One of 'mystical' aspects of martial arts has always been ability to feel another persons intention.Sensing intention gives a person ability to be in instant control of a potentially violent encounter, and it's one of ways we use martial arts to test our energy work and meditation skills in Hoshin.
A simple explanation of 'intention'.
When a person intends to hit you, that intention carries with it a very subtle vibration. Since most people are unaware of this they put off a variety of these subtle vibrations constantly.
Have you ever come home to an angry spouse and felt entire house vibrate with bad energy? This is exactly same.
When a person tries to hit you they put off a vibration that you can feel, even with your eyes closed. With training a person can distinguish between intention to strike and strike itself as there are subtle differences in feel of energy vibrations emanating from attacker.
In Hoshin class we have a student stand with their eyes closed and then, very slowly, send a punch towards their face with full intention to make contact.
Almost invariably student will feel difference in subtle energies that surround them and their body, seemingly of it's own accord, will dodge out of way.