Discovering your Sankalpa

Happy New Year 2020

The start of a new year can be the source of undue pressure on ourselves to set resolutions and try to do things differently than we did the previous year. Resolutions are often based on the ego's desires (exercise more, lose weight, etc.)

A Sankalpa सङ्कल्प is a Sanskrit word meaning intention or resolve. It is a succinct, positive, present-moment statement that reflects our deepest, most heartfelt desires. A Sankalpa is a wish from the heart, not the ego.

To discover your Sankalpa, ask yourself what you desire for yourself. It may be to feel better, to live healthier, or even find a better job.

Then, go deeper again. Ask yourself what makes THIS so important. You may want to BE healthy, feel more CONFIDENT, accept and LOVE yourself, and feel SAFE. Then, take that heartfelt desire and turn it into a present moment, succinct word or statement and focus on it.

So instead of "I want to be healthy," a positive succinct statement is “Healthy" “I want to be more confident" becomes "Confident." Your word may be “Safety,” it may be “Love,” it may be “Peace”.

This is your Sankalpa, your intention, your resolve. It reflects your deepest desire for yourself. You can repeat your Sankalpa as a mantra. You may even want to turn these thoughts into Loving Kindness/Metta wishes for yourself:

“May I be healthy”

“May I be confident”

“May I feel love”

“May I be peaceful"

“May I be safe”


If you're feeling the pressure of trying to stick to your New Year's resolutions, give a Sankalpa a try instead.