Experiencing Karma Yoga

When we are exposed to the idea of Yoga, various

perceptions can flash through our consciousness.

One is that is seems exotic and mysterious to some of

us, while others may think that it is nothing more

then a waste of time and a religion that is alien to

our own beliefs and way of life.

It is associated by some as being from a country and

area of the world that has long been thought of as a

place that is poor and poverty stricken, corrupt, and

rife with ethnic strife and traditions and values that

oppress women and people from other social classes.

As someone naively said to me some years back, “if

Yoga is so good, why does India have so many

problems”.

This point shows a lack of knowledge about both Yoga

and India, but at the same time raises some

interesting and valid points to reflect on and

discuss.

Yoga also contains words and phrases that can seem out

of place in our own culture, society, country and

language and this can create another hindrance to

examining what is being put forth and taught in its

philosophy and teachings.

The words “karma” and “Yoga” are Sanskrit words.

“Karma” is translated as action and “Yoga” is

translated as union.

So we could translate the phrase “Karma Yoga” as

“union through action”.

The quality of this action is one of giving, love,

patience and compassion, much as in how we are taught

to think of and act to our fellow men in Catholicism

and Christianity.

If we are interested in Yoga or new to it, the idea

and practice of Karma Yoga should be one of the main

things that we seek to understand and make part of our

life.

It’s understanding and practice encompasses all

aspects of our life.

Like all things in life and Yoga, the theory and

knowledge behind it and experiencing it can be

different.

Sometimes we are not in a position to practice Karma

Yoga to its and our fullest potential.

We have responsibilities and duties as regards our

life and family and we get tired, bored, dissatisfied

and restless from the constraints and routines of our

life.

We have needs, desires and wants that sometime lead us

to self –destructive or unskillful and unwholesome

thoughts, feelings, words and actions and behaviors.

We have energy and mood swings and deal with them in

ways that may strengthen them, perhaps through

drinking and the use of drugs.

We have unlimited sensual enticements to influence us

and deal with each day, in what is available for us to

watch on television and in movies, in what we can eat

and in all sorts of entertainment and places to go

over a 24 hour period.

We are not always mindful enough to see what our

motivations are behind our actions and how what was

once thought of as being a pleasure or escape has

become something more obsessive, addictive and

serious.

Sometimes we want to act in ways to others that are

selfless, loving and giving, but do not know how to,

or what is the best way for us to do it, or think that

we will be misunderstood and greeted with suspicion

and fear.

To experience Karma Yoga is to experience an uplifting

and purification of our being in the same way that the

practice of Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga or meditation can

bring us.

It means that we are or have been involved in an

experience where we have devoted ourselves fully and

with joy and appreciation in the giving of ourselves,

our resources, and our energy in the uplifting of

another in some manner or way.

For some of us, the best way to get fully on the path

of Karma Yoga would be to have a job or profession

that allows us to interact with others in a way that

assists them in some manner.

Many of us might think that such a job would be that

of a doctor, nurse, minister or teacher, among others.

But it does not take much observation and experience

in life or just a years daily reading of the newspaper

to find that there are people in these jobs and

professions who are not focused on loving, giving and assisting.

In fact, sadly and at times frequently, it seems that

some in these professions abuse the positions of trust

and respect that they have been given.

Karma Yoga may be something that we can start to bring

into our lives and experience just by being more

patient, compassionate and interested in what our

family members, friends and acquaintances, and work

colleagues and co – workers think, feel, say and do.

Such an approach to them, in addition to practicing

Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga and meditation will bring about

a change in our being that is joyful to behold.

We will experience what Karma Yoga truly means and

consists of and with that experience see the wisdom in continuing to look at others and act towards them and all mankind and

 living beings in such a manner.

©2004 John C. Kimbrough

(John lives and teaches in Bangkok, Thailand. He can

be reached at johnckimbrough@yahoo.com)