Jeffrey Martin's study of Non-symbolic consciousness

Maybe, yes, "intention" is relatively constant, but sometimes it becomes more subtle/gentle/open and thus just seems to be gone.

It's when it is discriminating, demanding, adamant, scheming, fearful, etc. that it is noticable and painful and unskillful?

I wonder if the "flow"like times I'm talking about are like that. Just a quieter, less tugging, intention mechanism. This is not necessarily directed related to practice I don't think.

I remember reading an account, years ago, about Akido practitioner, Richard Strozzi-Heckler, taking a high-level test in the art. As I recall, BOTH he and observers were aware only of the perfect moves, and not 'the actor' who disappeared into them: he was moving, and the thought 'this is not Richard' was in his, and others' minds.

I like your hypothesis, Mike, and agree that it's a matter of an alignment that eliminates the friction that is 'dukkha' or confusion. Maybe what we usually call 'intention' is the crudest, most un-aligned version of what is possible; in alignment, it is seamless with all the other components of the moment.