Explanations on Karma Yoga

For many centuries the Bhagavad Gita has remained a most influential, philosophical and enlightening text that has shaped many thoughts and life, not only in India but also around the world.  It is said that the answer to all of humanities sufferings and problems can be solved within its pages.

I have mentioned before within these posts about the synthesis of yoga and the four major paths of practice, that of Jnana, Karma, Bhakti and Raja.  Well within the Bhagavad Gita we get profound and deep insights of three of these paths, that of Karma; the yoga of action, Jnana; the yoga of knowledge and Bhakti; the yoga of devotion.

The teachings start by Lord Krisna stating that all of humanities problems and worries of ignorance, sorrow and death are not legitimate problems, they are not real and are only caused because we lack the knowledge of whom we really are.  He teaches that in truth what we really are is limitless, existence, knowledge and bliss.  That our true nature is happiness is indestructible and pure.  Lord Krisna outlines the essence of what we truly are or the knowledge of the true self and that this knowledge frees us from all our thoughts of limitations.

But how can we achieve this knowledge?  We cannot - without a calm and contemplative mind.  Our minds are too much disturbed by our likes and our dislikes.  We are happy when we are doing something that we like, but as soon as we are doing something that we don’t like the happiness fades.  Or for example when we eat something that we really love let us say ice cream, we seem to be happy, but when the ice cream has gone then what?  Or when we are eating something bitter like gourd, is the same happiness there as when we are eating ice cream?  It’s a funny thing because in our mind we know that actually it is the gourd that is far more helpful for our bodies and mind as opposed to the ice cream, so why does the ice cream make us happier?

If we had a calm and abiding mind without these likes and dislikes then we would be contented with either the ice cream or the gourd.  So how can we work towards that mind?  The Gita tells us that karma yoga is key to reduce and finally eliminate those fancies and things that make us screw up our faces at the thought!  Now Karma yoga has been explained in different ways, one way is to say that it is selfless service and another is giving up the fruits of ones action, to do a job without thought of any reward.  But Swami Dayananda explains it beautifully in his teaches on the Gita.  He says that of course we must expect a desired result from our action if we are going to do it with dedication and effort, otherwise one may not be bothered how they perform the action.  For example if we are teaching somebody it is our desire that they understand, otherwise if we are not concerned with if they learn or not, we may not put in the correct effort with the teaching.  However the results of whether or not that person understands or not is out of our control, this is coming from the universal laws that surround us or in other words God.  So do our action with the correct amount of intent and effort but accept the results with grace and reference, this is karma yoga.  The result is not our decision this is not in our control.  So sameness of mind in any situation could be said to be karma yoga, or doing the work or action as an offering to the ultimate and receiving the result whether or not it is favorable or not favorable as an offering back.  Now if it were not the desired result then a wise man would look at it as an opportunity to learn and that opportunity greatly accepted.  Developing a non-reacting mind, a calm and abiding mind then the mind can be capable of learning.  In karma yoga we are happy not excited just contented in any result of what comes to us.  For example if we went for our driving test we would really want to pass it, and of course if we pass that would be a wonderful thing, but if we don't pass the first time then that is a great opportunity to learn to be a better driver and maybe avoid that first little prang in the car park with a post!!

Have beautiful days in peace and contentment.

Recommended reading – The teaching of the Bhagavad Gita by Swami Dayananda.

AUM shanti AUM

Mangala / Nicky.