Sankalpa in different traditions

Most of us understand Sankalpa (resolve) as a personal intention. But different traditions view it very differently.

Today, I want to share how Ramana Maharshi, and the two lineages that am connected with: Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Swami Poornananda Natha have contributed to Yoga Nidra that we teach at Shrimath Yoga ✨

Have paraphrased their work 👇🏼as per my understanding with respect to Sankalpa.

🧘‍♂️ 𝗥𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶

Sankalpa is recognised, but always questioned: “To whom does this intention arise?”

Sankalpa begins as a tool to steady the mind, matures into the resolve to stay with the sense of “I,” and ultimately dissolves when the ego dissolves.

𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮𝗹𝗽𝗮 → 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗶𝗻𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝘆 → 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 🌼

🧘‍♂️ 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗺𝗶 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗶

Sankalpa is a precise, conscious directive placed in a receptive mind.

It works not because of repetition, but because the mind is quiet, alert, open, and deeply relaxed.

𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮𝗹𝗽𝗮 → 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 → 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (manifestation) 🌼

🧘‍♂️ 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗺𝗶 𝗣𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗿𝗶 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗺

Sankalpa is a śakti-based inner alignment,

where intention is not imposed but invited.

It arises from clarity, devotion, and inner preparedness.

𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮𝗹𝗽𝗮 → 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 → 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 🌼

In my work through Shrimath Yoga Nidra These three streams meet naturally.

A Sankalpa is not a wish.

Not an affirmation.

Not a motivational statement.

It is a direction of consciousness placed in a mind that is

quiet (Ramana),

receptive (Satyananda),

and aligned (Poornananda).

Everything that follows is a silent manifestation due to grace.

If this way of understanding Sankalpa resonates with you, then one of the following you could explore Shrimath Yoga Nidra.

where we explores these inner mechanisms experientially: slowly, safely, and with lineage clarity.

Know more: https://www.shrimathyoganidra.com/events