Religion - And Where My Questions Led Me

Religion – a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. 

“God will punish you and send you straight to hell if you dare cheat on another exam, young lady!” She said with a harsh and stern voice that echoed in the hall of C Wing at St. Michael’s middle school.

Sister Immaculata looked directly at me, penetrating my soul with beady eyes that hid behind black trimmed pointy glasses. Every time she spoke, the wrath of God spoke too. There was nothing warm or fuzzy about her.  When she wasn’t spitting daggers of fear directly into your heart, she stood fully erect and maintained an angry expression that repelled perfect strangers.  Her face was tense –sustaining a crinkled nose and pressed lips.  The corners of her mouth pointed downward and exaggerated wrinkles in her forehead kept her brow furrowed.  I wondered if maintaining such a constant expression could exhaust a person or perhaps cause facial cramps.  

Dharma - Our Individual Life Purpose

Deepak Chopra explains the Law of Dharma:
The seventh spiritual law of success is the Law of Dharma. (Dharma is a Sanskrit word that means "purpose in life.") This law says that we have taken manifestation in physical form to fulfill a purpose.  You have a unique talent and a unique way of expressing it.  There is something that you can do better than anyone else in the whole world - and the creative expression of your talent is the spark that creates affluence.  Expressing your talents to fulfill needs creates unlimited wealth and abundance.  There are three components to the Law of Dharma. The first says that each of us is here to discover our true Self.  The second component is to express our unique talents; the expression of that talent takes you into timeless awareness.  The third component is service to humanity.  When you combine the ability to express your unique talent with service to humanity, then you make full use of the Law of Dharma.

Congratulations, Mr. Chopra, (someday I hope we are on a first name basis, Deepak).  You wrapped one of the most loaded words in any language (purpose) into a pretty little simplified package.  I embrace it, accept it and love it, but maybe you’re missing one very significant part. What if we’re one of the (gazillion) unfortunate ones who spend a lifetime trying to figure out what our dharma is? What if we are always chasing an elusive goal and seeking an underlying purpose?  How many times in my life have I said,  “This is it!” or  “I’ve finally figure out what I’m supposed to do with my life!” Only to turn around, practically seconds later, and say, “This definitely isn’t it.”

More than is worth counting.