What is sankalpa? It is broken down to mean ~ the highest truth of the heart which is followed above all others. It is an intention that you decide to follow that will serve your highest truth or purpose. Sankalpa is referenced in the Rig Veda which is one of the oldest yogic texts that form the foundation of our philosophical understandings of yoga. I have been to many yoga classes where the instructor will invite students to set an intention for the class. May it be to dedicate it to someone or a feeling inside such as “I am joy” or “I am courageous”. The wonderful thing about sankalpa is that it posits that you already are the intention you wish to fulfill. It is just that we must realize and use our mind to focus on bringing out these qualities within ourselves, to connect within. I find this concept to be innately beautiful. Imagine…all the doubts you have about yourself, the unsure thoughts, the potential harmful self-talk you may have from time to time- become non-existent. There is no place for doubt when we already are what we wish to be. So confidence inspiring, with such conviction and above all so validating of who we are and what we are capable of doing. I am what I am meant to be. I am capable of fulfilling my dharma or my purpose in this life. There is no question.
How does Ashtanga Yoga help us to see our Sankalpa?
Yoga helps us to tune in, to become aware of the thought processes and internal obstacles that make the awareness of our abilities become obscure. We live in a society ridden with self-doubt and unfulfillable ideals. It is like we all want to be something that we think we are not able to be. There must be some impossible task to create dis-ease and woe in our hearts. Why???? Why do we want to feel inadequate? Why do we buy in to these ideals which are unattainable, therefore causing a sense of incapability?
It is only when we are challenged that we can truly call on our innate abilities. They will automatically come to the forefront because we need them. It is not easy to commit yourself to doing a physically challenging practice on a daily basis. Ashtanga calls to us to do this. It asks us to be present, to breathe into difficulty, to find ease in what creates uneasiness. Yin and Yang are called to become one. A synchronicity within our internal controls is the savior to our woes. It is part of our creation. We live. We die. We are part of a cycle of life much greater than our individuality that we never ever become disconnected from. It is the fuel, the breath, the momentum of our existence. Sankalpa. Dharma. Life force. These qualities are one and the same. Ashtanga helps to repeatedly identify the strength and perseverance of what lies within so that our Sankalpa may become clear.
Sankalpa makes me think about my highest truth and why we exist. What is my purpose?
It’s a difficult thing to contemplate. What is the purpose of existence if we are merely part of a cycle? Why is sankalpa important? I believe it is a question we can only find the answer to in our own way. For me, I have only glimpsed my truth, most notably it has been in some deep conversations with my grandma that I have found some peace and a little bit of insight. I feel that part of my highest truth is to be of service to make the world a better place. I see this in my Grandma. My grandmother is a very strong woman. Among her impressive qualities are enduring love, she gives of herself freely with no expectation. She is compassionate, so giving of all of herself, her thoughts, her love and her life. I connected with her at a very young age. She made me feel strong, appreciated, capable and most of all, loved. I always felt that she would be there for me, even if I faltered or if there was negativity surrounding me. Her care was and is unconditional to this very day in her 85th year of life. She has discussed death and how life is part of this cycle with me from her perspective. When I hear her speak of it, I feel part of her knowing and understanding that it is just part of what it is to be a human being. Now that fact is mere science, but the understanding of it is a much deeper and darker reality that some priming for is a gift. My granny is a beautiful gift of so many things, I am grateful to be among those blessed to be a part of her family and life.
You see, I view my Sankalpa as an intention with the undertone of service, of giving. The ultimate gift is to give without expectation. This is what may be the sankalpa of my daily life in little bits each day. I can be giving of my heart, to listen, to be thoughtful, to be supportive, to be kind. Like my grandma. Think about those little intentions that you can do each day to fulfill your own personal Sankalpa – I am courageous. I am joy. I am forgiveness. I am light. I am giving. We are really all of these things already. Do you know that? Find the beauty within you. It is strong. Share it with others and relish in the happiness that it gives you to make another feel your love. Do it without expectation. Find your Sankalpa and live it each day. How wonderful is it to be able to live your purpose, your highest truth, in little acts each and every day?
Best Wishes to you all my friends. May the new week bring many smiles, laughter and love to you💖
Lisa Michelle xo
23 thoughts on “Sankalpa~ Giving Beautiful Meaning to Every Single Day”
Spirit Yoga Foundation
very beautiful and great writeup. thank you for sharing your views and precious words. love your blog post and the way you wrote. keep sharing and stay in touch happy blogging. visit our blog to read more about spritual life and meditation benifits. hope you like it feel free to comment
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Lisa K
Thank you, I am happy that you enjoyed the read:). Will check out your blog too.
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Spirit Yoga Foundation
thank you so much. keep visiting.happy blogging
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Matt
Great post, very informative as always
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Lisa K
Why thank you:)
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Kelly Jean
My gym offers a few Ashtanga Yoga classes! I def need to check them out
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Lisa K
Give it go, I hope you enjoy:)
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Katchutravels (@Katchutravels)
So beautiful! Sankalpa is a way of life for a community of indians. I love the way you are spreading Yoga in the west!
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Katchutravels (@Katchutravels)
I find it interesting and very powerful that yoga can help you be in the present and find the energy required to go find your purpose. Its so true that to be able to connect to one’s purpose/Sankalpa one needs to be able to be in sync with our present/our nature to even access the hidden purpose. Beautiful thought.
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Lisa K
Thank you so much. The ancient texts have such wonderful and soulful lessons to teach. I am in love with yoga.
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Kasia Mikolajczak (@KasiaMikola)
So beautifully said. I totally agree with you on how these days we are trapped in self-doubt so much. There is so much negativity all around us. It’s so important to ground yourself whether it’s in yoga practice or any other meditation and then bring it into your life. I need to focus more on that.
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Mary
This actually made me stop and take a moment. Thank you! It is so rare that I find something that makes me think and makes me want to read it again.
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Lisa K
Thank you so much. I am happy that something of value has come to you, my purpose is fulfilled:)
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hannanabanana
wow, this is amazing!! I wish I could take on more yoga philosophies – I haven’t opened my mind up enough to altering my way of living through a mantra. I congratulate you on living positively!
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Lisa K
It’s never too late to start! Thank you:)
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Tahnee's Blog
What a deep post Lisa! Can be as simple as taking a moment to breath and think. Thanks for sharing a great post
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Lisa K
Yes, each day can be filled with one simple act of love:)
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The Aesthetic Scientist
I am joy. I am courageous. What a beautiful thing to say to yourself ! If we all have this conviction of thinking the best about ourselves, life would be such a wonderful adventure 🙂
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Lisa K
I agree. My wish is to share these pieces of wisdom from yoga in ways that make it accessible to all.
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Brooke B
Yoga has so many great great philosophies that I didn’t know about. I always thought it was about flexibility and stuff like that, but from your blog I’m learning it so much more beautiful than that.
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Lisa K
Yes, there is just so much more!!
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jenruizwriter
Sankalpa sounds like such a beautiful concept!
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Lisa K
It really is such a wonderful and positive thought filled way to guide life:)
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