What is Dharma?

Dear Courageous Soul,

You write:

I am exploring the meaning of Dharma. Until now I have associated it with my work in the world, with how I wish to serve humanity, with how I am called to express myself “professionally”. […] In the past two years, my interest and desire and passion for my professional work has nearly disappeared; I often feel wearied by it. […] I would welcome hearing from those who may relate to this experience. I would also like to hear more about how one embraces one’s Dharma when it may not be related to directly being of service in some outer expression.

When I introduce the notion of Dharma, I usually start with the idea of a soul’s plan. Maybe you want to follow me on this Gedankenexperiment: What if the soul makes something like a plan, an intention, a sankalpa for the incarnation to come? This intention, this sankalpa is something like the title of the book of your life. It’s the heading of your life story. This intention, this sankalpa is not only manifested in your professional life – but in every single second of your life.

As far as I experience it, the soul’s plan manifests differently in different life situations or phases. As children we express our soul’s intention differently than as a teenager, as an adult, as an elderly person… but always we have this red thread of our soul’s sankalpa running through our life. And there are phases of our lives when we are students of our Dharma, before we can re-enter the stage of giving our gifts to the world…

So when trying to get hold of this soul’s sankalpa I often ask for flow experiences, as I believe that flow states are experiences when our being is fully aligned with our soul’s intention.

Until my teacher Chameli introduced the notion of Dharma to me, I usually spoke of vocation or one’s soul’s plan. Dharma for me captures this amazing interwovenness of everything, whereas the soul’s sankalpa still feels quite “individualized” to me. Dharma for me points to the fact that no-one and no-thing is separated from anything else. So our soul’s sankalpa is so much connected to all the circumstances of our incarnation. It is no pure coincidence that we live where we live and at that certain time – for me Dharma is an expression of the Divine Choreography of Life. Chameli uses this beautiful metaphor of the tapestry of life where all beautiful Dharma threads are intervowen to the magnificent universe that we live in.

And I am convinced that we can never ever “loose” our Dharma, we can never ever be “off” our Dharma. What we can choose (in my view) is how consciously, how committed, how aligned we want to live our Dharma. But we cannot ever loose it. How should we manage to “fall out” of the Divine Choreography of Life?

So when we are in inbetween-states (this is what I feel when I read your lines) it might be that the expression of our Dharma is changing, is deepening, is becoming even more focussed. I love to bring the metaphor of an onion: All layers belong to the same onion. But whenever we peel off one layer, we come closer to the core of the onion. So maybe you are currently peeling off one layer of your Dharma’s onion…

May your roots grow even deeper into your Dharma. _/|\_
May you blossom even more beautifully into your Dharma! _/|\_

So much love to you, dear Courageous Soul. ❤
Uli, your Soul Sister

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Your Way

Dear Courageous Soul,

You tell me in so much detail how much you admire this other person for specific qualities. And at the same time you seem to shrink as you are not as admirable (you believe) as this other person. In your eyes this person is more than OK while you need to change and need to be fixed.

So I invite you to open your heart, open your horizon, open your vision in order to let go of pre-defined pictures. Will you allow Life to surprise you?

Life (or however you call that which is bigger than you and me) has provided you with your unique You, your unique fragrance, your unique vibration, your unique flavor, your unique gift. Once you deposit the how-it-should-look-like, you are open to receive and perceive your unique way of being and doing.

Who are we to judge whether this way or that way is better? Isn’t it a denial of the sacredness of all-that-is? You are perfect as you are. You don’t need to copy anyone, you are the most beautiful version of You that exists! ❤ ❤ ❤ You are perfect as you are! As perfect as the future version of you that you are going to be! 😉

I invite you to dive curiously into the depths of your own being and discover the unique way of being you. There in the depth of your own being you’ll reconnect with your innocence – such a sacred place, such a pure joy, such a bright light.

You are a Courageous Soul, I can feel it, so you won’t die as a copy of someone else, you are about to live your life as the unique You that you are.

I admire your uniqueness, I celebrate your uniqueness, I cherish your uniqueness.

In reverence and love,

Uli – your Soul Sister

Proud of You

Dear Courageous Soul,

Last night your darkest shadow showed up. In tears you tell me how dark you feel, how bad, how completly wrong.

I smile at you and tell you that I am so proud of you.

What a break through! You were able to contain and embody your deepest fear, your darkest shadow, your most feared aspect. And you are conscious of it!

Yes, I know this immense shame that shows up “the day after”. I love you for your shadow and your shame. Your shame tells me that you want to bring to the world the complete opposite of what you did yesterday. It shows me your huge intention to be of service for a better world.

The fact that your deepest shadow showed up tells me that you are able to contain strong strong energies. It tells me that you are willing to go for the real deal and to grow into the biggest version of you. It tells me that you have freed up the energy that had been bound by this shadow. It tells me that you are ready to take the next powerful step in your life.

May you see that you are perfect as you are. May you feel “right” with your darkest as well as your most shining parts. This is how Life wants to express itself through you. Yesterday you didn’t hesitate to be of service to the collective to embody this shadow that no-one wants to see or feel or express. You volunteered to express it, to be a channel for this energy that is so often denied and closed into the underworld.

I am proud of you. I am grateful that you did this job. I bow to you that you brought awareness and consciousness to the human shadow.

You are truly a courageous soul. The world needs more of your kind.

I am so proud of you.
Uli – your soul sister

No coincidence

Dear Courageous Soul,

You tell me that you doubt whether you are doing the right things in your life, whether you are in the right place at the right time. Oh, I know those thoughts and feelings, nagging doubt…

I’ve come to a place where I am fully convinced that we can never ever be “off” our dharma, our vocation, our calling. It’s no coincidence that you are where you are, that you do what you do. The fact that you are in a certain place is the proof for me that your unique gift, your unique medicine, your unique vibration is needed right there. Maybe it’s not so obvious, maybe you don’t have to say anything or do anything – maybe all that is needed is your vibration.

I can reassure you that I don’t necessarily feel this in any given moment of my life, but there is this firm background conviction that I am exactly in the right place – and so are you! This firm conviction is a strong medicine when doubt arises.

When I tell you that you are exactly as you are meant to be and that you are exactly where you are meant to be, it does not necessarily exclude the possibility of further potential. But: There’s nothing wrong with you. There’s nothing to fix. It’s no coincidence that you bring into the world what you say, do, think, initiate, sing, dance, argue, …

May today there be peace within.
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
Let this knowledge settle into your bones.
Allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
(Teresa of Ávila)

May this knowledge settle into your bones!
Uli, your Soul Sister

Innocence

Dear Courageous Soul,

The Innocence in me sees the Innocence in you.

No matter how hard we all try to protect our innocent and vulnerable core behind thick clothes or walls, this beautiful loving essence continues to shine brightly. These True Colors are who we really are at the core of our being.

We have so many good reasons that make us think or feel that we have to protect ourselves and our innocence. We have all made our experiences that made us believe that it is not safe to live from this place of innocence deep down in us.

Our Innocence is nothing we need to overcome, deny, or hide away. Our Innocence is a pure source of joyfulness and trust. In this place we feel interconnected, we feel being met by the benevolent presence of Life. In this place failure and separation don’t exist – not even the notion of it. In this place we are completely immersed in our dharma, in our true being – we feel one with the Mystery of Life.

Feel into your own inner depth – right now. Can you feel this innocent loving part in you? Smiling at the Mystery of Life in awe and wonder – and at the same time with such an intrinsic sense of being “right”. All is well, this is a friendly mystery.

About a year ago I promised myself that I would cherish my Innocence and live my life from this place of Innocence. I admit that I don’t manage every day, but I have my reminders and stay rooted in this intention. I return to my Innocence consciously. I invite you to join me in this practice. If living from the place of Innocence within became a movement, a human attitude, a human pattern, oh, how much easier and simpler life would be! Trusting, loving, connected, playful, … aligned with the Mystery of Life.

The Innocence in me sees the Innocence in you.

Uli, your soul sister

Come back home…

… and let go of the fruits. What is love calling forth from you?

Silence and Growth

Dear Courageous Soul,

There are these days when you draw back into your own being. Life energy is directed to inward matters. On the outside you become silent, very silent.

But on the inside a whole world appears. Your system is flooded by fireworks of associations and interrelations. Aha experiences occur, pictures take form. What a rich time! Growth is happening.

Usually we overlook this precious time of development and increasing awareness. People ask us: “Everything OK? You’re so silent and withdrawn.” But you just don’t have the words to describe the precious new wisdom just sprouting into your being.

When you recognize yourself as inseparable part of the vast Mystery of Life, all these “intense times” become time of apprenticeship. Insights (cognitive, emotional, mental, spiritual, …) are sparks of increased awareness and consciousness. Your horizon widens.

You are on your path of dharma. You get the lesson. You celebrate Life. You bow to the Beauty of all-that-is. I celebrate you, precious soul. I am so happy to walk this planet with you! ❤ ❤

Connected in the vast Mystery of Life,
Uli, your soul sister

Tend the Seed

The Gift is indestructible. It is a seed. We are not required to be God. We are not required to create the seed. Only to plant it wisely and well.
~ Stephen Cope (in: The Great Work of Your Life)

You carry a gift in you – your gift – your seed, your medicine for the world, your gift to humankind. How relieving to recognize that we don’t have to make it, this gift of ours! It is here, it has always been here. Rather, our task it to tend the seed, to nourish it with water, sun, and love, and to cultivate it by trusting it.

Cultivating the seed and later the sprout is a metaphor for taking consistent decisions that sustain our gift and our dharma. Once we “know” our dharma cognitively, emotionally, and intuitively, this life purpose acts as a lighthouse for us.

Decisions that we take throughout our life can either lead towards the dharma lighthouse or in a different direction. Nobody forces us to take all our decisions towards the lighthouse, but… Individuals who consistently take choices in favor of their dharma, experience tremendous support by the whole universe.

Will you tend your sprout, even when snow falls again? Or do you loose trust: “Oh, it’s doomed. The cold snow will destroy it.” How deeply do you trust your seed, your sprout, your gift, your dharma?

Take an inquiry of your daily decisions whether they lead towards the dharma lighthouse or not. You’ll find the size of your trust. It’s never too late to return to your seed or sprout and tend it with the love in your heart.

Letter to a Courageous Soul

Dear Courageous Soul,

The moment you accept what troubles you’ve been given,
 the door will open. (Rumi)

I miss you. And I miss your enthusiasm – in the world – and for the world. I don’t write this to cause any action from your side. I just feel that your flavor is missing in the world. The world really misses you. Your spark. Your spice. Your smile. Your love. Your uniqueness deeply and completely expressed by you.

I am completely convinced that we cannot be “off” our dharma. We all live our vocation in every single minute of our incarnation. But we can live it half-heartedly or immersed in enthusiasm.

Chameli Ardagh once quoted the Mexican shamans:

When you loose your joy, you loose your power.

So I ask you: Why are you here? What does the Divine want to express uniquely through you? What is your golden trace of beauty and love?

Let’s surf the wave together.

The wound is where the light enters. (unknown)

Yes, yes, yes! Broken. Yes. Wounded. Yes. Fearful. Yes.

And: If the brokeness will never go away, if the wounds will never go away, if fear will never go away – will you still be holding back your gift and your enthusiasm?

I miss you on a very very deep level. A level beyond words. A level beyond face to face meetings and conversations. I really miss you – in a way I will never be able to express.

Eternally connected in love,
Uli, your Soul Sister

How do you feed your dharma?

What do you do – on a daily basis – to feed your dharma?

To feel the deep longing in one’s heart and to take a decision is one thing. The other thing is to stay with it. To commit to what you really want on a daily basis. To feed your dharma plant every day. To practice dedication. To stay with your commitment.

How do you feed your dharma plant? Do you water it? Do you offer it sunshine? How much do you show your love to it?

It is a very personal thing how water – sunshine – love look like. It might be that you light a candle for this longing in your heart. It might be that you exercise in the fresh air. It might be that you ask for support from experts. It might be that you get up and rent an office of your own. It might be that you take a nap after lunch. It might be that you write a blog post. It might be that you put a dharma symbol onto your altar. It might be that you write your dharma sentence on a piece of paper and put it on your fridge door. It might be that you take singing classes. It might as well be something completely different…

So let me ask you again: How do you feed your dharma?