WORSHIPPING
EXCELLENCE
“Yogah karmasu Kausalam” – said Lord Krishna in Gita, emphasizing that Yoga is excellence in action. This is one way in which Krishna defined Yoga.
Krishna is never tired of stressing on excellence in all that we do. The whole of Gita, is in fact, full of methods to lead one’s life in excellence.
But, here, he is talking of excellence in action. Excellence must be reflected in action; in all actions.
Karma or action is distinguishable in to three varieties, viz., (i) bodily actions, (ii) mental actions and (iii)verbal actions.
In Sanskrit – these are called – kaayika, maanasika and vaachika Karmas
Mental actions are again distinguishable in to (i) thoughts (Chintana) and (ii) feelings (bhaavana).
Excellence must be reflected in all these facets of our actions.
The word Yoga means – joining you with yourself. When you perform all these actions with excellence – you merge with your real self.
Right now – your mind is not with you. It is with others – always away from you, just returning periodically to visit you. This is the reality.
But, when your Kaayika, Maanasika and Vaacchika karmas join together – you have merged with your own real self – and a part of you is not away from you, with any others.
You are where you are – not any where else. You are in the present – and not in the past or future. You are with your own self;
To repeat - You are totally where you are; You are in the present. And, now starts Yoga in action.
The external action will now result from a total focus and convergence of your thought, feeling and word. When the mind feels totally about one thought and thinks the same thought, speaks of the same in words and performs the implied action in external world – an extraordinary level of excellence results.
It means in the simplest terms - that you love your work immensely and intensely.
Your whole heart is focused on doing it. Your mind is filled with the fondest and the noblest thoughts of your work.
It is not only your work; It is your relaxation; It is your hobby; It is your prayer; when not interrupted by any thing else, and any body else – your mind always yearns to return to it.
You are constantly seeking to improve yourself, your skill, your knowledge and your interest in its performance.
You know who else is doing that work – as well as you. You are interested in aligning with them and befriending them. You are interested in knowing what you don’t know from them, about your field.
You want to read all that the Great masters have written and said about your field of work. You want to pick up the improvements that they have suggested.
You feel your work in your breath; in your food and in your drink.
You love to listen to great masters talking on any topic in your Chosen field.
You love to share your knowledge of your chosen field with any one who wants to listen and know from you.
You are not interested in who gets the credit for the work you do; or, who enjoys the fruits of your work; You do the work you love and that is your reward in itself.
On each day, you are becoming better and better in your field of work.
Yesterday was good and beautiful for you. But, today is much better. And, tomorrow will be great. Every day – you are becoming better and better in your chosen field.
For you - work is worship; work is Love;
You love and worship excellence in all that you do, all through your life in your Chosen field;
When the time comes for it - Your eyes will close; your last breath will leave you – with immense satisfaction and joy – of a life lived truly in excellence.
And Lord Krishna says – all your skills and all your accomplishments will come along with you where ever you go in your next birth.
This is karma yoga in essence.
PS : For those who have not yet found their calling in life – the advice is – find your calling; your chosen work; and excel in it. I f you do not know what you must do in your free time – it is an indication, that you are yet to choose or find your calling in life. And – you are yet to enjoy your life truly.
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