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Karma yoga means serving

A morning satsang on karma yoga, seva, and skillful action.

"In karma yoga, it is easier to progress further in yogic sādhana, to reach the higher consciousness of the yogī."

"Yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam—yoga is skill in action. Yoga will be successful through the sādhana of karma."

Following a group practice in a meadow, the speaker addresses the assembly, describing the four groups present at the ashram. He defines karma yoga as selfless service, illustrating it with examples from Christian charity to simple daily kindnesses. A story about a disciple mistakenly moving a snail teaches that service must be skillful and informed. The talk emphasizes that seva is the foremost practice, accessible to everyone in countless ways.

Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic

Oṁ Namaḥ Śrī Prabhu Dīpa Nārāyaṇam. Oṁ Namaḥ Śrī Prabhu Dīpa Nārāyaṇam. Haṁsa Śabdhas Prabhu Śaraṇ Parāyaṇam. Śabdhas Prabhu Śaraṇ Parāyaṇam. Oṁ Namaḥ Śrī Prabhu Dīpa Nārāyaṇam. Oṁ Namaḥ Śrī Prabhu Dīpa. Haṁsa Śabdhas Prabhu Śaraṇ Parāyaṇam. Haṁsa Śabdhas Prabhu Śaraṇ Parāyaṇam. Oṁ Namaḥ Śrī Prabhudīpa. Oṁ Namaḥ Śrī Prabhudīpa Nārāyaṇam. Haṁ Śabdhas Prabhu Śaraṇ Parāyaṇam. Śabdhas Prabhu Śaraṇ Parāyaṇam. Oṁ Namo Śrī Prabhudī Nārāyaṇam. Oṁ Namo Śrī Prabhudī Nārāyaṇam. Today we had a program outside, in the meadow. It was a very beautiful morning with very nice clouds. All of our bhaktas, all of our yoga students were there amidst the very big trees and healthy air. We were doing our sādhana, our practice, by walking in the meadow. At the same time, we saw the beautiful programs of Lord Bhagavān Śrī Rāma and a beautiful ceremony at a temple of God Rāma, where our Prime Minister Modījī was also present. Of course, many of you may not have understood the mantras that were chanted, but it was a very beautiful atmosphere. I was telling everyone that we should keep distance so we can get nice fresh air, as we know there are problems with corona infection throughout all countries. We had a nice breakfast today, though we were a little late as the children were looking on. We have four different groups here. The first group is for Kriyā Anuṣṭhāna, and they have a big, beautiful hall. The second is for the teacher's class. The third is for practitioners who want to practice yoga in their life. The fourth are those known as karma yogīs. Karma yogī means to do some seva, service. Everyone is doing seva. For example, in Christianity, all nuns are doing so much karma yoga; every nun is only doing seva, which we call karma yoga. I think karma yoga is what is done in religions like Christianity, where they take care of many people who are ill or poor. They feel this is one of the best offerings to God because God is in everyone. They look to help people, regardless of religion, who are poor or needy, as it is said that God may be inside those who serve the poor. There are many kinds of services. In America, I sometimes saw a very big board on a highway that read, "If you have an old car, please give it to us for doing further for the poor people." They repair the cars, sell them, and use the money for the poor. Many different religions call this seva; they call it service. We yogīs say karma yoga. In karma yoga, it is easier to progress further in yogic sādhana, to reach the higher consciousness of the yogī. In some countries, people may not serve directly, but every week they give some money to a religion. You go to the temple or church and put some money in the box. In Austria, where I spent much time, I would sometimes sit in the church. A good priest, a friend of mine, would call me to see. He even asked me to give lectures in the church during ceremonies. After prayers, everyone gave some money using a long bamboo stick with a kind of pocket, so they could give quickly. In India, it is not done that way; we have to go walking. But everyone gives something, or does not. That is called dharma. Dharma means doing good. The ashrams, churches, or temples are called the house of God. At the time of Jesus, it was called the temple. We also have temples. Later it became a church, which has a very good meaning. Whatever you want to get is seva. When you give, do not announce that you are giving for something. When you give a donation, put it in the box and do not tell the nun or anyone in the church. Once you have given, it is no longer yours, and you have no right to say how it will be utilized. That is the principle everywhere; that is called seva. The seva is for God. For example, in our ashram here, we have a very nice foundation. Everyone can give, but not by saying, "I give you the money." Long ago, this place was a king's castle, but now we have it as the Mahāprabhū Dīpa Satsaṅg Āśrama, a foundation. We can help repair things. From time to time, the government also gives money for repairs, but they give it to the foundation, not to a person. It is for a building where everyone can have a good time, and with what remains, we can repair water, electricity, and other things. It is a trust, which means you cannot just come and sleep here; there are conditions. Similarly, worldwide, we call it a temple. I hear that in the Bible, Jesus said when people were focused on money and gold that this gold and money is not a god. God is that which we can give and serve. Even you are here for your seminar, anuṣṭhāna sādhana, yoga, and daily life practice: helping and playing with children, looking after our good trees. It is not about saying, "I give money." You may give money and also work. Therefore, it is said that the best practicing, meditations, ceremonies, and prayers are all secondary to seva. If you think you have no situation or time to do seva, you do have time. For example, if you are driving on the highway and someone is driving too quickly, you should not think poorly of them or try to race them. Think that maybe this person has urgent work or a family problem and has to go quickly to the hospital. Who are we to call them stupid? If someone needs to quickly change lanes, why not let them? That is also seva, and very important. Not only for humans: if an animal dies on the road, we should help. If an elderly person has a heavy bag and cannot get off the bus quickly, we can help with their luggage and hold their hand to help them off the bus. That is already seva. Seva is not limited; there are many things where you can do good or think good. That is seva. But we also have to think wisely about seva. There is a story of a master and disciple. The master always gave instructions, teaching the disciple about seva: to help, to serve ill people, dead people, everyone. One day, during a season with a little rain, the grass and bushes were wet. Snails were slowly coming out and crossing the road. Around ten in the morning, the master and disciple were walking on the road, with the disciple about two meters behind, listening to the master, who walked with a stick. The master said, "We should always help all creatures, give them food or help. It doesn't matter if it is human or animal. The best is seva." The disciple, who was very humble and always wanting to help—like our Vasant—saw a little snail crossing the road. He thought, "If any car comes, it will kill this animal." So he took it, quickly went 20 meters away, placed it near a bush in the field, and returned. The Gurujī asked, "Where are you? What did you do?" The disciple said, "No, Gurujī, I did seva." The master said, "What kind of seva are you doing? I am giving lectures, and you are running left and right." The disciple replied, "No, Gurudeva, I am on your path. There was this little creature, and I just put it on the other side." The master asked why and what kind of animal it was. Upon hearing, the master was angry. The disciple said, "How can you be angry, Gurudeva? I only helped him." The master said, "Yes, helping is good. But you did not know that this one wanted to cross the road to that side, and you took him back to the other side. Now he has to go all the way again. Look, you made a mistake. This poor creature will have to come back. Therefore, seva is good, but you should know what kind of seva and how to do it. This snail wanted to go to the left side, crossing the road, and you took it to the right side, a far distance. Maybe he has children there. So, of course, we should know what to do. If you do not know, then give it to the master or someone who knows, or ask for guidance." This is what we call karma yoga. Therefore, in the Bhagavad Gītā, it is said: karma kauśalam. When you do karma, kauśalam means you are doing things skillfully and well. That is why the best first step is karma yoga. It says: Yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam—yoga is skill in action. Yoga will be successful through the sādhana of karma. We are all doing very good. When you are standing, eating in the meadows with many people, and one finishes eating, then another, you can say, "Please, you sit down, I will take the plates." That is also karma yoga. Or while eating, if someone says, "Oh, I have no water, I want to drink," another person can stand and say, "Sit down, I will bring water for you." That is what we call seva, dharma, etc. Even when we are sitting and meditating, doing anuṣṭhāna for a long time, we should get up and walk a little. But in this walk, if we can do something, it is a double benefit. Yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam: yoga is successful through doing good karma. In that way, in our ashram, in our whole group, our friends are very respectful and happy, and they are giving a lot of seva help. There are many, many ways to do seva. If you say you do not have time to do seva, oh yes, you have. While driving, while thinking, you have the opportunity for seva. Even in your office, while working, you can have certain things in your mind that constitute seva. That is the best way. Adios.

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:

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