In the last article, while discussing the practical aspects of karm yog, I explained the difference between undertaking an action with a positive goal in mind, and undertaking an action with a personal attachment to the outcome. The question thus arises: How can a person undertake an action without personal attachment to the outcome – that is only possible if the mind is attached in God. Let us understand this aspect more.
Why does our mind seek happiness?
Why is attachment of the mind in God necessary? Can the mind not be simply detached from the world? The reason is that the mind can never remain in a pending state, because it is always actively seeking happiness. Wherever it develops a hope of finding happiness, it becomes attached.
Thus, the only way to stop forming attachments would be to stop desiring happiness. Yet, it is impossible to stop desiring happiness, because that is the nature of every soul. Every soul is an ansh of God (a part of God), who is Divine bliss, and it is the nature of an ansh to desire his anshi (the one to whom he belongs, or the one of whom he is a part). Thus, it is the nature of every soul to desire God, since every soul is an ansh of God.
Just like water is drawn towards the sea, we are drawn towards God. But this pull of our soul towards God is felt in the mind as the desire for happiness (since God is happiness). Then how could we stop desiring happiness? It is against our very nature. Thus, as long as we are seeking happiness, we will continue to form attachments to the objects, people and attainments we believe will bring us happiness. Then how could we undertake any action without attachment to the outcome? It is impossible for anyone who desires happiness, as is proven above.
The secret of attachment & detachment
Then how can we practically do karm yog, which requires us to perform actions without attachment? In order to perform karm yog, we must attach our mind in God. Since it is unnatural to give up desiring happiness, we must change the field in which we seek that happiness. In other words, we should desire happiness from God, instead of from the world. Since there are only 3 eternal entities (God, maya and the souls), there are only two possible places for the souls to seek happiness – either in God, or in maya (the world).
If we choose to seek happiness from the world, then we will become attached in the world, and we would not be able to perform karm yog. But if we choose to seek happiness in God, then we become attached to Him. To the extent we become attached to God, we become unattached from the world, and to the same extent we are able to perform actions as karm yog.
The main point is that the mind will definitely be attached either in the world or to God – there is no third option, and it is unnatural to have no attachment. This shows why the mind cannot remain in a state of pending, but instead is constantly seeking happiness and forming attachments. Thus, the only way to perform actions without attachment in the world is to divert the desires of the mind towards God.
Understanding this secret of attachment and detachment is imperative; otherwise we will always struggle with the idea of practicing karm yog.
Are all desires and attachments bad?
Desiring happiness from God instead of from the world will only happen when we have accepted that true happiness is in God, not in the world (explained in previous articles on this chapter). In other words, when a person believes that he will get happiness by seeing Krishna (not by seeing the world); by hearing Krishna (not by hearing the world), etc., then he will begin to desire Krishna instead of the world.
This raises a question – isn’t desiring God a desire too? Is being attached to God not also an attachment? Why would we be rewarded for continuing to foster desire and attachment? Because desire and attachment are not inherently wrong. They are natural and unavoidable, as explained above. The critical point is only this – where is our mind attached? Do we desire maya, or God? By desiring maya, we foster mayic attachments, and this adds to the impurity of the mind, and multiplies our mayic bondage.
By desiring God and attaching our mind to Him, we create a connection with Him, which causes our mind to purify. Thus, desiring and forming attachments is a natural process of the mind, and if this process is turned towards God, it becomes the means of joining our mind with God and purifying the mind.
If we attach our mind in the world, we will attain the world, which is not the form of true happiness, and will lead us to disappointment and stress. If we attach our mind to God, we will attain true happiness.
Thus, it is up to us: we should decide where to attach our mind based on what we want to attain. Attachment in the world leads to rebirth in the world, and attachment to God leads to the attainment of Divine bliss. The choice is ours.
Now you have learned how to attach your mind to God, instead of to the world. This will allow you to perform actions without attachment to the outcome, as instructed by Shree Krishna. The next question is that without attachment, how will we do our duty properly? Will we not become uncaring and apathetic? In such a state, how will we care for our children? How will we be able to work? These questions will be addressed in the next article.
Disciple of Shree Kripaluji Maharaj:
Swami Nikhilanand Ji is a Canadian born Hindu spiritual leader based in Austin, Texas. He is a sanyasi disciple and pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj.
Attracted to the teachings of Hinduism from a young age, Swamiji eventually let his deep spiritual longing lead him to India, where he was most fortunate to come under the guidance of Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. Thereafter, living in the ashrams of JKP, he extensively studied Hindi, the philosophy of the prime Sanskrit scriptures (Vedas, Darshan Shastras, Gita, Bhagwatam), and practiced meditation in the tradition of raganuga bhakti. In 2003, he was given sanyas.
Now, with the blessings of his Guruji, he offers satsang programs throughout America, engaging audiences with his clear explanations of Hindu philosophy coupled with inspired chanting of Sanskrit mantras and shlokas and charming namsankirtan. His informative and compelling speeches provide practical insight into how to adopt the teachings of Sanatan Dharm into our daily lives, and inspire us to awaken our inner spiritual potential.
To stay in touch with Swami NikhilanandJi, like his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SwamiNikhilanand or follow him on twitter at https://twitter.com/Swami_Nikhil.
Swami Nikhilanand
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