The following is a format I've been developing for those looking for a more meaningful tattoo experience. There can be many ways of working with intention in tattooing on varying levels, but I've been developing this particular process to provide a more defined framework to work within. It is based on a synthesis of my experiences getting tattooed myself, working with my clients, spiritual teachings I've received, and the insights of fellow tattooers.


Sankalpa is a Sanskrit word meaning 'vow or intention'. A Sankalpa is generated by reflecting on who you are and who you want to become, then distilling that reflection down to a consice statement of intention. It serves as a reminder, an impression to actively imprint on our minds and to manifest in our lives.

In some Yogic practices, Sankalpas are used to intentionally rewire our subconscious mind in order to help us manifest what we want in our lives. Often times we have goals, ambitions, dreams, but find it hard to pull ourselves out of our habitual tendencies and work consistently towards our vision. But by imprinting a Sankalpa, the subconscious mind can be made to work for us in a way that we have consciously predetermined.

A good Sankalpa is clear, consice, and uses language you understand and relate to. We can work together to optimize your Sankalpa for your maximum benefit.

Nyasa is a Sanskrit word meaning 'to place'. Nysa is found in the more widely known term 'Vinyasa', literally meaning 'to place in a special way'. Nyasa also refers to rituals where mantras are chanted and placed in certain points in the body. It is a way to embed sacred frequencies within the body.

In the case of tattooing, we are working with a very visceral placement of energy. Something is actually, physically, painfully being etched into our skin and imprinted in our energetic field.

Lines, shapes, and colours all vibrate at a frequency. One artist I admire talks of how every line and shape is energy frozen in space and time- the image may seem to be still, but it was made by a movements of the hand; movement is energy. But even the seemingly static resultant image will still emit a frequency.

In recent tattoo sessions, I've noticed that I find myself in a meditative state where it feels like whatever I'm thinking and experiencing is being imprinted along with the tattoo. It occurred to me that if I consciously used this, I could mentally infuse every line of the tattoo with my intention. With every movement of the needle, I could be placing my Sankalpa.

Attention is the key factor in the whole process. Attention is our true and only power as human beings. Whatever we accomplish, we have to place our attention there in order to do it. Attention determines what we actually experience. "Where your attention goes, you're energy flows."

Think of yourself in a crowded place- there are many sights, sounds, smells, etc.. too many to process all at once. Not too mention the myriad of thoughts and emotions we experience internationally that can sometimes even seem completely unrelated to our surroundings. Within this smorgasbord of sensory input, it is our attention that determines what we are actually aware of and where we direct our energy.

This is not ethereal, it is actual. If you are running late to catch your airplane, you will be focused on making it in time and hardly register bystanders, concession stands, or other trains of thought. All your energy will be directed to running to the terminal and hoping you'll make it in time.

Our attention is either directed consciously or pulled unconsciously. We can choose to sit down and actively focus on a task; or if we don't, our attention seems automatically drawn to whatever calls the loudest. 'The squeaky wheel gets the grease.'

This can actually work to our advantage while receiving a tattoo. Whether we like it or not, our attention is going to be pulled to the sensation of the needle penetrating the skin. I've seen clients over the years use various strategies of coping- conversation, listening to music or audio books, looking out the window, etc. Personally, my strategy has always been to lean into it and consciously allow myself to be with the sensation.

If our attention, and therefore our energy, is going to be forcibly placed to the location of the tattoo, we may as well use that as an opportunity chanel our intention to that location. Hence, Nyasa and Sankalpa- placement of an intention into the tattoo.

How the process works:

I've been working in a three stage process for this method..

1)Initial consultation- Our first meeting is a chance to, first, get to know each other. I love the human aspect of tattooing and enjoy having genuine connections with my clients; this also helps me see how the work fits into the greater context of your life.

We'll go into more detail on the concepts I've described and how they will apply in your own situation. If you already have imagery in mind, we'll discuss that as well. After our chat we'll schedule a follow-up consultation and tattoo session, leaving you some time to reflect and get clear on your intention (Sankalpa).

2)Follow-up consultation- Ideally within a week of your tattoo session, we'll meet again to discuss your reflections. We'll go over your Sankalpa and evaluate any revisions. We'll also come to a decision on the imagery and placement of the tattoo, and discuss how that will compliment your intention. By the end of this consultation, we should have a clear understanding of the 'why' and the 'what' of this tattoo. If not we can continue to meet until we reach that point.

3)Tattoo session- I'll have the artwork for your tattoo ready for you to see when you come in. If you love it we'll go for it; if there's any hesitations, we'll address that.

Before we start tattooing, I'll invite you to pause, take a few deep breaths, and mentally recite your Sankalpa three times. Then we'll begin. During the tattoo, you can return to your Sankalpa as much as you like to empower your tattoo and help you through the pain. At the end of the session, I'll again invite you to take a few breaths and repeat your Sankalpa three times before getting up.

When all is done, your tattoo will serve as a reminder and empowerment towards your higher potentials.

While here I present a particular structure to work within, it is simply a formula to direct the process. The details will be different for everyone and I'm always flexible to work with each person in whatever way is most conducive.

For any questions, comments, more information, don't hesitate to contact me!

People often want to get tattooed with symbols or have a symbolic meaning associated with their tattoo. To help make the most out of a symbolic tattoo, it's helpful to understand how symbols work and the layers of interpretation that are associated with them. Here, I’ve broken it down into 3 layers we can use to analyze any image.

The first layer of a symbol is the energetic or absolute layer. This is the frequency the image carries based on the lines, shapes, colors, etc., which all vibrate at a particular frequency. In some cases this can actually be measured with scientific instruments. This layer is objective and not influenced by any meanings we then associate with the symbol. A good example of images primarily functioning in this realm would be mandalas created through cymatics- where frequencies are run through sand or water to create images.

The second layer is the collective or societal layer. This is how a symbol is typically interpreted within a group or the consciousness of humanity as a whole. While often this ties in with the first layer, the societal interpretation of a symbol can change through time and doesn't always perfectly reflect the actual energetic frequency of the design. However this energy of mass attention does effect the impact of the image. A good example is the swastika- while used as a sacred symbol since ancient times, its use by the Nazi party continues to sully its perception today. Although the shape itself has a particular frequency that has not changed, the cultural perception has shifted drastically.

The third layer is the personal layer. Every individual will have at least a slightly different perception or relationship to a symbol based on their own beliefs and past experiences. While a tree may be widely associated with wisdom and stability, the same image of a tree will conjure varying memories and associations for different people.

There is also the potential to create personal symbols. This is a way to create a visual container for an idea, intention, affirmation, vow, etc. Like they say, a picture paints a thousand words. So a potent personal symbol can encapsulate complex ideas in a way that can serve as a reminder and grow and evolve with you. The meaning of this type of symbol may not be obvious to others who see it. In this case the meaning of the symbol comes from the intention you put into it. Metaphysical traditions and even scientific studies show the potential of human thought to charge water, crystals, and other objects. A tattoo is another potent object that can be charged and embedded in your skin.

Of course, the overall meaning of any symbol is a synthesis of all 3 layers, but it’s helpful to break it down to analyze how a design you’re considering will function for you as a tattoo. Many times people may choose a symbol that is commonly used or taken out of context without understanding its full meaning. I find that it if you want to get a really meaningful tattoo, it can be best to start with reflecting on your intention first. Then that intention can guide your consideration of imagery that will best suit your intention. In addition to the vast array of symbols and artwork throughout time and cultures, there is also an infinite potential for the creation of personal symbols to empower your life.

I always love to work with my clients to engage with these deeper layers of meaning in design and application of tattoos so that we can make the most out of this sacred process of transformation.

For a deeper dive into some of my inspiration for these concepts, I recommend:

The first three episodes of this podcast

The book “High Magick” by Damien Echols

Traditionally in Yoga when one meets their Guru and decides to dedicate their life to the spiritual path, they receive a new name as a part of this rebirth into the spiritual path. This new name serves as a calling to embody one's higher potentials and identify with divinity. Every time you're called by that name, it is a reminder of these higher potentials you're striving for.

My name, Ravi Chandra, means sun and moon. The sun and moon can symbolize a few different things in Yoga; most importantly they correspond to 1) the warm and cool energy currents that correlate with the outgoing and incoming breath, and 2) the life force energy residing in the heart and the consciousness or mind. Through consistent and dedicated practice, the energy currents are balanced, the mind becomes calm, and the consciousness drops to the heart where it unites with the soul, or Jiva, which is our source of energy and connection to everything.

For many years before meeting my Guru had a bit of an obsession with the theme of balance of opposites. It was a theme for my artwork and even inspired one of my own tattoos. So it seemed very fitting that my spiritual name embodies this principle. And it's all the more amazing and powerful now that I know the full significance of that theme!