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NEW YEAR SANKALPA

1997 is a year for progressing in yogic life. Until now many of us have been practitioners, but we have never experienced any real change or development in our life. To attain the fulfilment, wholeness and completeness of yoga, resolve to observe the following points in the coming year:

1. Sincerity in practice: to think and live yoga, to make yoga a part of our lifestyle, just as eating and sleeping are a part. Yoga is a way of life, not just a practice to be done for half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the evening, and then forgotten.

2. Discipline of the inner being: to observe our emotional, mental, rational and irrational actions, reactions and interactions and thereby develop self-discipline. Only then can we experience real freedom. Discipline is not an imposition of rules. Rules are only guidelines, but through them we learn to observe ourselves.

3. Inner strength: to achieve self-discipline, inner strength is necessary. We cannot attain the fulfilment of yoga in our life if we are loose and undisciplined within ourselves, if we follow the sway of the mind. We must be very strong, and for acquiring inner strength, ashram life especially in Munger, is helpful. A regulated life is necessary to discipline and to focus the internal being.

4. Purity of intention: the intention, the goal of life, has to be pure and clear, then only can we progress towards it. If our intention is not pure, all of our efforts in spiritual life will be futile.

5. Consistent lifestyle: our lifestyle should be based on spiritual principles, not on the whims of the mind. If we live according to the whims of the mind, we will wake up at 8:00 a.m. and have tea in bed. That is a lethargic lifestyle. To reach for the fulfilment of yoga, our lifestyle must be conducive to our mental, emotional and spiritual growth.

These are the five points which can help us in the coming year in order to experience the wholeness and fulfilment of yoga and to realize the ultimate purpose of our life.

Wishing you all a happy New Year,

Swami Niranjan

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