What, How and Why of Karmayōga..

It is clear that the purpose of Mind Awareness and Management (MAM) is to bring about happiness in the minds of its practitioners. Only a happy person can function well in life. The real happiness is nothing but the growth of Jñānam and Ēkāgrata. Everything else can be achieved through these qualities of mind. As per the teachings of MAM, Jñānam and Ēkāgrata can be cultivated only through the practice of constant Karmayōga.

And that is the challenge - though there is awareness that Karmayōga is the foundation of MAM, practising Karmayōga is not easy. As Srī Bhagavān says in Bhagavad Gīta:

          vaśyātmanā tu yatatā śakyō 'vāptum upāyataḥ

[Addhyāyam 6, Ślōkam 36. Meaning: If you can restrain yourself (vaśyātmanā), you will be able to achieve mastery over your self when you try it in a proper method (yatatā).]

It is possible to develop the habit of Karmayōga with an intentional approach and an effective method. A method essentially needs a specific structure, repeatability and power to motivate. I will now share with you such a method, through which Karmayōga can be practised and continued with considerable success.

All one needs to do is ask three basic questions to yourself, when you are not motivated to do your Karma. 1. What is Karmayōga? 2. How is Karmayōga? 3. Why is Karmayōga? Answer to these questions have the the power to motivate you to involve in Karmayōga.

1. What is Karmayōga?

First we need to define and explain Karmayōga. Man cannot exist without work, or doing actions. All actions are movements. Such movements are called Karma-s. Karmayōga does not mean merely performing your Karma-s. All human beings are doing their Karma-s, may be partially or reluctantly. People generally manage their Karma-s because of various pressures such as fear of failure or desire for rewards. But such works or actions do not become Karmayōga. You are said to be doing Karmayōga only when you execute your Karma-s with added values in it.

What are the these values? There is an intention behind each action. If you have a special intention while doing the Karma, it is Karmayōga. That special intention is nothing but your growth as a good human being. In short, the performance of Karma for your own internal growth and to become a better human being is Karmayōga. Let me elaborate.

There are two kinds of purposes in all actions - one is the immediate outcome of the action while the second is the ultimate result. For instance, when you write an examination you want to score good marks. This is immediate result of the action. Whereas the ultimate result is the personal growth as a human being in the process of preparation for the exam. You are learning new things truthfully with dedication and hard work. Through this process, you are building up a habit of self-progression with self-control and discipline. In short an examination is a process that improves your quality as a positively functioning human being. This growth as a human being is the ultimate result of the action.

The immediate result of the action (Karmaphalam) is not under your control. You may score well or do badly in the exam, depending on various factors. That is why MAM tells you not to worry about the immediate result of an action. You must be ready to accept success and failure gracefully. Both can happen in any situation, because the processes leading to success or failure are beyond your control. But in any case, you are able to work for your long-term growth as a good human being, which depends on the manner in which you do Karma. It is, to an extent, under your control. If you do it sincerely and truthfully, in Yajñabhāvam (without having selfish intention), you can become a better person, irrespective of the immediate outcome. Therefore involving in an action in order to cultivate good human qualities in you is called Karmayōga. The values added here can be interpreted as the positive human values which cause personal growth of the individual.

2. How to practise Karmayōga?

There is only one way to enter into Karmayōga - JUST DO IT. Stop thinking, worrying and doubting about the results and plunge into the action. Waiting for the perfect action or a perfect moment will stop you from performing a good action.

There are people who are confused as to what kind of Karma they should practise, or what is good or what is bad for them. There are two ways to select your Karma-s.

a. Whatever comes your way, accept it as your Swadharma. This can be practised in your family, in your society and even in your workplace. This is the right method when you do not have choice of action. You have to accept what comes your way and do that Karma strictly adhering to your personal values.

b. If you possess certain aptitudes or choices, you may choose that which matches your skill sets and attitude. A certain level of knowledge and experience is required for the process of selection of Karma.

3. Why should I practise Karmayōga?

Why does one give more importance to his or her growth as a human being while performing Karmayōga? The answer is simple. It is for developing Jñānam and Ēkāgrata. You can be happy in life only through Jñānam and Ēkāgrata. They lead the individual towards Mōkṣa / Mukti. Mōkṣa refers to the ultimate freedom from all miseries in life. It is a state of mind. All of us have to confront disastrous incidents and unhealthy conditions as part of daily life. No one can stop them. But it is possible to develop the Jñānam and Ēkāgrata necessary to face such situations with equanimity. This ability to shield yourself from disheartening situations is called Mōkṣa / Mukti. It is not indifference; it is a wise attitude towards life.

In this context, Jñānam must not be confused with all the information which one can easily gather from various sources. On the other hand, Jñānam refers to the experiential knowledge about the functioning of one's own body, mind, intellect and the inner Self. Ēkāgrata means an unwavering interest in an idea, an action or an object. Ēkāgrata brings Jñānam and Jñānam brings more Ēkāgrata. They cause the attainment of Mōkṣa / Mukti.

These wonderful qualities of mind can be accomplished only through Karmayōga. Therefore, do dive deep into the actions that await your skilful touch to come alive.

                                         =========================