by
Fay Inger
©Enid Johnstone
When reading through the Dhammapada, I found that
many verses resonated with me and I wonder if this is because I read the verses
with yogi colored glasses because I studied with Sri Dharma Mittra.
When a modern day Guru such as Sri Dharma
recommends a book, it makes it less obscure and more approachable. Certainly,
many verses touched upon themes I learned in the Life of a Yogi (LOAY) Teacher Training program, and when reading, I imagined seeing Sri Dharma’s face with a
glimmer in his eye!
Because of the similarities between the words of the Buddha
and Sri Dharma, it is no wonder that Sri Dharma recommends this text as an
important read for any new or experienced yogi.
There is a misconception that you must be a Buddhist
or a person on a spiritual path seeking enlightenment to study the texts. In
reality, this text is an important read regardless of one’s religious
affiliation, because it transcends religion. In fact, there is no mention of
religion at all. The book is not about religion or a higher power; it is
about empowering the reader to be his or her best possible version by realizing
that all the power is already within. (As I type this, I am aware of the
strong correlation with how Sri Dharma encourages students to find their inner
Guru).
Jack Kornfield, who wrote the foreword of the Gil Fronsdal translation of the Dhammapada, himself touches upon this very concept
in the introduction, where he points out the contrast between the opening verse
in the bible and the opening verses in the Dhammapada. As the author points
out, the bible “emphasize God’s role as creator and, by extension, our reliance
on God’s power.” This implies that we are weak in God’s shadow. Conversely, the
Dammapada reflects “the importance and effectiveness of a person’s own actions
and choices.” This observation highlights how we are in charge of our own path
and indeed, the masters of our own destinies. The entirety of the text is
reminding us of this fact in every capacity and function.
As the Buddha points out in the very first verse,
it is our minds. “All experience is preceded by mind, led by mind, made by
mind.” This sentiment reflects that Sri Dharma taught us that it is not we who
are “bad,” it is our minds. It’s an important distinction, as it allows the
individual freedom from our own thoughts and therefore actions - not to shirk
responsibility of our deeds, but rather as a way to reflect on our own thoughts
and regulate them before they turn into actions.
According to the Buddha, our very experiences start
with the mind! Is it any wonder, then, that when going into a situation
thinking it will be bad, it usually is? To tie this into asana: if, before
attempting a posture, the thought is, “there’s no way I can do that,” you are
right and it will indeed be impossible to do. Sri Dharma, in his infinite
wisdom has said, “If you can bend your mind, you can bend your body.” How
liberating then to take ownership over your own experiences!
The verse that I believe sums up the blueprint to
living the life of a yogi is found in Chapter two, verse 25: “Through effort,
vigilance, restraint and self control, the wise person can become an island no
flood will overwhelm.” This is a powerful lesson to heed, as it sums up so much
of Sri Dharma’s teachings. The Yamas and Niyamas, making an effort in asana --
regardless of what happens around you, inside you are unchanged. This is
essentially the same lesson from the Buddha to Sri Dharma just in different
words! This concept is again reflected in Chapter 3 verse 38: “For those who
are unsteady of mind, who do not know true Dharma, and whose serenity wavers,
wisdom does not mature.” In essence, if you want to be wise, the reader is
given the exact route to take to achieve wisdom. It is through steadying
the mind, finding your Dharma and becoming serene. And the ultimate goal is to
conquer oneself.
According to the Buddha: “Greater in combat than a person who
conquers a thousand times a thousand people is the person who conquers
herself.”
And if one is simple and does not wish to be wise
or to conquer him/her self? The Buddha has a blueprint for this person as well:
“Doing no evil, engaging in what’s skillful, and purifying one’s mind: This is
the teaching of the buddhas.”
I find this book to be a perfect companion to Sri
Dharma’s teachings for a student like myself who is across the country from the
center, or for a student who has never participated in a LOAY teacher training.
While the words are different, the direction and ultimate goal is the same. If
it is mastery of the self one is seeking, then the Dhammapada is a text that
will help set one on the right path.
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Fay Inger is a 800-Hour
Certified Dharma Yoga instructor living in Los Angeles, California. Fay is a
private yoga instructor, writes blog posts on yoga and wellness and is learning
nutrition to better help her students reach their health and fitness
goals. As she always says, “yoga is a gift” and it is her favorite gift to
share!
