Practical dharma, or
rules of good behaviour (achara-dharma), relates to temporary
matters concerning our problems and physical needs, to our passing
relationships with the objective world. The very instrument of those rules, the
human body, is not permanent, so how can then these rules be eternal? How can
their nature be true? The Eternal cannot be expressed by the evanescent; light
cannot be revealed from darkness. The Eternal emerges only from the Eternal;
truth emanates only from truth. Therefore, follow the objective codes of dharma relating
to worldly activities and daily life, with the full knowledge and consciousness
of the inner basic Atma-dharma. Then only can the internal and
external urges cooperate and yield the bliss of harmonious progress. If in your
daily avocations, you translate the real values of eternal dharma into
love-filled acts, then your duty to the inner reality, the Atma-dharma, is
also fulfilled. Always build your living on the Atmic base; then, your
spiritual progress is assured.
- Dharma
Vahini, Ch 2
