It is said that that Tansen (the great musician and a ‘navratna’ in Emperor Akbar’s court) once said to Akbar that his Guru was an even better musician than him. Intrigued Akbar went to hear Swami Haridas sing. Akbar was indeed impressed but couldn’t understand why Swami Haridas was better than Tansen. Tansen then explained that it was because his guru sang only for God, his work was his way of worship, as service to the Lord, the fruits of his labour were an offering to the Lord. His work became a medium to attain the highest in life. In this blog, we deal with the theme ‘secret of work’. Let’s discover, what, after all, is the ‘secret of work’.
Drops of Wisdom...
Swami Vivekananda on 'The Secret of Work'
"By work alone men may get to where Buddha got largely by meditation or Christ by prayer.”
“Liberation means entire freedom — freedom from the bondage of good, as well as from the bondage of evil. A golden chain is as much a chain as an iron one.”
“The very reason of nature’s existence is for the education of the soul; it has no other meaning; it is there because the soul must have knowledge, and through knowledge free itself.”
“The whole gist of this teaching is that you should work like a master and not as a slave; work incessantly, but do not do slave’s work.”
“If you can invariably take the position of a giver, in which everything given by you is a free offering to the world, without any thought of return, then will your work bring you no attachment.”
“Now you see what Karma-Yoga means; even at the point of death to help anyone, without asking questions. Be cheated millions of times and never ask a question, and never think of what you are doing. Never vaunt of your gifts to the poor or expect their gratitude, but rather be grateful to them for giving you the occasion of practicing charity to them. Thus, it is plain that to be an ideal householder is a much more difficult task than to be an ideal Sannyasin; the true life of work is indeed as hard as, if not harder than, the equally true life of renunciation.”
Click the link below to read 'The Secret of Work' from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
The Secret of Work
- Dr. Shyamolima Ghosh Choudhury (New Delhi)
Work is ordinarily expected to lead to some sense of fulfillment. However, many times work leaves us feeling rushed, exhausted, dissatisfied. Despite the emptiness that work sometimes creates, it is also difficult to not-work. This conundrum arises because of incorrect identification of the self with the mind-body complex and what are known as upadhis. According to Swami Vivekananda the objective of Karma is not to do good to the world or to the Self but the attainment of moksha. True work is the process of uncovering the soul so that naiskarma or worklessness may be attained. Transformation of consciousness from the gross to subtle to causal is the secret of skillful work. According to Indian psychology the inner instrument or antahkarana comprises the manas, buddhi, chitta and ahamkara. Regular practice of work, through successes and failures, allows the inner faculties to disidentify with the thoughts, feelings, sensations that arise in the mind-body complex, to loosen the grip of the small ego, and to rise up to the subtle level of ahamkara. Vedanta prescribes the practice of three types of detachment - karma anasakti, karmaphal anasakti, and detachment from karma abhimaan. When the will/ego is detached, the mind can turn inwards and an interiority is born which further leads to the twin development of deep concentration and development of universal love/compassion. The aspirant moves from subtle to an expanded cosmic level of consciousness. The realization that the ultimate source of all work energy is the divine allows the “doer” to be relaxed, to step back and allow life to operate through one’s being. This is known as ‘dexterity in work’ and is characterized by self-remembrance. Aspirants can also surrender all their work to the Divine. Thus, constant self-remembrance or remembrance of the Divine is the secret of skillful work and marks the beginning of spiritual life.
Benefits of practising Karma Yoga – Personal Takeaways
- Sunanda Ganguli (Delhi)
In one of lectures on Karma Yoga Swami Vivekananda dealt with the science of work. For him work alone reaches its highest when it is done absolutely without hope of reward – work for work's sake. For him Karma yoga is one of the paths in which a man realises his own divinity through work and duty. According to this view, through selfless action the mind becomes tranquil and free from the disturbances caused by desire and attachment. Karma Yoga is one of the roads leading to the same center – God. He wrote, "I shall not cease to work; I shall inspire men everywhere, until the world shall know that it is one with God." But Swamiji is Swamiji. How can I, an ordinary mortal, think like him?
I have read and can academically connect with Lord Buddha's idea that Buddha can be attained through practice of selfless service. All thinkers and seers have suggested doing one's best to be the key to service and devotion.
It was evening and Tagore's song ‘Jodi tor dak shune keu’ was being played. Every time I hear it play, it has a new meaning for me. How it reveals the meaning of our journey of life and at the same time suggesting the option of walking alone igniting our heart with the "thunder flame of pain", with unwavering resolve. But it's not that it talks about isolation or disharmony but says that if the need arises then one can engage, work selflessly without ego and in the process unite with the universal spirit and attain realization in action. It is truth and truth only that resonates with everyone. It is Karma that unites all, Yoga means to join or connect.
I remember my mother working tirelessly to cater to the needs of each member of the joint family with a smile. She focussed on her duty with love but without any expectations. But she never thought herself to be a Karmayogi. She connected with others, no doubt, was able to relate i.e., yoga with others through her non-attached work. No higher purpose in view, it was just doing the work to help other members of the family. And she was at peace with herself and with others.
As an ordinary person, I am like a little squirrel putting in grains of sand when a bridge is being constructed and at the same time trying to change my mindset and get inner peace as I grow within. It's a journey where I sing to myself, ‘ekla cholo re’.
Karma Yoga in Modern Times
- Chhandita Sensharma (Gurugram)
A nature centric quiz on Karma Yoga
Can you guess how nature shows us to be Karma yogis?
Lotus
Lotus is a symbol of Karma Yoga that nature exhibits; performing one’s duties without attachment of results
A forest ecosystem
A bee
A bee diligently collects nectar and pollinates flowers, playing its vital role in ecology without being attached to the honey or fruits. A bee could be a true karma yogi
