Sankalpa Meditation | Find Your North Star

This sankalpa meditation is designed to help you discover your heartfelt intention. A sankalpa is an intention used in Yoga Nidra and throughout the yogic tradition as a way of guiding your life. Rather than something you're trying to achieve, it's more like a prayer to yourself—one that arises from your deepest heartfelt desire. It is your inner lighthouse, your North Star.

As you reflect at the end of this practice, I encourage you to spend a few moments journaling and see if you can write your sankalpa, keeping these four principles in mind:
1. Write it in the present tense—you already have what you need.
2. Keep it positive—instead of I won't be mean, try I am kind and gracious.
3. Keep it simple—there may be deeper layers to it, but try to keep it short and concise.
4. Make it your own—this is unique to you.

Remember, everything you need is already within you.

Music from Uppbeat: Renew -Tranquilium | License code: LJW620GQYCZGLWIS

Transcript

Welcome, I'm Sarah. Today's meditation is a practice to support you in discovering your sankalpa. Sankalpa is an intention. Used in yoga nidra and throughout the yogic tradition as a way of guiding your life. Rather than something you're trying to achieve. It's more like a prayer to yourself. One that arises from your deepest heartfelt desire. It is your inner lighthouse. Your North Star. Unlike many intentions, A sankalpa is spoken in the present tense. A radical premise that you already have everything you need within you. Discovering your sankalpa is a practice of deep listening. It isn't something you force or figure out. It's already present. Simply waiting for you to shine a light on it. Today, I'll guide you into that place of heartfelt discovery. Take a moment to find a comfortable position. Either lying down or seated. If you're lying down, It may feel nice to place one hand on your heart and one on your belly. Allow the body and mind to begin unwinding. Relax the muscles of the face. Soften the jaw. Soften the eyes. Feel the belly release Notice the places where your body meets the ground. Allow yourself to become a little heavier. Bring your awareness to your natural breath. Easeful. Effortless. With each exhale, Let the pressures of the outside world begin to melt away. Allow yourself to arrive fully in this moment. Bring your attention to your heart. Notice the pulse of your heartbeat. And the flow of your breath. Allow them to move together in an effortless, Steady rhythm. Filling this space with warmth. With light. With each breath, Let it expand. From this place, We'll ask a few questions. There's no need to search for the right answer. Simply notice what naturally arises. Forward. Image, A feeling. Or a simple sense of knowing. Stay connected to your heart as you listen. What do you long for in your life? What does your heart long for? Is there an area in your life that feels out of alignment? What would make this area feel more whole? If you lived from your heart. Completely aligned with your purpose. What would your life feel like? Look like. Allow the questions to settle beneath the surface. Bring some of your awareness to the space between your eyebrows. Your third eye. While remaining connected to your heart. Can you sense a golden thread connecting these two places? Allow your breath to move between them. Imagine the warm light from your heart also illuminating this space of inner wisdom. Imagine yourself as a child. A moment you felt joyful. Free. Content. See yourself smiling back at you. What qualities do you notice? Curiosity. Kindness. Courage. Wonder. Notice whatever is there. Allow that image to fade. Connect back to your heart and your third eye. The golden thread between them. Now imagine yourself, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30. 15, 20 years from now. You're living in alignment with what matters most. Your heartfelt purpose. You feel grounded presence. Deeply yourself. Notice the qualities that shine through this future version of you. How do you move through the world? How do you treat yourself? How do you meet others? Allow that image to Gently dissolve. Return your awareness to your heart. Notice what is present. Feel your breath. Feel the support of the ground beneath you. Stay connected to this quiet place as you slowly begin returning your awareness to the room. As you come out of the meditation, I encourage you to spend some time journaling. No judgment. Simply let the words flow in a stream of consciousness. As you write, Notice if there's a thread weaving its way through your thoughts. An intention that's been quietly waiting to be seen. It may begin as a word. A feeling, Or a simple phrase. When it feels right, Try writing it in the present tense. Allowing it to become your sankalpa. Discovering it is a practice in and of itself. You don't need to chase it. Just keep listening. Let it unfold and evolve alongside you. Everything you need is already within. That's one of the beautiful teachings of yoga. That beneath all the layers of fear, Striving, And self-doubt. We are already whole. Thank you so much for practicing with me today. If this meditation resonated with you, I'd love to hear about your experience or the sankalpa that emerged. Wishing you a wonderful rest of your day. Until next time, Friends. Namaste.