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Karma is a Sanskrit term that literally means actions or deed. It also refers to the sum of all our acts, both in our present existence and in our preceding lives. However, Karma does not only refer to the action itself, but also to the result of the action. A hidden power called Adrishta brings in karmic fruits for the individual involved. The premise is that the consequence cannot be separated from the action itself. Karma yoga, therefore, is the practice of consecrating all your actions and their corresponding consequences unto the Lord. The goal is to dwell in union with the Divine, remove all earthly attachment, and remain balanced through success or failure.
Karma yoga is known as the yoga of action, as it involves selfless service unto humanity. It is said to purify the yogi’s heart and mind in preparation for the attainment of the Knowledge of Self and the reception of the Divine Light. What a yogi has to bear in mind is that Karma yoga requires you to serve humanity without any trace of egoism or attachment.
Practicing Karma Yoga
There are two requisites in the practice of Karma yoga. One is for the yogi to free himself from attachments to the fruits of his actions. The second is for the yogi to dedicate all of his actions to God. The virtue of non-attachment brings with it a freedom from fear and sorrow. Because the yogi is unattached to the consequences of his actions, he does not fear them, nor is he saddened by them. He therefore becomes bold and fearless. And when the yogi dedicates his actions to God, he develops a deep devotion and draws himself closer and closer to God. In time he will feel that God works directly through him and he will become more at ease with the discharge of his duties.
Benefits of Karma Yoga
The primary benefit of practicing Karma yoga is the purification of your heart. You will be able to let go of all traces of egoism, hatred, jealousy, and all other negative qualities and emotions. In their place, you learn to develop pure love along with humility, sympathy, tolerance, and mercy. You will begin to feel one and united with everyone and everything else around you. And in due time, you will finally come to attain enlightenment or the Knowledge of the Self.
You must bear in mind, though, that if you truly want to grow in the spiritual path and attain the full benefits of Karma yoga, then you must perform selfless service every single day for the rest of your life. You should not stop serving humanity when you have become a well-known yogi. After all, the very essence of this form of yoga is for the spirit of service to become ingrained in you – it should become an integral part of every bone, muscle, nerve, tissue, and cell of your body. You should aspire to become like Buddha – a real, full-blown, practical Vedantin. And this can only be achieved if you apply yourself diligently to a lifetime of selfless service.
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Suggest Changes to the Karma Yoga Description
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Contributed by: saeedmoghddam
Date: December 8, 2011
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New Suggested Wording:
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Karma is a Sanskrit term that literally means actions or deed. It also refers to the sum of all our acts, both in our present existence and in our preceding lives. However, Karma does not only refer to the action itself, but also to the result of the action. A hidden power called Adrishta brings in karmic fruits for the individual involved. The premise is that the consequence cannot be separated from the action itself. Karma yoga, therefore, is the practice of consecrating all your actions and their corresponding consequences unto the Lord. The goal is to dwell in union with the Divine, remove all earthly attachment, and remain balanced through success or failure.
Karma yoga is known as the yoga of action, as it involves selfless service unto humanity. It is said to purify the yogi’s heart and mind in preparation for the attainment of the Knowledge of Self and the reception of the Divine Light. What a yogi has to bear in mind is that Karma yoga requires you to serve humanity without any trace of egoism or attachment.
Practicing Karma Yoga
There are two requisites in the practice of Karma yoga. One is for the yogi to free himself from attachments to the fruits of his actions. The second is for the yogi to dedicate all of his actions to God. The virtue of non-attachment brings with it a freedom from fear and sorrow. Because the yogi is unattached to the consequences of his actions, he does not fear them, nor is he saddened by them. He therefore becomes bold and fearless. And when the yogi dedicates his actions to God, he develops a deep devotion and draws himself closer and closer to God. In time he will feel that God works directly through him and he will become more at ease with the discharge of his duties.
Benefits of Karma Yoga
The primary benefit of practicing Karma yoga is the purification of your heart. You will be able to let go of all traces of egoism, hatred, jealousy, and all other negative qualities and emotions. In their place, you learn to develop pure love along with humility, sympathy, tolerance, and mercy. You will begin to feel one and united with everyone and everything else around you. And in due time, you will finally come to attain enlightenment or the Knowledge of the Self.
You must bear in mind, though, that if you truly want to grow in the spiritual path and attain the full benefits of Karma yoga, then you must perform selfless service every single day for the rest of your life. You should not stop serving humanity when you have become a well-known yogi. After all, the very essence of this form of yoga is for the spirit of service to become ingrained in you – it should become an integral part of every bone, muscle, nerve, tissue, and cell of your body. You should aspire to become like Buddha – a real, full-blown, practical Vedantin. And this can only be achieved if you apply yourself diligently to a lifetime of selfless service.
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