Do you want to learn an ancient technique to address stress?
This practice has helped people reduce stress and suffering for thousands of years.
Join me as I walk you through my daily meditation on the Dharma Wheel.
The Dharma Wheel offers practical guidance on reducing suffering.
Dharma means cosmic law,
Duty,
Righteousness,
Or a path of living.
It teaches us that suffering isn't random.
It comes from how we see,
Think,
Speak,
And act.
Traditionally symbolized as a wheel,
The Dharma Wheel can also be seen as a helm guiding us towards peace.
The first spoke represents correct view,
Which reminds us that attachment causes discontent.
Attachment to outcomes,
To people,
And to ideas leave us vulnerable to suffering.
Let us inhale faith in the universe,
And exhale something we find ourselves attached to today.
The next spoke is correct intention,
Which asks us that our attention be rooted in compassion.
When our intention is to be compassionate,
We forgive more easily and help more often,
Which is scientifically proven to reduce stress.
Let us take a deep breath of compassion in,
And exhale any frustration stored in our mind or cells.
The third spoke stands for correct speech,
Which means avoiding harm with our words.
This includes how we speak to others and how we speak to ourselves.
Harsh or careless words can create suffering that lingers long after the words spoken for us and others.
Let us inhale kindness in our voice,
And exhale any words we wish we could take back.
The next spoke is correct action,
Which means choosing to act morally.
When our actions align with integrity,
The body feels calmer and the mind feels clearer.
Let us inhale a sense of integrity,
And exhale any guilt or regret we may be carrying.
The fifth spoke is correct livelihood,
Which encourages work that does not harm others.
When our work aligns with our values,
It supports peace within us rather than tension.
Let us inhale purpose and alignment,
And exhale any sense of misalignment or pressure.
The next spoke is correct effort,
The daily practice of cultivating wholesome qualities.
This doesn't mean perfection,
It means gently choosing what supports growth.
Even small efforts practiced consistently change the nervous system over time.
Let us inhale motivation,
And exhale self-criticism or discouragement.
Correct mindfulness,
The seventh spoke,
Is being aware of the mind,
Body,
And spirit connection.
When we slow down and notice our thoughts,
Sensations,
And emotions,
We create space for healing.
Awareness allows us to respond instead of react.
Let us inhale presence into the body,
And exhale distraction and mental noise.
And the final spoke is correct concentration,
Which is developing mental focus through meditation.
By training the mind to stay with the breath,
We feel calmer and clearer.
With practice,
The mind becomes less scattered and more at ease.
Let us inhale focus,
And exhale restlessness.
These timeless teachings remind us that peace is not something we find,
It's something we practice.
This ancient wisdom offers a clear path to finding peace and balance in everyday life.
Thank you for taking the time to practice with me today,
And I hope you find this practice helps to reduce suffering in your life.
