Dharma
The word "Dharma" has several translations, and ultimately means "truth". Its root comes from the Sanskrit "dhr-", which means to hold or to support, and is related to Latin firmus (firm, stable). From this, it takes the meaning of "what is established, firm", or "what's true", a meaning of "bearer, or supporter". Thus it is referring to how things are, the way of things, the truth of things, how it is right now.
Mindfulness
The use of the word 'mindfulness,' and the steady increase in the availability of mindfulness workshops and practices, has caught the ear of mainstream America. This can be a good thing for sure! It is however, not the same thing as "meditation". Mindfulness practices are an intentional attentiveness towards what one's mind, mental activities, and physical behaviors are -– watching oneself, coming to know how one is moving through the world, and clearly seeing what the mind is doing or making. This is a helpful part in self-reflection, growth, and a necessary step on the path to awakening to inner freedom. Practicing mindfulness does not have to be a formal ritual of sitting down, being still and quiet. One can bring the practice of mindfulness to one's pedestrian life: moving about each day with a felt sense of knowing and feeling how one is being effected by life and their part in it. One can notice in real time what the inner reactivity and responsiveness is revealing about oneself, and calibrate what what do with it on the fly. In this way one has a lived experience of one's evolution and capacity to be a good human citizen. This is related to but distinct from meditation practice.
Meditation
There are two basic styles of:
1) single pointed attention (called Shamatha)
2) open space of awareness presence (called Vipasana).
Both skills are necessary to balance one's life, one's mind and the status of one's subtle body. The two practices do different things for the body-heart-mind, and everyone has a bias or need for one over the other. When one can skillfully sustain both techniques for a span of time, it can be felt that they beget each other. This kind of mind-training and capacity for sustaining both single pointed attention for however long one wants and presence in the open, boundless space of awareness is the bedrock for awakening to one's True Nature. Practice is the key.
Personally
My connection to Dharma springs from my affinity for the teachings of Yoga, Buddhism, and Taoism (also a related word etymologically to Dharma) combined. They all sprang from the same source. My Yoga studies started in 1998, and poured over into love of the Buddha Dharma starting in 2000. I'm particularly interested in the teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism, closely related to Tantra, and the teachings of Hatha Yoga. My studies of Taoism arouse out of this and have been a main thread for me since 2010.
The practices & teachings that arise out of living the Truth of things can take many forms. For me, the foundations of such a life include the following:
1. Living, knowing that life can be difficult and at times painful. And so allowing that truth to call up in me compassion for myself, and others, as we navigate this human experience together (NOT alone, even though it can feel like that at times).
2. Everything arises and falls away in it's time. This whole thing was designed to fall apart. All the things we cherish break down, and all the people we love will die. Our own life is fragile and temporary. My own death is certain. From living this truth I'm encouraged to celebrate what is here! I live & love in the moment, as much as I can, and use that connection to make the most good for the most beings I can with the time I have. Alas, I then am not surprised by the death of loved ones or the destruction of the material world – not surprised, yet heartbroken. I'll let my heart break, I'll weep, and embrace the sadness, grieving and care that arises from this truth. Also doing what I can with my relative power/powerlessness to make the world a better place, serving the Good, the True, and the Beautiful
3. Each human being has the full capacity to awaken to and live these truths. If we can lay down our surface busyness and unwind our habitual tendencies we use to block out the pain of our human experiences, then we can find freedom in the depths of our Deeper Being. It's when we resist, push back against, or collapse under the pressures Reality places on us that we deny ourselves the ultimate freedom of dancing with Reality just as she is. Inner freedom is possible!
4. These approaches to living need support in practice and community. This is where meditation, mindfulness practices, and connections with others are essential.
Connections
...are everywhere. Strike up a convo with your neighbor, or a friend who's never considered such stuff! Do a search for meditation or mindfulness groups in your area. Or connect with a local teacher. Reach out to me if you'd like to know more, talk about where to find community, or to start up a regular practice of meditation, or cultivate a potent inner life of freedom and contentment..
Reach out to me if you'd like to know more, talk about where to find community, or to start up a regular practice of meditation, or cultivate a potent inner life of freedom and contentment.
