Whether you’re one for mulling life’s bigger questions or the closest you get to a philosophical thought is scrolling through memes about the real meaning of ‘why did the chicken cross the road?’, it’s hard for our brains not to occasionally drift to wondering: why we are here on earth and how can we make the most of life?

Ultimately, every human being wants to be happy and fulfilled — it’s what we strive for. But where do we start? According to multi-entrepreneur, podcast host and female success coach Kitty Waters, the answer is: dharma.

WHAT IS DHARMA?

‘In ancient Vedic, dharma is the path of right action and that is the one which is of maximum benefit to the individual and the entire creation at the same time’, Waters explains.

‘A dharmic life is a blessing to the individual and to the world. Being out of alignment with dharma leads to unhappiness, misery, suffering and, ultimately, premature death. For each of us, discovering our own dharma is about discovering how to bring our mind, soul, body and emotions into harmony. We are sent messages from these channels on a daily basis, but most of the time we don’t listen. Dharma allows us to tune in and reap the benefits.’

SO, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

‘In the current world, only 13% of the planet are fulfilled in their work, which means 87% of the population is out of alignment with dharma (Gallup Survey 2016)’, says Waters. ‘It’s no wonder depression — which is a sign one is out of alignment with oneself — is at a worldwide high, when 87% of the planet are spending the majority of their time doing something which doesn’t bring either fulfilment or enjoyment.’

The question of why people stay in jobs and lifestyles that makes them miserable is one of life’s great mysteries — though often, of course, it’s rooted simply in the need to financially support themselves and their family.

‘Maybe they’re ruled by fear or struggling to stay alive; disconnected from the universal energy flow of life by being out of alignment with themselves; doing what they think they should be doing rather than what they dream of doing,’ Waters suggests. ‘When we follow the compass of excitement, our dharmic path is revealed and so is our higher purpose on earth. Not only did we all come here for a purpose, but we all have a unique part in healing ourselves and the planet.’

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF DHARMA?

The dharmic principles have been around for thousands of years; ‘passed down and told to kings and queens, taught by sages who kept the information secret and only shared it with royalty’, says Waters.

It’s a concept that translates to the modern day; often lived in accordance with, whether they know it or not, by those practicing and teaching yoga and meditation.

HOW CAN WE APPLY THE CONCEPT OF DHARMA TO OUR DAILY LIVES?

There is a big draw to living a dharmic life. As Waters explains, ‘by doing so, we live our best lives as we work in alignment with our gifts and serve others. The whole world is lifted up by our actions.’

Try living, as Waters does, by the motto: ‘Magic is believing in ourselves. If we can do that, we can do anything’.

She elucidates: ‘What you believe truly makes a difference. It creates the foundations for your reality. There is a saying: ‘whether you believe you can or you can’t, either way you’ll be right.’ That’s how powerful belief is.’

Take time to tune in and ask yourself these three questions:

1. How do you want your life to look and what you would do with it if money were no option? Water says: ‘This will give you a huge insight into what and how you should be living your life.’
2. What is stopping you living like this now?
3. What limiting beliefs do you have for yourself? Water says: ‘It’s easy to tell yourself you don’t know where to start, you’re not good enough, you are too old, too fat, too thin etc. But only by bringing these unconscious beliefs to the surface can you weed them out.’

‘By working on your negative unfounded beliefs and living in a way that brings your body, mind, emotions and soul into a positive whole, you live according to your dharma’, says Waters.

Kitty Waters is the founder of the Do Your Dharma course and the founder & host of the Kitty Talks podcast