Great article. Particularly interesting if you started your meditation practice in a traditional context, where intention is fundamental, and you've seen these fast-food new age supermarket types of meditation (with thousands of "apps" required!) spring up over the years.

I've also seen research saying people who solely use meditation for stress management do not stick with it as much as those who are seeking to deepen a sense of meaning and purpose.

If you're interested in a presentation that integrates neuroscience with traditional spiritual orientations, the opening of Culadasa's "The Mind Illumined" has a marvelous section on intention. Much of the book is a very detailed, somewhat dry manual. If you are interested in working harder than most who are seeking quick relief from stress and pain, you can experience at least glimpses of total silence of the mind within a few months.

Otherwise, just read the opening chapter. He presents intention in the context of just about all areas of our life. Once you realize just about anything in your life that you have been successful in has at its root, a stable, powerful, deeply meaningful and purposeful intention, you'll find it much easier to bring this quality of intentionality to your meditation practice.