Posted on: December 19, 2019 Posted by: Allene Lewis Comments: 0

If you’re interested in Kriya Yoga and would like to learn more about this spiritual practice and philosophy, it’s very important for you to understand the concept of dharma, and what it means in the Kriya Yoga practice.

In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of dharma in Kriya Yoga philosophy, as taught by Ellen Grace O’Brian. Read on to learn more about the basics.

What Is Dharma In Kriya Yoga? It Means Living a Purposeful Life

So, what does dharma mean? Dharmais a key part of the Vedic principles for dharmic living. It’s a word derived from Sanskrit that is very hard to translate directly – and has multiple meanings. But to break it down, you can think of dharmaas meaning “purpose.”

Specifically, dharma means “higher” or “spiritual” purpose. It’s sometimes called the “way of righteousness” – in other words, the way of living in accord with the fundamental order of the universe at every level.

To live in the dharmic way means that you are living in harmony with the structure of the universe – by abiding by its principles and living a purposeful life. You are unlocking the potential of your soul and spirit, and following the Path that the universe has set out for you.

In most cases, dharma is looked upon as a two-fold concept. There is an overarching dharma– a call to everyone to fulfill their spiritual purposes, and live a life according to the principles of the universe. However, there is also a personal dharma– your own personal life path that you must follow, and express according to yourself.

Understanding the Four Components Of Dharmic Living

To understand what dharma means, it’s important to understand the basics of dharmic living. Dharmic living means following the principles of dharma– but these are not the only important principles. There are a total of four different components of dharmic living.

  • Dharma – Dharma, as mentioned above, is the act of living your life in a way that is in accordance with the basic principles of the universe, and creating harmony on your path through the world.
  • Artha – This word is usually translated as “wealth, “means,” or “prosperity.” It refers to physical necessities, and our ability to acquire the things we need to fulfill our purpose and enjoy our lives.
  • Kama – Kama is usually translated as “pleasure.” It refers to the idea that a fulfilled life is one that is enjoyed – one which brings joy to the soul. The natural state of the soul is joy, and Kama helps our souls express the joy we find in our world – from our work, spiritual practice and more.
  • Moksha – Moksha flows from dharma, artha, and kama. It refers to the “liberation of consciousness” – the true freedom and unburdening of self-realization.

Of these, dharma is usually considered to be the most important principle in dharmic living. This is because living a life in accordance with dharma will, naturally, bring artha, kama, and moksha – by living according to dharma, these other principles will be fulfilled.

How Can I Live A Life In Accordance With Dharma?

Naturally, there are many different ways to adjust the way you live, and seek to live out the principles of dharma. We could fill a book on them – and many have.

What’s the simplest answer? If you’ve heard of the “Golden Rule,” you already know it. This principle – found in Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and more – is simple. “Treat others the way you wish to be treated.”

Living a life in accordance with dharma means treating others with respect. When you feel bad about your actions, you’re feeling the effects of violating dharma – and adjusting your behavior to avoid doing similar things in the future is the simplest way to live your life in accordance with dharma.

Learn More from Dr. Ellen Grace O’Brian

Living a dharmic life is not always easy – so if you’re interested in learning more about Dharma in Kriya Yoga and living a dharmic life, take a look at some of the courses and products available from Yogacharya O’Brian, or contact her directly to get more information!

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