2 Dharmas....


Dear Friends:

Wrote this piece the other day when thinking about the
Philosophy of Jyotish/Astrology, for my book, that I'm working on.

Hope you enjoy


Mark Kincaid



          Most of the time you only hear about 1 dharma, so it might
appear a little strange to talk about two.  But, the other day I was
thinking about Jyotish/Astrology, what a stretch, hehe, and it
occurred to me we have two!  We have an outer dharma which
we call career, and life in the world, on the outside, and then we
have an inner life, inner career, and therefore, dharma!
           Astrology knows this because it speaks about the inner
and
the outer. The Moon, for example, is an expression of where our
major attention will `be' in this life.  The house, and the sign, the
Moon's ruler ship, all these go to explain various aspects of our
outer, career, or even, life, focus.  We could then, call it our
`dharma' because after all dharma means life-purpose.  The
life-purpose of our Moon's is where our major, life effort is going
to be focused.
              But, the Moon too has another nature.  It's the chief
symbolism of our inner, emotional, `feelings', and intuitive
nature.  Therefore the Moon's symbolic of both the inner and the
outer.  You'll hear too, sometimes, that the outer, depends upon
the inner.  So, success in one's life efforts, and focus, ie. the
outer Moon, depends, therefore, on the success of our inner
Moon.  Depending upon how well the Moon is functioning, this
will reflect back into the Moon, how well our outer Moon will be
doing.
               Like this, each planet has an inner and and outer life. 
Each
planet stands, simultaneously for something within us, our
personalities, our egos, self, emotions, intellect, physical energy,
stamina, expressive heart, all these are `Inner' reflections of our
Planets.  But, right away, those inner planets then, case a direct
influence, out into the World as expressions, perhaps, of their
outer nature and potential.
               Unfortunately, most people don't explain, that the `outer'
depends upon the `inner'.  You'll see that portrayed sometimes,
"as a result of your malefic functioning Moon,..." for
example,..."You'll have poor results in your house of children
because your very small, aggravated Moon is there."
      Like that there does exist an innocent thread between the
inner
and the outer.  But, this is really good news because as
complicated as the World is, today, and probably, will continue
for a good time, into the future, we now have a handle on the
whole situation because we're discovering that, `that' outer,
does, indeed, depend upon the inner.
              So, if we want to change the outer, if we want to improve
the
outer, even if we just want to be marginally `happy' or successful,
out there, in the outer; we... really only have to do one thing.  We
only need to strengthen, or purify, uplift or self-transform our
inner planets, and then, spontaneously, their naturally outer
manifestations, will, simultaneously become improved.
              This is a great insight into Astrology, because as difficult
as
it is, sometimes to make changes in the outer, to produce the
success on the outer, that we'd like, we can, however, easily,
naturally, and effortlessly, make the biggest most important
changes...on our inner....planets.
             As it turns out, it's a lot easier improving our Planets, first,
on
the interior, then in the outer.  Perhaps because that outer,
involves so many other Astrological components, though,
probably it's just because that outer is so innocently dependent
upon our inner; that if we don't make the inner adjustments and
strengthen, first, our inner planets then, their naturally, poorer
manifestations will just continue to be disappointing.
             So, remember, we have 2 dharmas of our planets.  We
have
their inner, and subjective value, on the inside, and we have their
outer, more mundane, manifest destiny, in the outer.
              Therefore, figure out what you want.  Decide what your
goals are, in life.  And, if these goals involve your `benefics', then,
great, go ahead.  Where we have our benefics this is where,
spontaneously, we'll be fulfilling our desires, anyway.  Benefics,
therefore, hardly have to be concerned about.  Where we have
`them', we're spontaneously, either, thinking correctly, or feeling
correctly, or being, and doing correctly.
               All our benefics, though they represent different aspects
of
our Astrological nature, do represent areas of our minds, hearts,
thinking capacities, to function naturally, normally and in healthy,
balanced, and ultimately, successful ways.
              I do, however, suggest one thing to people regarding
their
Benefics.  "Understand them, better.  Utilize these strengths
more consciously.  You'll find the more that you understand
them, the power self-empowered, you seem to be.  Though even
if you don't you'll still be okay.  Where we have our benefics,
we're already being more in-tune with the Universe, and from
there, everything flowing nicely.
               Until I learned my own Astrology, I may have missed my
strengths.  I was living them, we all are, but I just wasn't aware of
them.  Then, when I studied my Jyotish and read about my
supposed, benefics, it seemed, miraculously, like they became
stronger.  Why?, I couldn't have said, though now I know it's like
there's this old expression:  "what you put attention on, grows
stronger in your life."  When we learn even about our benefics,
it's like they stand up and say,..."Heyyyy!...yea me...!"  hehe.  
             Now, I tell people, first identify your Benefics.  Knowing
them,
more, learning where they are, will give us the encouragement,
to flow more fully within the confines of these great power
houses of our charts.  When we know our Benefics, 1) they
seem to become even stronger, and 2) they seem to therefore
reap better rewards.
              Of course, the `malefics' you might say, are the real
problem.  Because where they are in our charts, we
spontaneously, feel bad, on the inside as well as the outside. 
So, no matter how great our benefics are, many a people has
ended up failing, miserably, just because 1 or 2 of their malefics
as if, ended up sabotaging their lives.
                So, Jyotish's great wisdom to know how to distinguish
between our benefics and our malefics, is a great first step,
because once you've begun seeing yourself differently from the
point of view of this deep, Cosmic, discrimination, you can't help
but be, different.  Once you realize, "okay, these are my strengths,
and these, my weaknesses, you begin to spontaneously, flow
less intensely through some dreaded malefics.
               Even if all we know is which are benefic and which
malefic,
immediately we begin to hesitate in areas of our lives; where
previously we just went, hog wild.  If Mars is one such malefic,
instead of just rushing ahead, trampling all through the store,
like a bull in a china shop, we begin to hesitate.  We begin to
think, `uh, oh,.... this is one of my malefics... I'd better watch out."
      And, we do, we hesitate, maybe even we think, "I'd better, go
more smoothly!"  And, lo, and behold, our karma begins to
change.  Where before, we were just going ahead, blindly, as if,
now we're beginning to rethink ourselves.  It's not that anyone's
saying we're `bad' where our malefics are; but Jyotish is saying
these patterns, characteristics, parts of ourselves, are not up to
par, they're not functioning in the most balanced, or positive way,
so be cautious, think them through more slowly.
               And, when we do, spontaneously, miraculously,
something
begins to change.  This is because we've begun the hugely
positive self-transformative part of Jyotish, where we've begun
changeing our stars!  We may not have known any better, before,
but that didn't seem to matter.  What is that old expression:   
"Ignorance of the law is no excuse!"  If you violate the laws of
nature, it doesn't matter if you knew it or not, nature still rewards
you with the innocent consequences of our actions.  Therefore,
it's very important that each one of us, comes to understand,
more clearly, which of our Astrological parts, are benefic and
which malefic!
             Once we know this, then, we can begin the amazing
journey
of self-discovery and especially self-development and even
self-mastery and self success; just because we've begun the
process of healing, unraveling, even transforming our malefics
into their naturally more healthy, benefic status.  We were born
for this.  We are doing this, even now, though we may not know it.
      Learn to know more consciously, this great process of
life-transformation.  Then, as you begin to contribute more clearly
with this process you'll find each and every aspect of your life;
which used to be so trying, confusing, and full of mischief, and
grief, losses, dramas, and tragedies; now, is becoming joyous,
full of magic and majesty and finding it's way into fulfillment.
      The way you'll know that you're walking this path, correctly, is
the
signs, or symptoms of maleficness will spontaneously start
becoming less, and then, less and less...till finally, no more! 
When that happens you'll feel such a great comfort in life and joy,
that how could you have missed this!  It was so simple, I had no
idea it could be so easy. 
              The key, also, is to work first on your inner planets and
their
dharma to function smoothly and naturally.  It's a lot easier to
change ourselves, or our insides.  Then, you'll find naturally, your
outer expressions, in fact, even, your whole outer life, and
dharma will spontaneously be more rosy, like your glowing
interior, just because the outer, depends upon the inner.
               Ever notice that your outer, day, energy, dynamism,
already,
depends upon your inner rest?  Anyone who's into yoga, or
stress education, knows that the outer is in fact, a mirror
reflection of the inner.  That's why there's such great
encouragement on what is called self-realization.  As you realize
more and more of your own, natural, inner potential; then,
spontaneously the expressions of that, the outer, will begin
completely naturally to be more full.
                So, we have these two natures.  We have an inner and
and
outer.  We have an inner and outer dharma.  Make peace, then,
with your inner nature.  Make peace with your inner malefics. 
Invite them, to show you the way.  They represent these huge
`deities' according to Jyotish, which means they're intelligent and
can be spoken with.  Talk to them, "Hey, Saturn,... Why are you
beating me up sooo bad?"
              He'll talk back, to you.  He'll tell you exactly what you need
to
hear.  Then, you'll get a chance to rethink, or redo some facet of
yourselves, with the hope in mind that you'll be changeing one of
your malefics, and, when you do this, again, the `sign' that you're
doing the right thing, will be that the symptom of your
maleficness, whether tiredness, or grief, loss, or grief, all, will
spontaneously begin dissolving.  Work on improving your inner
planets and dharma and then, spontaneously find, that their
outer expressions, and dharma will spontaneously be more
successful.
               What a joy it is to learn this Wisdom.  What a joy it is to
begin to walk through life, without slaps, losses, set-backs,
frustrations and grief.  When all our malefics begin to assume
their rightly benefic status, what a joy it is.  We'll have discovered
the true purpose of our lives.  Our life-purpose, our true dharma
in life, is to evolve, to become better, `I's' and as we do this, joy,
success and happiness are our reward.
               It's not that nature is mean.  Nature is very kind.  No one
told us, however, what the `game' of life is.  It's Astrological, and
full of deep, and often times, mysterious qualities.  Once you get
it, however, and begin to understand exactly why you've been
born, then, your path becomes smooth, effortless and full of joy
and happiness.
     
     

Jai Guru


Mark Kincaid