One of the keys to a successful sankalpa or a a resolution without fail, is that it comes from a place of true knowingness, and deep rest. Those desires we think we need are called preya in sanskrit; typically these tend to be impulsive needs. Desires that are inspired by the soul are called shreya; the more we listen to our soul to fulfill those desires, the more wholeness we will experience in our life.
To discern between the needs of the intellect and what our soul wants, we ask the soul—according to the Yoga Vasitha “The self is neither far nor near. It is not inaccessible nor it is in distant places: it is what in oneself appears to be the experience of bliss, and therefore realized in oneself” (Stryker, The Four Desires)
Please read through the next two steps and watch the mind-map making video, before starting meditation and mind mapping.
Part 1. Ananda Kanda Meditation: The Space of Delight
Supplies for meditation:
- a sheet of paper or your journal
- pen or pencil
- 4 desires cards or mandalas
- quiet environment
- comfortable seated posture
To prepare for this meditation, find a quiet place, and make sure you are sitting comfortably. (meditation is approximately 10 minutes.)
In front of you place the cards in no particular order and face down. I prefer to be lead completely by my soul, and rather not have the decision-making come from my intellect, this is why for me face down works best. If I get quiet enough, and I trust my soul, I know that the desire I choose will be the best one at the time.
This method has worked for me, but you can also choose to place the cards face up. Just make sure that they are right in front of you. If for whatever reason, you don’t have your cards at the time you do the meditation, you can write the names of the desires on a paper and flip them over, or as an alternative, you can place your mandalas out in front of you. Whichever method you choose, know that the import part is getting quiet and still enough to listen to the soul.
Part 2. Desire
When you are done with your meditation and have a clear desire you will draw a mind map.
- First draw a circle in the middle of your page, inside it write the desire your soul has chosen (Dharma, Artha, Kama or Moksha)
- Then draw a line from the circle outward, and write the first word that you associate to the fulfillment of that desire.
- Draw another line, and another word, until you have 10-15 words branching out from the center desire.
Ideally you are still in that place of true knowingness. Even if a word seems off, or weird, just write it, let your soul be free and your hand be a scribe to what comes to the surface, without any judgement.
Congratulations you are on your way!