So often, the dharma seeker searches for purpose through an intellectual process – making lists, logically analyzing core skill sets and studying others.

For the past twelve years, every morning and afternoon before I meditate, I have asked the questions: Who am I? What do I want? What is my purpose? And, What am I grateful for?

I have sat and listened to what flows back to me, and I have lived the answers that have been whispered into my heart.

At first, the responses seemed endless and powerful. And I would seize an answer, leap up and race off in that direction. Yet, over the years – and more than 10,000 meditations later – the truest answers have come more slowly, more clearly and with deeper profundity. Over time, the most insightful answers have encouraged me to travel tens of thousands of miles, dig down deep, awaken my courage, make scary decisions, change courses, listen more closely to my heart, trust in the divine guidance of the universe and keep leaning forward in the direction of my dreams.

I’ve often asked myself, “If I had all the time, money, and energy in the world, what would I do?” I’ve even pushed the issue further by asking myself, “Would I do this if I had to pay for it?” And, when I was still stuck, I’ve asked, “If I was going to die in a few days, what would I regret that I didn’t do?” Some of my most dharmic choices have come from answers to these questions and many of them have been opportunities where I’ve volunteered, donated my time or worked for free.

Your dharma does not have to be your job. It may be something even deeper than that–an over-riding way of living your life or seeing the world.

In the stillness and silence of your unconditioned self you will discover your purpose in life. But you need to give yourself permission to surrender to a daily meditation practice before you start asking questions. Meditation is the doorway to your soul. In the quietude of your mind and the silence of your heart, answers will begin to flow. A daily stillness practice will increase the possibilities of you aligning with your dharma. Coming from the space BETWEEN your thoughts will add much greater value to your life than coming FROM your thoughts.

Dharma is that sweet alignment between your soul and the universal spirit. @davidji_com
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Once you experience that TRUTH, your passion will fuel you to awaken your purpose. Keep asking the questions. Keep living the answers. Keep meditating. And keep breathing each breath with passion.

davidji is a certified Vedic Master and a teacher of stress management, emotional healing, and conscious choice-making. He is the author of the best-selling Secrets of Meditation: A Practical Guide to Inner Peace & Personal Transformation and the creator of the award-winning guided meditation CD Fill What is Empty; Empty What is Full. Visit davidji.com for free tools, tips, and techniques to take your practice to the next level and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

Join davidji LIVE! from the SweetSpot on HayHouseRadio.com every Thursday at 11a PST/2p EST… radio for your soul.

Join davidji at his life-change immersion workshop, Discovering Your Dharma, in September. Learn more at davidji.com.