Intentional living

Intentional living is any lifestyle based on an individual or group's conscious attempts to live according to their values and beliefs. These can include lifestyles based on religious, political or ethical values, as well as for self-improvement.

Characteristics

History

In the first chapter of Christopher Isherwood's 'My Guru and his Disciple, written in 1940, the writer tells of conversations with Gerald Heard concerning Heard's spiritual values. Heard answered Isherwood's questions and explained further that he, Heard followed what Heard called 'intentional living'. (Isherwood put the phrase in quotes.) Heard said that one of the hardest parts of the discipline was to be aware of one's own pretensions. 'You may rid yourself of all worldly addictions and aversions ... the most deadly pretension may raise its head. You may begin to believe you are a spiritually superior person ...'

Steps

Intentional living requires one to be aware of one's fundamental beliefs and to be willing to make an effort to have their behavior reflect these beliefs in a form of integrity in relation to his or her conscience and environment. In some cases, such changes are drastic enough that like-minded individuals group together in intentional communities.

According to the writer Joshua Becker, the steps can be summarised as:[1]

  • Realise that life is made of choices. Attitudes and decisions do not have to be determined by our past but can be chosen.
  • We are surrounded by a culture. We can determine its direction and see if we want the same or not.
  • Know who we are and what we want (to do, communicate and contribute). Give time to our passions.

Aims

Some examples of intentional living include cohousing, ethical living, frugal living, moral community, simple living, sustainable living as well as many religious lifestyles. Intentional communities, such as the Simple Way, the Bruderhof communities,[2] the Community of St Anselm[3] are intentional communities based on Christian values and beliefs.[4]

While not necessarily representing distinct or actual lifestyles, many themes and areas of human interest, activity, and study exist that contribute to intentional living. Examples include appropriate technology, conservation, ecology, environmentalism, humanism, humanitarianism, and socially responsible investing.

See also

Notes and references
  1. Joshua Becker, "The Helpful Guide to Living an Intentional Life", www.becomingminimalist.com (page visited on 12 August 2016). Joshua Becker is the author of The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own (ISBN 9781601427960), Simplify: 7 Guiding Principles to Help Anyone Declutter Their Home and Life, Clutterfree with Kids: Change your thinking. Discover new habits. Free your home (ISBN 9780991438600) and Living with Less: An Unexpected Key to Happiness (ISBN 9780764486609).
  2. "Life Among The Bruderhof". The American Conservative. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
  3. "The Community of St Anselm". The Community of St Anselm. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
  4. "All you need to know about the Bruderhof community". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
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