The Eightfold Path: Right Intention

“When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it” — The Alchemist

The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism tell us that the Eightfold Path is how we move towards freedom from suffering. Right Intention is the second “step” on that path, after Right View.

“Watch your thoughts, they become your words;
watch your words, they become your actions;
watch your actions, they become your habits;
watch your habits, they become your character;
watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
— Lao Tzu

Isn’t the road to hell paved with good intentions? Why speak of intention at all?

Tony Robbins has a fun little game he makes people play that I think explains this. Look away from the screen for a minute (truly difficult, I agree) and count all the red objects around you.

Maybe there’s a little red on one of your posters, or maybe there’s a window and a red car outside. Maybe there’s a pair of red scissors on your desk.

Now that you’ve counted all the red things around you, I want you to (without looking) tell me all the blue things you saw.

Truly difficult? Maybe it’s because you were so intent on seeing red things.