nn 1,2

1.4.1 dharma

Today I will speak upon the meaning of Dharma. You know, Dharma is a Sanskrit word. One that is used by many people to connote many different concepts. To some, Dharma means moral action, actions which are taken for the upliftment and betterment of others. For other people, Dharma means the essential mission or central purpose for a persons' existence, so that each person may have their own Dharma, their own actions, their own purpose for their life. Now, there is yet another meaning for the word Dharma. Some say that each and every species has its own Dharma, its own destiny. That is to say, the Dharma of a pig may be to eat and the Dharma of a bird to fly. Now, the Dharma for a human being, that is what? It is human Dharma to search for the Supreme. That is the Dharma of a human being, to discover Divinity. So there is the Dharma of species, the Dharma of individuals and moral actions for the betterment of others and the overall enhancement of society. All of these are aspects or expressions of Dharma. They are right actions.

To follow one's Dharma is to express the innate and inherent qualities or potentialities locked within one's own essence. So when a human being pursues spiritual life, they come in contact with the fundamental quality or purpose of their existence. Now, as to the particular way in which it may manifest, this may vary from person to person due to time, place and individual variances.Thus each also has a personal Dharma, an expression or work, an action which they as an individual are best suited for and which will express both the individual Dharma and the collective Dharma.

So, for one person to be a scholar may be the best action that can be taken to manifest personal Dharma and collective Dharma. He may write upon the nature of spirituality or even a more mundane aspect of human knowledge. For another to realize their Dharma, the right action for them, might mean to raise a child, to love and nurture another human being and to give that human being all of the proper requisites for a true spiritual life. That may be the work and right action for one. Again for another it may be to labor in the field, growing crops which can be taken to the market and sold. There is no one path right for every person.

To realize one's individual destiny is not a matter of doing what one thinks is expected but of knowing one's self, one's temperament, interests, and heart. When this is done, the forward path will become evident. If personal Dharma is done with love and surrender and good wishes to all, then the Dharma of a human being dawns in the mind and spiritual progress can be made.

Moral action for the betterment of all must also be the focus of a Dharmic life, otherwise the two previous Dharmas will not be attained. So, for a spiritualist to have optimum success in all three areas, right action must express the inner potentialities of the individual, the fundamental drive towards blessedness inherent in human beings, and a moral stance of dedication to the welfare of living beings. You see, it is a three pronged matter.

So, can one express individual Dharma without having morality and a spiritual goal? In fact, if the truth be known, it is not possible. Where there is a deep knowledge of individual destiny, there comes also a longing for the Great and a desire to serve one's fellow human beings. Likewise if the desire arises to serve, eventually the realization of one's Dharma and of the Supreme Goal will come into the mind. And if one pursues a spiritual life, one is bound to find a measure of desire to serve others arising, and eventually a knowledge of one's own path in the great stream of life. All actions which speed the growth of a human being towards the Supreme become Dharmic actions. All actions which bring others forward, which aid the living beings, these are also Dharmic. And actions which express one's innate mission, one's personal destiny, these also are Dharmic actions. So to follow the path of Dharma, one must act with these three goals in mind, then surely right action will be taken and the requisite results occur.

So, all action must be taken and given to Parama Purusha. No action is right action if the results are not offered to the Supreme, if they are held to greedily as one's own. Even actions for a Dharmic purpose will become prison bars if this is not done. Attribute everything to the Supreme Lord. Say 'Oh Lord, You have given this life, You have created this Dharma, You have manifested in infinite forms to dance Your great dance. May I please You and serve You in every action'. If a Sadhaka says like this, then all the actions done will be seen as the Supreme hand moving in the play of creation and the requisite results will go where they should and not stick to the small person who is the puppet in the Divine Play. They will go to the Puppeteer and the puppet will not be fooled into thinking that he must act forever.

So, oh human beings, do your Dharma, but know who is the real source of all action. Lead a Dharmic life, oh human beings.