On the topic of karm yog, it was explained previously how to perform one’s duties without attachment to the outcome, and how in fact we are better able to perform our duties without attachment. There are still some unanswered questions about the practicality of karm yog. The first we will address is, “How is it possible to keep the mind in God while performing any action?”
Karm yog is made up of two words: ‘karm’ means performing one’s duty; ‘yog’ means to join – in this case it means to join our mind with God.
Hence, karm yog means keeping the mind joined with God while we perform our physical duties in the world. However, when the involvement of the mind is required for the performance of any action, how can the same mind be used at the same time for the remembrance of God? Can the mind be in two places at once? The answer is both no and yes.
The mind cannot be in two places at the same time
The flight of the mind is incredibly fast, which can at times make it seem like the mind is in two places at once, but actually it is not possible. The mind can only think of one thing at any one time. Which means that if we are thinking of God, we cannot do our work, and if we are doing our work, we cannot think of God.
If you are visualizing the form of Shree Krishna (a type of devotional meditation called roop dhyan), or thinking of His leelas, you will not be able to hold a conversation with someone, or write computer code, or read an article, etc. Then how could you do karm yog? Because actions done without remembering God will not be considered karm yog, and they will have binding material consequences.
Is it possible to have your mind in God and perform your work?
The secret to remembering God while we perform our work lies in our sense of identity and the deeper motivation behind our actions, both of which remain in the subconscious mind, no matter what activity the conscious mind is involved in. In other words, although it is not possible to have your conscious mind engaged in two different places simultaneously, it is possible for the conscious mind to be involved in one activity, while the deeper attachments of the subconscious mind remain somewhere else.
For example, there is not a time in the entire day when you forget that you are a human being, even while you are reading, writing, talking, listening, planning, etc.
This is because the deep identification with your body has created an attachment in your mind that is constantly experienced on a deeper level, even while you are involved in activities that require the full engagement of your conscious mind.
Similarly, you never forget whether you are a man or a woman, what race you are, what your ethnic background is, or what country you are from. Yet these are only superficial, temporary qualities of ourselves, related to our body.
Just think: when we are so attached to this body – that is not even our true self – that we can never forget it even for a second, then what would happen if we began to identify with our true self, the soul? Then we would live in a higher state of spiritual consciousness, even while engaged in worldly activities.
In addition, according to our sense of identity, we form attachments to other people and things. When we identify ourselves with the body, all people and things related to our body take on prime importance, and reside in our mind as attachments. These attachments are so deep in our mind that they become a part of our sense of identity.
Does a mother ever forget that she is a mother? No, it remains in her subconscious mind throughout the day, no matter what activity she performs. Yet, this is also just a superficial part of her identity, related only to her body, and concerning a temporary physical relationship with her children.
What would happen if the same person understood himself to be the soul, which is eternally related to God? What if they understood the fact that God is the only one who has always been with us, and will never leave us? What if they thought about the fact that He is so close to us that He resides within our very soul? What if they accepted the truth that only He could be ours forever? Then the attachment to God would go so deep into their mind that they would never forget Him, even for a moment.
Then the aim of that person’s life would become the attainment of God, since He is the only one related to our soul. When God realization becomes the prime aim of life, then all the physical actions are also performed with this goal in mind (as described in the previous article). The deeper motivation behind our actions also stays in the subconscious mind while we perform the action with our conscious mind.
This means that even while we perform the mundane tasks related to our daily survival, like eating, working, sleeping, and brushing our teeth, the reason behind those actions can be God realization.
For example, “I am eating because I need this human body – it is the only chance to attain God. I must maintain it in good health so that I can do more devotion and service to God.”
“I am working because I need money to buy the basic necessities required by my body. Having acquired these necessities, I will use my time for doing devotion and service to God.”
In this way, we can remember God even while performing our duties in the world, and we can live the philosophy of karm yog of the Gita. In the next article, I will share more techniques for remembering God throughout the day.
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.
Swamiji conducts weeklong Family Gita classes across various cities in the U.S. Through these enlightening sessions, Swamiji imparts the true knowledge of the Hindu heritage, tradition and universal principles to children and adults alike. For more information regarding upcoming Family Gita classes in your city, please visit http://www.familygitaclass.org/
Swami Nikhilanand
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