Monday, January 25, 2016

Sankalpa in Sahaj Marg


By Victor Kannan

I believe this idea of sankalpa* is unique in Sahaj Marg. It is not a mere will. It is not just a mere intention. It is also not just a plea, a condition, a loving compulsion or a resigned expectation; perhaps it’s a unique combination of all of the above.

Let us look at the components.

It is an act of will, because it requires a focused action on the part of the individual. But will alone is not going to get the job done, especially in the areas of inner human growth and transformation. At times, one would say intention is important and intention alone creates a field for action. But we all know the saying, “The way to hell is paved with good intentions.” Though cynical it may sound, it seemed to have been born out of human experience. It suggests that intention alone does not get us to the intended place or result.

Sankalpa also has the element of a plea or prayer or submission, because the required change is beyond one’s strength and capability. If a change is well within one’s own capacity, one must exercise one’s full strength and capability to achieve it. But more often than not, one resorts to prayer to a higher power for a desired change that is beyond one’s ability. Accepting the need to change is a very important aspect of this sankalpa, and a prayer to a higher power is needed. Moreover, with the inner condition of humility, admitting one’s powerlessness over the change process, the dependence on a higher power is emphasised.

This aspect of loving compulsion is nothing but the intense desire for transformation and the acute dependence on a higher power to effect the change. And after all this, a resignation to His will! Wow, if we can reach that state, I think all our mundane ills are cured! That is sankalpa to my mind’s understanding.

Kamlesh D Patel says, “When certain conditions have to be created inside us, sankalpa is the best thing. This is the best way to create something inside yourself or remove something from yourself. And it has to be prayerful, that, “My Lord, may this be removed.” It is like a prayer.
Designing Destiny, p.100


* “Sankalpa means a conception or idea or notion formed in the heart or mind; a solemn vow or determination to perform; a desire, definite intention, volition or will” - Wikipedia


15 comments:

  1. Pujya Shri Chariji also said lighter the thought or will it works more.
    Good article.
    Everything in this worls is "Sankalpamatrena"says vedas

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  2. Sankalpa as a combination of intention, action and prayer, to bring about inner change and transformation - Excellent blog. Thanks.

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  3. This is a great article on need to change on sphere of existence beyond ones own capability. Such simple but effective technique

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  4. Great lines.....Accepting the need to change is a very important aspect of this sankalpa, and a prayer to a higher power is needed. Thanks a lot.

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  5. Accepting the need to change is a very important aspect of this sankalpa. Truly gr8 brother

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  6. A sincere and heartfelt prayer is an excellent and often the only way to bring about inner change

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  7. It is a great article. It has lot of cannotations from religious point of view as well. We recite mantras before any puja, saying that on such and such a date , so and so on and on. If you look into the meaning, it is the same Sankalpa but recited by the priest not by us.

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  8. Nice article. This is real work as things are set in motion using Sankalpa.

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  9. very nice article to give details of what a sankalpa is...

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  10. Will, intention and prayerful attitude is sankalpa. Beautiful.

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  11. Will, intention and prayerful attitude is sankalpa. Beautiful.

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  12. Thanks for sharing this. Another definition I found that Sankalpa is a vow and commitment we make to support our highest truth.

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  13. Thought coupled with Will power is called as SANKALPA, In Sahaj Marg, it is a beauty of the system to remove any impressions formed on the HEART in our daily activities, impressions may be through mind OR senses. Cleaning is advised to do with that prescribed subtle suggestion in creating vacuum in the heart to invite the sacred current for one's unstoppable Spiritual Evolution.��

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  14. Very well said.Hat's off for Brother Victor Kannan

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  15. A tool par excellence in sahaj marg to effect the desired change!

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