Karma Yogi
The yogi philosophy teaches that the best way to accelerate one’s personal spiritual evolution and thus, the journey home, is through the practise of yoga. There are considered to be three primary sub-categories of yoga: Raja yoga, Gnani yoga, and Karma yoga. We’re going to focus on being a Karma yogi here, because in a fast-paced and materialistic world where many people feel burdened by a sense of powerlessness, misfortune, heavy responsibility, and/or dreary obligations, the option of sitting, meditating and living like a yogi may seem neither practical nor appealing.
As personalities, we were all “born” from the One timeless consciousness—the Eternal/Absolute/Brahman—and it is back to this awareness that we all wend our unique paths. There are as many paths back to Reality as there are people—and we all arrive in the end.
You may therefore find it reassuring to consider that you may have been practising as Karma yogi without realising it.
The term “Karma” comes from the Sanskrit word “Kri” meaning “to do” or “to act.” Thus, Karma yoga is the yoga of work or action, ideal for the more task-oriented and perhaps less philosophically inclined individual. One need not be an impressive intellect, a sage, a natural philosopher, or in any way mystically or religiously inclined in order to walk the path of Karma yoga. Indeed, proclivities towards those other areas suggest the paths of Gnani, Raja, or Bhakti yoga instead (though they are all complimentary).
How do you know if you have been operating as something of a Karma yogi? Easy. A Karma yogi works for the sake of doing the work. They participate in an act not for the promise of a gratifying end result—glory, a dizzying high, an ego boost, or some kind of material gain—but because they enjoy the act in itself and embrace their duty to do it well. The work is its own reward, and thus is intrinsically satisfying. Performed to the utmost of their ability, their task benefits all whom it touches, even if it only connects with others indirectly and impersonally. This is the mentality of the Karma yogi, though truth be told he is operating in accordance with some fundamental truths that are still poorly known in “civilized Western society.” Those truths are key to being an “everyday Karma yogi.” They include the facts that:
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Nothing truly happens by accident.
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We are all here with the personal and collective mission of evolving spiritually
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The lives we lead touch many others one way or another
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Our lives are lived not for the benefit of our own personas, and not even solely for the benefit of our own personal spiritual evolution, but for the benefit of ALL humans in their development
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Even the most humble and thankless or seemingly trivial tasks are important and exist for a definite purpose—EVERYONE is a part of the Grand Design
Yogi Ramacharaka waxed eloquently on these ideas in his Advanced Course in Yogi Philosophy (1904) when he said:
“A certain piece of work may seem…useless as a part of our own development, but that particular bit of work is…needed in some part of the great plan and we should perform our part willingly. Every move and position has a meaning, just as [in] a game of chess…And, so the true Karma Yogi allows himself to be moved by the Spirit without complaint, knowing that all will be well with him, and that the move is needed to effect certain combinations or changes in the great game of life being played by all men.”
I know a woman who works in a high-stress environment as a cook in a busy local café’s kitchen. Her husband is on a very satisfactory five figure salary and she actually has no financial reasons to work, and yet she does…because she loves the work. The work is its own reward. The story of a dedicated employee who selflessly sacrifices her time and wages for the benefit of her less fortunate colleagues is a shining example of non-attachment in action. By prioritizing the well-being of others over material rewards, she unknowingly embodies the principles of Karma yoga. This philosophy teaches us that true happiness comes from within and that by letting go of attachments, we can find peace and contentment in any situation.
The practice of non-attachment allows us to enjoy every task, no matter how challenging or mundane, as a vital part of our personal growth and development. By freeing ourselves from the chains of attachment to specific outcomes or desires, we become masters of our own happiness and can find joy even in the most difficult circumstances.
As we navigate the complexities of daily life, it is important to remember that work itself can be a source of fulfillment and transformation. By immersing ourselves fully in our responsibilities and obligations, we can transcend our lower instincts and elevate our consciousness. Embracing the challenges of the modern world is an opportunity for us to strengthen our inner selves and cultivate lasting peace and happiness.
In the pursuit of spiritual growth, we must learn to act without being attached to the fruits of our actions. By embracing the philosophy of non-attachment, we can find inner peace and true happiness in every moment. The path to fulfillment lies not in external achievements, but in the realization that our essence is already complete and whole. This is the essence of the Karma yogi’s journey towards liberation.