Law 7 – Spiritual Laws of Yoga – Dharma

It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark… and we’re wearing sunglasses.

Hit it.

Did you ever see The Blues Brothers?  I mean besides being a classic, funny and having the best Carrie Fisher moment ever, do you really remember what it was about?  do you remember what drove even these “criminals” to do what they did?

What do you have in your life that drives you? How does it feel to do what you do everyday, is it your passion? joy? does it serve the world?

…you have unique abilities and your own way of expressing them. There are needs in this world for which your specific talents are ideally suited, and when the world’s needs are matched with the creative expression or your talents, your purpose – your dharma – is realized” (from the 7 spiritual laws of yoga)

Dharma defined?  Deepak and his view of yoga defines it as Life’s Purpose.

 In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one’s personal obligations, calling and duties(that sounds life purposey doesn’t it?)

 according to Wikipedia:  Dharma (help·info) (Sanskrit: धर्म dhárma, Pali: धम्म dhamma; lit. that which upholds or supports) means Law or Natural Law (as in the natural order of things)

 The idea of dharma as duty or propriety derives from an idea found in India’s ancient legal and religious texts that there is a divinely instituted natural order of things and justice, social harmony and human happiness require that human beings discern and live in a manner appropriate to the requirements of that order

For practicing Buddhists, references to “dharma” (dhamma in Pali) particularly as “the Dharma”, generally means the teachings of the Buddha, commonly known throughout the East as Buddha-Dharma.

For Sikhs, the word Dharm means the “path of righteousness”

 The word Dharma encompasses the following meanings in Jainism:

The true nature of a thing

Rationality of perception, knowledge and conduct

Ten virtues like forgiveness, etc. also called ten forms of Dharma

Ahimsa – protection to all living beings

Two paths – of the monks and the laity

Dharma as a dravya (substance or a reality) (the principle of motion)

That’s a lot of defining…From the book Deepak further expounds that Dharma has three components –

1. discover your higher self

2. acknowledge and express your unique talents

3. serve others

Expressing your gifts in service to others is the highest expression of the Law of Dharma…

You know it’s funny but I can honestly say I love this chapter of the book, I don’t even feel like I have much to add to it.  Not every word of the book has resonated, not every moment has been a big AHA for me, but this chapter just seemed complete .   I feel like this topic is well covered in the book and it reflects my feelings on the subject beautifully…I seek that Dharma every day and feel blessed to feel that I am well on the way.

My gifts and graces are being served and I believe that sharing them has, at least for a few individuals, made the world a happier place. I continue to refine those skills, continue to work on believing in them and sharing them selflessly.     I am reminded that when things are in harmony they flow and when we push too hard things break…slow down  – pay attention – listen, the answers are all inside of you.

I have so enjoyed this journey through this book and I loved sharing it with my students and the blogosphere.  I hope that you have garnered a bit of info from these reviews/studies.  I recently started reading The 7 spiritual laws of Superheroes perhaps that will find its way into my blog as well…Until then remember to breathe and smile

 Om varunam namah – My life is in harmony with cosmic law.