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'.
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:
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, the Community of St Anselm are intentional communities based on Christian values and beliefs.
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.