What is your Karma and Dharma? A Year-End Reflection

The Annual Review of the Soul

As the year comes to a close, we often look at our achievements—money earned, miles run, tasks completed. In Yoga, we call this Karma (Action). But there is a deeper question we must ask: Was that action aligned with your Dharma (True Purpose)?

As a Yoga Master, I teach that action without purpose is just noise. True peace comes when your Karma serves your Dharma. But to understand this, we must look deeper than just "good deeds."

The Difference Between the Two.

Karma (The Law of Cause and Effect):

Karma is often misunderstood as "fate." It is actually simple physics: Every action has a reaction.

• Personal Karma (Prarabdha): The specific script of your life this year. The challenges you faced, the relationships you built. Did you react with wisdom or impulse?

• Collective Karma (Samashti): The world around us. How did your actions impact the community in Bern, the environment, and the collective consciousness? Did you add to the noise or the peace?

Dharma (Your Cosmic Duty):

Dharma is the inner law of your being. It holds everything together. But it exists on two levels:

• Universal Dharma (Sanatana Dharma): The eternal values that apply to everyone—Truth (Satya), Non-Violence (Ahimsa), and Compassion. Did you uphold these laws this year?

• Personal Dharma (Svadharma): Your unique role. Are you a teacher, a parent, an artist? Your Svadharma is your specific duty. If you try to live someone else's life, you create friction (suffering). If you align with your own nature, even hard work feels effortless (Flow).

THE YOGVEDA REFLECTION: The Alignment Check

Sit in stillness today and ask:

1. "Did my Personal Karma (actions) serve my Svadharma (specific purpose)?"

2. "Did I sacrifice Universal Truth to achieve a temporary personal gain?"

3. "Where did I act out of fear (Adharma) instead of love?"

CONCLUSION: Aligning for the New Year

Don't just make a "To-Do" list for next year.

Make a "To-Be" list. Ensure your next action (Karma) comes from your highest purpose (Dharma). When the personal and the universal align, that is Yoga.

This depth of philosophy is a core module of our Teacher Training. If you are ready to study the Self, join the next cohort.

View the 200h Diploma Curriculum (Link to: /en/yoga-teacher-training-bern-200h) Align Your Practice in the Studio (Link to: /en/yoga-class-schedule-bern)

Author: Yoga Master Shahid Khan