Have you heard or know from a past personal experience that everything that happens in the universe begins with an intention?
This vast subject is simply best explained with the narrative of a passionate gardener tending to his orchard with love and utmost care.
Ever observed a gardener affectionately sowing seeds and nourishing the soil? Eventually, these tiny seeds will eventually sprout into saplings and then blossom into majestic trees yielding flowers and fruits.
The process is slow and gradual and depends on various environmental factors and the care the seed receives.
The tree will bloom flowers and bear fruits when the season is right. There is no rush, no specific goal-oriented expectations of the outcome imposed on the seed by the gardener.
Similarly, an ‘Intention ‘is born from deep awareness, wisdom and consciousness. It is not just based on a thought or a feeling but on a deep desire to do so.
An intention contains the seed form of what you aim to create. Like real seeds, intentions cannot grow if you hold onto them.
Only when you release your intentions into the fertile depths of your consciousness can they grow & flourish.
The Upanishads declare, “You are what your deepest desire is. As your desire is, so is your intention. As your intention is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny.”
The intention is identified by the Sanskrit word ‘Sankalpa’ where ‘San’ means a connection with the highest truth and ‘Kalpa’ means a vow.
It is a vow to our higher self that arises from a place of contentment, not from a lack of it. Sankalpa is usually a short conscious statement that is the starting point of your dream.
It evolves from a deeper sense of the self and is not based on fleeting thoughts, sentiments or feelings.
Your higher self knows that the present is all right and the future too will be all right, even without knowing the timing or details of what will ultimately happen.
Intentions are unlike result-driven expectations or hard-to-keep resolutions; intentions come from a deeper space of the self when the mind, body and soul are in complete alignment and coincide with taking action by moving forward in a certain direction.
Only then will our ‘Sankalpa’ or ‘Intention’ become our guiding light.
A Sankalpa is never bound by rigid attachments to specific outcomes and yet thrives in harmony with the wisdom of uncertainty.
This is because attachment means expecting a specific outcome and result, while detachment comes from the power of your true self. So a sincere intention is about allowing for everything to work out as it should, then letting go and inviting opportunities to come your way.
It is above the ego of the mind and arises from a state of pure consciousness. The outcome of an intention is never forced; much like a tree, it will bear rich dividends when the season is right. Trusting the power of the universe to breathe life into your intentions and letting go is key.
Now that you know what an Intention is, here are ten accessible tips towards setting & making your Sankalpa a reality.
1. Keep your affirmation short and sweet in the present tense.
For example – I want to be healthy & happy changes into I am healthy & happy.
This positive thinking in the present will encourage & empower you to come from a place of abundance versus a lack of it.
2. Ideally, setting your Sankalpa first thing in the morning or before retiring to bed is best. You want to be in a relaxed state of mind.
2. Cultivate the daily practice of meditation. Even if it begins with a few minutes of deep breaths every day, meditation leads to pure consciousness beyond the ego mind. It is the ideal time to sow your Sankalpa's seeds and bring them to life.
3. Repeat your Sankalpa many times during the day to allow your intentions to manifest.
4. Explore the art of journaling & honour the intention of your Sankalpa through journaling.
5. Practice the art of listening; this will guide you to your inner voice. Your true most authentic self.
6. Shift the way you think, work, live and go about each day in alignment with your Sankalpa.
7. Bringing your intention to life takes time; we may lose sight and feel challenged. Patiently and purposefully anchor back to your Sankalpa formed by your emotions, willpower & inner belief.
8. Keep it to yourself. It is sincere and personal. Sharing will attract judgments & opinions, which will in turn, dilute your Sankalpa.
9. Remind yourself that you have the power to create the life you desire in every moment with every decision.
10. Trust in the magic of the universe & take conscious initiatives towards your Sankalpa without an expectation or timelines.
This life is a beautiful gift we have. May all of us celebrate each breathing moment of every day with intent & grace.
