"Karmanye Badhikarosthe Maa Foleshu Kodachano, Maa Karmofolohetu Bhurmate, Sangohosto Kormoni"

To work relentlessly without the least expectation of anything is the central idea of Karma Yoga, which different Yogis and great souls in order to make life beautiful have addressed a number of times. "Karma Yoga is the dedication of all actions and their fruits unto the Lord". Quite ideally therefore Karma Yoga is identified as the "performance of actions dwelling in union with the Divine", while offing connection and remaining balanced even in the course of failure and success. Karma Yoga is therefore the selfless service to humanity. The Yoga of action, Karma Yoga thus purifies the heart and prepares the Antahkarana for the greater purpose of receiving that divine light. Gone is the phase of ego and the Karma Yogi serves the humanity without the tinge of ego. The practice of Karma Yoga never demands that the yogi needs to have enough wealth. What it demands is a healthy mind as serving the humanity with mind and body is the fundamental idea of Karma Yoga. However Karma Yoga again means doing all the karmas yet linking the soul with the Omnipotent to enjoy the eternal bliss. It can only be done by meditation. Meditation means a continuous dehypnotizing from identification with body, mind, name and form. It must start in everyday life. If someone cannot be detached from the day to day activities, it will be difficult to enter into meditation. If there is continuous identification with the actions, then those same activities will go on even when the body is sitting still. The eyes may be closed, hands clasped and feet crossed, but the mind will not be checked. There remains the identification with the mental play. Activity or inactivity makes no difference. The mind plays its part in all conditions. With a view to sit for meditation, the mind must be detached and withdrawn from day to day concerns. The means for achieving this can be known as the Karma Yoga, or selfless service. It is the fundamental step on which meditation is built. As a matter of fact no meditation is possible without it. Through service to others without thought of personal gain, positive thinking is also practiced in daily life.

A true Karma Yogi is continuously meditating. When he helps others his attitude is "Lord, I am working, worshipping and serving you through this particular person. Thank you for giving me this opportunity." He also detaches himself from the effect of the action, whether good or bad. Whether working in the kitchen, worshipping in the temple, or mowing the lawn, the Karma Yogi knows that he is different from the work, and that the work is only a way of achieving the Supreme. Detachment can also be learned through service. Until it is acquired and one is able to renounce emotional ties to one`s labor, no meditation is possible. As the detachment increases, it becomes easier and easier to disassociate from activities. Then, when the eyes are closed, the mind will remain composed and also calm. It has been trained to focus inwardly at all times. Others may see a Karma Yogi and think he is just another person working but they will not know the secret of his inner peace.

A true mediator is discreet. Outwardly he appears to be an ordinary person, but inside he is a fathomless ocean. He has touched infinite peace and at this point of time nothing can change him. Karma Yoga leads to that peace which, once tasted, can never be described. Time and patience are necessary to reach it. Detachment from action does not mean slacking responsibilities. A haphazard life is not yogic, for it engenders no steadiness of mind. When a yogi takes on a job, he finishes it. His mind does not hesitate. That is the secret of his success if he assumes the basics of meditation. With all responsibility his mind is focused steadily on it until completion. The yogic mind is powerful. The average person does a little here and there, keeping several projects going and finishing nothing. When a person works in this way it can be understood that there is no meditative state of mind.

The karma yogi who meditates can turn out more work in less time. He has peace within his mind. His actions are all on a pure level, and those who come in contact with him are uplifted. In his dynamic presence people find strength and encouragement. They are inspired to perform actions that they could not otherwise do. Lethargy vanishes in the presence of a true yogi. Karma Yoga can be explained as the path of selfless service. Through this yoga anyone can learn detachment in everyday life. This is the first essential step of meditation. There is no short cut in the process of meditation. It is a long and disciplined path. The goal, however, can be reached if someone makes a determined effort.