What do the yogis mean by dharma?

Dharma stems from the root word ‘dhri’ which means ‘that which supports’. From the yogic perspective, it is understood as that which supports from within, it’s the the essence of a thing. More commonly, it is translated as ‘the law that expresses and maintains the unity of creation’.

On an individual level, this ‘law’ can refer to a personal mission or purpose. For an individual to live out their dharma is for them to act in accordance with this law. 

We can understand Dharma as the thing that sets our soul on fire, a similar more familiar term would be our ‘passion’, however the concept of dharma goes a little deeper. The sages and seers of yoga believed that our dharma is predetermined, it’s ‘written in the stars’ as our blueprint for self-excellence and so to live one's passion, calling, purpose, dharma, is to be of service and maintain order and harmony in the universe. 

To not live one's dharma is to be of disservice to yourself and the world. 

Now this all sounds dramatic although I’m sure I don’t speak only for myself in saying that the feeling of not listening to your gut, not following what makes you happy, not going after your dreams, not shining your light brightly (aka being authentically you) hurts. I have felt the disorder it causes on all levels, mentally, emotionally, physically and energetically.

When you instead play small, dim your light to please others, stay quiet to not rock the boat, do what you’ve been told by others you should do, stay in the path that doesn’t light you up but feels safe, live the life a parent of partner has told you to live…. all of this brings about chaos in your internal universe. 

The yogis are right.

The years I stayed in the wrong relationship, the wrong job, the wrong friendships, although easy to stay, I suffered. 

I wasn't happy, I wasn’t fulfilled and I wasn’t of service to anyone.

Now, I am living my dharma which is, you guessed it, teaching yoga! Although it can be hard, there is no suffering. I feel in harmony, I feel happy and with that I am of service to not only myself but to you. 

The message is simple, when we are following our calling, that song that sings in our heart be it writing, dancing, singing, teaching, creating, cooking, parenting, leaving that job, changing careers, walking away, walking towards, whatever it is, when we follow what makes us truly happy, we are of service to the greater world around us, we share our gifts brightly, generously, passionately. The more happy, gift sharing people there are in the world, the more harmony.

Of course, the concept of Dharma soars far higher and reaches far deeper than I have shared here, however the simple message I want to get across is that yoga can (and is designed to!) bring us closer to our dharma, our purpose. 

So practice, practice, practice.

Find what gives your life meaning, and follow what gives YOU purpose.

As my teacher shares,

‘Align to your purpose through the practice of Yoga and then do what you are compelled to do. Furthermore, know that it is far better to engage in one's own Dharma, even though one may perform it imperfectly, than to accept another's Dharma and perform it perfectly.'