gain and is now figuring out body fat ratios instead.

To me, if a person is lazy and procrastinates, its very likely they also will be lazy in doing affirmations. I know people who keep telling me LOA does not work, because they visualze and get energized for a few days and wonder why the Ferrari has not shown up after a day or two. Those who really do want to make a change in their life WILL not procrastinate.