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Karma,
Dharma and Samskara
Karma, dharma and samskara are the three components of lifestyle. The
way of life we adopt, whether it be family, social, personal or spiritual,
is a result of karma, dharma and samskara expressing themselves naturally
in our lives.
Karma is the 'action' not only of the physical
senses but also of the inner senses, the mind and the psyche. The mind
is made up of four functions, manas (reflective functions), buddhi
(intelligence), chitta (memory & awareness) and ahamkara
(self-identity), while the spirit is separate and transcendental. Karma
is the process of moving forward, it is the foundation of evolution and
change which all creation, including the human personality, undergoes
naturally. That karmic process is the movement of our way of life through
cause and effect, however it may be experienced, from birth until death,
from right to wrong, from just to unjust and from dynamism to lethargy.
Samskara is the natural inclination of the
mind. For example, an attraction to food becomes a central theme in life
no matter whether we are from the highest or the lowest echelons of society.
This inclination is reflected in our attitudes, behaviour and beliefs,
and influences our personal images of ourselves.
Dharma is our wisdom-full interaction with
the world around us; how we relate to people, our friends, relatives and
others we come into contact with directly or indirectly. Our most immediate
dharma towards them is to help each and every one to evolve, and everything
else is a part of this dharma. When we find ourselves in a position in
which we must help others by supporting, nourishing or nurturing them,
and when this position manifests in all areas of our life, we understand
that this is our dharma, duty, commitment or obligation. The three foundations
of dharma, in this regard, are right thinking, right behaviour and right
action.
Dharma is the interactive; samskara is the inclination, the nature; and
karma is the acting aspect. Altogether they make up the lifestyle.
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