More dharma
Lately I have been thinking so much about dharma. During the meditation retreat with Sally Kempton at one moment, she shared with us that fact that for the longest time she wasn't sure of what her dharma was. As I was listening to her honest offering I thought to myself, "Well if Sally doesn't know her dharma -she being a world famous mediation teacher- what about me?" Then she took it to another level as she continued, saying that she realized her dharma was what she was already doing, namely teaching and writing. Her sharing made me contemplate how often we doubt, become insecure or ambivalent about what we have been doing with "our one wild and precious life," when quite possibly we just might be living the path our soul was meant to take on this incarnation!
Sally is also doing a Tele-Conference call for the next three weeks on dharma. On the first call two days ago, she spoke about how to know when you are in the path of your dharma, of your calling, your purpose, your duty. You know you are on the right path when you are growing spiritually; when you don't feel stuck or held. Growth doesn't mean it will be easy, though. Growth implies challenges and struggles, but still there is a life force shaping and guiding you.
So for the next few weeks I am contemplating the intention of what is my path? How can I most fully express my individual self and live the life that fulfills my soul's role? I look around and see Elena, Christina and Darren, leaving their Anusara certification to fulfill their path. I see so many others choosing to stay with their Anusara certification and others trying to pursue it. All of us following our unique calling.
I think of my family and in particular of my Aunt Violetita (we call her "Titi Toy"). My aunt wanted nothing more than to be a mother and a housewife. As children and even to this day when you go to her house, there is always warm food being cooked, some holiday decoration being put up and her house resplendent with her unique offerings in the form of magnets, ceramics, pictures and flowers. This is someone who I always felt was living her calling, so beautifully. This is someone who really was meant to be a housewife, not because society dictated it but because it allowed her to offer the best of her.
I also see my mother who -in my opinion- is unfolding and blooming as we speak. She started volunteering at a children's hospital a few years ago, donating so much of her time and love. Whenever we speak on the phone she is visiting either a friend who is sick at the hospital or taking an elderly neighbor to a doctor's appointment. Mami is embodying a life of service, done with little fanfare and so much heart.
I look outside to my fellow yogis, to my family, to my friends, even strangers for inspiration.
I look inwards and listen to my compass settle on my North.
I can't wait to see how life reveals itself today and this month.
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