The Seven Characteristics of a Dharmic Person

Nov 14, 2025

Discover the essence of true practice through simple awareness and presence. Explore the seven characteristics of a Dharmic person, including passionlessness, which helps tolerate life’s irritations, and contentment, encouraging appreciation of everyday life. Learn about creating space by easing the grip of constant activity, practicing good conduct as a form of warriorship through grief, and recognizing the wisdom in teachers. Wrap up with a soulful tribute, highlighting the beauty of navigating life's messiness with clarity and an open heart.

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ADVICE

Stop Chasing The Perfect Thing

Cultivate passionlessness by tolerating small hassles without endlessly seeking 'better.'
Avoid constant refining of everyday tools that distracts from presence.

ADVICE

Slow Down To Feel Contentment

Practice contentment by slowing down and appreciating ordinary moments like breakfast or meditation.
Notice what's present and accept that 'it's okay' even when things are missing.

ADVICE

Create Space By Doing Less

Reduce activities to create inner space and notice your true priorities.
Resist filling empty time with distractions and let silence reveal what's important.

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In this episode of Buddhism Beyond Belief, I explore how we truly enter the path—not through esoteric or “advanced” practices, but by grounding ourselves in simple awareness and presence. After more than thirty years of practice and teaching, I’ve come to see that depth in meditation isn’t about complexity. It’s about sincerity—how fully we can find our breath, sit with our mind, and meet life as it is.

I share what the Tibetan Buddhist tradition calls the seven characteristics of a Dharmic person—qualities that guide anyone, Buddhist or not, toward wisdom and compassion. Together, they offer a map for living with steadiness, clarity, and an open heart, even when life feels messy or painful.

I also tell a story about grief, and how the seemingly simple quality of good conduct can become an act of warriorship—opening to heartbreak instead of turning away.

And as always, I close with music I love: this time, “Swim Away” by the late Toni Price—an artist of rare authenticity whose voice carries both ache and freedom.

Highlights:

Why Buddhism is not just about stress reduction, but about liberation and living fully.
Why “advanced” practices mean nothing without the ability to find your breath.
The Seven Characteristics of a Dharmic Person:
1. Passionlessness: Tolerating life’s small irritations without chasing perfection.
2. Contentment: Slowing down to appreciate the everydayness of daily life.
3. Fewer Activities: Creating space by loosening the grip of constant doing.
4. Good Conduct: Living with care, attention, and courage to face what is painful.
5. Awareness of the Teacher: Recognizing and honoring the sources of wisdom that awaken you.
6. Propagating Prajna (Wisdom): Bringing what you’ve verified as true into daily life.
7. An Attitude of Goodness: Trusting your inherent wholeness—your Buddha nature.
Reflections on grief, love, and the courage to open to heartbreak.
A story from Sharon Salzberg and the Dalai Lama on self-esteem and basic goodness.
How Buddhist faith is not rooted in belief, but in living what you’ve discovered to be true.

Music Segment

The episode ends with “Swim Away” by Toni Price—a haunting acapella piece about longing to return home.

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Produced by Citizens of Sound