KARMA YOGA

Karma is the Law of Cause and Effect. Simply put: What you give out will be returned back to you sooner or later. In Hinduism and Buddhism, karma is the sum of a person’s actions in this state of existence and in previous states of existence. These past actions decide the person’s fate in future existences. Every action we take in the present influences our future. It is up to us to make the best choices for ourselves and others to attract good things in the future.

As in any branch of Yoga, the primary goal in Karma Yoga is spiritual attainment, to become one with the unitary divine consciousness. Karma Yoga does not have specific practices to achieve divine connection, as there are in other branches of Yoga. Karma Yoga refers to the actions in life that are dedicated and offered to the Divinity and others around. Karma Yoga promotes an altruistic attitude in life, where you offer your services and help to others, without expecting anything in return. You do everything you do with joy and contentment in your heart, because you can be useful to Divinity, Nature and Humanity. The feeling of being able to be useful is much greater than any reward received in exchange for the services provided.

All branches of Yoga have the same basic philosophy and the same ultimate goal. What differs between them is the way to get there, to reach Oneness with God. Yoga philosophy shows us that the true nature of man is spiritual, not material. In this time of human evolution, most see themselves identified with the body and personal identity. They see themselves separated from others, from Nature and from God. Most of the actions they take are selfish in nature. A direct or indirect reward is sought after them. It is desired to get something in exchange for the services provided.

Karma Yoga changes this perception. A continuous spiritual vision is adopted where every being is seen as a manifestation of God. In this way, all actions in life are spiritualized. Everything that is done, is done for God. A form of spiritual volunteerism is reached, where no reward is desired in return. Karma Yoga activates in people a great desire to help others around without conditioning. In this way, the power of ego in human life is reduced. With each passing day and with each action dedicated to God in helping others, the ego begins to shrink, and the soul begins to grow.

Man understands and feels that he is One with God and the rest of Humanity, and everything he does for the rest will come back to him in one form or another sooner or later. Normally, he would act selfishly (for himself or his family) and wait for the “fruits” of what he planted before through his services. Through Karma Yoga, he acts altruistically, he is just happy to serve the Divinity by the act of planting and lets the fruits be for those who need them.

Whoever adopts this lifestyle will have a very high state of mind, will attract many positive things and people in life and will have a great personal and spiritual growth. It takes a long time until you can act from a 100% altruistic state, but with discipline, devotion and perseverance, you can reach a high level.

Karma Yoga does not have a well-defined practice like the other branches. Karma Yoga is flexible when it comes to what you need to do to follow its path. It doesn’t really matter what you do, as long as you do it with love and joy in your heart, giving the action to God and having the intention of helping others.

A good method is to always be ready to offer help when asked. Karma Yoga is not about helping by force. Don’t go where you are not welcome to help. You offer your services only where they are requested and well received. A well-received service is a smile and a positive greeting or wish like “Hello” or “Good day”. Although it doesn’t seem like it, it is an act of giving, where you give your positive energy to others.

Another method is to help people who can no longer do all the work alone. You can help elderly neighbours with chores around the house, you can help friends with various responsibilities, you can help co-workers in certain situations, you can help strangers on the street if you feel you can do something to help them. There are various ways and situations, where you can be useful, both to your neighbour and to a stranger.

Another method is to volunteer in various companies and institutions that are looking for volunteers. Karma Yoga is basically a voluntary spiritual practice dedicated to the Divine.

Another method is to donate money or things to those in need, such as various social aid foundations. It can be donated to needy acquaintances or those who live on the street.

Another method is to do what you love to do, to give/share your loving experience to others, without expecting anything in return. I believe that the most powerful form of soul fulfilment is doing what you love to do and be able to convey this state to others. Most go through life doing unpleasant things for money or things. These people go through life and do not know their true purpose and happiness. He who succeeds in doing only what he loves to do becomes a fulfilled man. No one succeeds in doing what they love from the first try, but little by little, step by step, the love for life will increase and all actions will be done from love, even the washing of old things. The important thing is to start with what gives you love and satisfaction and to do that thing as much as possible. Over time, you start to transfer that feeling of love to the rest of your activities, whether personal or social.

All the love and goodwill offered to Divinity, Nature and Humanity will return like a Boomerang. It will come exactly at the right time and in the way you need it. Because you help the outside and the outside will help you. As I said before, the outside is the extension of the inside and by helping others, in reality you are helping yourself. It’s like an investment made for the future. In this way, one cultivates joy and contentment in life, cultivates trust and peace that everything will be fine, and increases the connection with Divinity and with Nature.

Karma Yoga is a form of Social Yoga and aims to create a unitary society based on support coming from love and which is dedicated to God. If the majority of the Planet practiced Karma Yoga, we would live in a totally different world. There would be no more shortages in the world, enough resources would be found, so that all people would be satisfied with what they have.