Stress Concept - Dharma

When we are at peace, there is no stress.

The feeling of peace occurs when all our feeling, emotions and actions are aligned with our natural sense of self, being or existence. This natural sense of existence where we are completely at peace is our value system or Dharma.

Our Dharma is our anchor. For as long as we are held by this anchor of Dharma, we feel a sense of purpose, of being alive and that all is well.

Stress occurs when we are unsettled from our Dharma (value system or this feeling of peace). This is distress and is a feeling of being unable to cope with the situation. Stress Management is about managing this distress.

Any stress solution will be effective only if the solution is not in keeping with our Dharma (value system).

For example: If, at work, we are falling behind on a deadline and we get instructions to take certain shortcuts that conflict with our sense of quality or integrity (dharma/ value system), the stress of falling behind on the deadline would actually get compounded by the stress of having to work against our Dharma (value system). Depending on how strong the conflict is, the distress levels could be much higher than if it were a deadline issue alone.

If on the other hand, we were able to negotiate with our customer for a revision in deadline or a stagger in the output, the stress of negotiation actually becomes a motivator for better performance.

Share your opinion & experiences…

• Does nature have a Dharma?

• How is the Dharma of various beings embedded in Nature

• Do animals, birds, weather… each have a svadharma?

• How is Dharma related to Bushido, Zen, Arête etc.

• Dharma & righteousness?

• Duty & Dharma?

• What happens when Dharma is violated?

• How can we recognise Dharma?

• Dharma at home.

• How can we live a Dharmic lifestyle?

• Dharma & work

• Dharma and education

• Dharma, society and religion.

• Dharma and marital relationship

• Dharma and politics

• Dharma and wisdom

• How do we recognise a dharmic act?

• Is Dharma instinctive or premeditated?

• How is our personality affected by Dharma?

• After performing an out of dharma (Adharma) act, do we regret? Why?