HEALTH + WELLNESS
THE POWER OF
THE SANKALPA BY MEGHAN HATALLA (SHE/HER)
I
f you’ve ever participated in Yoga Nidra, you’ve probably been prompted to create a Sankalpa. It’s a bit of a tall order, especially since in most Yoga Nidra scripts, you’re given about 10 seconds to tune in to your heartfelt desire. But taking time on your own to create a Sankalpa to use in and out of mindful practices can truly generate change.
What is a Sankalpa? Sankalpa is the Sanskrit word for intention. San means “to become one with” and kalpa means “time” and “subconscious mind.” Setting a Sankalpa is similar to setting a goal or a New Year’s resolution, but it differs a little. When you set a Sankalpa, you assume you already have the thing you’re striving to achieve. Yes, it sounds contradictory, but this is the essence of non-dualistic teachings: you are already whole, yet at the same time, you are constantly growing and becoming. It’s a similar working principle to the Law of Attraction. And that’s why, when you state your Sankalpa, you state it in the present tense, not in the future. For example, you might create a resolution that says: “I will lose 10 pounds.” But a Sankalpa sounds more like “My body feels fit, strong, and healthy.”
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