03/T.R.E.E

KARMA-YOGA

A tree produces many fruits, but selflessly offers them to others. In all seasons, the tree dutifully offers shade and shelter regardless of mistreatment by man or animal. When a tree is cut, it grows back with determination, strength and fresh vigour, ready to serve the world again. The life and qualities of the tree demonstrates the art of living and functioning in this world with grace, resilience and deep selflessness. When we emulate these qualities and connect our daily work to Divinity, it is known as karma-yoga. This chapter thus echoes the famous Biblical wisdom: “Be in the world but not of it.”

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Arjuna, who’s in the process of digesting Krishna’s words of wisdom, still has thoughts of tyaga (renunciation) - leaving the battlefield and abandoning his worldly duties. He can’t see the compatibility of pursuing a spiritual life and simultaneously honouring his day-to-day roles and responsibilities. To him, they’re mutually exclusive. After all, worldly life entails awkward dealings with money, possessions, people and career to name but a few. Krishna, however, explains that true renunciation does not entail a mere abandonment of external activities. True renunciation is to give up the mentality that one is the controller and enjoyer of all his deeds. By offering the results of one’s daily work (money, knowledge, influence, and other such benefits) in service to God, knowing God to be the ultimate enjoyer and controller, one develops genuine renunciation.

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Krishna has stressed that the real renunciate is the one who selflessly dedicates all activities to God. Thus, more progressive than external renunciation, is the step-by-step regulation which brings one to internal renunciation. We can first acknowledge the universal arrangements that provide all necessities of life, and regulate our activities to show gratitude. We can regulate our eating by first offering every meal to God. Such regulation of activity nurtures the selflessness and detachment which elevate one towards the ultimate renunciation that Krishna establishes as the ideal. The Bhagavad-gita thus describes several rungs on the ‘yoga ladder’ which take the spiritual aspirant to higher states of consciousness.

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Karma-yoga is thus established as the ingenious process to work in the world, connect everything to God, develop detachment and selflessness, and ultimately become fully conscious of God. Interestingly, even those perfected souls continue working in the world like everyone else. Although internally renounced, they continue functioning in the world for the sole purpose of setting an inspirational example for others to follow. Being exemplary is one of the most effective teaching tools we have. As they say “example before precept, walk your talk, practice what you preach.” Genuine spiritualists embody the change they wish to see in the world.

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Krishna has upgraded Arjuna’s intelligence with paradigm-shifting insights that transform our vision of life. Yet Arjuna knows that we may be intellectually convinced, but having the internal resolve to follow it through is a different ball game. His question: “Even when we know the right thing, why is it that we often act against our own will, as if impelled by force?” Krishna then exposes the hidden enemy of every single struggling soul in this world – lust! When we are infected by this strong urge of selfishness and ‘me-centred’ mentality we do irrational and unthinkable things to satisfy our desires, even when it causes harm to ourselves and others, and diverts us from what we seek most. Lust cheats one of a progressive, successful and spiritual life and offers only meagre and temporary gratification in return. By tolerating the urges of lust and simultaneously strengthening one’s spiritual intelligence, one will be better situated to recognise, value and embrace the higher pursuits in life.

“CREATE A LIFE THAT FEELS GOOD ON THE INSIDE. NOT JUST ONE THAT LOOKS GOOD ON THE OUTSIDE” ~ UNKNOWN