It still is making me reel a bit that we are not only welcomed into the new year but into a whole new decade. As we work our way through the hardships of this year past, we are looking to the future for a sense of ease and relief. But is it an intelligent, or more importantly, a wise stance to look forward so much so that we forget where we stand? As the calendar has turned, we are asked what is your new year's resolutions? Can we move away from resolutions and move closer to intentions?
Resolution vs. Intention
A resolution tends to take on the persona of something that we wish to give up. Something that we don't like about ourselves or our habits. Something that has a negative spin on our life. We resolve to "give up sweets", or to "lose ten pounds", to "quit smoking." Even when we try to put a positive spin on it such as, "I am going to take 3 yoga classes a week" or "I am going to try to treat myself better", it turns into an empty promise that we hope we can achieve in a selected amount of time. But what happens when the pressures of life steps hard fast in front of our progress? We become discouraged, insecure or even angry with ourselves. Those set backs after a short amount of time throw us for a tailspin. This happens because the resolution set is, by nature, a formal, firm, binding and breakable venture.
Instead of setting this near impossible goals for ourselves, wouldn't it be better to find intention of our actions. Intentions can be defined as an aim, direction, ambition, approach, nature, significance, sense or heart. It is an understanding. It is the root of action. It is the purpose or attitude toward the effect of one's actions or conduct. Intention can be looked at not only as the mind-set but a reason or purpose to make something happen. It is taking ourselves and our mind out of the future and into the present moment.
Sankalpa
In Sanskrit, the word for intention is Sankalpa. "It is not just a wish, it is a conviction. It is faith in oneself. Faith that one can do it." "It is trust and faith in oneself, in one's own strength and courage". Deepak Chopra explains, "it is like the seed structure of intelligence around which time, space, and matter consolidate into a manifested event." After reading this, I realized the mistake made year after year. We tend to set ourselves up for failure. The mistake made has to do with the oversight of the nature of intention. Intention helps to fulfill resolution. Without it, it is nothing more then a empty wish. Without intention, the foundation of our efforts, we become lost and misdirected.
Finding our way to Sankalpa
Just breathe. Follow each breath as it cycles. Noticing the connection made between each part of the breath. Isn't it interesting that without effort the breath just comes. The intake of breath comes with fluidity and alertness, pauses for a mere moment to turn around with gratitude to find that it is the exhale. Only when we want to dive in to pick apart the breath do we visit the intricacies that the breath can become. How it can effect our state of being. But on the most basic level, the breath, or prana, brings focus onto the present moment.
Be present and open to the moment. Ignore the unknown, the anxieties, or the insecurities of what the future has to hold. Learn from but don't dwell in the past. Be here now. Where else do you have to be? We have yet to learn how to time travel so we are forced to take each moment as it comes. One right after the other. But we find ourselves fixed into a state of discord and distraction. If you were not in the moment while breathing, what would happen if you inhaled again and again with out fully exhaling. You would most likely hyperventilate. Without taking each moment, or each part of the breath, as it comes we create a harmful state. To be present in the mind, body and breath we reach a contented and peaceful state of being.
Open yourself to the possibilities of what you possess. We are all incredibly strong and courageous. We have the capacity of compassion and kindness. So often when striving for these acts of kindness, compassion and courageousness, we use it towards others and forget about ourselves. Find the trust within ourselves so we can find within ourselves that positive light; the same compassion and kindness given away. This is not a selfish act but a courageous one. Open your heart and you will be present within your own destiny. Find gratitude towards all, including yourself.
Reexamination and reminding yourself of your sankalpa when distraction sets in. At some point, you will be distracted. You will be pushed out your present state of mind and into a state of reeling chaos. Find compassion and the excitement that we can begin again. As we grow and as we move throughout our lives, we change and evolve. Let your intentions evolve with you. Allow those intentions to stay in the present moment with you or they have somehow morphed into a resolution, steadfast and unwilling to change.
Sankalpa is not making a wish every new year. "It is taking a step forward and once you take a step forward, stepping back has no meaning."
