Karma Yoga - The Concept
The word Karma is derived from the Sanskrit Kri, meaning 'to do'. In its most basic sense karma simply means action, and yoga translates to union. Thus Karma yoga literally translates to the path of union through action. However, in Vedantic philosophy the word 'Karma' means both action and the effects of such action. Karma Yoga is described as a way of acting, thinking and willing by which one orients oneself toward realization by acting in accordance with one's duty (dharma) without consideration of personal self-centered desires, likes or dislikes. Acting without being attached to the fruits of one's deeds.
In my previous post, I wrote a letter in regards to a project, rather an expansion of a current project. My Partner and our Founder of our non profit organization, Buddham Yoga International, Yogi Amitram ji, while visiting Canada, we coordinated a clothing drive to India which is currently in progress.
In his last days, we were tying up some loose ends with the logistics of this project. I shall refrain from over using the word project. It is a project but more importantly, it is Service. During those last days, while picking up a hoodie with fur in the hood (you can read the full story in the previous blog) I was inspired to start something else in conjunction with the clothes drive by organizing a cap knitting campaign to keep the heads warm of those who are in need with or without shelter, often there is no heating and we can cover the body with clothes, blankets, sometimes even - I have seen this - newspapers - but the head needs to be covered as that is where we loose most of our body heat. As I am typing this - more information is being downloaded to me....the feet and the hands...another portal for energy release. So maybe this can expand to mits and socks. But one thing at a time; right?
"Karma Yoga is the selfless devotion of all inner as well as the outer activities as a Sacrifice to the Lord of all works, offered to the eternal as Master of all the soul's energies and austerities."
Bhagavad Gita
Whatever you have to do, just do your best. If you know of a better way to serve, you must use do it. Don't hold back because of fear of effort or because of fear of criticism. Do not work in a lazy manner just because no one is watching or because you feel the work is not for you. Give it your best. Try to do such actions that can bring maximum good and minimum evil. Do Karma Yoga increasingly. Don't be attached to the results. Don't be attached to the job. All jobs are importantly equal. There is no job higher or lower.
We all have our own paths to follow but if you look deeply into your lives...you are probably practicing karma yoga already. Parent's do so with their children every day. Isn't parenting a labour of love? I know sometimes the rewards aren't exactly what we expected...I know...I am a parent of a teenager...but that is not why we love and parent and guide our children, feed them, clothe them, take care of them. Other examples are volunteers, even in our own day to day jobs.
But...there is that something extra that many long inside some of us. The need to be doing something. So just do it. Anything! Plant a seedling in a deforested area. Serve at a homeless shelter...run a community bake sale or yard sale to raise funds for your local community programs. In the end...it makes one feel so good.
When we work with devotion. It is a selfless service. It comes right from the heart. No mind. Just doing. You will feel so free!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Wool for Warmth ~ Knitting for Need
Dear Friends;
Through the kind donations of clothing, monetary contributions and other item for our Clothes Drive India, an inspiration came to me one day when Amitram and I were in the process of putting this all together before he went back to India.
I came across a sweatshirt zipped hoodie which had a fleece lining in the hood and I thought; "how awesome is that"!
...
You see, in the chilly months in India; central heating is something not very often seen even in the best of situation due to the fact that most of the time there is no need for that, but in the northern areas of India during those months, it can get pretty cold at night and space heaters are often used and woolen caps. During those months between November and February, it is not unusual to see people with wool caps and toques on especially at night and in the early mornings until the sun warms up.
Having said this, I thought back to the clothes drive and thought if people need clothes to cover their bodies (in all seasons) but in the winter, what about the head. We can be covered up to the neck with blankets and like I said, even in the best of situations, the head and face gets really cold. I know - I have been there! But I was blessed to be in a position to have a space heater.
So this is where my inspiration comes in - a simple idea from a donated hoodie with fur in the hood; why not extend the drive to send warm hats.
Now there is where the fun part begins. I thought of the kind volunteers in our society that knit caps and donate them to hospitals for babies and chemotherapy patients. They are free for patients of the hospitals, clinics, etc.
This is where we need your help and suggestions.
The Dream:
1)To collect yarn and other items required for knitting hopefully by donation by contacting yarn companies or to purchase yarn through raising of funds.
2) To collect :-) and have volunteers at their own time and pace (those who can and like to knit) knit caps off all shapes sizes and colours. Have fun. Be creative!
3) Off they go to India (and maybe one day across the globe) and lest not forget our homeless right here in the West. Our winter is around the corner and we all know what that is like.
We have been fortunate enough to have this covered by local paper media to get the word out and any participation on your behalf would be most helpful. If you can knit, great. If not, you can help in other ways by spreading the word, collecting yard and getting it to the volunteers, finding volunteers. We need your help.
Everything starts from a thought. We are also looking for a name for this project. I have come up with Caps for Comfort, or Wool for Warmth but we are open to all suggestions. I keep thinking of that little grey hoodie that set the light bulb off over my head. That grey hoodie is now in India and will be one of the first pieces to be donating through Amitram.
This is making me feel all warm and fuzzy.
So...what do you think? Can we do this? Yes we can!
Looking forward to your response.
NOTE: You need not be from our local area of Caledon, Ontario Canada to participate. Our home base is here but anyone, anywhere can do this. We will manage the logistics from this end.
Warm regards
Rita
Rei of Light Yoga
Buddham Yoga International
Through the kind donations of clothing, monetary contributions and other item for our Clothes Drive India, an inspiration came to me one day when Amitram and I were in the process of putting this all together before he went back to India.
I came across a sweatshirt zipped hoodie which had a fleece lining in the hood and I thought; "how awesome is that"!
...
You see, in the chilly months in India; central heating is something not very often seen even in the best of situation due to the fact that most of the time there is no need for that, but in the northern areas of India during those months, it can get pretty cold at night and space heaters are often used and woolen caps. During those months between November and February, it is not unusual to see people with wool caps and toques on especially at night and in the early mornings until the sun warms up.
Having said this, I thought back to the clothes drive and thought if people need clothes to cover their bodies (in all seasons) but in the winter, what about the head. We can be covered up to the neck with blankets and like I said, even in the best of situations, the head and face gets really cold. I know - I have been there! But I was blessed to be in a position to have a space heater.
So this is where my inspiration comes in - a simple idea from a donated hoodie with fur in the hood; why not extend the drive to send warm hats.
Now there is where the fun part begins. I thought of the kind volunteers in our society that knit caps and donate them to hospitals for babies and chemotherapy patients. They are free for patients of the hospitals, clinics, etc.
This is where we need your help and suggestions.
The Dream:
1)To collect yarn and other items required for knitting hopefully by donation by contacting yarn companies or to purchase yarn through raising of funds.
2) To collect :-) and have volunteers at their own time and pace (those who can and like to knit) knit caps off all shapes sizes and colours. Have fun. Be creative!
3) Off they go to India (and maybe one day across the globe) and lest not forget our homeless right here in the West. Our winter is around the corner and we all know what that is like.
We have been fortunate enough to have this covered by local paper media to get the word out and any participation on your behalf would be most helpful. If you can knit, great. If not, you can help in other ways by spreading the word, collecting yard and getting it to the volunteers, finding volunteers. We need your help.
Everything starts from a thought. We are also looking for a name for this project. I have come up with Caps for Comfort, or Wool for Warmth but we are open to all suggestions. I keep thinking of that little grey hoodie that set the light bulb off over my head. That grey hoodie is now in India and will be one of the first pieces to be donating through Amitram.
This is making me feel all warm and fuzzy.
So...what do you think? Can we do this? Yes we can!
Looking forward to your response.
NOTE: You need not be from our local area of Caledon, Ontario Canada to participate. Our home base is here but anyone, anywhere can do this. We will manage the logistics from this end.
Warm regards
Rita
Rei of Light Yoga
Buddham Yoga International
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