Welcome,
My name is Devi Brown and I'm so happy you're joining me for this program,
You and Your Dharma.
Today's session is Opening to Dharma.
Let's begin by first asking,
What is Dharma?
Dharma is a Sanskrit word which is commonly translated as purpose,
However,
It can also mean law,
Justice,
Truth,
Or one's inner nature.
From an individual perspective,
We could say that Dharma is divinely given.
It is the unifying force that holds everything together.
The opposite of Dharma is Adharma,
Meaning injustice or chaos.
In this series,
We'll focus on Dharma as our purpose in life.
At some time,
We've probably all asked ourselves,
Why am I here?
What's the purpose of my life?
What am I meant to accomplish?
How can I serve not only myself but also the world around me?
For those of us on a spiritual journey,
The ultimate purpose is to rediscover who we really are.
Because in doing so,
All other questions are answered.
Some lucky people might have a sudden wake-up moment and realize their purpose in life.
But for most of us,
Dharma is a lifelong process of refinement.
It's like fine-tuning a musical instrument.
You start off with it enough in tune so you can play a few simple songs,
But if you keep refining that tuning,
Eventually it will sound perfect.
Or we could think of it like a funnel,
Which starts off wide but then gradually becomes narrower until it ends as a small opening.
Similarly,
Our Dharma may include many complementary things,
But gradually becomes more focused as our path continues.
As we become more and more aligned with our true self,
The inner wisdom of our Dharma unfolds.
Life becomes magical and effortless.
Take a moment to reflect on your life.
Ask yourself,
Am I living my true purpose,
My Dharma?
Is my life full of confusion,
Attachments,
Fears,
And negative expectations?
This is leading you away from your purpose.
Or do I find that my actions are spontaneously correct?
Do I automatically know what to do in most situations?
Does my life feel effortless and supported by the world around me?
If this is you,
You are living in Dharma.
In today's chaotic and confused world,
It's easy to lose our way.
We're constantly bombarded by marketing campaigns,
Social media,
And news bulletins.
Which doesn't mean we shouldn't listen to good advice.
But ultimately,
We have to find our own path.
As the writer Diane Grant said,
It's better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction.
But how do we know which direction is right for us?
We listen to the wisdom from within.
Let's settle in.
Find a comfortable seat.
Gently close your eyes.
Take a few deep breaths.
Notice how you're feeling.
Any sensations in the body or fluctuations in the mind?
With each breath out,
Allow the body and mind to soften,
Releasing any tension.
Now,
Bring your awareness to the area in the middle of your chest,
Your heart center.
Breathing effortlessly here.
The heart is the door through which we hear the wisdom of our higher self.
When we ask our heart for guidance,
We listen without expectation or evaluation.
Simply ask and just listen.
The response may be a thought,
A feeling,
Or an image.
Silently ask and listen.
What is my purpose?
How can I serve?
How can I help?
How can I help?
Silently ask and listen.
I'll watch the time.
What came up for you as you contemplated these questions?
These are the clues to help you bring your life in line with your Dharma.
You may like to start saving them in a journal.
Take a few minutes every day to sit quietly,
Turn your awareness inward,
And ask your heart these questions.
Slowly,
Come back to where you are sitting.
Back to the body,
Breathing.
When you're ready,
Gently open your eyes.
Thank you for joining me.
Until our next session,
Pause once in a while.
Take a breath and ask yourself,
Am I moving towards or away from my Dharma?
If necessary,
Make the shift.
Namaste.
