Finding Your Innate Nature – “Swabhava” and Cosmic Indentity – “Swadharma” is crucial than never before for Mental and Social Harmony

“Swadharma is that action which is in harmony with your true nature”

Let’s look at where Western Research has reached on the lines of Finding Cosmic Identity

Having a purpose in life, defined as a central, organizing life aim and a belief that one’s activities are valuable and important, is beneficial for mental health. Research shows that a greater sense of purpose is associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety, as well as reduced stress. This positive impact is consistent across various demographics such as age, sex, race, ethnicity, and education.

A lack of purpose or direction, particularly among young adults, is linked to higher levels of mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression. A Harvard survey found that young adults in the U.S. reported significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to teens, with many attributing these issues to a lack of meaning or purpose in their lives.

The connection between lack of purpose and mental health issues is complex, potentially involving a reciprocal relationship where each exacerbates the other. Cultivating purpose can involve focusing on personal strengths, overcoming obstacles, seeking role models, mentoring others, and engaging in volunteer work aligned with personal interests. Purpose is viewed as an evolving journey rather than a fixed destination, with its pursuit linked to greater life satisfaction, especially among adolescents and young adults.

Madam Montessori Research with Young Children

Once children understand that the world is much bigger in time, space, and geography than just themselves, it’s our role as teachers to prompt students to explore, reflect, and question everything they learn as it relates to the world and their own identities.

Through a Montessori curriculum that teaches through the lens of cosmic education, students begin to discover:

  • Who they are, and their identity in the world.
  • Why they’re here, and their purpose for the world.
  • Who they want to become, and their offering to the world.
  • How they want to live, and their relationship to others in the world.

The answer to these questions may change, but their purpose will always stay the same: to inspire students to see everything as connected, to draw connections as the narrative unfolds naturally from the whole the part and back to the whole again.

Teaching Through Storytelling

Instead of memorizing facts and figures, Montessori takes more of a storytelling approach that helps students grasp big concepts by relating them back to their own lives. While we don’t use stories as much in Children’s House – a time when kids are still sorting out the difference between the abstract and the concrete – we do tell stories at the Elementary level to translate big ideas into digestible morsels of knowledge.

In geometry, we might tell a story about why we follow a certain theorem; in language, we might tell a story about adjectives. Children light up when they understand the role they play in the story, and tend to gladly go down the rabbit hole to understand everything they can about it.

Showing Students The World Beyond Themselves

Cosmic education begins and ends with the legacy of Dr. Maria Montessori, who believed that children were the hope of the world. A once devout Catholic, Dr. Montessori spent time teaching in India where she learned all about other Eastern religions, thereby exploding her worldview as she knew it. By replicating the same process in and out of the classroom, we help children see their capacity for learning, for building a legacy, for leaving the world a little bit better than it was.

Whether it’s picking up trash, holding the door open, or smiling at a stranger in a wheelchair, cosmic education is the antidote to fear of what we don’t understand and the impetus for becoming who we really are.

Jiddu Krishnamurti’s perspective on finding cosmic identity

Jiddu Krishnamurti’s perspective on finding cosmic identity revolves around the idea of transcending psychological dependence and societal conditioning to achieve true freedom and self-awareness. He emphasizes the following key points:

  1. Questioning Identification: Krishnamurti encourages questioning why individuals identify with organizations, ideologies, or authorities, highlighting that psychological dependence on such entities leads to a lack of true freedom.
  2. Psychological Dependence: He argues that while physical dependence is understandable, psychological dependence is detrimental, as no external authority can provide true psychological security.
  3. Freedom from Dependence: True freedom is achieved by going beyond dependence and identification. This involves deep self-examination and understanding of one’s own psyche.
  4. Role of Self-Knowledge: Krishnamurti stresses the importance of self-knowledge and individual awareness, as emphasized by all religions and realized masters. An awakened individual can live a life without conflict, both internally and externally.
  5. Conditioning and Identity: Human beings are conditioned from birth to adopt identities. Questioning these identities is crucial for breaking free from societal chains and achieving wholeness as a human being.
  6. Education and Freedom: He advocates for allowing children to explore and understand life on their own terms, free from imposed identities. Such an approach would help them grow into complete human beings without divisions.
  7. Conflict and Violence: The major cause of conflict and violence is identification with ideologies and organizations. The cessation of such identifications, and the associated pride, would diminish the power of these entities to cause harm.
  8. True Religious Mind: Krishnamurti calls for the advent of a truly religious mind, characterized by love and compassion, which would lead to the reduction of violence and conflict.
  9. Freedom and Responsibility: True freedom involves the ability to observe, think, and understand what freedom actually means. Living in a rational and sane manner comes with the responsibility that only a free mind can bear.
  10. Be a Light to Yourself: Echoing his famous teaching, Krishnamurti urges individuals to be their own light, to seek self-awareness and enlightenment independently.

In essence, Krishnamurti’s take on finding cosmic identity is about transcending societal conditioning, questioning deeply ingrained identifications, and cultivating self-awareness and true freedom. This path leads to a harmonious and compassionate existence, free from conflict and division.

Synopsis from the published scientific research papers

Madhu Pandey1, Dr. Taresh Bhatia2 1Research Scholar, Pacific University of Higher Education and Research, Udaipur (Rajasthan)
2Associate Professor and Head of Department of Psychology, D.V. College, Orai (Jalaun)

This study examines the relationship between Swadharma and mental health among teachers, assessing dimensions like Realistic, Joyful Living, Autonomy, Emotional Stability, and Social Maturity. The findings indicate that teachers with high Swadharma exhibit significantly better mental health compared to those with average or low Swadharma.

Swadharma, a concept from ancient Vedic literature, is about performing one’s own duties truthfully and morally. It combines ‘swa’ (self) and ‘dharma’ (responsibilities). The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the importance of performing one’s duties rather than imitating others, which leads to better mental health. Swadharma is thus a unique, personal set of duties that, when fulfilled, contribute to an individual’s well-being and mental health.

Mental Health: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health encompasses complete physical, mental, and social well-being. Mental health involves self-sufficiency, individual well-being, self-efficacy, capability, integration, and recognizing one’s potential. In this study, mental health is measured across five dimensions: Realistic, Joyful Living, Autonomy, Emotional Stability, and Social Maturity.

Exploring Swadharma: An Overview” by Kritika Rastogi, published in The International Journal of Indian Psychology (Volume 6, Issue 3),

The article delves into the profound concept of Swadharma as presented in the Bhagavad Gita. It underscores the importance of understanding one’s own unique duties, responsibilities, and righteousness, which collectively define Swadharma.

  1. Definition of Swadharma:
    • Swadharma refers to practicing one’s own dharma, which includes individual duties, responsibilities, and righteousness. It is unique to each person due to their innate traits, nature, and capacities, collectively known as swabhav.
  2. Relation to Swabhav and Dharma:
    • Swabhav is the inner essence or nature of an individual that shapes their personality and actions. Swadharma is derived from the interaction between one’s swabhav and their duties (dharma).
    • The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the importance of performing one’s own duties, even imperfectly, rather than taking on another’s duties, as this aligns with one’s swabhav and leads to a righteous and fulfilling life.
  3. Illustrative Examples:
    • The article uses metaphors to explain Swadharma, such as a frog that should remain a frog and not try to become a bull, or a fish that must live in water and not in milk. These examples highlight the necessity of living in accordance with one’s true nature.
  4. Dynamic Nature of Swadharma:
    • Swadharma is not static; it evolves with an individual’s life journey and stages. For instance, the Swadharma of a student is to study, but it changes to teaching when the student becomes a teacher. Not adhering to this dynamic nature can lead to personal and social imbalance.
  5. Psychological and Societal Implications:
    • Following one’s Swadharma is crucial for mental health and societal harmony. Derailing from Swadharma can lead to issues such as stress, depression, and lack of motivation.
    • The article posits that many modern psychological problems stem from individuals not aligning with their Swadharma.
  6. Theoretical Underpinnings in Bhagavad Gita:
    • The Bhagavad Gita provides a comprehensive theory of karma, which is intrinsically linked to Swadharma. Right action (karma) guided by one’s inner self (swabhav) leads to fulfilling one’s Swadharma.
    • Verse 35 of Chapter 3 in the Bhagavad Gita is particularly highlighted, where Krishna advises performing one’s own duty, even if imperfectly, over taking on another’s duty.


Sadhguru elaborates on the concept of “swadharma” by explaining it as the law of the self. Here are the key points from his explanation:

  1. Definition of Swadharma: Sadhguru defines “swa” as self and “dharma” as law, thus swadharma means the law of the self. It pertains to understanding and living by the intrinsic nature and principles of oneself rather than external physical laws.
  2. Contrast with Physical Laws: He contrasts swadharma with physical laws, which are based on boundaries and can lead to conflicts. Physical laws dictate that maintaining boundaries is essential to avoid conflict, but these boundaries can often lead to disputes and violence, even in close relationships.
  3. Krishna’s Teaching to Arjuna: Sadhguru refers to Krishna’s counsel to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita. Arjuna is troubled about fighting his kin in battle. Krishna explains that adhering to physical laws, which are bound by boundaries, inevitably leads to conflict. However, if Arjuna follows his swadharma, he transcends these boundaries.
  4. Boundaries and Conflict: Sadhguru explains that in the physical realm, everyone has boundaries. When these are crossed, it leads to conflict and violence. This applies to relationships at all levels, from enemies to loved ones. The maintenance of boundaries is crucial in the physical world to prevent transgression and ensuing conflicts.
  5. Living by Swadharma: Living by the law of the self means transcending these physical boundaries. In this state, there is no transgression or conflict. One can be anywhere or nowhere, without being limited by physical constraints.
  6. Turn Inward: To follow swadharma, one must turn inward and focus on the self. This inward focus helps in transcending physical limitations and avoiding inevitable collisions that occur in the physical world.
  7. Resolution of Conflict: By following swadharma, an individual can avoid the constant need to dodge conflicts and live harmoniously, as there are no boundaries to be crossed or defended.

In summary, the law of the self, is about understanding and living by one’s intrinsic nature, which transcends physical boundaries and leads to a life free from conflict and violence. This requires an inward journey and self-awareness, as opposed to adhering to external physical laws that are bound by limitations and prone to cause conflicts.

Post by Surabi Bharadhwaj