Dharma Doesn’t Appear Everywhere
While on vacation, I noticed I couldn’t find the Dharma in the ways I expected. It made me realize that Dharma doesn’t exist in everything automatically — it emerges when we see it, when we interact with it, when conditions bring it forth.
I thought of the Buddha’s great departure — leaving home after being sheltered from suffering. His life had been designed to hide aging, sickness, and death from him. He had to leave that life to see clearly.
A Cruise as Shelter
On my vacation, I was on a ten-day cruise of the Italian Riviera. The cruise ship felt like a floating palace, where every desire was meant to be fulfilled. At first, it was enjoyable — kindness everywhere. But soon I felt the superficiality.
So I turned my attention. I began talking with the staff, asking about their lives. Some shared that this job was a dream opportunity, a way to support families in countries torn by hardship. I wanted something real, yet I noticed my own projections too.
Parallels with the Buddha
The cruise reminded me of the Buddha’s sheltered life. Like him, I couldn’t find the Dharma in that environment. I needed to step outside of comfort and privilege to see clearly. And that gave me new compassion for his decision to leave.
I realized I too had needed to leave my own home, my own setting, to find the Dharma that sustained me.
The Emergence of Dharma
Back in 2017, I wrote: The Dharma is a collaboration. It emerges in the conversations between us. This trip deepened that understanding. Even when I couldn’t see Dharma in the moment, reflection later revealed it.
Different people will choose different Dharmas. What matters to me may not matter to someone else. That humility has become part of my practice.
Closing Reflection
When have you had to step outside of comfort to see things more clearly? How do you notice Dharma emerging in your own life — in conversation, reflection, or practice?
A Ritual of Reflection
We invite you to take a few minutes to sit in meditation with this teaching, if you wish. Afterward, you may find it helpful to journal.
✨ What are your thoughts and feelings on this topic?
✨ Is this something you would like to contemplate in meditation?
✨ Where do your thoughts and feelings go after reading this?
✨ Ritual of Reflection: How did that land for you?
About the Daily Online
This reflection comes from one of our Daily Online sessions, held every day from 9:00–10:00 AM PT. Each gathering begins with a short dharma talk, followed by meditation, journaling, and a chance for shared conversation with the teachers.
In Reflective Meditation, we encourage approaching practice with gentleness, kindness, and curiosity. Cameras remain off during meditation so each participant can practice in their own way. Afterward, a few people share their reflections with the teacher of the day, while others observe and learn from the exchange.
Learn more or join us at reflectivemeditation.org/dailyonline.
