Karma Yoga
...refers to the universal principle of cause and effect and further serves to work as a spiritual service. Yoga was introduced to Western civilization through Swami Vivekanada at a Parliamentary gathering of religious affiliations in eighteen hundred and ninety three. Yoga gained its popularity and much notoriety in the nineteen sixties. Since that time, Yoga continues to gain momentum and is still growing in popularity today. Ritual and Path The practice of yoga is encouraged by the Hindu religion. The process is to bring the human soul into conscious communication with the Divine. When you attempt to become perfection in yoga this is when you become a yogi. Yoga is when you clear your mind and achieve a peaceful mind described as sattvic. There are four main yogic paths in the Hindu religion. Karma yoga is when you perform all actions without expecting anything in return. It means an action or deeds any physical or mental action is Karma. Yoga brings a deeper understanding of God and enables a person to have their emotions under control. In today’s busy and stressful life Yoga has become a popular practice not only in Hinduism also in modern civilization. This practice brings in perfection, peace, lasting happiness, and calmness. Yoga is a state of absolute peace where neither imagination nor thought exists is control of mind and its modifications. This teaching is how you attain the state of Divinity for the Hindu religion. Yoga has become a universal practice that does not oppose any religion or church. The saying “what you sow is what you reap” is a good way to describe the Karma yoga. Hinduism beliefs in reincarnation so what you do in this lifetime will affect your next life. In the Hindu religion Karma is one of the fundamental doctrines. Karma yoga is a selfless service to humanity it purifies a person. Karma is to serve humanity without any attachment or egoism. In Karma yoga a person is almost like an instrument and that the Divine is working through you. Surrendering all the actions and fruits in Karma yoga will help a person become closer God. The mind is filled with likes, dislikes, and jealousy in Hinduism selfless service is the only way to remove all these thoughts from a persons mind. Non-attachment to the fruits of actions will bring freedom from sorrow and fear. Hindus strive to see God everywhere and the more you give the more you will get in return. A Karma Yogi should be absolutely free form lust, greed, anger and egoism. He should not have any desires for fame and should always be humble. Symbols In Hinduism symbols are very important more so than other religions. The Hindu symbols range form the mark one puts on the forehead to the idols that are worshiped from believers. Every symbol has its own meaning and is important to the religion. The mark that Hindus use between their eyebrows is called a Tilak. It is placed in between the eyebrows because it is believed by the Hindus that this is where spiritual eyes open. The Tilak is made of sandal paste or sacred ashes. Symbols are used because they are easier for a human being to comprehend. Siva the supreme lord of the yogis is considered the most sacred symbol for the worship for the Hindus. A candle flame is also a visual form of concentration. The OM symbol represents the original sound of creation it is form that includes the sun and the moon. Development The following are five classifications that can be derived for the followers of Karma Yoga: 1. Those who performs actions for mere existence, for living. 2. Those who do them to satisfy the God and gets their wishes fulfilled. 3. Those who perform them with out expecting any returns, dedicating them to the Lord. 4. Those who perform them externally. 5. Those who perform them both internally and externally for worshipping the Lord, without expecting any returns. The fifth category is the more sublime among t...