Video details
Unselfish Actions
The path of yoga is skill in action, as taught in Karma Yoga. There are two kinds of karma: selfless action without expectation of fruit, and selfish action performed for a result. Selfless service is done for all beings and elements of nature, not merely for personal connections, and without later seeking thanks or reward. Selfish action, like working for a salary, is standard but can be softened by performing it with love, as if it were your own. In family and community life, one can practice selfless service through simple, helpful acts. All physical and mental movements constitute karma. The fire of yoga practice can burn the seeds of past karma. The ultimate aim is to act with clear awareness, surrendering the fruits, and through dedicated practice and worship, purify consciousness to transcend the cycle of rebirth.
"Yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam"—yoga is skill in action.
"Yoga agni, karma dagdhani"—the fire of yoga burns all karmas.
This text is transcribed and grammar corrected by AI. If in doubt what was actually said in the recording, use the transcript to double click the desired cue. This will position the recording in most cases just before the sentence is uttered.
The text contains hyperlinks in bold to three authoritative books on yoga, written by humans, to clarify the context of the lecture:
- Yoga in Daily Life - The System
Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda. Ibera Verlag, Vienna, 2000. ISBN 978-3-85052-000-3 - The Hidden Power in Humans - Chakras and Kundalini
Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda. Ibera Verlag, Vienna, 2004. ISBN 978-3-85052-197-0 - Lila Amrit - The Divine Life of Sri Mahaprabhuji
Paramhans Swami Madhavananda. Int. Sri Deep Madhavananda Ashram Fellowship, Vienna, 1998. ISBN 3-85052-104-4
