Dharma is a yogic concept that refers to the idea of an eternal law that is governing the universe and all things within. While there is no single-word Western translation, Dharma can be best described as the ‘right way of living’ or ‘doing what you are born to do’.
Dharma is one’s purpose and own way of carrying out one’s life. Just as the sun must shine, each and everyone of us is here to find and fulfil an individual purpose.
If someone is following their dharma, they are pursuing their truest calling. They act in accordance with that eternal law, following a path through life that best agrees with the individual and their environment.
That, of course, is not an easy thing to do and find. If you are like me a human being, you have probably wondered about your purpose before and what you are supposed to do.
We all have an inner guidance system. We know when something feels right or wrong, we sense when we are on the right or wrong path. It comes up as a strong, unshakable feeling: “This is something I must do” or “This is where I must go”.
Here are seven concepts and easy-to-apply paths that may offer you support in finding your dharma:
1. Listen – Your soul speaks to you through your emotions, your body speaks to you through symptoms. Listen carefully to both.
2. Patience – Stay grounded and secure in your own inner peace. The best things come to those who wait patiently.
3. Synchronicity – Unbelievable things happen. Synchronicity is a sign of the universe to affirm that you are on the right path or to guide you in the right direction. Allow yourself to notice, there are no such things as ‘coincidences’.
4. Letting go – Make room for people, things, events and circumstances to come into your life to serve your true purpose. Forgive and let go of things, thoughts and emotions that no longer serve you.
5. Practise – Practise and all is coming, Sri K Pattabhi Jois said. Commit to a regular practice of yoga, meditation or anything else that rocks your world. Find stillness to listen to your soul. From that space you are more likely to feel and/or know the best next step.
6. Being – Shut down Facebook, your emails, the TV and listen to your being. It is continuously giving you hints, waiting for you to listen. Take some time off, go to the beach, for a hike or on a retreat. Get into your ‘green zone‘ every day to invite more being into your life.
7. Gratitude – Stay grounded in gratitude, recognising all things around you that you appreciate. It may change your perspective and can help you realise where things are on track.
It feels right. When we are doing what we are meant to be doing; when we are with who we are meant to be with; when we are where we are meant to be, it simply feels right. Things are in flow and we can rest assured that nature has put us here for a purpose. When we are aligned with our purpose, we experience a feeling of rightness. Some may want to call it bliss.
Our job is to pay attention to our inner guidance system so we can find and embrace our purpose. This, unfortunately, is not something that can be ‘figured out’ nor is it something a book, teacher or friend can tell us although they might be of great guidance. It is something that needs to be felt deep within.
You will always have enough energy to do what feels right and is meant to be, but not enough energy to keep doing what is not right.
So, how do you know you’re doing the wrong thing? You lose energy. The consequences of losing energy are fatigue, impatience, inner conflict, restlessness, disease and perhaps depression.
Once you find yourself in a situation like that, how can you bring your energy back on track? Through honesty, forgiveness and making decisions that are long overdue.
Nothing will take more energy away from you than ignoring the whisper of your soul and the voice of your heart. Listen carefully to both.
As always, I hope it goes well for you this week. Please get in touch if you have any questions.
