You probably do not think about being self indulgent as part of our spiritual path but it is one of the most important aspects of our spiritual growth that we overlook and even avoid. Being indulgent is seen as engaging in acts that are selfish excessive, and exorbitant. But indulgence actually means to be lenient, permissive, soothing, and having mercy. How does this fit into the intention process? Let’s look at the whole process and all of its steps because you cannot single out one aspect without seeing how it fits in with all of the other aspects.

In the intention process we have to first look at the inner work that is necessary, I call this in-vision because you have to have an inner vision of what you’re intending and the outcome you’re creating in order to be fully engaged in and on board with what you’re doing. If you have ever put flat pack furniture together, like anything from IKEA, you know that you cannot do it without the picture (or it is not very easy to do). That picture on the instructions gives your mind the vision of what the finished product is supposed to look like.

Then with the vision firmly in our minds we can set the intention. You cannot set an intention without a vision or an idea of what your outcome is going to be. How many of you order from a menu based on the picture or something you have seen another diner order? I know I have. In fact, why do you think restaurants put pictures on their menu or in their advertisements? Remember the saying ‘A picture is worth 1000 words’?

Then we have to be inspired to maintain the momentum towards the outcome and the flow of energy. The word ‘inspire’ literally means ‘in spirit’.  When we are inspired we are acting from our spirit, engaging spiritually and using our energy resources to empower our intention. It doesn’t happen any other way. Anyone who tells you that it’s as easy as setting an intention and sitting back and waiting for it to happen is not being honest and they’re deliberately sabotaging the process. Nothing happens without your engagement and continuous inspiration.

And finally we have indulgence, which is the process of allowing yourself to receive your blessings. What happens if you do not let this final step happen? You’re setting intentions for things you will never allow to manifest for you.  You are limiting the flow of energy into your life and you will never manifest what you want. You’re creating blocks around receiving for reasons that you may not even be aware of.  What are some of them?

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