Sankalpa (Intention) Defined

What Is Sankalpa?

Sankalpa is often translated as "intention" or "resolve," but these English words don't fully capture its depth. The Sanskrit breaks down into san (connection with highest truth) and kalpa (vow, rule, or way of proceeding). A sankalpa isn't something you manufacture—it's something you uncover. It's the voice of your heart's deepest knowing, expressed as a statement of truth.

Unlike goals, which focus on future achievements and external outcomes, sankalpa describes a quality of being that already exists within you. It's present-tense, not future-tense. Rather than "I will be more patient," a sankalpa might be "I am patience itself." Rather than "I want to feel at peace," it might simply be "I am at peace."

This distinction matters. Goals can create a sense of lacking—of not being enough until the goal is achieved. Sankalpa reminds you that the quality you seek is already present, waiting to be recognized and embodied. It's not about becoming someone different; it's about remembering who you truly are.

Sankalpa vs. Goals

Understanding the difference clarifies how to work with sankalpa:

• Goals are external, measurable, and time-bound (lose 20 pounds by June)
• Sankalpa is internal, qualitative, and timeless (I am at home in my body)
• Goals imply something is wrong that needs fixing
• Sankalpa affirms something true that needs remembering
• Goals are achieved and then replaced with new goals
• Sankalpa endures, deepening over time

This doesn't mean goals are bad—they have their place. But sankalpa operates at a different level, guiding the why behind your actions rather than the what.

How to Discover Your Sankalpa

Sankalpa isn't invented; it's discovered. It arises from deep listening rather than analytical thinking. Here's how to create conditions for your sankalpa to emerge:

The Inquiry Process

1. Create quiet space. Practice Yoga Nidra, meditation, or simply sit in stillness. The busy mind can't hear the heart's whisper.
2. Ask the question. "What is my heart's deepest desire?" or "What quality does my life most want to express?" Let the question rest in your awareness without forcing an answer.
3. Listen without judgment. The first answers are often surface-level wants. Keep listening. What's underneath the wanting?
4. Feel for resonance. When you touch your true sankalpa, you'll feel it—a settling, a recognition, a sense of "yes, this is true."
5. Refine the language. State it in present tense, positive form, first person. Keep it simple—one clear sentence.

This process may take time. Don't rush. Your sankalpa will reveal itself when you're ready to receive it.

Using Sankalpa in Practice

In Yoga Nidra

Sankalpa plays a central role in Yoga Nidra practice. You're invited to state your sankalpa at the beginning and end of the session, when the mind is in a receptive, hypnagogic state. In this state between waking and sleeping, the sankalpa plants itself deeply in the subconscious, influencing thoughts and behaviors from within.

In Asana Practice

Many teachers invite students to set an intention at the start of class. You might silently repeat your sankalpa, then let it infuse your movement. When the practice gets challenging, the sankalpa reminds you why you're on the mat.

In Daily Life

Repeat your sankalpa upon waking, before sleep, or during moments of stress. It becomes an anchor, redirecting attention from reactive patterns to your deepest truth. Some practitioners write it somewhere visible—a reminder of the quality they're embodying.

The Two Levels of Sankalpa

Some teachers distinguish between two types:

Dharmic Sankalpa (Life Sankalpa)

Your overarching life purpose—who you're here to become, how you're meant to serve. This sankalpa remains constant, guiding major life decisions and underlying all your actions. Examples: "I am a vessel for healing," "I bring light to darkness."

Specific Sankalpa (Practice Sankalpa)

A more immediate intention that supports your dharmic sankalpa or addresses current growth edges. This might shift over time as you evolve. Examples: "I am patient with myself," "I speak my truth with kindness."

Both levels serve your deepening. The dharmic sankalpa provides direction; specific sankalpas support the journey.

Common Challenges

"I can't find my sankalpa"

This is normal. The mind often crowds out the heart's quiet voice. Keep creating conditions for listening—regular meditation, Yoga Nidra, journaling. Ask the question and release attachment to answering immediately. Your sankalpa will emerge when the space is clear.

"I don't believe my sankalpa"

You don't have to believe it yet. Sankalpa works with the subconscious, planting seeds beneath conscious resistance. State it as if it's true—because at the deepest level, it is. The doubting mind will catch up eventually.

"My sankalpa feels selfish"

True sankalpa often begins with personal qualities ("I am at peace") that ultimately serve others. Your peace ripples outward. Your wholeness models possibility. Trust that what serves your deepest self also serves the world.