Entering the New Year with Intention
A friend and I were talking about choosing one word as our kind of new year’s resolution. Upon reflection, I came up with “intentional” for my 2026 wish. I want to approach this new year with mental clarity and a sense of right time/right place.
I feel like my 2025 mindset was directed by reaction. There was so much in the news that brought out my angst and fear and urgency. I feel like I was reacting daily just to keep up. In this new year I want to cultivate more of the yoga practices that help ground me.
The idea in yoga philosophy describing intention is sankalpa. The Sanskrit word comes from san = referring to a connection with the highest truth and kalpa = meaning vow, or “the rule to be followed above all other rules.”
A sankalpa is a statement reflecting your true, essential nature. It is literally and simply a statement of who you are, such as “I am already whole, and already healed,” or “I am an instrument of light.” This statement of our true nature comes from our deep self-awareness and understanding of our direction in this life.
Sankalpa can also refer to a specific intention or goals that align your moment-to-moment choices with your essential nature. These intentions are the specific actions that need to happen to move you forward on your path.
What comes to mind for you when you think of your true, essential nature? Take a minute and clear some space in your mind. Whatever comes to mind is the “right” answer. Now take a minute to identify what first steps you need to take to fulfil your true nature. What do you need to do (or not do) to support your bliss? Maybe it’s something simple like take a minute every morning to connect to my big sankalpa. Maybe it’s something you need to learn or grow.
For me, I will be taking my morning meditation time to connect to recognizing the waves of noise that pull at my attention and fan the flames of reactivity within me. I will take a minute before responding, before buying, before the mental judgement of others. My resolution is to do things on purpose – even if it’s to eat the last piece of cheesecake ;)