“He who is guiding the stars of the skies, is with you, you are not alone.
Under no circumstances should you ever be afraid.
Never think that you are alone.
Whatever has to happen,will happen, and the One who causes this happening is with you. He is not something which resides far, far away.
You are not a distant relative of His. He is your Father.
So you only have to know the One. Who is He?
He is your nearest and dearest One. He is your most beloved.”
~ Anandamurti
(Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 5, Bandhu, Suhrd, Mitram and Sakhá)
What is Dharma?
It is the dedicated evolutionary movement from imperfection towards the Supreme Perfection. To long for and run after the Great is Dharma. This requires effort, courage, and one-pointedness of mind and heart to relieve the suffering of others and control the reins of the selfishness. Dharma is the essence of one’s existence. It is the endeavor of all, every human, every animate being, and inanimate entity. Dharma is what nurtures our Inner Being that inspires us to cultivate the longing of serving others. There are 4 ingredients of human dharma.
1)Vistara – All beings long for expansion (Vistara). If someone is tied up or bound with a rope and they can make their body 4 times larger – the ropes will snap. There are many historical events that are expressions of this Vistara. Meditation, spiritual practices and ideations nurture Vistara. Through expansion of the sweetness of one’s mind and heart, throughout the world, we extend beyond our physical boundaries and mental limitations.
2) Rasa – All entities are consciously or unconsciously moving towards the Infinite. If a devotional relationship is developed with Parama Purusa, the individual’s positive spiritual progression is a sure guarantee. This relationship is guided by devotion. “If you want to be established in Dharma Sadhana, then in any case do not forget the importance of Kiirtana, the greatness of Kiirtana, and also the greatness of devotion.” Moving together towards building an ideal neohumanist society based on Dharma, is Rasa.Rasa is the total surrender to the spiritual flow of Parama Purusa.
3) Seva – Selfless service is the expression of the overflowing love and heartfelt connection that bursts from within. Seva is selfless service to the Supreme and all Created Beings.. When devotees serve nature, humanity, and the universe, they are relieving the suffering of others who are reflections of Parama Purusa. By taking the heartfelt feeling that you are pleasing the Divine (and not the self) in all actions, one’s spiritual development is assured. By alleviating the suffering of others, one is grateful to them for the opportunity to be of service to the Infinite. “Do all the good you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. As long as you can.”
4) Tadsthiti – Is the spiritually balanced state of being that is achieved by embracing and expressing the 3 previous assets of Dharma in your daily life, one embraces Bhagavad Dharma. …the attainment of Brahma is the very innate characteristic (dharma) of human beings, the ingrained nature of all living beings.
The worms of the selfishness will burrow deep into the human mind and finally will sap all of the sweeter and finer human sensibilities … one should realize that to render selfless service, an absolutely pure mind is required, with the expansiveness of the ocean and the serenity of the blue sky. – Anandamurti
The Ten Characteristics of Dharma
Adapted from Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 8 and Nama Shivaya Shantaya.
1)Patience, steadfastness, or endurance. Once the seed is planted. Give it time to sprout. Wait for the expression.
2)Forgiveness and tolerance. Stopping the cycle at the intersection of action and reaction.
3)Self-control – Internal and external control of the internal enemies or vrttis of the mind.
4)Asteya – Do not steal anything physically or mentally from other members of the world.
5)Shaoca – Practice internal and external cleanliness/sweetness.
6)Control of the organs – Keeping the sensory and motor organs in balance with your mental and spiritual determination.
7)Benevolent intellect – Channelize the intellect and rationality towards the dharmic expression of justice for all humans, nature, and other beings.
8)Spiritual understanding – Begin integrating the spiritual-compassionate-devotional world with the material-physical-scientific world.
9)Loving truth – Commitment to universal truth and an inclusive Bhagavad Dharmic reality.
10)Freedom from anger – Do not become unduly influenced by anger which affects the nerve cells and subtle layers of the mind.
I will keep moving towards success, crushing the pebbles of obstacles and hindrances beneath my feet. … I will move like a meteor towards Supreme Fulfillment, crushing and rendering all negative thoughts.
How Can We Strengthen Our Dharma?
~ Mental determination is reinforced by observing yoga ethics (morality) and performing intuitive practices.
~ Unite the Moralists of the world.
~ Fight mercilessly against dharma wherever it tries to take root in our world.
Yoga is the path of progress,
the path of development for each and every human being.
No one can keep away or aloof from from the track of Yoga.
So in individual life we should practice Yoga, and
in collective life we should encourage others to practice Yoga.
It is the solution of all human ailments in the physical stratum,
in the psychic stratum, and also in the spiritual stratum.
~ Anandamurti