Life is the Teacher  ~ The Principle of Svadharma

The heart of yoga’s teachings invite us into the depth of our being and into an inquiry about the truth of who we are. Knowing the principle of Svadharma can offer us a refuge amidst societal pressures and an unknown world. 

“Svadharma” means one’s own true path, true calling or organic design. “Sva” means self (identity in the world). “Dharma” means truth or way (of the individual in the world).

Our yoga practice brings our attention inward to a wider and deeper view of who we are in relationship to life. It points us inward to be true to our own heart and attend to what mythologist Joseph Campbell referred to as, “follow your bliss…” (full quote below)

Although we play many roles in life- in family, community, society and the world, we can flow more freely through these different roles if we honor and respect our unique calling; how we serve and are a part of a harmonious whole is also an aspect of Svadharma. 

Through following our Svadharma, we learn to work with our natural being and grace rather than against it. Svadharma can be uncovered by observing what gives us a deep sense of joy and satisfaction… follow your bliss!

“Follow your bliss.

If you do follow your bliss,
you put yourself on a kind of track
that has been there all the while waiting for you,
and the life you ought to be living
is the one you are living.

When you can see that,
you begin to meet people
who are in the field of your bliss,
and they open the doors to you.

I say, follow your bliss and don’t be afraid,
and doors will open
where you didn’t know they were going to be.

If you follow your bliss,
doors will open for you that wouldn’t have opened for anyone else.”

     –Joseph Campbell