Affirmations are different from intentions but are also very powerful and can be used in conjunction with intentions and prayer. Affirmations are just that – you are affirming the truth of what you want or who you are. How affirmations work is that they are phrased as if the intention or prayer is already accomplished and while you say them, you call up the feelings you will feel when that thing is true in your life – the stronger the feeling, the better. This requires a bit of imagination because you have to truly feel as if it is already accomplished in the present moment. It gets easier with practice.
For example, you might have the following affirmations:
- I am in a long-term loving relationship with my soulmate (bring up feelings of love, adoration, and contentedness)
- I weigh 130 pounds and wear size 10 clothes (bring up feelings of confidence, sexiness, and pride).
- I am happy and content (bring up feelings of happiness and contentedness).
One of my favorite restaurants, Café Gratitude in San Francisco, bases their whole menu on affirmations. Every item is named as an affirmation so when the server asks what you want, you say things like “I am Generous” and a double order of “I am Bliss.” Very fun! The owners, Matthew & Terces Engelhart, have written a great book called Sacred Commerce: Business as a Path to Awakening.