The yoga of action is karma. It is the participation in selfless service without expectation of anything in return. True karma is diligently doing your work without attachment to a particular outcome. Karma yoga teaches kindness and compassion without expectation. It is benevolent generosity of spirit. As with all types of yoga, the intention is freedom from selfishness and release of the self-serving ego.
According to the Yoga Sutras, knowing the true self comes with freedom from expectation. Experience is often beyond control, but actions are always within control. Yoga Sutra 1.24 explains that being free from selfishness comes when an individual can make selfless contributions. Karmic action is selfless contribution to the world without expectation.
Freedom is unaffected by any afflictions, actions, fruits of actions by any inner impressions of desires.
Yoga Sutra 1.24
Exercise: Community Service
For this program, you are assigned to one hour per week of community service (seva). Organize an activity for yourself. Doesn’t have to be complicated. Picking up garbage in your neighborhood is simple and effective! Whatever you can manage and that is done in the interest of selfless contribution without expectation.
Start your community service project this week and take note in your ePortfolio of the experience with pictures, video, or written reflection.
