Welcome, 2026!
We hope the past year has been filled with growth, meaning, and purpose. The start of a new year usually brings a fresh burst of idealism and enthusiasm, which is why many people set big goals and resolutions.
Here at the ashram, however, we believe that less is more.
When we feel overwhelmed or anxious, it is often because we are taking on too much, not because we are doing too little.
At times like these, knowing and setting our priorities becomes essential.
Embracing the Guiding Light of Sankalpa
This is where the yogic principle of sankalpa comes in.
Sankalpa is often translated as "intention" or "vow." It represents a deep commitment to your higher truth, which, like a North Star, can profoundly guide your choices and actions. (You will likely be familiar with this if used tried the Tantric practice of Yogic "Sleep," also known as Yoga Nidra, popularised by Swami Satyananda Saraswati.) If we know what is truly important to us, we naturally stop spending our finite time and energy on thoughts, activities, and relationships that do not bring us closer to our highest potential.
Identify Your "Energy Leaks"
To set a powerful sankalpa, it is essential to take stock of our current values. By gaining awareness of our "energy leaks" (i.e., the places where our attention drains away), we can choose to let go of them.
This is not about adding new tasks; it is about creating space by releasing what no longer serves us, allowing us to focus on what truly matters.
A New Year's Invitation
This year, instead of creating another lengthy to-do list, we encourage you to cultivate awareness. Assess how you are currently spending your most precious resources (i.e., time and energy). Are these thoughts, activities, and relationships serving their purpose to bring you closer to your higher truth and higher Self?
If the answer is no, we invite you to take the courageous step of letting them go, making space for a deeper, more focused commitment to your sankalpa.
Let this year be one of intentional living: of choosing what nourishes you, releasing what drains you, and honouring the path that leads you back to your higher Self.
What will your sankalpa, North Star or New Year's Resolution be?
