Having read Dr.Paul’s perspective on intention. I was inspired to put my own thoughts on paper as to how we might consider which to choose in our work or in our lives, intention or attention.

A quotation from chapter two of Dr Paul’s book Philosophy and History of Ortho-Bionomy informs our topic as follows: 

“I like to break words such as this into a truer meaning, how can we do our best with in – tension= tension within?” In other words, if you have intention you are already in tension, ready to achieve, seeking change. 

Upon leaving the security of the womb, the first thing we do is scream for attention. We let others Know of our distress so our concerns may be attended to. My observation is that whenever we give attention to fellow human, an event or goal, even a plant or animal, we usually see a positive outcome – there are healthy benefits in giving attention. 

For those of us who have had the pleasures of parenthood, we are too aware that many, if not most, of all the good intentions I had for my children and those my parents had for me, reminding me that attention is more appreciated than intention. Our kids teach us that giving them and their achievements attention is far more encouraging and rewarding than the option of offering pur good intentions. 

Intention is meaningless unless it is acted upon, In setting a goal, intention can be the catalyst for reaching it. However, even with the best intentions it is possible to fail to reach our goal. 

Intention can lead to resistance. Nowhere is this more evident than when we have good intentions for another person – who will act on the intention(s)? Our good intention is often neither a catalyst to motivate others to action, nor in promoting understanding. 

By giving love and attention to one self and/or to others, positive outcomes are more likely to be realized; paying attention to another human according to his/her needs is usually appreciated. 

Thus, it would seem preferable to be the focus of someone’s attention rather than be the object of his or her intention. 


This is my outlook for today, 
Author- Marie Long
Instructor Of Ortho-Bionomy

My eighteen-month-old granddaughter got me thinking about duality, judgment, perceptions and believes. Her parents have taught her that steam means something is hot. She points to smoking chimneys or boiling kettle and says “hot-hot”. One day, while walking through a park with a waterfall, my son was trying to get her to cross a bridge, however because there was mist on the bridge she refused to go across, pointing and saying “hot-hot.” 

Duality, conditioning and learned perceptions affects all of us. Not many things around us are as they appear to be. When we look closely, even one side of our body or face seems to be different than the other side. Our feet or hands may be different in size. Internally we have different organs on each side of the body. 

My judgment-freeing journey started by experiencing different healing modalities. Then I started to study Massage and at the same time took a Cranial class from an Osteopathic approach .While in Massage school one of my instructors also introduced me to Ortho- Bionomy. Being in the right place at right time accelerated my personal journey. 

I am in awe of Dr.Pauls vision, and his understanding of the energy movements that started back to 1970. No protocols, no preconception, just follow and honour individual’s inner wisdom. His approach made me realise that when we are taught some things by “experts” we are really only learning their understanding or perspective on an issue - that there is always room for alternative approaches and personal expansion. 

When we approach everything with open mind, as an observer and incorporate the principles and concepts that are the foundation of Ortho-Bionomy, this attitude gives us a green light to move forward. 

I embraced Dr Pauls approach to Cranial work and the way he follows his visionary energetic movements of our cranium with no projected expectations 

because it made total sense to me. His approach reminded me that there are different levels of personal understanding and that it is an individual choice to shift to different level of expansion. 

The whole universe is particles of energy - steam and mist may look the same but they are different. My granddaughter had been taught what steam looks like, she related to steam “hot”. She had to be taken by the hand and reassured before she crossed the bridge. Then she was able to determine and feel the difference. 

My granddaughter helped me realise how perceptions can hold us back throughout our life. By freeing ourselves from judgment and set beliefs, we can remain open to go with the flow, and then there are no limits for us all. The Ortho-Bionomy approach to working with clients reminds them of their limitless possibilities. 

Learning Ortho-Bionomy begins with learning Body work then it may become Spiritual Journey which in turn evolves into a Spiritual Practice. 

Author- Marie Long OBAC/SOBI Advanced Instructor /IT