Unless The Lord
builds the house, its builder labors in vain. Unless The Lord watches over the
city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. - Psalm 127:1
The
word ‘yoga’ comes from the ancient Sanskrit language and is etymologically related
to our English “to yoke.” It refers to
any means by which we can reconnect our individual beings with Being. “God” as Being is never really separate from
who and what we are, instead this sense of separateness exists within our minds
and is the foundation of the ego or false self.
Yoga techniques work primarily with the mind. Not in the sense of intellectual education
but more in the sense of helping us to differentiate our conscious essence from
the mind. As Rishi Patanjali explains, “Yoga
means bringing the patterns of mind into a state of stillness, wherein one can
recognize one’s true self-nature.”
The
practice of yoga does not require a withdrawal from life. Karma yoga is the yoga of action, of
heartfelt service in this world. At the
same time it is joined with an attitude of non-attachment. With yoga practice we are always balancing
between two extremes. We are learning
not to be conditioned by the world as it appears to be, nor to escape into some
artificial transcendence. In meditation
we can connect with a tremendous sense of bliss, this is our self-essence: being-consciousness-bliss. It is very, very nice, however as long as we
are in this life we cannot just stay there.
Instead we have to bring this bliss, this love and joy into actuality in
this world. Be mindful of all the
darkness in the world but, turn up your own light. “Be the change . . .”
In
the Bhagavad Gita this whole dilemma is addressed brilliantly. Arjuna, a warrior General feels despondent on
the eve of an epic civil war. He ponders
the possibility of withdrawing from battle.
He questions the meaning of life and existence. And he wonders about the nature of the
soul. His mentor, Krishna, just happens
to be a Divine Avatar. He helps Arjuna
to understand the spiritual path of non-attached action, Karma Yoga. It simply means committing to the action that
is right for the time without worrying about the outcome. Leave the outcome up to God. Things may not turn out the way we think they
should be, but they always turn out for the best. “Fulfill all of your duties;” says Krishna. “Action
is better than inaction. Even to
maintain your body, Arjuna, you are obliged to act. Selfish action imprisons the world. Act selflessly, without any thought of
personal profit.”
Is
this even possible? It takes
practice. Meditation is essential. Practice yoga and meditation regularly to
help stabilize your consciousness in Self-essence. Use the rest of your time to practice karma
yoga. Of course, be sure to get enough
nourishment and sleep. Take care of your
physical vehicle. Practice prayer and
devotional song. Read and contemplate
spiritual literature. These are all
important aspects of yoga.
Non-attachment grows naturally out of on-going meditation practice. We learn that the objects of the world have
little or nothing to do with our inner state of total well-being. We might not be able to fix the world, but we
might be able to communicate this deeper awareness to others.
Then
again, action without attachment is very powerful. Who knows what is possible?
