Beyond Resolutions
As the excitement of festive season begins to fade and the year comes to an end, naturally our thoughts turn to the future and how we’d like to change and improve things in the New Year.
Hence, we begin January charged with enthusiasm for all sorts of resolutions (I will cut out sugar; learn Spanish; train for a marathon) – only to end up deflated when the momentum fades in a matter of days or weeks.
We’ve all been there, but what’s behind this tendency to break our resolutions? Often it can simply be about putting too much pressure on ourselves. When we set the bar high, we rely on grit and willpower which takes a lot of focused energy that is hard to maintain when the reality of our day to day schedules kick in after the holidays.
When we recognise we are caught in a cycle of never seeming to be able to stick to our intentions, we can learn to accept there is some form of self-sabotage going on. The truth is that by following what we feel we ‘should’ or ‘could’ be doing, we inadvertently lose connection with our innermost desires, which may lead to a subtle sense of not being enough, no matter how hard we try to train/study/eat well.
The yogic form of intention setting (Saṅkalpā in Sanskrit) is a powerful way to break this pattern by helping us to become aware of our deeper aspirations, our true desires. With Saṅkalpā, there is a surrendering of willpower and paying attention to the positive and nurturing. Best of all, it’s a surprisingly effortless and effective technique we can all practice to go beyond broken resolutions in 2025.
Setting a Saṅkalpā
Relax and Reflect
Set aside just a few minutes every day for relaxation in order to tune into your intuition away from external influences (what everyone else is doing) or the conditioned response (what you think you need.) It could be lying down, sitting in your favourite comfy chair or walking in nature.
Let your mind run as your body decompresses, then gently ask yourself: ’What do I want to feel more of in my life? In which direction do I want to grow? What would that growth feel and look like? Be open to what comes up spontaneously.
Refine and Cultivate
Write down your reflections, and modify as you feel them evolve until you have something heartfelt and empowering about the result you are seeking, in the present tense. It can be one or two words such as clarity, forgiveness, nourish, let go.
Longer examples might be: I eat foods that nourish me; I receive and accept help when I need it; I practice yoga and meditation daily; I am loving and loved. It helps to be direct and believable, but your Saṅkalpā is what you feel, so there are no rights and wrongs.
Keep the Connection
Once you have your intention, begin mentally repeating it first thing in the morning, last thing at night; before and after yoga; in deep relaxation (particularly Yoga Nidra) and/or meditation sits. In this way it becomes absorbed into the sub-conscious. Also, be subtly aware of your Saṅkalpā in your conscious mind any time during the day (without over-thinking).
This is an invitation to feel inspired, without a time frame, any judgement or expectation – stick with it, and chances are you’ll become aware that your wishes are manifesting.
