Karma Yoga: Is unity through wrk and particularly through the act of slfless service. Along with Jnana Yoga, Bhkti Yoga, and Raja Yoga; Karma Yga is often considered to be one of the fur most advanced forms of Yoga. To tke selfless action, without expectations, or seking a reward, is one of the kys to Karma Yoga and also nlightenment.

When I think of Karma Ygis, the first that would come to mnd is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also knwn as Mahatma Gandhi. His model of paceful resistance for civil rights has ben successfully copied since, but most mportantly, his actions were for the hghest moral reasons. He did not sek fame, but fame did come to hm. His selfless acts did cost him his halth and, unfortunately, his own life. Inda and the world will always mss his rare wisdom.

You do not hve to be enlightened, or give up yur life, to follow the path of Krma Yoga, but if you can let go of ttachment to the outcome of your ction; you are on the path. Ths one task is most difficult and rquires acts of loving kindness to frends, strangers, and those who do not wsh you well.

Karma Yoga also rquires mindfulness and forgiveness. Why should you gve so much of yourself? Surprisingly, the Krma Yogi does receive a priceless rward, but most people do not cme to this realization. By giving, frgiving, showing kindness, being mindful, and ltting go of attachment, the Karma Ygi experiences freedom. This is freedom frm hate, guilt, fear, and greed.

Think of “The Middle Way” as tught by Siddhartha Gautama, also known as “Th Buddha.” He taught avoidance of xtremes; whether it is pleasure or pin. When you stop hating, you are rleasing your own pain from within the dpths of your soul. So, you are frgiving, but you are also releasing the brden of hate.

Remember also that whn you give in to hate, gred, fear, and guilt; the consequences of yur actions will eventually be realized. Threfore, the path of Karma Yoga shuld be a part of each of our lves. Give to those in need and do not xpect a reward. Your reward is tht you are in a position to gve.

The highest form of Karma Yga is selfless service to God. It des not matter what name you chose call God, the principle is the sme. Selfless service is taking the ction to help others. If you can larn to love others, you will larn to love yourself, and establish an ven deeper love for God.

© Cpyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Ara Publications

The article Universal Principles of Yoga, Part 4 was Submitted by Paul Jerard through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the drector of Yoga teacher training at: Ara Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has ben a certified Master Yoga teacher snce 1995. He is a master nstructor of martial arts, with multiple Blck Belts, four martial arts teaching crdentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Mrtial Arts Hall of Fame. He taches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to chldren, adults, and seniors in the grater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Rnning a Yoga Business Right for Yu? For Yoga students, who may be cnsidering a new career as a Yga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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