Moving into expanded awareness is a natural occurrence. As spiritual beings we continue to grow, ascending beyond each level of consciousness through a series of experiential levels, one after another. There are many paths that open the expansion of awareness and intention is one of them. Intention is an action propelling the soul forward from one state of consciousness to another; and…the ultimate intention? It is enlightenment!
Intention is a powerful tool designed by Divine Source to point the way toward creation. It is the creation of conception blooming into manifestation then journeying into enlightenment. It is the process by which all energy continues to flow to its natural conclusion where then the process begins over again. Take for example a sunflower seed. A bird picks the seeds out of the center of the flower causing some of the seeds to spill to the ground. Or, some seeds are carried by the wind to other locations where it lays on the ground and gently nestles itself there. That is the point of conception.
The seed is conceived from the moment it rests firmly in the ground where water and the sun provide nourishment for growth. It starts to sprout marking the beginning of the manifestation process. The stem, leaves and flower pod are being formed. As the sunflower continues to be nourished the stronger it gets, until over a short while, the full blossom of the flower is standing tall and strong. In this state it keeps growing until it does not have a need to grow anymore. It surpasses the stage of physical, manifested development and begins to enter the state of being simply itself. It is the full essence of itself as a sunflower and at that point it reaches enlightenment; no longer wanting or desiring to be what it already is, because it is what it is.
The analogy of the sunflower seed is you, it is me, it is all of us! This is how…
INTENTION is the spark of an idea. It is a heavenly gift that seems to plop into your mind as a way to solve a problem. Resolve a matter that seems to be out of order. Make living and navigating this physical experience a little easier. It is the point where inspiration, which comes from the desire to…, along with the certainty that a solution can happen, churns within your soul producing the motivation to get it done. And so, you intend the goal, the end result; even if you’re not sure how it will be accomplished at first.
This seems to be a point of sheer will power to “Make It Happen”. The mind pushes and searches for answers, for specific clarity on what to do. However, the power of intention itself is already at work with what you are eager to discover. You don’t have to do anything. Just allow the energy of what’s already there to present itself to you. And when it does, that’s when the real conception begins.
CONCEPTION is the small light which begins to shine. This light is conceived from an existing belief system coupled with the new more expanded concept of what you want. The Ah, Ha moment is formed and it actually provides just enough of a glimmering light, you can grab hold of it. You can begin forming a strategy now, on how to nourish the light-filled idea so that it grows into a blossoming, fully manifested resolve. 
At the point of conception immediate care must be given to ensure it has a chance of growing. Unfortunately, this is where so many people allow outside influences, other belief systems counter intuitive to the concept, and the fear of failure or the unknown that keeps it stuck. It would be the same as those sunflower seeds landing on concrete where its roots have nowhere to grow.
This is why it’s crucial that at this stage, this beginning stage, you cherish it by providing the nutrients it needs. So, what are these nutrients? This is where manifestation begins.
MANIFESTATION Manifestation is the energy of conception coupled with a variety of other energies to bring it into this third dimensional, physical experience. The other energies all fall under the category of nutrients. They provide the nourishment required to help any concept break through the soil into this world; just as the sunflower breaks through the earth to be noticed as a sprout.
The nourishing multitude of energies can be categorized as energetic and practical [physical] manipulations. They fall under the windows of everything from self-love, self-worth, self-confidence, self-reliance, and self-control to open mindedness, open heartedness, positive beliefs, thoughts, feelings and actions. Discipline, determination, courage, boldness, focus, strength, direction and more are also energies needed to feed what has been conceived.
Here’s a plausible example of what I mean by a multitude of energies. Let’s say the intention is to be in excellent health. You conceive the awareness of losing weight as one of the aspects needed to achieve your intention. Now how does that become manifested? It’s important to begin nourishing the conception so, immediately the first thing to do is devise a plan on what you will do. As you start this process you become aware of how much weight you’ve actually gained. Job stress, along with being sedentary and indulging in over eating are all culprits to the situation. It’s clear that you must find a way to reduce stress while reducing calorie intake and moving your physical body more. So, the plan is to meditate every morning and evening for 30 minutes to reduce stress and receive answers on how to do the job in a more calm relaxed way. (That in and of itself might lead to another intention…to leave that job and find another one); but for now, losing weight is the intended goal.
Besides meditation which reduces stress and increases your own self-worth and confidence, you decide to eat more meals per day with smaller portions of food. You decided the types of foods you eat are those with fewer calories such as fruits, vegetables and some nuts. You change the type of protein you eat and only have sprouted grains. You also decide to cut out sugars, dairy and glutton all of which are harder for the body to metabolize properly. And, you join a gem or take a class a couple of times a week to get your body moving. Maybe you just decide to walk during your lunch hour or walk around the office for 2 minutes every half-hour.
As you do these things you may notice how discipline wanes, the addiction to certain substances, such as sugar, really tries to take over. The added solution to keep nourishing the concept can be writing affirmations, keeping a journal, working with others for support and continued courage, etc.
These nourishing energies along with other tools and techniques are what bring the intention into manifestation. And, as you continue to nurture the concept the weight starts to fall off until you have reached your desired goal. Being able to maintain the goal for quite some time, because now you have shifted your life style, is easy to do. The conception is fully grown and the “need, want, desire” for it to be a reality in your life has happened. Therefore, you don’t need, want or desire it because it simply IS. At this point you have flowed into the realm of enlightenment.
ENLIGHTENMENT… To be enlightened is to simply be What Is! It is a state of being, which no longer requires wanting IT (whatever It Is), so badly. You have arrived! Continuing to grow within this state of being means you no longer think, feel or act as if you are something or someone else; nor do you live any other way than that of being. The old way of being and living as you did, does not exist. The push to have what you intended is no longer a pressing conception that’s working to be enlightened. You and Your Intention are enlightenment!
When you think about it; if you have a pair of black pants, something you’ve wanted and then achieved having, you no longer want it. You no longer put all of your energy into having it. It already exists for you and therefore, is no longer desired.
Enlightenment is the full fruition of which “What IS” becomes fully experienced! In that consciousness of expanded awareness the state of being peace, the state of being joy, and the state of being love all without condition, strings or doubt attached, is the state of beingness. It is the state that intention set out to express, all along.
To move from intention through each stage into enlightenment is what moving into expanded awareness is. Moving into expanded awareness is truly magnificent! Forever continuously growing, perfecting the intention it is always meant to be; a glimmer becoming the full enlightenment of itself.
Lynne Herod-DeVerges, founder Center of Light Miracles
Who do you turn to when you get stuck in a rut? Don’t know what your purpose is? Want to know the future state of the world or your life? Go to ASK-LYNNE: http://ask-lynne.org/ and find out the answers!