06/05/2026
It's garbage night and I'm cleaning out the crisper in our fridge. There are some unrecognizable greens gone way past their due date. Some have twist ties around them, others have elastic or plastic bands. All in all, there is a slimey mess and I'm feeling bad that some good food has gone to waste. It's also late and I just want to get the job done so I toss it all into the garbage under the sink.
And then another feeling comes over me. It's not just guilt for wasting another bunch of cilantro and green onions, it's bigger than that. It almost feels criminal, like I have broken some karmic law.
I realize this is a very small example, but I believe it's in moments like this where we have a choice: to do what is easy and seemingly benign, or to make some effort that aligns with our dharma.
Dharma is a sanskrit word that means universal virtues, such as non-harming and truthfulness, that incline us toward balance and peace. You can also have your own dharma (svadharma) which is an individual's duty that promotes well-being for yourself and the world.
Another way to describe svadharma could be your heart's deepest intention. Or, as one of my teachers once asked: "what is your noble mission?" This question has been especially helpful when I'm faced with a choice.
Looking into the bucket of garbage I see how little difference it would make if I got in there and removed the non-organic bits from the mush. But I remember that all our actions have consequences, no matter how small, and when we align our choices with our dharma, our actions having meaning and possible benefits. I pull on my rubber gloves, may my actions create less harm.
Do you have a noble mission, a svadharma? It can be so close to the heart that you may not even know what it is. Or maybe what you thought was your mission is actually somebody else's.
Maybe your svadharma expresses itself in the garden, or in conversation, or during your yoga practice, or in your art; and knowingly or unknowingly, adds to the benefit and well-being for yourself and others.
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