New Year, Same You (And That’s Okay): A Buddhist Perspective on Resolutions

It’s January, and that means bazillions of new meditators aiming to make a change. But here’s a statistic that hasn’t changed in years: out of the millions of Americans who set a New Year’s resolution for themselves only a small percent are successful at achieving them. It’s not easy to intentionally effect change in your life, yet through setting an intention and building a lifestyle around that motivation it can get easier.

Setting an Intention

If you want to create a change in your life, you can begin by clarifying your intention for doing so. Start by sitting up straight, taking a few minutes to check in with your body. Notice where you are tense and allow those muscles to relax. Once you are settled, turn your mind to the physical sensation of your breathing. Tune into the natural flow of both your in-breath and your out-breath.

After three or so minutes of this meditation, silently ask yourself, “What is my motivation for change in this new year?” Notice what answers arise in response to the question, let them wash over you like a wave, and then come back to asking it again. Some might feel canned or corny, others more authentic and relevant to your situation.

You may feel some resistance to the idea of finding one set motivation. Notice that resistance; let it wash over you like a wave, and come back to the question just as you came back to the breath during the previous part of this meditative…