Everything with Intention and Attention
Everything with Intention and Attention
Intention vs Intent: If you are intent on doing something, you are determined to get it done. If you have an intent, you have a motive or purpose. Intention and intent are synonyms, but with a subtle difference. Intention implies a general desire or plan to accomplish something, while intent is a little stronger, indicating a firm resolve to get it done. Intention is a goal.
Attention: a concentration of the mind on a single object or thought, especially one preferentially selected from a complex, with a view to limiting or clarifying receptivity by narrowing the range of stimuli; a state of consciousness characterized by such concentration; a capacity to maintain selective or sustained concentration. Attention is how we achieve the goal of our intention.
How does this relate to our favorite pastime of shooting?
The Bastrop Group hears me say this all the time; EVERYTHING we do with the gun should be done with Intention and Attention! Pick the gun up with intention. Load it with intention and attention. Aim it with intention & attention. Press the trigger with intention and attention. Unload and show clear with intention & attention. Pack it up and handle it with intention & attention. Let’s break all of these down for a better understanding of how deeply we should be connected to all of these tasks. These aren’t casual tasks that can be undertaken while distracted, unfocused, tired, etc. Each of these tasks is very meaningful and the stakes are incredibly high if we don’t do each of them with mindful purpose.
Pick the gun up with intention and attention – A gun is nothing but a tool. But, it’s a powerful tool that requires great care in it’s use. Every time a gun is in your hand you are responsible for any outcomes. I know it’s not fashionable to accept responsibility but the fact remains that you are solely responsible for what happens when that gun, any gun is in your hand. Since that is the case we should all develop exquisite awareness during that time. If you aren’t paying attention to AND using all the safety rules, start there! I ask a question at the end of every safety brief “is everyone here in the right frame of mind to participate in live-fire activities today?”. Many times people have said no, I’m not going to shoot today. The reasons are myriad. Distractions from work, argument with a spouse, troubles at home, not sleeping well, taking medications, etc. are just a few examples of why it might be a no. There’s no judgement! In fact, there is only gratitude that someone recognizes that today, right now in this moment, I’m not able to be completely present and focused on the tasks at hand.
Load (or unload) the gun with intention and attention – You must be fully present when loading the gun with ammunition and preparing to fire it. This is a very intentional act! One that shouldn’t be undertaken casually or carelessly. You’re going to or have just put ammunition in your firearm which means it’s ready to do what you tell it to do. The gun is just a tool! It exists to serve us and ONLY does what we tell it to do. It’s ready and waiting to send lead down range at high velocity. Pay attention. Lots of mistakes are made here because people don’t understand the status of their guns. People drop their magazine out and are convinced the gun is unloaded! It’s happened many, many times on my range. It’s why we insist that any gun being laid down on the bench or barrel have the slide locked back, magazine out and ejection port facing up to show to everyone that gun is in the safest condition.
Aim the firearm with intention and attention – Remember that whole responsibility thing? You are responsible for everything involving any firearm in your hands. Keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction AT ALL TIMES. You know what’s not a safe direction? Getting your hands out in front of your gun. Or sweeping your body parts with a gun. Or flagging someone on the line with your gun because you need to do something with it! Change your body’s orientation to the gun so as to keep it pointed downrange. ZERO tolerance policy on that one. Most people only think they need to pay attention when sights are on the target but waggle it about in any old direction all the rest of the time. Do NOT let this be you and help us educate others about this. This happens literally all of the time. In your hands=you are responsible for where it’s pointing! Period. If it’s pointing somewhere it’s not supposed to be you are still “aiming it”. Just not with intention and attention.
Press the trigger with intention and attention – If you are actively engaged with shooting the gun at your target, make sure your attention is there. This is the moment/s you are sending a high velocity item down range. It’s exhilarating and humbling at the same time. You are pressing the trigger and accepting responsibility for it all. Brass hitting you from nearby? It’s okay to pause until they are done so that you can focus. Pressing the trigger is a very intimate experience where you and the gun are in sync, focused on a singular task where you have to be present and thoughtful. Sending lead down range is something you are accepting full responsibility for when you press that trigger. The stakes are very high if you make a mistake and are careless because the gun can’t go bang without intention from it’s user. Be exquisitely focused when you are engaging with the trigger and your target, building a mental bubble around you so you are able to develop that focus.
Unload it with intention and attention – Just because we are unloading our gun doesn’t mean we can take our mind off of it and relax the focus on our task. We must be absolutely sure of the gun’s status at all times. And just because it’s unloaded that doesn’t mean we can ignore safety rules and waggle it about in any old direction! Unload it, put it in the correct condition and put it down on the bench or re-holster as directed by your Group Guyde.
Pack it up with intention and attention – If I only had $1 for every gun people insisted (and argued with me about it) that their gun coming out on the line or coming off the line was unloaded. There is no arguing. There is only verifying. A gun not in active use should be unloaded and you should know with 100% certainty that it’s in that state. Use a chamber flag, a piece of weed eater cord, leave the slide locked back, etc. when in the case so when you open the case later, you have a visual indicator of the gun’s status. Doesn’t fit in it’s original case with slide locked back? Buy and inexpensive pistol pouch to put in your range bag. It’s a simple solution and will be easier for you to manage at the range. It’s much easier to bring a smaller pouch to the shooting station than a big old clunky case that takes up all the room and no room to maneuver when uncasing your gun. Once it’s all cased up and secured you can leave the firing line with confidence that your gun is in the correct state to come off the line. Great job! Handle it with the same intention and attention when you get home.
This is the level of shooters your Group Guyde is working to develop. Ones that undertake their gun ownership understanding the incredible level of responsibility that gun ownership means. Yes, it’s our right here in the USA, but most dismiss the responsibility that comes with gun ownership. If you mindfully practice intention and attention in all aspects of your gun handling on the range and off, you are part of the solution not the problem. Your Group Guyde builds safety into everything they do on the range and in their classes. Feel like you need a refresher on any of this? Get with your Group Guyde! Ask for a class in the area where you need a little help. Your Guyde is an expert and wants you to succeed. The added benefit is that with more intention and attention to your shooting, your skills will skyrocket with regular classes and practice.
Stay safe and keep training!
