Dharma in Brief:
Dharma, in its essence, is what sustains and nurtures our life and growth. It is the principle that upholds our existence, both individually and collectively. As Thakur Anukulchandra succinctly put it, "What makes us live and grow with healthy maintenance is Dharma in short."
Beyond All Differences:
The concepts of good and bad are often seen as relative. What one person considers good might be seen as bad by another. As social beings, we strive to find virtue in our actions and meaning in our lives, but this relativity can be confusing. Even strict materialists, who focus on empirical evidence, seek love, attachment, and meaning in life.
Dharma transcends these relativities by providing an absolute basis for meaningful actions, morals, and understanding.
Master's Definition of Good:
- "What gathers for existential welfare with meaningful adjustment exalting being into becoming is good." (M.2.p43)
Philosophical Inquiry:
If everything in the world is relative, then what is the 'sense of relativity' relative to? The answer is a 'sense of Absolute.' This Absolute is Dharma.
The Primordial Need:
A fundamental experience common to all is the realization, "I exist." We inherently seek to sustain and expand this existence, finding meaning and fulfillment through connections with others. Our basic need is to nurture this existence. When we say "I am," it reflects our state of being. Thus, to address the essence of existence, we use the term 'Being.'
Master’s Insight:
- "No existence, no 'ism.' The root of all isms is 'Existentialism.'"
Existence Through Survival and Becoming:
To exist, we need basic necessities like food, shelter, and health. While these ensure survival, they are just the beginning. Humans have an inherent desire to expand beyond mere survival. This urge to grow and evolve is the essence of becoming. Thakur Anukulchandra emphasized that "contraction is dejection, expansion is delight."
Three Inherent Properties of Being (Sat-Chit-Ananda):
1. Sat (Existence): The term 'Being' means 'to exist.' Thus, Being naturally predefines its existence.
2. Chit (Responsiveness/Consciousness): Being experiences its existence through interaction with the environment. This responsiveness is the essence of consciousness.
3. Ananda (Blissful Becoming): We seek happiness or bliss, which is achieved through the becoming of the Being.
Conclusion:
Being desires to exist consciously and to experience blissful becoming. This makes the Being inherently resistant to anything that opposes its existence, consciousness, and bliss.
What is Evil?
Evil is anything unfavorable to the Existence, Responsiveness, and Blissful Becoming of the Being. Understanding and recognizing evil is crucial for self-defense. The inherent urge to exist and grow consciously leads to a natural resistance to anything that hinders life and growth.
Dharma Is...
Our primary need is to uphold our existence, which encompasses much more than basic survival. This is Dharma.
Master’s Teaching:
- "The function of Dharma is the nurture of existence, consciousness, and bliss with all resistance to evil."
Environment and Individual:
Our existence and growth are intertwined with our environment. Just as a plant cannot water itself, we rely on others for our sustenance and well-being. This interconnectedness highlights the importance of nurturing our environment as part of nurturing ourselves.
Thakur Anukulchandra said:
- "On others' existence, I stand. This is Dharma, do understand."
Taking care of others is not merely a moral or ethical duty; it is integral to our existence. Each of us is a unique part of a broader organization of existence, working together like the organs of a body.
The Role of the Living Ideal:
To understand and apply Dharma in our lives, we need a practical and natural demonstrator of Dharma—a living Ideal who embodies Dharma. Just as water vapor needs to be condensed to quench our thirst, the idea of Dharma becomes practical through its embodiment in a living Ideal.
Master’s Guidance:
- “Being is instinct with existence, consciousness, and blissful becoming—spontaneously resisting evil. What is nurturing to existence, consciousness, and blissful becoming is Dharma. Dharma is embodied in a living Ideal.”
The Musk Syndrome:
Just as the musk deer searches for the source of the beautiful aroma that comes from within itself, we often seek fulfillment outside of ourselves. The grandeur we seek is within us, but realization comes through proper activity and the guidance of the Master, who is perpetually tuned to this source of elixir.
Rabindranath Tagore captured this beautifully in his poem, “The Musk Syndrome”:
- "In the midst of the forest, the deer searches for the musk fragrance,
Not knowing it comes from within its own body."
The Roadmap of Self-Realization:
Realizing Dharma involves integrating individual, family, societal, and state-level adjustments. This journey is about adhering to an Ideal who represents the essence of upholding and protecting all beings.
Master’s Vision:
- "The goal of life is god-realization or the attainment of a personality in which the urge of upholding and protecting others is firmly established."
In conclusion, understanding Dharma and its universality is about recognizing the interconnectedness of all life and the inherent urge within each Being to exist, respond, and become blissful. By following a living Ideal who embodies Dharma, we align ourselves with this universal principle, ensuring our growth and the growth of all around us.
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