Dharma in times of moral conflict - How to navigate.pptx

Dharma is broad based and can be difficult to box in terms of right or wrong because of the sheer subjectivity associated to it. This document gives a guide to discover whether our action is within dharma or adharma. Its gives us a map to locate and give a direction without strictly defining what is right and wrong. It connects Dharma to Ignorance and to the six enemies of the mind which causes us to move from our natural dharmic state to adharmic state.

1. Dharma and Moral dilemmas Dharma is broad based and can be difficult to box in terms of right or wrong because of the sheer subjectivity associated to it.  This becomes prominent when we have moral dilemmas. That is when it becomes a Dharma- yudha . The first rule in comprehending Dharma and making it real to oneself is to apply it to oneself as much as possible and not to others.  It is hard to assess Dharma or Adharma for someone else because we can never know their underlying intent. Only they can truly know.

2. In times when we are in a moral dilemma, we need some guiding beacons and some deeper and deeper unravelling of the self to discover what is Dharma and what is Adharma. The biggest guiding beacon is to ask oneself How can I know what is selfless and what is selfish? Dharma in times of moral conflict(1)

3. Dharma in times of moral conflict(2) Selfishness is weakness and Selflessness is strength. But then how to identify it. Go deeper... Kama/ Lobha Krodha Moha Mada/ Matsarya Bhaya Moha Sanskrit English Kama Lust, sensual desire Krodha Anger Lobha Greed Moha Delusion, Attachment Mada Ego Matsarya Envy Six Enemies of the Mind ( Shadripu )

4. The interesting thing to note is that while all this may look like a complex decision tree, we tend to do this naturally all the time while deciding right or wrong.   But during difficult situations, we face moral dilemma and there is no moral standing ground left and these decisions do not come naturally Our conscience always tells us what is right and what is wrong. It comes deep from our being. Our true self.  The order and harmony of Rta is manifested in our thoughts as Satya and as action in Dharma.  However, due to ignorance and desire, it gets shrouded, and we lose our sense of our true being.  Journey back to discover our true self is the recognition and realization of our Dharma and that is the purpose of Spirituality. Dharma in times of moral conflict(3)