## On Dharma Inquiry Flow states need to be channelised based on mood, but how do you understand the core questions - *What activities excite you the most?* This is when I discovered Daniel Schmachtenberger's Dharma Inquiry Questions, which helps you answer this. ![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e3a8b0_e08b1cca287140ada2ec68450cc0dcc2~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_1480,h_832,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/e3a8b0_e08b1cca287140ada2ec68450cc0dcc2~mv2.png) Outlining it below for reference. ### Capacities What would I do if my financial needs were already met for the rest of my life? What would I do with my life and resources if I had a wealth of Bill Gates or Warren Buffet? If I went back to school, what would I study? If I could download skills matrix style, what would the top few most desired to be? What would I do if I was much more confident/ less fearful, and how would I be different? If I was meaningfully smarter than I currently am? If I had much better discipline? If I was better with people (more understanding, charismatic, empathetic, patient, etc.)? If I had better emotional regulation? If my main character deficits were resolved? If I had the right team and people supporting me? If my life started over with a clean slate (no previous commitments, baggage, etc.)? Then ask "why" to your answers to each of these questions until coming to something that feels fundamental. ### Values Who are you most inspired by (that you know or figures from history)? What about them inspires you? Who do you respect the most? What about them? What virtues would you most want to increase in yourself? Why those? What types of behaviour and people bother you the most? What issues in the world upset you the most? What do you see as most deeply wrong with or off in the world? What do you find the most beauty in? What are you most moved by? Who would you be the proudest to have been looking back at your life? What news stories about the world would you be most positively moved to see? What would you spend your time working on if you could succeed, but no one would ever know that you did it? What few qualities would you most want to increase in everyone if you could? What would you sacrifice personal benefit for? What is more important to you than your own life? What is sacred to you? What does sacred mean? What are you devoted to? What does devotion mean? What is the basis of meaningfulness? What are you loyal to? What does loyalty mean? What would be an adequate reason to violate a loyalty? What do you feel shame or guilt about?What would you then desire or care about if all your desires were already met? Then ask "why" to your answers to each of these questions until coming to something that feels fundamental. #### Propensities What am I naturally good at? What seems to come easy to me? (Looking at strengths and aptitudes more than specific skills.) What types of activities do I feel replenished by? What am I willing to do even if it takes me? What do I enjoy doing for its own sake, independent of producing results or getting acknowledgement? What is my attention repeatedly called to? What can I not pay attention to? What am I intrinsically fascinated by? Passionate about? Where have I felt the most pride/satisfaction related to something I did? When have I felt most fully alive?What have been the greatest difficulties/pains in my life? The questions are intentionally more abstract and metaphysical, giving one a peak into their 'dharma'. This word is a Sanskrit derivative meaning a combination of mission, purpose, ethics and character. According to Bhagavad Gita, everyone has their unique dharma, as you are the only you. These are a set of questions which probe into your unique orientation, capacity and commitment.