What is Karma Yoga?

Karma yoga is one of the four paths to reach the goal of liberation (samadhi). These four paths to samadhi are work (karma yoga), love (bhakti yoga), psychology (raja yoga), and knowledge (jnana yoga).

No matter which path you follow, all four of these paths come together and lead us to the same goal of total liberation. Each path is not exclusive to each other and one often blends into the other. However, depending on the one that resonates with you most, you will make that your primary path.

This article is an insight into karma yoga – the yoga of selfless action. 

What is Karma Yoga?

Karma yoga is the discipline of selfless and devoted action. This means doing one’s duty to one’s best ability without getting attached to the result or the involvement of the ego.

The word karma in Sanskrit means ‘action’. This concept of action is not removed from our daily lives. It asks us to fulfill our duties and responsibilities in the environment we are in. These are actions that benefit our community at large. Karma Yoga requires that we do our duties without expectation of gratification, recognition, or reward. Practicing self-less action also helps us overcome the vices of anger, desire, and greed.

The History of Karma Yoga

The Bhagavad Gita, the most famous of Hindu spiritual texts, shines light on karma yoga. It is a dialogue between the prince Arjuna and his chariot driver and guide Lord Krishna and is set on a historic battlefield. 

Arjuna is conflicted and deeply anguished about going to war against his kin and expresses this to Krishna. Krishna asks him to fulfill his duty as a warrior and continue with the fight without being attached to its result. It is through working without attachment that one merges with the divine. He also asks Arjuna to transform all his actions into worship.

The Bhagavad Gita recommends karma yoga as the path to liberation. 

The Four Principles of Karma Yoga

There are four main principles in the path of karma yoga. These are the concepts of duty, ego, attachment, and expectation of reward.

1. Duty

Karma yoga says that the key to doing our duties is having the right attitude and motive. Approach your daily tasks and work with a sense of dedication and excellence. Focus on the process rather than the outcome.

Depending on the stage of life we are in, our environment, and our circumstances, the nature of our duties changes. We are asked to do our duty to the best of our ability in any particular moment.

 2. Desire

Yoga says that desire leads us to suffering. It curbs our consciousness, obstructs self-realization, and creates a separation between both us and others and us and the higher reality.

Karma yoga tells us to give up the need for credit and embrace the idea of non-doer-ship. Also, we are guided to perform actions driven by a higher purpose rather than self-gain. 

 3. Attachment

The duties that we perform need to be free of attachment. Learn to detach from the fruits of your actions. Perform your duties with sincerity, but do not get overly attached to success or failure.

The opposite is also true. One should not feel any anger or frustration towards one’s duties and should be able to fulfill them all without bias. We all have a duty to fill and a job to do in this lifetime. 

 4. Expectation of Reward

Fulfilling our duties is an end in itself. When we do something without anticipation of a reward, even if it is gratitude or love, it is no longer an exchange but an expression of devotion.

Closing Thoughts

When our actions come from a place of love, joy and selflessness naturally arise. Loving service enables us to lose our ego and become greater than our tiny, little selves. It is then that we manifest our highest potential.

If you’re not sure what your job is in this lifetime and you feel stuck with figuring out your life purpose, consider joining our Higher Self Kickstarter. In the Kickstarter, you will study your birth chart where you will discover your life’s “duty”, you’ll learn yoga philosophy and build a strong yoga practice.