Why Intention Matters
Many people arrive at retreats seeking clarity. Sometimes we know exactly what we are looking for, whether that is rest, a new perspective, or a specific change in our lives. Other times, we simply have a feeling that something is not quite right, but we cannot yet put it into words.
This is where intention setting becomes valuable. Before we can decide where we want to go, we first need to understand where we are and with what mentality we want to the finish line. By slowing down and creating space for reflection, we become more aware of our thoughts, feelings, and priorities. From that awareness, clearer intentions can begin to emerge.
What Is Intention Setting?
Intention setting is the mindful practice of deciding how you want to feel, act, and show up in the present moment, focusing on personal values rather than a specific future end result.
Sound familiar? Recently we published an article about goal setting, explaining that your goals should focus on a future destination, a final target, or a specific measurable outcome. They motivate focused action.
However, intentions require a different kind of focus. They help us anchor ourselves in how we want to experience our journey towards these goals. In other words, it is less about reaching a specific destination and more about how you want to travel there. It invites you to reflect on the qualities you want to embody, whether that is calm, focus, confidence, or compassion, and helps bring greater awareness to the way you move through everyday life.
For example, a goal could be: I want to get promoted.
An intention, on the other hand is: I want to lead with confidence and integrity.
Why Intentions Are Often Difficult to Find
Intentions are difficult to find because they are internal, hidden, or even mixed with subconscious drives. Constant stimulation, busy schedules, expectations, and social media also contribute making it even more of a challenge to uncover our inner selves.
Many people think they know what they want, or at least know what they should want. However, very few people know what genuinely matters to them.
This is why silence can be such a powerful part of the process.
The Role of Silence in Intention Setting
We have several articles highlighting the importance of silence in a noisy world, as well as the science of silence.
In short, one of the reasons silent retreats can be so powerful for intention setting is that they remove many of the distractions that compete for our attention in everyday life.
This might feel uncomfortable at first. As external stimulation decreases, thoughts and emotions that may have been pushed back become more noticeable. However, this process is crucial for deeper reflection and finding your subconscious desires.
Silence creates the conditions for reflective practices to take place. By stepping away from external noise and embracing stillness, many people find it easier to identify what truly matters to them, what they want to let go of, and the intentions they want to carry forward.
What Are Symbols and Archetypes?
Symbols
Symbols are images that carry meaning beyond their literal form. For example, this is part of a guide that we use during our silent retreats for participants to get a feeling of different symbols and the meanings that they could carry:
Confidence & Energy
☀️ Sun – Life, positivity, confidence
⚡️ Lightning- Energy, power, decisiveness
🏔️ Mountain – Endurance, achievement
🚀 Rocket – Ambition, taking initiative
🎯 Bullseye – Focus, determination
Growth & Transformation
🌱 Seedling – New beginnings, growth
🌳 Tree – Growth, balance, connection
🌀 Spiral – Evolution, cycles of life
🍃 Leaf – Renewal, growth
🦋 Butterfly – Transformation, hope
Spiritual & Guidance
🕉️ Om – Spiritual unity, peace
🪔 Lamp – Guidance, enlightenment
🕯️ Candle – Hope, illumination
🌙 Crescent Moon – Intuition
⭐️ Star – Inspiration, guidance
An important thing to note here is that the meaning of a symbol is often personal, so you can pick any symbol (not just the ones on the guide above) and connect it to whatever significance it has to you.
If you are more interested in learning about symbols and diving deeper, we also use a book called “The Element Encyclopedia of Secret Signs and Symbols” by Adele Nozedar. It serves as a reference guide, decoding ancient and modern visual symbols, exploring hidden meanings across world cultures and mythology.
Archetypes
According to psychologist Carl Jung, archetypes are recurring character types and patterns of behaviour that appear across different cultures throughout history.
They help us recognize qualities we already possess or qualities we wish to develop, and therefore are important when setting intentions.
There are 12 primary archetypes widely used in literature, psychology, and even branding to represent core human desires. Here they are, explained briefly:
To Find Inner Peace and Grounding
- The Innocent: An intention to restore trust, simplicity, and a fresh perspective.
- The Caregiver: An intention to practice self-care, compassion, and kindness toward yourself.
- The Ruler: An intention to take ownership of your choices and live with greater intention.
To Embrace Transformation and Release
- The Rebel: An intention to break free from habits, beliefs, or patterns that no longer serve you.
- The Hero: An intention to find the courage to face challenges and grow through them.
- The Magician: An intention to create meaningful change and embrace personal transformation.
To Seek Truth and Discovery
- The Explorer: An intention to discover who you are beyond external expectations and distractions.
- The Sage: An intention to cultivate wisdom, clarity, and deeper self-understanding.
- The Creator: An intention to imagine new possibilities and consciously shape your future.
To Reconnect with Joy and Wholeness
- The Everyman: An intention to accept yourself fully, imperfections included.
- The Lover: An intention to deepen your connection with yourself, others, and life itself.
- The Jester: An intention to let go of seriousness and rediscover joy, playfulness, and presence.
Take a moment to reflect: which archetype are you drawn to?
How Symbol and Archetype Work Is Used on Retreat
During a silent retreat at Silent Focus Heather explains and shows examples of previous art projects made with symbols. She suggests that you spend some time looking for the reference books and oracle cards about symbols to find what direction you want to take your artist piece.
The intention is to make something using symbols that represents you in some way. Maybe it is the future self you want to create or perhaps it has to do with who you are in the present moment and your family and friends that surround you.
Whatever you create you will use markers, paper and scissors to uncover a masterpiece about your life in some way.
There is no real goal in the art project other than being creative and being present and mindful while you create your artistic piece.
What Participants Often Discover
For some people, the process highlights personal values that may have been pushed into the background of daily life. Others notice recurring themes appearing in the symbols, images, or archetypes they are drawn to. Sometimes these themes reflect aspirations, strengths, or qualities they would like to cultivate more intentionally.
For others, the activity can reveal areas of resistance. A symbol may represent a fear, a challenge, or something that requires attention.
It is also common for participants to realize that they are more creative than they initially believed. Without the pressure of producing something perfect, many people find that creativity becomes less about artistic ability and more about exploration, and self-expression.
Afterwards, participants can take their symbols home as a reminder of the intentions they set during the retreat. Whether placed in a journal, on a fridge, or on a bulletin board in an office, these symbols can continue to serve as a reflection tool long after the retreat has ended.
Listening to What Matters
Goals are very important to have, but intentions are what will truly drive you in the right path towards them, whatever that might be for you.
Reflection and looking inward are often hard to do, but symbols and archetypes are tools to help you get there, offering different ways of listening to yourself, your values, and finding the direction you want your life to take.
Silence creates space, intention setting creates clarity, and symbols help express what words sometimes cannot.
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