dharma

We have been asked about our understanding of dharma, which, as I understand it, has to do with following one’s path and that to attempt to follow a path that goes against your nature will only lead to misery. In some ways this makes perfect sense to me... who hasn't felt like they were swimming upstream when partaking in an activity that is not just foreign, or unfamiliar, but feels plain wrong, like wearing your shoes on the opposite feet.

This metaphoric rubbing the wrong way reminds me a lot of a scene in the film The Men Who Stare at Goats in which Lyn says to Bob:

“Have you ever hear of Optimum Trajectory before? Your life is like a river, Bob. If you’re aiming for a goal that isn’t your destiny, you will always be swimming against the current. Young Ghandi wants to be a stock-car racer? Not gonna happen. Little Anne Frank wants to be a High School teacher. Tough titty Anne. That’s not your destiny. But you will go on to move the hearts and minds of millions. Find out what your destiny is and the river will carry you.”

This is, of course, a bit reductionist, but it resonated with me all the same and very much seems to be in keeping with the idea of dharma. I also think dharma has to do with turning inward to find liberation, rather than seeking it externally. In order to find truth, cultivate compassion, purify the self, etc. one must look inward and develop deep awareness. I'd imagine that having such awareness also makes it much easier to see clearly your path. And perhaps it isn't even necessary to know exactly where the path leads, just that it moves you in the right direction, right, here, being defined as not simply what feels good, but what decidedly does not feel wrong. We waste a lot of hours doing things that, if they don't feel wrong, then at least don't actually move us any closer to what would feel more right.

Oh, now I've wandered into right and wrong territory. Dangerous. Mucky logic problems tend to pop up in here. Best to wander back away now...