The SECRET of Karma Yoga – Transforming Daily Chores into Spiritual Practice

Karma yoga enables you to constantly be engaged in spiritual practice, even when you're at work, caring for your family, or just "hanging out." But, what exactly are you supposed to DO in that practice? Sri Krishna's advice is hidden in plain view, among the verses of the Bhagavad Gita.

Even after reading and re-reading the Bhagavad Gita, many people fail to clearly understand exactly what they're supposed to do in the practice of karma yoga, because Sri Krishna's teachings are surprisingly subtle and extremely profound. Another difficulty is the fact that some of Sri Krishna's teachings have been turned into overly simplistic cliches or trite sayings, like karma yoga is selfless service or devoting your deeds to God. Such expressions must be fully understood and their messages fully integrated into your daily life.

Karma yoga is a a sadhana, spiritual practice that's meant to help you attain the ultimate goal of spiritual life, a goal known as moksha, liberation, enlightenment, or simply, freedom from worldly suffering. Such a lofty goal can be reached only by those who are completely dedicated to it. And that kind of complete dedication is impossible as long as you are focused on gaining pleasure, comfort, intimacy, money and so on.

According to Sri Krishna, those pursuits will never culminate in a state of perfect peace and contentment. When you clearly recognize the impossibility of gaining perfect peace and contentment through worldly pursuits, your orientation towards life will undergo a radical shift, a shift in which you give up seeking that contentment through worldly pursuits, and instead, seek it through spiritual growth. That inner transformation prepares you for the practice of karma yoga.

Simply put, karma yoga is not something you do, but rather, it's a specific, prayerful attitude that you cultivate, and hold in your mind and heart, while you carry out your daily activities. First and foremost, that attitude is based on knowing that you are merely an agent of action. That means, you do not produce the fruits or results of your actions.

This profound principle is expressed in one of the most frequently quoted verses in the Bhagavad Gita, karmani eva adhikaras te, ma phaleshu kadacana. To paraphrase the verse, you have control over your actions, but you have no control over their results because those results are in Ishvara's hands so to speak, not in your hands.

When you become mindful of this fact, every time you perform a deed, whatever it might be, you can recognize Ishvara's direct involvement as the giver of results. To prayerfully appreciate Ishvara's presence in all your activities can help you develop deep feelings of reverence and gratitude. In this way, karma yoga can bring a prayerful dimension to everything you do.

[shirinvenkat]

Beloved Swamiji
I am ardent follower of the wisdom you dispense so freely. In my 73 years last year it occurred to me that I have a two word yoga - I call it Thank you yoga. That is all. Only thank you thank you thank you 🙏🏻 Swamiji.

[ritswik]

Karma yoga = Practice Action✅
Bhakti yoga= Practice Devotion✅
Jnana yoga = practice mindfulness✅

[nitulbhatt]

I am an eye surgeon and was always anxious about the outcome of surgery. But following Karma Yoga, now I give my best with intention to solve the suffering and not worry about outcome

[richmac]

As someone who has time to watch and read a variety of teaching... Yours is supremely different and possibly one of the top teachings that I will stick with. My challenge/battle for a long time has been discerning the better approach between Buddhism and Advaita. I'm on a group called "Awakening to reality" who practice a lot of meditation and from what I've seen... it seems to deliver results associated with realising I'm not the body mind... But Advaita has a whole tradition with a variety of practices to cover the whole of life... I'm ready to give up all my own thoughts, ideas, memories for whichever will produce the most happiness and that is likely to come in part from your teaching as it addresses many of the thoughts that arise in me. Many thanks for these lovely videos of which I download many of them into mp3's to listen to during the day.

[balajicanabady]

I am immensely grateful to Ishwara to find your teachings and your elucidation of the concept of nishkama karma, or selfless action. Your explanation of how performing actions without attachment to the results can lead to spiritual liberation has given me much to ponder.

Your discourse has inspired me to strive to live a life of selfless service, and I am committed to incorporating the principles of Karma Yoga into my daily life.

Thank you again for your wisdom and guidance. I am truly blessed to have you as my Guru.

Deepest respect and gratitude Guruji 🙏

[mybabyandme]

Perfect timing 🙏🏽 You’re answering some of my questions I had this morning 🙏🏽

[rdb]

I'm so lucky to have access to this wisdom! Filled-up so many gaps in my understanding and questions that had ben bugging me for too long!! Thank you!! 🙏

[sushamaphanse]

This video is a Great Blessing..such a complex teaching of the Bhagwad Geeta explained so simply but clearly! Words fail me in expressing my Gratitude ..a million Pranams to you Swamiji🙏🙏🙏

[aarjukr]

perhaps the most clear explanation if karmyoga one ever comes across… as always.. many thanks swamiji 🙏🙂

[embracingmiraclelifewithsu]

Really enjoyed listening. I could totally 💯 resonate everything. It seemed to me that I was just sitting in front of him and receiving all the energy. Really appreciate for the teaching. I am so grateful to God for connecting me with this video teaching. It took me so many years to understand all these. Now I can just feel it. This feeling is so amazing 🤩 as it’s effortless now. So grateful to God for everything. 🙏😊🙏😊🙏😊🙏😊🙏😊❤️😊🙏😊

[elieusable]

Preciosíssima instrução! Gratidão Swami!

[ramanapinnam]

Guruji - Your teachings has been answering my long pending unanswered questions that I was longing for. Namaste!!!

[agnitrambley]

The Divine lead me to find this message! Om Shanti, Swamiji ...

[Venkatramnna]

Ishavara is creator of universe. Thanks ishavara, you created me.

[chironsthea]

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to vibe on this rock with you swami. You have brought great joy to my life. As I cultivate states of inner peace and contentment, I am grateful to have your teachings as a guide for us all.

[madhurikumari]

so nice swamiji
Prayerfull attitude towards all my duties
All ur videos opens a new chapter of cleansing of mind 🙏
Thankyou 🙇‍♀🌺

[mybabyandme]

Beautiful I love your teachings Swamiji. Thank you 🙏🏽

[ringingthebells]

Awesome Swamiji Such a beautiful practical explanation

[MrSuniljyothi]

Dear Swamiji, thanks so much for such an eloquent and practical lecture on Karma Yoga. I learnt a lot of practical applications of Karma Yoga from this. Jai Shri Krishna🙏

[shivakrishna]

Thank you Swamiji!
After watching the video, I feel, I got into the attitude of a Karma Yogi. Hopefully it will stay forever!