Saraswati Dharma Coaching
  • Home
  • About Swati
  • Dharma Tribe Landing Page
  • Wealth Training
  • Dharma Blog
  • Why Jyotish Astrology?
  • Privacy Policy

Dharma: What is It and How Do I Find My Path?

10/3/2014

10 Comments

 
Picture

My Unfolding Path

If you're like me, your life purpose, your dharma, has perplexed and plagued you.

In fact, it wasn't too long ago that I wondered why I was struggling to find my dharmic path, or if I ever would find it. My purpose for being alive, has been a life long quest; for the majority of my life it has been a driving force for me. At the same time, it has been a source of angst, agitation, fear, and quandary, not to mention forcing me to deeply surrender.

I've not lacked desire or ambition, though at many times I've wanted to give up my search, or any glimpse of hope that I had a dharmic purpose in this life; one that would give me great joy, and give back to the world and humanity. As I've mentioned recently, my health and physical body have also been primary concerns. My sensitivity in physical, mental and emotional bodies have forced me to live life very differently than the rest of the world, adding to my angst, turmoil and depression. Will I ever have the energy to live my purpose? Can I keep up with the demands of a full time job? How can I impact the world, when I need so much TLC and rest?

Though my primary resource for getting insights into my life path these days are through jyotish, it wasn’t very helpful in my search for dharmic understanding in the past. In fact when I went from jyotishi to jyotishi seeking their advice and their counsel, they all said different things. Some said writing would be “good”, others said artist (but not dance!), I even had one jyotishi tell me that I could be a lawyer! And while many of these pieces fit me and my chart in some capacity, they don’t nail it. And they certainly didn’t provide the clarity I was seeking so desperately. It wasn’t until I committed myself to studying my own chart that the answers started to reveal themselves.

This is the primary reason I strongly advise my clients to study their own charts. It is a tool of self development, spiritual awakening and creating awareness about the individual self in relation to the world. It is the map of one’s karmas- the things we can’t avoid or neglect- while also providing insights into where we need more support, consistency and knowledge. Using one’s jyotish chart as a tool of awakening takes willingness, the desire to awaken and the dissolving of the ego in order to be honest about one’s shadows and karma’s. It is through studying my own chart that I’ve realized my unique purpose in life and also why I trust the steps I’m now taking to maximize my dharmic path. Without the gift of jyotish as a tool of awareness, I know I’d be missing some very important information.


Growing in Dharmic Wisdom

The chart is an unfolding map. As you learn and grow, more and more pieces of information appear and emerge from the chart, more pieces make sense and more trust can be had. I see it as a reciprocal, looping, and spiraling. A tool for deeper listening, being honest and straight forward with ourselves- if we choose to be. And when we need a nudge of awakening, it can be helpful to get a trustworthy outside view from a jyotishi as well.

Even if, as in my case, outside views and jyotish consults didn’t give me the information I needed about my own dharma, I now see that even those experiences, nudged me closer to my dharma- which is connected to studying my own chart! I chuckle about this now because it’s very evident in my chart that I have to stumble a bit to trust my path and that my dharma is quite unusual. So unusual in fact that it really hasn’t been done before. How could a jyotishi tell me what my dharma is when I’m a pioneer and they’d not seen it before?

As I meet with my clients around the world, this theme continues to emerge. My clients are like me in that their dharmas are entirely unique. They are the first to create their unique synergy of modalities and use them together. They are the first in their family certainly, and that combined with a society that doesn’t have a name or a label for one’s occupation, can be discouraging or even derailing.

I also know from experience that many beings are on the planet right now to restore their family dharma. What has been lost for generations is now re-emerging through a special family member, guided by the ancestors, yet shrouded in mystery, challenges and much discouragement simultaneously. It is certainly my story and one that I recognize in almost every client that comes to me. I believe this to be part of my dharma as well- to help others restore their family’s lineage to its original order. We are the artists, musicians, teachers (gurus), healers, maintainers of the spiritual and the sacred.

Look carefully at your family tree. Where are there hints of these pieces, these threads, in your family lineage? How have they appeared, or disappeared, throughout the generations? These will be important details you will want to be aware of as you study your own chart, gather resources for your life purpose, and affirm your own dharma.

Most of my clients are already doing small parts of their dharmic purpose, but not feeling totally fulfilled. And like me they have multiple passions and a lot of creativity (whether they are conscious of it or not!) These multiple passions can cause confusion and concerns about how to create a living for oneself, as well as how to choose a path. I am of the mind that we don’t have to choose! We are likely just not realizing how to knit all of our passions together as one package offering.

Dharma: What Does it Really Mean?

It’s a loaded word. And yet it’s tossed around a lot these days. The dharma of the past is much different than the dharma of today. In fact, as I mentioned previously, dharma has essentially been lost in our Westerncentric culture- which is undoubtedly the source of much discord and confusion. I believe that if we are miserable and not experiencing joy from our work, then we are not doing our dharma. Dharma is most certainly living our purpose, our family’s purpose, the shakti of our lineage. It is coming forth from us, to serve the world in some capacity.

In Kali Yuga (a 432,000 year time period we are currently in that is ruled by Maha Kali the demon, where adharma and sin reigns supreme) we may or may not find our dharma or life purpose. We may aimlessly wander and not fulfill our dharma. The legacy of our family lineage may or may not emerge from us. We may pass the seeds (bij) but they may not take root, grow and blossom through us and with our life force. This is a sin in and of itself and the cause of much suffering

These days, dharma can even be something blatantly sinful that is passed through the lineage and emerges through occupations, traits and characteristics. Story telling for example was once a very important role in passing significant cultural legacies on to future generations. Today, TV and movies are the modern story tellers. Very few really meaningful stories for the most part! In Kali Yuga, anything goes. Even the definition of dharma and the ways in which it emerges is very different than hundreds or thousands of years ago.

To the ancient Vedic civilizations, dharma was much more clearly defined. Occupations were passed from generation to generation and there wasn’t much say in the matter. Karmically, individuals surrendered to the reality that they chose that incarnation as a way to learn, through that specific family dharma. I think it’s similar today, though we just aren’t aware of the dharma, and that confusion alone is the source of the suffering, the maya (illusion) of this life.

This has been the case for me and my family. It is also the case for the majority of my clients.


Using Your Map

Studying your jyotish chart is an essential for understanding your dharma.

First, look at the ninth house- the house of dharma. In the jyotish chart, it is very important for identifying many parts of the life purpose. This is where you begin your investigation. The ninth house is the house of the guru, the teacher, how wisdom comes to you, what type of wisdom and knowledge come, and how (if) you receive it. This is considered the most auspicious house of the chart and since jyotish has traditionally been a tool used for dharmic and spiritual purposes, this house is obviously a predominate resource for the overall chart as well. It is also used for calculating the Navamsha, a divisional chart that is used to further refine dharma, the spouse, and the inner experience of the being. It also shows how the “fruit ripens on the tree” or how the karmas play out so to speak.

Next look at the tenth house. This is the most external of the twelve houses. It is the house of career, one’s offering to the world. From the tenth house we can tell what types of offerings are given and in what capacity we give them. We can further refine the dharma in this way. It should be noted though that these days it is common that career (10th house) has no connection to the dharma (9th house). It may be the career that pays the bills, but the dharma goes unawakened or unused in some capacity. I

The other houses that are important in order to refine the offerings of a person's path are the fifth house and the sixth. The fifth house correlates to our creative energy and potential. This is why it is connected to children, but also our passion. It is also the house connected to students and clients. The sixth house is the house of both healing and being healed. It will be a predominant player in the chart of someone who’s life purpose has to do with healing and helping others; being in service essentially. The 7th house as well can be a part of the dharmic picture. This house of "relationships" will further refine who you are working with- considered the "other" and your mirror.

Finally, the third house is vital for our courage and our ability to move forward in life with action steps. It is also the house of the arts- fine arts and creativity that requires the hands specifically, but also dance and movement. Most clients who come to me are neglecting their creativity and neglecting their inner artist. The third house can be a valuable resource for understanding one’s creative gifts.

If you’re wondering about money (we all need it!) look to the second house. This is the house of comfort and nourishment (literally the body part is mouth and throat) as well as wealth. Money is a source of comfort after all. This house will be important for informing the financial well being of the chart, as it connects to career and life purpose.

The interaction of these houses, the planets involved, the nakshatras enlivened, and the dance of all these elements with the overall chart, is all part of your dharmic story.

You will want to look for key symbols from the planets involved such as from Jupiter (the guru) who indicates teaching, giving knowledge, or being in a position of offering information. Saturn will give his benefits through physical labor, slow and steady growth. I often see yoga, dancing, somatic work and ancient practices connected to him. Mercury inspires writing and communications of all kinds. Venus correlates to the feminine, to art and the life giving capabilities of the arts. The Moon offers nurturing, nourishment and support, as well as hospitality and the qualities of mothering. Sun on the other hand denotes fatherly qualities, leadership and needing to be visible and “seen”. The nodes have unique offerings. Ketu connects to computers (especially the internet), moksha and liberation, as well as unique or unusual modalities. Rahu is worldly and wants attention from others (and can get it!) and is connected to the foreign or unusual.

The nakshatras offer further refinement based on the meaning of the nakshatra, the deity involved, and the planetary ruler of the nakshatra. These are essential details for fine tuning the dharmic story and the unique attributes of your life purpose.

Study your 9th house and look at the relationship it has with the rest of the chart. What is the ruling planet of this house and where does it sit in the chart? What planets sit in the 9th house- if any? Do the same with the 10th house. Note any connections these houses have with the 3rd, 5th and 6th. Are there connections to the 2nd house of wealth and nourishment? How are you nourished by your dharma in other words, and how do you nourish others?

I find jyotish to be a crucial tool for self awareness and self development. Study your chart and grow in the wisdom that is you! No one can truly know your chart as well as you because you are living it. However, jyotish has layer upon layer upon layer that slowly reveal themselves, so remember this is a slow process and one that is rooted in gnana (knowledge and wisdom). You will also miss what you don’t want to see! So be careful with those blind spots.

Use the information above to get you started and to look at your chart in new ways. Study the planets, their nature, and how they express themselves in your chart. The unique dharmic wisdom of your life path is carefully folded into the map of your jyotish chart. With slow and steady steps of wisdom and patience, your path will begin to unfold.



Live Your Life Purpose.
Share Your Unique Gifts and Wisdom.
Touch Lives in Meaningful Ways.
Make More Money Doing What You Love.


Book A Free Dharma Coaching Session

10 Comments
jaimie link
10/3/2014 08:43:18 am

hi dear one!
is there any way to get a visual representation of my chart -- like a physical map?
thank you for being you!
jaimie

Reply
swati link
10/3/2014 09:33:32 am

Hi Jaimie, Thanks for your message. I offer copies of your chart through my website. Just click on the sessions link. Hope that helps!

Reply
Jamie
10/3/2014 12:35:37 pm

I've been following you for little less then a year. I am inching closer and closer to a reading. Your approach is so different and I LOVE that. I feel like your interpretation takes the honored tradition to a beautiful new level (much needed in today's world). Very sweet. Thank you. Jamie

Reply
Swati link
10/4/2014 07:16:14 am

Thank you Jamie! What wonderful feedback to receive! Thank you for sharing.

Be well!

Reply
Janet
10/4/2014 11:19:59 am

It is amazing. I can't wait to open an e-mail from you. Is she reading my mind. You know exactly what we need. You know I have struggled with finding my dharma for my entire life. I can relate to your many past astrology sessions. You take the words right out of my mouth.
You have given so many gifts to me.
A wonderful session (more to come!) workshop, challenge and other resources. You have found your dharma.
The dharmic step podcast is the perfect time for everyone to
have a session with you. I just finished listening to it. and can't wait for my next e-mail!
Janet

Reply
swati link
10/5/2014 07:37:40 am

Thank you for this wonderful feedback Janet. I'm really glad to hear you are following along and finding value in these resources. Look for a new podcast coming with some action steps to take!

Reply
Louis
10/29/2014 12:17:09 pm

I like what you have to say Swati! You give a lot! Sorry can't join you this weekend for your free course. We see and feel eye to eye, gut to gut on pretty much all you have to to say! I'm glad you're a Jyotishi. People will get a lot from you! Love, louis

Reply
Swati link
11/6/2014 04:27:03 am

Hi Louis and thank you for your lovely feedback. I'm glad my articles are helpful to you. Hope you can join me for one of my classes! Be well,

Swati

Reply
Samara Darling
4/8/2020 06:56:49 am

So grateful for this blog and that I have stumbled across it. I had literally gotten a career consultation, that was not very fulfilling. It was insightful yes but still felt a lot of missing parts were being avoided and or not seen. I had a sudden nudge to investigate myself and here I am.. reading your blog upon which hit the nail on the head. Thank You!

Reply
Nickey Leann Ivy
1/8/2022 02:40:48 am

Madame?

I have a question? Do you know anything about the vedic personality quizzes? Like Ghana and the ones mentioned by Jay Shetty? I've taken them, but in my chart wisdom, laziness, and drive are all in balance: about 33% each. And the second one is leader, guide, maker, etc. And they are all near 25% each. The highest is guide at 30%. With all this balance in even my varna. I feel so balanced but unable to attain purpose. Even with some understanding of my vedic chart I feel so lost.

Reply



Leave a Reply.


    Articles


    Podcasts


    Navaratri: Dancing with the Divine Mothers

    March New Moon Wisdom & Vedic Lunar New Year +
    Creative Ritual

    March Full Moon Wisdom & Holi + Creative Ritual

    Saturn in Sagittarius, Transforming Fear, Awakening Dharma

    Imagine This Is Your Reality

    How to Find Your Soul's
    True Path

    Transit Alert: These Big Changes Are Coming

    Jupiter in Virgo: Expanded Creativity and Self Expression + Horoscopes

    How Grief can Give you
    More Joy

    Healing Grief and Trauma from a Jyotish Perspective

    I'm Horrible At This + 4 Simple Steps to Get Your Needs Met

    Soma In A Cup {Simple Ayurvedic Recipe for Rejuvenation}

    Major Transit Alert! Jupiter Moves to Virgo!

    Why Isn't the Money Flowing?!

    Read Your Jyotish Chart in Five Easy Steps

    Archives

    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013

    Categories

    All
    3 Level Check In
    4 Level Check In
    4 Level Check-in
    8th-house
    Abhijit
    Adhar
    Adharma
    Aditi
    Aditya
    Agni
    Ahirbudhnya
    Ajaikapada
    Akasha
    Akshaya Tritiya
    Alps
    Amavasya
    Anant Chaturdashi
    Ancestors
    Announcements
    Anuradha
    Apas
    Aquarius
    Arda
    Ardra
    Aries
    Articles
    Art Projects
    Aryaman
    Ashlesha
    Ashtami
    Ashvini Kumara
    Ashvini-kumara
    Ashwini
    Astrology.com
    Asuras
    Asvini Kumara
    Asvini-kumara
    Atma
    Atma Karaka
    Ayurveda
    Baseline Statements
    Be You Media
    Bhaga
    Bhagavati
    Bhakti
    Bharani
    Body Centered Expressive Art Therapy
    Body Parts
    Body Wisdom
    Boundaries
    Brahma
    Breath
    Bright Half
    Brihaspati
    Buddha Jayanti
    Buddhapurnima
    Cancer
    Capricorn
    Celebrations
    Chakras
    Chandra
    Charnel Ground
    Chipatis
    Chitra
    Clients
    Combustion
    Conflict
    Cosmic-and-creative-self
    Courage
    Creative Engagement
    Creative Ritual
    Creativity
    Criticvictimeb701f2c8e
    Dance
    Daria Halprin
    Dark
    Dasami
    Dashami
    Debilitated Mars
    Debilitated Mercury
    Debilitated-mercury
    Debilitated Moon
    Debilitated-saturn
    Debilitated Sun
    Debilitated Venus
    Debilitated-venus
    Debt
    Devas
    Devatas
    Dhanishta
    Dhanvantari
    Dharma
    Divine Feminine
    Diwali
    Durga
    Eclipse
    Eclipse Portal
    EFT
    Elephant Journal
    Embodiment
    Emotional Body
    Emotional Body Literacy
    Empowerment
    Exalted Jupiter
    Exalted Mars
    Exalted Mercury
    Exalted Moon
    Exalted Saturn
    Exalted Sun
    Exalted Venus
    Fall Equinox
    Father
    Feet
    Fire
    First Chakra
    Foot
    Full Moon
    Full Moon In Libra
    Full Moon In Virgo
    Full Moon Wisdom
    Gandanta
    Ganesha
    Ganesha Chaturthi
    Ganga
    Ganga Dashahara
    Gayatri Mantra
    Gemini
    Gifts
    Goals
    Goddess
    Gratitude
    Grief
    Guru
    Guru Purnima
    Gut
    Gutbelly6f2d9eb2da
    Haiku
    Hands And Arms
    Hanuman
    Hanuman-jayanti
    Hasta
    Healing
    Heart Wisdom
    Heyam Dukham Anagatam
    Holi
    Horoscopes
    Houses
    Illusions
    Indra
    Indragni
    Jala
    June Yagyas
    Jupiter
    Jupiter Direct
    Jupiter-in-cancer
    Jupiter-in-cancer
    Jupiter In Gemini
    Jupiter In Leo
    Jupiter In Virgo
    Jupiter Retrograde
    Jyeshta
    Jyestha
    Jyotish Basics
    Kala Sarpa Yoga
    Kali
    Kali Yuga
    Karma
    Kartik Purnima
    Ketu
    Ketu In Pisces
    Kitchari
    Knees
    Krishna
    Krishna Janmashtami
    Krishna Paksha
    Krittika
    Kundalini
    Lagna
    Lakshmi
    Landscape
    Legs
    Leo
    Libra
    Light
    Lord Rama
    Love
    Lunar Eclipse
    Ma
    Magha
    Magic
    Mahishasura
    Makar Sankranti
    Makar-sankranti
    Mandala
    Manifestation
    Mars
    Mars In Aries
    Mars In Cancer
    Mars In Leo
    Mars In Libra
    Mars In Scorpio
    Mars In Virgo
    Mars Retro
    Mask Work
    Mental Body
    Mercury
    Mercury Direct
    Mercury In Aries
    Mercury In Cancer
    Mercury In Capricorn
    Mercury In Gemini
    Mercury In Leo
    Mercury In Libra
    Mercury In Pisces
    Mercury In Sagittarius
    Mercury In Scorpio
    Mercury In Taurus
    Mercury In Virgo
    Mercury Retro
    Mercury Retrograde
    Mercury Saturn Conjunction
    Mitra
    Money
    Moon
    Moon Diagnosis
    Moon In Virgo
    Moon Min
    Moon Mind
    Moon-mind
    Moon Mind Calendar
    Moon Wisdom
    Moon Wisdom Calendar
    Mother Divine
    Mrgashiras
    Mrigashirsha
    Mula
    Naga
    Nakshatra Assessment
    Nakshatras
    Navami
    Navaratri
    Navratri
    Neck
    New Moon
    New Moon Gemini
    New Moon Libra
    New Moon Wisdom
    New Year
    Nirrti
    Nritti
    Ocean Of Milk
    Online-events
    Parashara
    Passion
    Pelvis
    Penumbral Eclipse
    Pisces
    Pitr
    Planetary Transits
    Podcast
    Podcasts
    Poems
    Polarities
    Prajapati
    Prana
    Pujanetc7cedf5218
    Pulse Dance
    Punarvasu
    Purification
    Purnima
    PurvaAshada
    Purvabhadrapada
    Purvaphalguni
    Pushan
    Pushya
    Rahu
    Rahu-in-virgo
    Rahu-in-virgo
    Ram Navami
    Rasi
    Recipes
    Relationships
    Resiliency
    Resources
    Retrogradejupiter
    Retrograde Jupiter
    Retrograde Mars
    Retrograde-mars
    Retrograde Mercury
    Retrogradevenus
    Retrograde Venus
    Retrograde-venus
    Revati
    Ribcage
    Ribcase
    Rohini
    Rsvp
    Rudra
    Saas Fee
    Sagittarius
    Sandhi
    Saraswati
    Sarpa
    Satabhisha
    Satabisha
    Saturn
    Saturn Conjunct Mars
    Saturn In Sagittarius
    Saturn In Scorpio
    Saturn Rahu Conjunction
    Saturn Retrograde
    Savitr
    Scorpio
    Second Chakra
    Self Care
    Self Love
    Self Tracking
    Senses
    Sensitivity
    Servicesandofferings
    Services And Offerings
    Sessionsconsults
    Sessions-consults
    Sessions Consults9659814dae
    Shadows
    Shakti
    Shiva
    Shivaratri
    Shuklapaksha
    Shukla Paksha
    Sidereal Astrology
    Signs
    Singing
    Sixth-house
    Solar Eclipse
    Soma
    Soul
    Spine
    Spiritual Bypassing
    Spring Equinox
    Spring-equinox
    Sravana
    Storms
    Suklanta
    Summer Solstice
    Sun
    Sun In Cancer
    Sun In Gemini
    Sun In Leo
    Sun In Pisces
    Sun In Sagittarius
    Sun In Scorpio
    Sun In Taurus
    Sun In Virgo
    Sun Mercury Conjunction
    Sun Sign
    Surya
    Swati
    Swati Jr Jewelry
    Tamalpa
    Tapas
    Taurus
    Tejas
    Testimonials
    The Critic
    The Emergent
    Three-steps
    Thriving
    Throat And Jaw
    Tithi 1
    Tithi-10
    Tithi 13
    Tithi 14
    Tithi15
    Tithi 15
    Tithi 2
    Tithi 3
    Tithi 4
    Tithi 5
    Tithi 7
    Tithi 8
    Tithi 9
    Transits
    Trayodashi
    Tropical Astrology
    Twelfth-house
    Upanishad
    Uttarabhadrapada
    Uttaraphalguni
    Uttarashada
    Vaidya Rama Kant Mishra
    Varuna
    Vasant-navaratri
    Vasu
    Vasudeva
    Vasu Devas
    Vayu
    Venus
    Venus In Aries
    Venus In Cancer
    Venus In Gemini
    Venus In Leo
    Venus In Libra
    Venus In Pisces
    Venus In Scorpio
    Venus In Taurus
    Vijayadashami
    Virgo
    Vishaka
    Vishnu
    Vishvadeva
    Vishvakarma
    Visvadeva
    Vulnerability
    Waningmoon
    Waning Moon
    Warrior
    Water
    Water Color
    Waxingmoon
    Waxing Moon
    Wealth
    Winter Solstice
    Winter-solstice
    Workshops
    Yagyas
    Yajur Veda
    Yama
    Yoga
    Zen

All content on this website is sole property of Saraswati Embodied Dharma Coaching  unless otherwise noted and may not be reproduced without permission or consent. Please be aware that legal action will be taken if content is used without permission or credit.
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About Swati
  • Dharma Tribe Landing Page
  • Wealth Training
  • Dharma Blog
  • Why Jyotish Astrology?
  • Privacy Policy