An Intention That Comes From the Heart
A Sankalpa is a clear, positive, heartfelt intention that comes from within, not from superficial desires or the ego. It is not an external goal like “I want to lose weight” or “I want to make more money,” but an affirmation that reflects your true essence and the direction you want to follow. In the yoga and meditation tradition, a Sankalpa becomes an inner guide that reminds you who you are and where you want your energy to go.
Practicing Sankalpa means choosing a short, loving, affirmative phrase that supports your decisions and emotional state. This intention is repeated during moments of calm, especially in Yoga Nidra, meditation, or at the start of your day. For example: “I am peace,” “I trust life,” “I allow myself to rest,” “My heart is open to love,” “I live with purpose.” What matters is that your Sankalpa connects you to an inner state, not something you need to “achieve.”
A Sankalpa works because it gently trains your mind and heart to expand the qualities you want to cultivate. It reminds you how you wish to feel and what inner direction you want to strengthen. You can create your Sankalpa by noticing what your life needs right now: if you long for balance, you might choose “I am stability and calm,” if you are healing emotions, “I open myself to compassion and acceptance,” or if you need focus, “My mind is clear and present.” Over time, this simple phrase becomes a seed that blossoms within you.
To plant a Sankalpa deeply in the subconscious, it helps to prepare yourself by creating a state of quiet and inner receptivity. The best moments are right before falling asleep, right after waking up, or during practices like Yoga Nidra, when the mind rests between wakefulness and sleep and becomes more open. Take soft breaths, relax your body, bring your attention to the heart, and feel a sense of genuine openness. From that space, repeat your Sankalpa three times with clarity and sincerity. Like a seed in fertile soil, with each repetition and each moment of stillness, your intention begins to take root within you.