Have you ever felt like there’s something more within you? Like there’s a hidden “why” that could give meaning to everything? That feeling isn’t random. Dharma—your unique mission—resides within all of us, just waiting to be recognized. It’s what not only brings you purpose but also serves and inspires others.
In this article, I’ll guide you along the path to uncovering why you’re here and how to bring out that special value that only you can offer to the world. Let’s start at the beginning: What exactly is Dharma, and how can you find yours?
What is Dharma?
Let’s break it down—what is Dharma, or in other words, your soul’s purpose?
Dharma is a Sanskrit word meaning life purpose—more specifically, the unique mission of your soul. It’s what truly defines you: that inner drive and whisper that says, “I’m here to create something special.” It’s like an internal compass that always points you back to yourself—the version of you where you can finally be fully yourself, living a joyful and fulfilling life.
And here’s the key: Your life purpose already exists within you.
Yes, you too!
If you’re here, alive, and breathing, that’s not by accident. Your soul didn’t choose this life, this path, randomly. It chose every detail about you and your life—your parents, your strengths, and your desires—to help you fulfill your mission.
Dharma isn’t something you find outside of yourself—it’s something that’s always been inside you. Your Dharma is the journey back to yourself, so you can become even more of who you truly are.
Your Dharma isn’t about becoming someone else or proving something.
It’s about shedding expectations, discovering your worth, and stepping into the world with complete authenticity and confidence. Your soul purpose—that soul-aligned mission—is within you, waiting for you to say, “This is who I am!”
If you’re feeling that inner pull, that whispering sense of “there’s more to this,” then congratulations—you’re on the path! You’re already connected to your Dharma—the journey that’s aligned with your soul and leads you to a life that’s genuinely happy, fulfilling, and entirely your own.
A Bit of Spiritual Background about Dharma
In Hinduism, Dharma represents the moral and spiritual principles that guide life, such as truthfulness, non-violence, and generosity. There is a universal Dharma (sadharana dharma) that applies to everyone and a personalized Dharma (svadharma) that aligns with our individual life situations and societal roles. Ancient texts known as Dharma Sutras laid down these guidelines thousands of years ago.
In Buddhism, Dharma refers to the universal truths and teachings proclaimed by Buddha. Together with Buddha and sangha (the community), Dharma forms the Three Jewels (Triratna) that Buddhists take refuge in. In Buddhist teachings, “dharmas” are the building blocks of the universe, forming the basis of our experiences and lives.
Dharma, Karma, and Kriya
Imagine your life as a vast river: there’s a smooth, central current where the flow carries you effortlessly, and there are rocky, turbulent sections where every step feels like a struggle.
Your path to Dharma is just like that.
Kriya represents the flow, while Karma represents the warning pebbles that signal when you’ve drifted off course.
Karma – The Universe’s Road Signs
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Karma is a bitch.”
Or that someone “has bad karma.”
This misconception stems from the belief that karma simply means “you reap what you sow.”
In reality, Karma means “binding action”—a series of effects we experience when we stray from our soul’s path. These signs are meant to steer us back to our Dharma.
In other words, Karma isn’t punishment—it’s guidance.
When you encounter resistance, the Universe is saying: “Hey, this isn’t your path!”
At first, Karma taps gently—like a mild blood pressure check reminding you to change course. If you ignore it, it can escalate into a wake-up call—like a heart attack.
If you feel like something’s off, if you’re dissatisfied, that’s the Universe’s way of telling you you’ve strayed from your path.
Many people experience spiritual awakenings after repeatedly encountering Karma until they can no longer run from it.
Hitting rock bottom forces you to reevaluate everything and rebuild from scratch.
And this is the moment of decision: Will you return to your Dharma or stay on a path that leads nowhere?
It’s important to understand that Karma isn’t cruel or evil. It’s simply the Universe’s feedback on where your efforts are leading you.
If you invest your energy in things that aren’t part of your Dharma, you’ll never feel truly fulfilled, no matter what you achieve. It’s like a fish trying to swim upstream—it’s exhausting and pointless.
Kriya – The Flow and Harmony
Kriya is the state where everything falls into place. You’re in harmony with your soul and acting in alignment with your Dharma.
This is the opposite of Karma.
In this state, “coincidences” align magically: you meet the right people, solutions present themselves effortlessly, and life unfolds as though you’re walking a path sprinkled with gold dust.
What you need arrives exactly when you need it. If you’re unsure what to do, the answer seems to appear out of nowhere.
However, Kriya doesn’t mean life is free of challenges. There are still tasks to complete, but they feel lighter because you feel peace and harmony within.
The entire process feels frictionless. Your energy and actions flow with the Universe, making everything run smoothly.
Crossroads: Struggle or Harmony?
We all have a choice: to move in the center of life’s river, where the water carries us easily, or to struggle along the rocky edges where every step is hard.
Your soul’s path will carry you in the center of the river.
The only question is: will you resist the flow or let your soul lead you?
How to Find Your Dharma
In reality, you don’t “find” your Dharma—you remember it, because it’s already within you, part of who you are. The path to your Dharma isn’t about chasing something external but about peeling away doubts and reconnecting with yourself.
This process is part of the Dharma Blueprint created by Sahara Rose.
1. Discover Your Dharma Archetype
Archetypes reveal why you are the way you are and how you can best live out your Dharma. Your archetype highlights your strengths, natural gifts, and how you can most easily contribute to the world.
Most of us have 1-2 dominant Dharma archetypes that guide us throughout our lives. These archetypes are so deeply embedded in us that they form the foundation of who we are.
“Transitional” archetypes, however, can shift based on life circumstances: if you become a parent, the Nurturer archetype may strongly emerge; if you’re building a business, your Entrepreneur archetype awakens; if you’re fighting for a cause, the Activist archetype steps forward; and if you create entertaining content, your Performer side takes the stage.
Getting to know your Dharma archetype is like receiving a life map—for the first time, you’re no longer fumbling in the dark. Instead, you can see the direction and understand how to reach a place where you can fully be yourself.
If you’re curious about the archetypes within you, you can take Sahara Rose’s English-language quiz—it’s an excellent starting point.
In my soul-purpose and soul-aligned business coaching, we dive deep into your archetypes to shift them from their shadow aspects to their balanced, empowered forms, so you can harness them to their fullest potential.
You can also book a Dharma Archetype Analysis session, where in one session, we’ll explore what these archetypes mean for your life and how they can help you thrive.
2. Notice Your Natural Forms of Expression
We all have tools that allow us to express ourselves most authentically. Your Dharma comes to life through what flows naturally for you.
Maybe you’re a wordsmith and feel in your element when speaking. Or perhaps writing is where you truly shine. Maybe colors and shapes speak on your behalf, or you’re a genius at creating unforgettable experiences.
Your mode of expression is the gateway through which your Dharma comes to life. You might feel at home as a writer, teacher, analyst, creator, or strategist—or perhaps through painting, singing, photography, dancing, directing, or organizing events.
It’s anything that makes you soar, where you effortlessly bring out your best self.
Remember, as you grow and gain new experiences, your forms of expression can change and expand! You may think of yourself as a writer now, but over time, you might discover that speaking also energizes and inspires you.
Try new things and let your curiosity guide you—that’s how you’ll uncover the most authentic ways to connect with yourself and others.
3. Reflect on the Obstacles You’ve Overcome
The obstacles you’ve overcome can be key to your Dharma.
Why?
Because these experiences have shaped who you are, and they often point to the path where you can support others.
Some people help others directly, for example, through coaching or teaching. Others express their support more indirectly—perhaps by creating beautiful art or building a business that makes life easier for others.
No matter the form, your Dharma is always about service—whether on a personal level or a larger scale. Often, we help others overcome the very challenges we’ve faced because we deeply understand every detail and pitfall of those situations.
What once caused you pain can now become your greatest strength. Maybe you went through a difficult divorce, struggled with anxiety for years, or finally found a way to live authentically. These experiences gave you wisdom that you can now pass on to others.
Think about it: What obstacles have you overcome? In what situations have you helped others? Where do you feel like you can truly make a difference?
This is your guide to your Dharma: what you’ve lived through and learned can become the lifeline for someone else—the very lifeline you once wished you had.
4. Follow What Brings You Joy
What excites you points the way!
Excitement is the spark that brings your Dharma to life. If you don’t feel that inner drive, you’ll lack the passion that propels you forward. Those small moments of excitement are like breadcrumbs from the Universe, leading you toward your purpose.
Many people worry because their interests change frequently, and they believe they don’t have a clear purpose. But in reality, your Dharma is simply guiding you in a new direction. It’s not your life purpose that changes—it’s the way you express it. What once served its purpose has run its course—it’s now time to level up!
Allow yourself to grow and evolve. Your excitement shows you where you belong right now.
5. Find Your Superpower
Your superpower is the how—the unique way you make anything you touch extraordinary. It’s the secret ingredient you bring to the world that turns the ordinary into magic. Often, others notice it before you do—for example, when they say, “It’s incredible how detail-oriented you are!” or “You create such harmony around you that everyone feels uplifted.”
Your superpower can take any form: maybe you’re a master at organizing events, a brilliant storyteller, or you explain complex ideas so clearly that others finally feel like they understand.
Our strengths often feel so natural to us that we don’t even notice them—but it’s precisely what makes you stand out to others.
Pay attention to what people frequently praise you for! What’s something you do in a way that no one else can quite replicate?
That’s your superpower. And once you consciously start using it, it’s like putting on your cape and showing the world who you really are.
Take This With You
Imagine that you were born with an inner map—a compass that always knows where you need to go, even when you can’t see the path yourself. That’s your Dharma: you don’t need to search for it outside—it’s something you discover within. Along this journey, there are two things you must always remember:
- Your joy is your signpost.
If something lights you up, it’s not by chance. Those moments of excitement are your soul’s subtle signals, showing you the next step. Pay attention to them because they lead you to the place where you can be your truest self. - Your greatest challenges can become your strongest gifts.
Every obstacle you’ve overcome has equipped you with new tools. Feeling lost in the past isn’t a weakness—it’s a treasure, because you can now guide others using the map you created for yourself.
Discovering your Dharma isn’t about becoming someone new—it’s about remembering who you’ve always been.
And if you’re already feeling that inner call, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Your map has always been with you. All you need to do is take the first step—and watch as the path lights up in golden hues before you.
If You’re Ready, Here Are 2 Ways I Can Support You:
✨ Book a free soul-purpose coaching session:
This 40-minute session is all about you. We’ll assess where you are on your journey toward your life purpose, what’s holding you back, and the steps you can take to get where you truly want to be. It’s not just a conversation—it’s the first step toward gaining clarity and working toward the life that’s meant for you.
😍 Let’s build your joyful, successful business, designed for YOU:
If you’re tired of cookie-cutter advice, chaos, and forcing things—and you’re ready for a system tailored to your energy and style—book a free 40-minute session. We’ll see where you are now and explore how you can reshape your business so you finally enjoy marketing, client acquisition, and the success your soul is calling you to.