Karma-yoga Part 4

by David Bruce Hughes

So far in our study of karma-yoga, Krsna has explained that to attain self-realization, we require more than just theoretical knowledge of the difference between matter and spirit. We also need a practical method of nullifying the karmic results of work. Although the soul is spiritual and transcendental by nature, the cause-and-effect relationship of material action and reaction keeps us bound to material existence. This is the root cause of all suffering.

The yogis and jnanis try to renounce material work, thinking that will stop the accumulation of further karmic results. But Krsna points out that this philosophy is in error, because no one can truly stop all work. It is better to work in a spirit of devotion and detachment, offering the results of our actions to the Supreme.

This is really the essence of karma-yoga: whatever we do, we should do it not for our benefit, but for the benefit of the Lord. That way, we do not have to accept the karmic reactions of our activities, which are born along with this material body. For example, I was born with some musical talent as a gift from the Lord. As long as I used this talent for my own personal benefit, I remained entangled in the reactions of my activities. But as soon as I became a devotee, I engaged my musical abilities in His service as a kirtan leader, and from that time I was released from the karmic reactions of being a musician. Other musicians that I knew who did not engage their talents in devotional service led troubled lives, and many of them have already left their bodies without attaining self-realization.

Karma-yoga means offering the results of our work to the Lord. Anyone can use this principle to remain free from karmic reactions, no matter what his position or occupation in this material world. Whether he is businessman, laborer, artist, scientist, writer, philosopher, banker, judge, political leader or whatever he is, he can engage his occupational duties in the service of the Lord, and that will release him from the karmic results of this activity. For example, Arjuna argued that because killing family members in war was sinful, or a cause of heavy karma, he should not fight. But Krsna is saying that because He desires this particular fight, Arjuna should do it as a sacrifice to Him, and thereby will be excused from the reaction.

Whenever we work for the Lord, there is no reaction. There is a great need to spread this Esoteric Teaching, the science of God consciousness very widely all over the world, and so anyone who does this work or materially contributes to it is automatically excused from the karmic results of their occupational duty. For some time I was a technical writer by occupation, but now I have engaged my writing abilities in preaching the message of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam globally via the Internet. Similarly, anyone can contribute a portion of their resources to supporting this endeavor, which provides spiritual benefits for thousands of people all over the world. To the degree that we engage our energy and resources in sacred service, to that degree we are released from the reactions to our work.

The process of sacrifice in karma-yoga is easy, but it must be learned under the direction of a pure devotee of the Lord, who has sacrificed everything in His service. Just like an aspiring lawyer or doctor has to serve an internship under the direction of experienced professionals, an aspiring devotee has to apprentice himself to an experienced self-realized soul for spiritual training. Expertise in devotional service depends on personal association with and service to a self-realized soul. One who does not have this association will find the process of karma-yoga very difficult, but to one who accepts the direction and service of a guru, spiritual progress is very easy.

Part 5