Karma Yoga

Karma is a law made by God for man. It means actions, works, or deeds. It is also the law of cause and effect. The intentions and actions of an individual are the CAUSE.  The future of that individual is the EFFECT. The Bible verse “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is a lesson in creating good Karma. A colloquial way of speaking about Karma is “What goes around comes around.”

There are three kinds of Karma:

1. Sanchita Karma - the sum total of all accumulated Karma from all previous actions
2. Prarabdha Karma - that portion of Karma that we are working out
3. Agami Karma - Karma that will be created while Prarabdha Karma is being worked out.

One of the highest yoga practices is Karma Yoga. Karma Yoga is the Yoga of Unselfish Action. 

Karma Yoga helps us to get rid of the lower nature of selfishness, greed, anger, envy, and fear. We begin to replace these with the higher emotions of love, tolerance, compassion, and generosity.

Another definition of Karma Yoga is to carry out one’s duties without attachment to the results. The Bhagavad Gita says that reducing desire and attachment through Karma Yoga is a path to purify the mind and ultimately lead to spiritual liberation. 

Simply put, Karma Yoga means to do good and be good.

Here are some ways to practice Karma Yoga:

• Say hello, smile, and offer love
• Practice compassion, positivity, and gratitude
• Serve people, feed people, help people
• Give to charities and to good philanthropic organizations
• Take care of the world around you: keep your house and neighborhood clean
• Save, save, save: water, energy, paper, recycle
• Contribute to your world in a positive way
• Reduce desire and attachment about the results of your actions

May we perform our duties with this higher awareness and with the understanding that by doing good and being helpful to others, we are actually helping ourselves.

Hope you have a great week!

Monique