Dharma is the continuous, eternal interaction between the individual, nature and the divine. Dharma is perceived as having four stages. The first stage of dharma is creating a personal code of conduct in the interactions with family, friends and society, and in relation to the interaction with the world of senses. A code of conduct has to be followed in order to derive the maximum benefit from these interactions. An interaction should not become the cause of a head-trip, headache, dissatisfaction or dissent in life. The first evolute of dharma is the code of conduct for the entire society. Establishing systems, regulations and disciplines which are personal, social, national and global in nature is the first component of dharma.
In the second stage of dharma the individual realizes the commitment any interaction involves and the participation it demands. The individual has to do justice to that. In this stage one realizes the commitment one inherits through an interaction with friends, families and societies, and takes that commitment to its logical, positive conclusion for the benefit of all. The first two stages are the external behaviours of dharma, creating external order, system, harmony and peace.
Stage three is personal transformation, which comes with the realization of one’s nature and what one can do to become better, happier, more fulfilled, content, creative and selfless. This personal change is what makes an individual a human being. The mind dictates through thoughts, desires, aspirations and its own creation of needs. It dictates what an individual’s behaviour has to be like in life. The dictates of the mind lead to a conditioned state of existence, which is recognized as a confined, restrictive, defined form, with less possibility of change. This state is known as tamas.
Tamas makes the focus go towards personal gratification and satisfaction. Sattwa makes the mind free from ambitions, desires, cravings and attachments. It brings freedom, peace and joy. Transformation takes place when a person moves from the state of tamas to a state of sattwa and becomes qualitatively better in thought, behaviour, performance, speech and living.
Until and unless this qualitative transformation happens, one cannot experience the transcendental nature and connect with the transcendental, divine power or cosmic power. The tamasic nature denies the existence of a cosmic power, and the sattwic nature connects with the existence of a cosmic power. For a person who is established in sattwa, material hypnosis has no meaning. One experiences the qualities of the spirit and not of matter. There has to be a shift from tamas to sattwa. Therefore, the third component of dharma is to make one a better, an enlightened individual.
The fourth stage of dharma is discovering the connection that one has with the supreme self, the transcendental self, the divine self, or God. The reality is that a connection happens between the individual and cosmic consciousness, and the fourth component of dharma is discovering the connection between individual and the divine. In this context, dharma is a tradition, a way of life, an understanding which applies knowledge in life.