Karma yoga: Best lesson at International Gita Society

The branch of yoga that deals with karma is called as the karma yoga. Usually you are bound by the cravings and desires associated with your act but you can free yourself by doing the act but dissociating yourself from its consequences. This is the basic concept behind karma yoga and the person who follows this path is known as karma yogi. His behaviour is of indifference and while the world may think he is not interested, in reality he has mastered his desires and has developed awareness of the real significance of the events that occur around him. Yoga in all forms is escalation of consciousness and progression. Karma yoga is one of the preparatory stages of. Karma means action, while karma yoga is a way to take these actions to the path of salvation. Karma yoga is primarily based on the teachings of holy book of the Hindu's the Bhagavad-Gita and is meant with the 'discipline of action'. The essence of Karma yoga lies in eulogizing action regardless to the fruit of action. Karma yoga is believed to be one of the four pillars of yoga.

Background of Karma yoga-

In the Bhagavad-Gita there is a chapter on the entire process of karma yoga. The dialogue takes place between Arjuna and lord Krishna. In this episode the lord explains and enlightens him of all the yoga systems including Karma yoga. The Hindu philosophies comprehend on karma and samskar. Hindu's believe that every individual's are born with definite karma, positive or negative. The cycle of life and past life continues till the individual arrives at zero balance and they are then believed to have reached liberation.

Concept of Karma yoga-

'Karma' is a Sanskrit derivative from 'kri' means 'to do'. Yoga transforms with the 'union'. The literal meaning of karma yoga is 'course of union through action'. Even Adi Shankaracharya has said that with practice of karma the mind purifies. Karma yoga is first step to Jnana Yoga and finally towards salvation.

Principle rules of karma yoga-

The key rules of karma yoga lie in two decrees yama and niyama. Yama deals with conduct towards others while, niyama is meant with conduct in ourselves.

Benefits of Karma yoga-

The selfless service purifies one's heart. The individual becomes karma yogi with the development of kindness, love, mercy, sympathy and waning of hatred, self-centeredness, jealousy etc.

Karma yoga brings closer to the god. With development of tolerance and oneness he/she feels unified with all creation. The attainment of spiritual powers is the next step in karma yoga. A true karma yogi serves people selflessly and is respected in the society. This happens with practice of karma yoga and can be felt. One of the greatest karma yogi of all times is Gautama Buddha. Karma is defined as the action and its fruits. Ancient Hindu saints have believed that a man's life is the direct result of his karma. Good thoughts, words and deeds lead to good and happy life while bad thoughts, words and deeds lead a person to disaster.

This yoga involves doing your duty without any reservations but is free of the cravings of the results that are obtained from the act. This attitude is difficult to acquire because we are taught to hanker after the fruits of our labour and any failure to obtain the desired results leads you to frustration and negative thinking. Also, constant attachment to the results leads you to stress, competition and aggressiveness. This has led to increased incidences of stress, diabetes, depression, heart ailments and suicides and has led many youngsters to use drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. Hence following the teaching of Krishna in Gita, wherein he advises Arjun: "You are entitled to an action but not its fruits" will lead you to a happy and stress free life. A true Karma Yogi is continuously meditating. Whether working in the kitchen, worshipping in the temple, or mowing the lawn, the Karma Yogi knows that he is different from the work, and that the work is only a way of achieving the Supreme. Karma is the universal law of equal reaction for any initial action. If you give anything, you will receive the same, or more, in return. We commonly see this effect with love, hate, and money.

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