Class Summary for Jan 2, 2024 - Chapter-2 Slokas 51 - 53 & Karma Yoga exersize

Summarized by:  Aishwarya Ramani

The group discussed the below questions during the session:

01. Name ONE person whom you consider to be practicing Karma yoga (preferable in current
times/era)
⁠
02. Explain one incident/situation where, as an employee you practiced / could have practiced
Karma Yoga
OR
Explain one incident/situation where, as a parent you practiced / could have practiced Karma
Yoga

Notes
● Group 2:
○ Explain one incident/situation where, as a parent you practiced / could have
practiced Karma Yoga:
Helping kids with SAT/ College application. Shouldn't think if with selfish motives
(i.e. they will look after parents in old age). Common attachment we all develop is
expectation from the kids that they will take care of it. Do it because it is our
responsibility. Example of children helping parents whe guests come over was
discussed.
○ Group 2 identified Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath as individuals who
practice Karma Yoga

● Group 4:
○ Volunteer organizations they are all Karma Yogis. Example was provided of a
local environment group run by passionate volunteers who want to make a
difference. .
○ Another example was provided of a member’s work environment. One discussion
where the discussions were at an impasse. After a 3 hour meeting, maintaining a
lot of awareness. Being aware of the personalities in the room. Thinking with a
balanced mind . Keeping emotions in check. No conclusion reached after a 3
hour long meeting. Regrouped at the end of the day, in a different more casual
environment. During casual conversations, both groups realized that they
ultimately had the same common goal of helping patients across the nation.
Financial goals/personal goals were put aside for the common good and
progress was made on the matter.

● Group 1

○ One of the participants in Group 1 gave the example of her husband who truly
practices Karma yoga. Perform actions because it is the right thing to do without
thinking about personal gain. Example was given of traveling ina train/bus
without a ticket. Even thoug this may be easier to do and no one checks tickets,
the right thing to do would be to buy the ticket.
○ Another member fo this group discussed how she had reacted to a situation at
work instead of responding. However, she pointed out that she was immediately
aware of this error but nothing could be dont as the impulsive action was already
complete. It was pointed out that this awareness is step one.

● Group 3:
○ Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Sudha Murthy were given as examples of people
practicing Karma Yoga
○ A Gurudwara was provided as an example of a place to truely practice Karma
Yoga
○ Another member of this group provided an example of a difficult work situation.
She got a great review despite the job being tough. She shifted focus on helping
her colleagues instead of being focused on how she should go about her own
work.

Discussions on Farmers: Traditionally thy are practitioners of Karma Yoga
Farmers would share mutual sharing, community type sense, that was community based.
When we talk Karma yoga of the wealthy, we shouldn’t always always relate it to philanthropy.
There are other activities that need to be done to fructify the cause they are contributing towards
There are other activities related to philanthropic causes that dont alway get publicized, that
also counts towards Karma Yoga.

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