Dear Sonic Community,
The New Year is an amazing time for introspection, traditionally it is a time to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the New Year. This year I invite you to take it one step deeper, to not only create a vision for the New Year but to contemplate your purpose and to align your intentions with your unique path.
Dharma is a Sanskrit word that loosely translates to righteous living, but the original word itself has a far deeper meaning than its direct translation. The ancient Hindu texts of The Vedas describe Dharma as an inner wisdom, or a cosmic guidance that governs not only the individual, but the universe itself.
According to Ancient Vedic Knowledge, everyone has a Dharma, a purpose that drives them us to move forward, to learn and grow. Discovering our dharma is not about success but about creating harmony with yourself, your thoughts, your words and your actions. Once you have created harmony with all layers of your unique self you will then align with those you love, your community, the world and all beings.
There are several paths to discovering your Dharma:
- The Path of Joy – This is the most direct path to your purpose. Contemplate what makes you feel alive, awake, excited. Connect with the things that spark your joy and your Dharma will find you.
- The Path of Synchronicity – This is about moving along the path of least resistance. Look for the signs that will guide you on your path. Stay present in the moment and make choices that just feel right.
- The Path of Letting Go – Letting go of what you are to open to what you might become. Release the things in your life that are not serving you to create space for what will.
- The Path of Practice – Create rituals to quiet the mind. Daily meditation, contemplation, gratitude, reading spiritual scriptures, creating through art, dance or music all will open space and awaken intuition allowing your true dharma to be revealed to you.
- The Path of Being – Find ways to live in the present moment. Invite open space into your life. Spend more time “being” by moving slowly, connecting with nature, and the cosmos. This will provide you with opportunities to align with the cycles of nature, the energy of the universe, and the center of your Self —your Being.
You can also try asking yourself these questions to awaken your Dharma:
- Who am I?
- Why am I here?
- What is my true purpose in this world?
- How can I serve?
- How would I live differently if I knew my days were numbered?
Some final tips for finding your Dharma:
- Use positive affirmations and creative visualization to enhance the qualities of heart and mind that we bring to our work.
- Make a list of your unique gifts and talents—those things that give you fulfillment, enjoyment, and a deep sense of satisfaction. Revisit this often to remember, rekindle, and reaffirm your love for your chosen path.
- Ask yourself often, “How may I best serve others with love?” This will in turn squelch the ego’s voice that asks, “What’s in it for me?”
- Maintain a “beginners mind,” where there is an openness, eagerness and wonderment toward continual learning.
- Consider the Yoga Sutras concept of Ahimsa (non-violence) or Buddhism’s concept of “Do no harm,” where we don’t exploit or abuse people or the environment, and we don’t perpetuate greed, hatred, or delusion, but rather we invite kindness, empathy and love.
- Remember that when you give, you receive.
- Stay humble. Stay humble. Stay humble.
Sending you love and blessing for a harmonious New Year!
With Love,
Lauren
“It is better to live your own Dharma imperfectly, than to live an imitation of somebody else’s life with perfection.” -Bhagavad Gita
