By Claire Diab and Dennis Boyle
The Principle of Dharma is the seventh and the final pillar from the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra, where the other six laws I have been writing about these past six months have led us to this final principle of Dharma.
Dharma is a Sanskrit word. Sanskrit is a beautiful ancient language from India. When you translate Dharma into the English language it means “purpose or purposes.” We all have a purpose in life and, many times, we have more than one.
Depending on the time of our life, our Dharma will change. For example, today my Dharma is to certify teachers to teach Yoga and meditation. In this time of my life, it is also my Dharma to take care of my 92-year-old father. When I was younger, in the 1980s, my Dharma was to be a college student to learn to develop myself and my career. Then, after receiving my master’s degree, my Dharma was to teach as a college professor of Asian studies. We will all have different Dharmas. Some of you may have children, and that is your Dharma.
For all of you firefighters, you have had different Dharmas through the different stages of your life. Your Dharma now is to help and serve as a firefighter: saving people’s lives and helping and caring for people. Many of you also may have a side-Dharma: landscaping, construction, sales, accounting, and so on. Again, many of you may have a third dharma such as being a father or a mother to children. Whatever your purposes in life right now, know they are all important. Be aware that, in each purpose, you are helping and serving.
The following three things will help us realize our Dharma and also help us work on it:
- Notice what brings you joy and what “lights you up.”
- Realize that you are unique and the you have a unique way of expressing yourself in your Dharma.
- Ask yourself the questions: How can I help? How can I serve?
Most importantly, help and serve yourself before you can truly help and serve others. In the Philosophy of Yoga, the physical aspect of yoga is a wonderful way to begin helping, serving, and taking care of yourself.
Below is a video clip of the Six Directions of The Spine which I believe is a beautiful flow that will nourish and strengthen your spine, both calming and nourishing your central nervous system. This will truly help your whole being: mentally, physically, emotionally. Enjoy!
~ Namaste ~
Lots of Love and Hugs,
— Claire
Claire Diab is an internationally recognized yoga therapist. She is the director of the Yoga Program for the Chopra Center founded by Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. David Simon. She is an adjunct professor of Asian Studies at Seton Hall University. She is the author of several books and DVDs on yoga including “Yoga for Firefighters.”
Dennis Boyle is a retired fire director and acting chief with the West Orange (NJ) Fire Department. He was the recipient of the 1999 New Jersey Deputy Fire Chiefs “Fire Officer of the Year” award.
