What the heck is Dharma!

Dharma is one of those Sanskrit words that has no English translation. A definition can be found in the English dictionary: Dharma 1. essential quality or character, as of the cosmos or one’s nature 2. conforming to spiritual law, custom, duty, or one’s own quality or character 3. virtue 4. spirituality 5. the doctrine or teaching of the Buddha. As you can see Dharma is a pretty far-reaching term. It’s huge! An easy way to look at this definition is: Dharma = the essential qualities of virtue and spirituality inherent in us, and our ability to conform to these qualities.

The ancient yogic scripture the Bhagavad Gita teaches the seeker to live according to the qualities of virtue inherent within. In the beginning of this great epic, Krishna (God or Supreme Soul) is consoling the seeker Arjuna, who is despondent over having to go to war with his cousins. Arjuna is a great warrior and it is a warrior's duty to go to into battle. The lesson here regarding Dharma is that there is a higher purpose for performing action in the world. Arjuna cannot see his higher purpose because his emotions confused him.

Studying ourselves, our thoughts, emotions, speech and actions is the key to discovering what is true Dharma. If all our energy is spent serving our "likes" or avoiding "pain" we are unable to see the bigger picture, our true purpose for living.

Dharma means "law" as in universal or cosmic law. It is so whether you believe it to be so or not. It is so whether you choose to follow it or not. It governs the multiverse, keeping things in check and balance. To align your thoughts, emotions, speech and behavior with this law is to be in perfect balance and harmony with what is.

Here's a great way to view Dharma or Duty: "Whatever task is given to you in any moment, regardless of what it is, as long as it is performed with dignity, and without regard for any of its fruit-- pleasurable or not pleasurable, then it is one's sacred duty. If action is performed as duty continuously, impurities are quelled and love blooms." -Bapuji

Experiment and check it out for yourself!

Hey, if you are interested in learning more about Dharma and how it relates to you, attend Bhakti's intro to the Bhagavad Gita. Here's How.

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