Dharma isn’t just a theory or something you put on a shelf. It’s meant to be a living, breathing path that guides you through life. That’s why we direct our minds toward the Dharma with the wish: “May the Dharma be an effective path.” But for that to happen, you have to be vigilant. You need to observe what’s going on within yourself that might be preventing your Dharma path from being truly effective.
Integrity is key. You must guard it closely, saying to yourself, “I should not lose the integrity of my practice by choosing a negative path of action.” Take a close look at what’s holding you back from fully embodying the Dharma as your path. Is it jealousy? Competitiveness? Fear? Whatever it is, recognize it, and do something about it. Don’t let yourself get lost in negative emotions. Identify them, and then steer yourself back to your positive motivation, back to the path of love and compassion.
When you bring yourself into alignment with the Dharma, something powerful happens. You receive the lama’s blessing, and by extension, you receive the blessing of the Dharma and the sangha. You begin to see others with pure vision, appreciating where you stand on this path. Your emotions are in your own hands, so adjust them. When you do, your relationships and external experiences will reflect that shift.
The external world is often a mirror of what’s happening internally. If you take care of your internal emotions, the external reactivity of the world starts to subside. There’s a mutual relationship here—your internal state shapes your external reality. So may Dharma not just be a distant idea, but a living path that you walk every day, guiding your actions, softening your heart, and shaping your experience of the world.
