Want Change, Set an Intention!
You can make radical life changes and break old cycles. But, you must start somewhere. Let’s look at How, according to Yoga!
Stage 1 Vidya (Awareness)
Awareness is Divine Consciousness
Sloka 58 18th Chapter, Gita
We have all had those moments in life of clear seeing, of becoming aware (Vidya).
For Example, you have been feeling unhappy, or dissatisfied in your job for a long time and one day, out of the blue, you are overwhelmed and realise (Vidya) that unless you do something about it you may slip into a more permanent depressive mood cycle.
You have become fully conscious (aware) that you will have to make a change. You sense some fear arising. But, you realise that’s a normal psychological reaction to change and you remember how fearful you feel about staying the same. It’s worse.
You begin to feel a little excited about a new life, a new direction. But you have no idea where to begin. The fear arises again. Yet, you are not prepared to ignore these feelings this time. So you commit to doing something about it.
Note. Awareness is a very loose translation of Vidya. (Wiki)
Stage 2 Sankalpa (Intention)
This practice and detachment requires a steady discipline” – Yoga Sutra 1.13
You read an article somewhere the other day about setting intentions and you recall it in your mind. Although you had brushed it aside as useless, somehow it was easy to call upon. So you think “ok what is my intention?”
You begin to write a list of things and eventually you get it down to a concise and accurate outline of what you are seeking.
“I intend to seek employment that makes me happy and fulfilled as well as financially comfortable.” Perfect.
Something is missing. So you go in and realise that you are unhappy with your inner life.
So you add a little extra ‘I intend to seek employment that makes me happy and fulfilled as well as financially comfortable so I can spend more time on my self development and spiritual practice.”
To create the life we are meant to live, we must draw the mind again and again to our meaning our truth (dharma), our deepest intentions, and the qualities of the Spirit within.
You feel happier already.
You sit there for a moment. Nothing has changed. You doubt this intention setting is going to work. Hmm. Time for a cup of tea.
Stage 3 – Darshana (Vision)
A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. A goal is what specifically you intend to make happen. Dreams and goals should be just out of your present reach but not out of sight. Dreams and goals are coming attractions in your life.
Two days later you are at work and you look around you and think “GET ME OUT OF HERE”. You suddenly remember in that ‘Intention setting article’ there was mention of creating a vision. So you get out your favorite diary and start drawing a picture of you doing a job you love.
‘You are suddenly writing a campaign slogan on a white board. You have a mac computer near you and you are about to transfer the slogan to an art piece you made that goes with the slogan’.
You come out of your trance and realise, ‘OMG I want to be an advertising consultant’.
You start writing a list of all the things you will need to do to make your vision come true.
Your boss comes along and says “What do you think you are doing?” You quickly go to respond “I’m not feeling well, I think I need to go home and create a new reality”. Probably best not to. So, you say “Oh I’m sorry I was just doing something interesting”
Stage 4- Karma (Action)
One does not attain freedom from the bondage of Karma by merely abstaining from work.
No one attains perfection by merely giving up work.Sloka 4, Chapter 3
You finally get home and for the first time in a long time you feel inspired, energised. It’s time for action.
Once we have a vision it is wise to perform any small actions to get us to the next stage. You grab your list and work out what you need to do next. “ring aunt Mary, she owns an advertising company. She’ll know.”
Aunt Mary isn’t answering her phone and you really don’t want to lose momentum so you go online and start looking up courses in Advertising. It looks difficult. How are you going to do it? You decide to do a basic course in Media design.
The phone rings, It’s Aunt Mary. You explain what is happening for you and she suggests the first step is to do a basic design course. You tell her your job is making you deeply unhappy and she suggests you apply for the apprenticeship she has going in her Agency.
You start to think ‘Wow, this is easier than I thought it would be’.
She reminds you “there’s no guarantees, you have to put in an application like everyone else’. You thank her and get back to your list. You enroll in an online course straight away and will worry about the rest later. It’s time for a cup of tea.
Stage 5 – Tapas (perseverance)
The inner psychic fire [tapas] destroys all impurities of the heart and mind, and brings about the health, sanity, wholeness or perfection of the physical and vital being (the inner senses)
Sloka 43, Chapter 2 . Gita
You have begun to move your intentions into manifesting. Great work. But, I’ve noticed there’s been a bit of tea drinking, not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s good, relaxing, Sattvic. It’s just that it’s not quite over yet.
Since you have realised your unhappiness, and have been willing to make right action and understand the joys of Sankalpa (intention), you feel deeply aligned to your new beginning. This is wonderful. And tapas is now required.
Tapas is like the steam or the spark of the fire. The perseverance and the intensity that ignites the flame of something to bring it into manifestation. You will now require to move closer to your intention by performing all karma (actions) required to fulfill your Intention.
And, tap into your will, so you don’t give up.
Note. Tapas is the spiritual fire that helps one to achieve freedom
And, remember the universe will guide you towards your highest purpose. Listen to your intuition and don’t be attached to an outcome. You will be guided.
May you find happiness in your search for fulfillment!
To recap:
5 Stages of Setting Intentions (Sankalpa) for Life Changes
- Stage 1 Vidya (Awareness)
- Stage 2 Sankalpa (Intention)
- Stage 3 – Darshana (Vision)
- Stage 4- Karma (Action)
- Stage 5 – Tapas (perseverance)
Warm Blessings
Megan
Megan Jackson runs meditation and yoga retreats for women’s healing. She has been immersed in spiritual practice and study for 15 years, living it fully, with humility and compassion as her backbones for progress. She lives a quiet life reflecting on the dharma, being with nature and helping others who are wanting change, transformation or spiritual wisdom.
Join her on the Women’s Retreat Bali December 2019