There are many ways to define dharma, but here, I mean your purpose/duty/gift you came to express, which aligns with who you truly are and your values.
In the Vedic philosophy taught 3000 years ago, ayurveda doctors suggested that we bring the questions of money and sex to the initial consultation. Why? If a person constantly worries about her basic human needs, how can she be well?
In survival mode, we can’t regenerate, digest or be innovative (connected to the second chakra, the centre of sexuality, money and creativity).
A story,
I’ll be honest: I have been uncomfortable with money and spirituality for many years, so I committed to giving 10% of the profit to plant trees. I was charging some generously so I could charge less to those limited financially, but still, something was not sitting right with me.
Last December, I visited Pondichery, South India, to meditate at the Aurobindo Ashram. He was a great thinker and yogi at the beginning of the 19th century. I walked around the white town, a beautiful colonial neighbourhood, and realised that the Aurobindo Institute owned at least 30% of the stunning buildings.
They all served the community: art galleries, hospitals, libraries, food canteens, schools, etc. He and his partner in crime, Mira, obviously understood how to create wealth that served them and the good of the community—dharmic wealth.
So I went to look for a book he wrote about money.
In his book, Aurobindo suggests that money is an expression of the divine, as it allows people to live well. He encourages good people to make it their dharma (duty/role) to have as much money as they can to create needed projects for the welfare of the community around them and beyond.
Since then, something has shifted for me.
I’m in my peri-menopause, and I have less energy than in my 30th. However, having purpose is vital for our mental well-being at this stage of life particularly, so I realised I have to work less and earn more to keep helping others care for themselves and recognise their innate powers, but it will have to be nourishing for me, too.
So, I wrote how I wanted to earn this year. I created a list of people and organisations I wanted to collaborate with. I started offering wellness consultancy, helping organisations and individuals create signature events and retreats, and aligning their business with their dharma, and I doubled my income.
The Buddha once said that divinity wants us to live our dharma and will do anything to support us. However, we need to hold the thread, and the universe will provide us with the needle.
This is an encouragement to take some time and reflect on money.
✏️Why are you doing what you are doing? Are you inspired by being involved in those projects?
✏️Are you part of projects you believe in, and do you feel they benefit your well-being and those involved?
✏️Will it benefit the next generation?
✏️If money was your best friend, how would you talk to it?
When you are clear about it, you will manifest the right job/project for you.
It will be effortless becase you will be driven by passion and values (dharma).
When we, the honest people, understand that money is there for us to create inspiring solutions, you will be provided.
These shaky financial times are an opportunity to align with something higher, more collaborative, and more dharmic.
Ways you can stay centred while being triggered
