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Enlightenment Journal | Summer 2012

determining our behavior. We are no longer imprisoned by patterns in the mind 

or by circumstances around us. 

We think of the soul as the direct emanation of the divine Reality, whole and 

complete. How can the soul have desire? This doesn’t seem consistent. 
Rod Stryker:

 We can think of the soul as having two parts: One is beingness 

where it is constantly in an unchanging, everlasting way, one with the Infinite. 

And, we have a becomingness, which from moment to moment, is seeking to 

express its unique individuality. At the same time my soul remains perfect, my 

soul still has a longing.
Rev. O’Brian:

 Yoga teaches that we are individualized units of that One Reality—

we are like waves on the ocean. The waves are each different, but they don’t exist 

separately from the ocean. Each has their unique dance to do. 
Rod Stryker: 

The notion of desire is tricky to a lot of people based on their 

preconceptions. Desire is coming at us all the time. If we look to the Buddha, we 

could acknowledge that even he had desires that he transcended. He even spoke 

about wholesome and unwholesome desires. 

The Yoga tradition spells out the distinctions between desires. Is the desire for 

spiritual practice appropriate? Is it a good one? Is it helpful? Yes, generally it is 

helpful. How about desire to provide for family? Is that a healthy desire? Many 

desires absolutely move us toward the good, the fulfillment of our purpose and 

support the greater whole of which we are a part. The yoga tradition isn’t saying 

eliminate desire, but it is speaking about right relationship to desire. 
Rev. O’Brian:

 How do we find our polestar and begin to discern what desires  

are supportive of our dharma, our highest goals? One of the strategies that  

you mention in your book for fulfilling our dharma is learning to work with 

sankalpa, or sacred intention. What is sankalpa and how do we use it?
Rod Stryker: 

A classic definition is a vow. Today, we would use the term reso-

lution. San means “a notion formed in the heart” and kalpa means “the rule 

we follow above all other rules.” A sacred intention is not a resolution in the 

modern context, not something that we hope will happen; it’s something that we 

commit all of our self to achieve—that is going to happen, when our imagination 

becomes equal to our determination. 
Rev. O’Brian: 

Yogananda taught about using our “wisdom-guided will.” This is 

not what you want to do, but what you will do. It requires clear discernment that 

what you desire is in alignment with your soul purpose.