Q. Lately I seem to keep meeting with ‘healers’ and having conversations about healing with them. So much so that I’m wondering whether there might be some meaning to all of this for what I should be doing with my life. At least in the short term? Do you think that the dharma interacts with each of us in our daily lives, and through chance meetings, conversations, etc.? Gives us clues as to what we should be doing in order to have a more effective practice and to make progress? I guess a more broad way of putting this question is: If one reaches toward the dharma, does it respond in kind and interact with one’s life? If so, how does one go about identifying what is dharma interaction and what is just ‘pie in the sky’?

A. The restless mind and wishful thinking is usually the architect of ‘Dharmic omens’. Keep your feet on the ground and deal with what is in front of you. When genuine change is about to come to you, it usually becomes clear after you give the possible new situation space (and time) within yourself. Then you will see the next thing to do, clearly. NEVER be compulsive.

One reaches towards the Dharma, as you put it, by practising the eightfold path, embraced by going for refuge. If you do this, then you will have your feet firmly on the ground and be less inclined to be looking for signs and omens to rescue you from your restlessness and dukkha.