Class Summary for Oct 29, 2024 - Chapter-4 Slokas 13-18
Summarized by Neelima Turaga:
The class started with opening prayers, pranayam and meditation.
After a recap of previous class, we proceeded to further discuss the concepts of karma, vikarma and akarma.
To begin with, there are three types of Karma :
Nitya karma - daily activities
Naimittya karma - Obligatary duties at certain occasions or duties that need to be performed as per the situation.
Kaamya karma - actions which are driven by desires.
Vikarma - Prohibited actions. These are a wide range of actions starting from unlawful or illegal acts to actions that are not that obviously bad, but that cause internal agitation or remorse, before, while or after performing the action.
Akarma can loosely be translated to Inaction..
After a recap of previous class, we proceeded to further discuss the concepts of karma, vikarma and akarma.
To begin with, there are three types of Karma :
Nitya karma - daily activities
Naimittya karma - Obligatary duties at certain occasions or duties that need to be performed as per the situation.
Kaamya karma - actions which are driven by desires.
Vikarma - Prohibited actions. These are a wide range of actions starting from unlawful or illegal acts to actions that are not that obviously bad, but that cause internal agitation or remorse, before, while or after performing the action.
Akarma can loosely be translated to Inaction..
A very important concept that is discussed in chapter 4 and and even Bhagavad Gita as a whole is "Action in inaction" and "inaction in action". These concepts in conjunction with Akarma can be summarized as below :
In a materialistic point of view, Akarma means inaction, or not doing anything..But from a Spiritual angle, Akarma is Inaction in action.
Any Karma (any of the three types) performed without being attached to those actions is Akarma. While performing such actions, the BMI is fully engaged in the activity, but the aatma is just a witness that is watching and it is not performing the action. So the real "Me" is not concerned either with the action or the result of the action.
Any Karma (any of the three types) performed without being attached to those actions is Akarma. While performing such actions, the BMI is fully engaged in the activity, but the aatma is just a witness that is watching and it is not performing the action. So the real "Me" is not concerned either with the action or the result of the action.
When any action is performed with this detached attitude in a witness mode it becomes Akarma.
This can be achieved through practice, One of the important tools to achieve this is Nishkaama karma (desireless action with no materialistic gain). Thus, akarma can be equated to Karma Yoga.
Karma Yoga can be defined as follows :
Karma - doing action
Yoga - Action is performed through the BMI, while the real self is united with the Brahman, and every action is performed as an offering to God.
Karma yoga is the process of helping us realize that doing actions without any attachment to results, would be able to produce the best actions. This helps us in understanding and realizing our true self..
When more of Nishkaama karma is performed, we get into the state of the witness mode, and we can reach that state of Akarma.
We usually identify ourselves with the pseudo self, or the BMI. We identify either with our profession or some other material aspect connected to the BMI. Once we drop that identity and realize our true nature, we are moving in the right direction and that is being in the mode of "Inaction in action"
Great saints including Gurudev performed lots of actions, they worked tirelessly throughout the day. But internally they are completely at peace and detached.
Meditation is not a task to be performed at a certain time. It is a state that we need to aspire to be in all the time. And actions performed in this state would lead to the state of Inaction in action and also action in inaction.
What is Action in inaction ...when would we experience that?
This can be experienced in a meditative state. The BMI is completely at rest and not performing any action. At the same time, the inner self is actively seeking the Brahman and reflecting more on the Brahman..
To a question about how we can insulate ourselves from the problems we face in Kaliyuga, reduce the accumulation of sins and increase our punya, four techniques were prescribed in the Mahabharata.
.
1.Sravanam and mananam of the scriptures
2. Daanam and helping others
3. Daily Sadhana
4. Being in mounam as far as possible.
Other points discussed :
Dharma is integrating responsibility. By being responsible, one integrates with one's nature, which is the Swadharma.
Adharma is disintegrating action, By being irresponsible, one disintegrates their BMI. Discomfort is felt at any of the BMI Levels when adharmic actions are performed.
Para dharma - distracted action. Engaging in another's responsibility invokes fear.
Abhaasa dharma - egotistical action. Actions performed just for an ego boost. It invokes arrogance
Upama dharma - artificial action. - invokes insecurity
Chala dharma - complacent action - invokes laziness
We are supposed to perform actions that integrate our responsibilities with our nature, which becomes our Swadharma.
Karma Yoga can be defined as follows :
Karma - doing action
Yoga - Action is performed through the BMI, while the real self is united with the Brahman, and every action is performed as an offering to God.
Karma yoga is the process of helping us realize that doing actions without any attachment to results, would be able to produce the best actions. This helps us in understanding and realizing our true self..
When more of Nishkaama karma is performed, we get into the state of the witness mode, and we can reach that state of Akarma.
We usually identify ourselves with the pseudo self, or the BMI. We identify either with our profession or some other material aspect connected to the BMI. Once we drop that identity and realize our true nature, we are moving in the right direction and that is being in the mode of "Inaction in action"
Great saints including Gurudev performed lots of actions, they worked tirelessly throughout the day. But internally they are completely at peace and detached.
Meditation is not a task to be performed at a certain time. It is a state that we need to aspire to be in all the time. And actions performed in this state would lead to the state of Inaction in action and also action in inaction.
What is Action in inaction ...when would we experience that?
This can be experienced in a meditative state. The BMI is completely at rest and not performing any action. At the same time, the inner self is actively seeking the Brahman and reflecting more on the Brahman..
To a question about how we can insulate ourselves from the problems we face in Kaliyuga, reduce the accumulation of sins and increase our punya, four techniques were prescribed in the Mahabharata.
.
1.Sravanam and mananam of the scriptures
2. Daanam and helping others
3. Daily Sadhana
4. Being in mounam as far as possible.
Other points discussed :
Dharma is integrating responsibility. By being responsible, one integrates with one's nature, which is the Swadharma.
Adharma is disintegrating action, By being irresponsible, one disintegrates their BMI. Discomfort is felt at any of the BMI Levels when adharmic actions are performed.
Para dharma - distracted action. Engaging in another's responsibility invokes fear.
Abhaasa dharma - egotistical action. Actions performed just for an ego boost. It invokes arrogance
Upama dharma - artificial action. - invokes insecurity
Chala dharma - complacent action - invokes laziness
We are supposed to perform actions that integrate our responsibilities with our nature, which becomes our Swadharma.
How do we know if an action is dharmic -
When there is confusion about any action, whether it falls under karma or vikarma, applying the lens of dharma gives more clarity, and helps us to choose the right action.
Gurudev's videos :
All the actions are dine in the presence of Bhagavan, but what we do with the equipment given is upto us. BMI can be used to behave as a saint or sinner.. Gas in a car can help you get to your destination, which could be anything,.good or bad. . But where do you go depends on your own free will..
He who recognizes action in inaction, and inaction in action, such a person in the noblest. and a man of realization. For example Buddha sitting under the tree. He is sitting quietly meditating. Externally it appears that he is in a state of inaction, but internally the highest action of quieting the mind and realizing the highest is happening. Men who have realized the highest even though working for almost the whole day are not acting, because they are not attached to anything they do.
When there is confusion about any action, whether it falls under karma or vikarma, applying the lens of dharma gives more clarity, and helps us to choose the right action.
Gurudev's videos :
All the actions are dine in the presence of Bhagavan, but what we do with the equipment given is upto us. BMI can be used to behave as a saint or sinner.. Gas in a car can help you get to your destination, which could be anything,.good or bad. . But where do you go depends on your own free will..
He who recognizes action in inaction, and inaction in action, such a person in the noblest. and a man of realization. For example Buddha sitting under the tree. He is sitting quietly meditating. Externally it appears that he is in a state of inaction, but internally the highest action of quieting the mind and realizing the highest is happening. Men who have realized the highest even though working for almost the whole day are not acting, because they are not attached to anything they do.
The class ended with closing prayers.
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