DHARMA WITHOUT DRAMA

There's a hidden path, a right way, that is working its way forward, apparently at random but actually with complete knowledge of where we need to go.

In India this "right way" is known as your Dharma, and "right", in this context, means the way where the whole universe is organising your way forward, and you're effortlessly “in the flow”. To many people this sounds a bit cosmic-farty, and yet I'm sure you can say, as I do that at one time or another, things just turned out well, in an unexpected way that was beyond our control. 

 

I think the biggest obstacle to finding our Dharma is our ego, because Dharma implies  "no control", and ego is all about control. But my experience told me years ago that's not the whole truth, either -- that Dharma is far more powerful than any mere ego – even yours or mine! Following my ego has led me to so many dead ends, but the experiences I've had along the way I would not have missed for all the world, and they've led me to here and now! So what's the problem? And the universe, like a cosmic, patient parent has supported me along the way: Oh, do you really want to go there? Really? Well, OK. When you've had enough, I'll be here waiting for you, and we'll continue our journey together. OK?

The ego stumbles to stay connected to the person's Dharma. It teaches you that your biggest allies along the way are things like instinct, intuition, staying true to your values, keeping your commitments, standing up for your principles, and self-awareness. Your adversaries are "baddies" like naked ambition, blind competitiveness, self-importance, a craving for status, looking for a free lunch, and following second-hand opinions as if they are your truth.

Most people are divided between their attachments to friends and foes – dharma and ego -- allies and adversaries – I certainly still am, when I find myself in moments of seeming separation and struggle. 

 

The ego is a permanent part of the self, and a valuable one. But when it, the messenger boy, is allowed to run the show while we, the CEO, go out to the world's longest lunch-break, our inner and outer world becomes distorted. We start to live according to an image we want to protect and project rather than searching for the connecting thread – the Dharma – that subtly unites every moment of our life. 

We think we have an idea of what our Dharma is, and that very idea gets in the way. What I have continued to learn from the train wrecks in my life is to realise that every one is an ally, because I say so. I've also learned that, in a climate of growing self-awareness, how and when to trust my allies.

But there was more in store for me. In a blinding flash of the bleeding obvious on the 15th June this year (2014), I realised (thanks to Sailor Bob) that there's no point any longer in searching for my dharma; I'm already in it! Bob said to me simply, "Stop trying to find it. You're in it. Try to get out of it!" 

Stunned, I started to laugh, and I haven't stopped since.

Whether I'm going through hard times or times of great fulfillment, there's only one thing to do – be aware. 

Be present, available and enjoy the ride.