Work is not just what one is supposed to or is expected to perform. Instead, the definition of true work or karma, as in Sanskrit refers to output one receives when one puts one’s mind, soul, and unrelenting efforts on a noble goal. However, our mere breath, heart pumping, or thinking is also indicative of work and constant activity.
One’s work could be anything depending on the age of a being. For instance, for a student, karma means regularly studying sincerely and doing homework with complete dedication. For a householder, karma means fulfilling the needs of family as well as being a charitable being for his/her poor relatives.
Work should be treated as one’s highest duty. Our one action has ripple effects. Just like a flutter of butterfly wings wreaks havoc on another planet as in the universe created by Science fiction writer, Ray Bradbury. Likewise, our ancient texts depict how sometimes our present day hardships are a result of past karma. Therefore, it’s imperative to perform our present duties with utmost probity. Work signifies the perpetual contagion effect. The Bhagavad Gita advocates treating karma with a dispassionate and unselfish mindset, which is the way to liberation.
Swami Vivekanada, in his speech on ‘Karma Yoga’ focused on the spiritual weight of work. He suggests how being detached helps in avoiding being trapped in the entangling web of karma. According to him one should work with reverence but without any expectations of rewards. Work, not delight, is the ultimate objective of humanity.
Joy and contentment have an end but work continues until our last breath. Hence, one should aim to gain awareness about attaining mastery over one’s work. This knowledge is contained in the mind and is not to be found outside. Like fire in a piece of flint; imagination is the action that pushes such understanding to the surface.
All things, be they metropolitan areas, vessels, men-of-war, engines or devices, are but expressions of human will, and human will is based on mentality. This will is in turn produced by Karma, that is, work. Gandhiji also said, “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from indomitable will.” It is clear why great men have emphasized the importance of giving work a preferential status. The relationship between work and one’s character is complementary. Discipline in one aspect of life has effects on multiple facets of life.
Nobody can acquire anything until they deserve it. This is a universal law. All work aims to awaken the soul by bringing out the mind’s inherent potential.
Affection, truthfulness, and altruism are not just moral tenets, but also our highest goal as they embody strength. Empathy is essential for doing duty, and it shines brightest in freedom. Is it truly free to be a slave to our senses, wrath, jealousy, and other everyday emotions? Duty is rarely gratifying but we still need to do work assigned to us to be completely liberated. Otherwise, we will keep seeking external validations and quick boosts of dopamine through external sources like technology, movies, etc. Actions that move us towards God are upright and our duty, whereas actions that move us away from God are immoral and not our duty as humans.
Naysayers find every work unpleasant and believe that they will never be contented, leading to a life of disappointment. Inaction should be prevented at all costs. Struggle is inevitable in every endeavor. Fighting any wickedness, physical as well as psychological, and one finds peace. Our work is to inspirited and also motivate individuals to strive for their highest ideals while also bringing them closer to reality. Inaction is suicide, whereas knowledge is life. Life has little worth if it is spent in darkness, suffering from inaction and sorrow.
In a spiritual sense, work is one of the many ways of paying homage to the almighty. God beckons us back to co-creation. The supreme creator invites us to join him in respecting our earth and all its species and working to improve it in all ways, including socially materially, strategically, visually, lyrically, etc. One can ensure that any work he/she does should be altruistic and not harm any being.
The goal of our work should be unison with our highest self. Just like Gods we have to work tirelessly and selflessly. Any work therefore, should be done as if praying to our deities. Living on this earth we must try our best to give back to our society and leave a positive mark on all. However, while working we must never expect immediate gratification as it would be futile. True work requires patience, consistency, and respecting all jobs as equally noteworthy.
To live for 150 years would truly be a magical experience. But we all have one life of 80-100 maximum. This time period has been given to us as a gift by God. Wherein, we have been released into the world. We are to have concern for the world and let it propel us in our primary field of impact in the global community, which is our work.
We can bring God’s presence into work environments, entering the everyday and making it remarkable. Doing something that has a positive influence on our surroundings. We accomplish this naturally by walking with our Lord and staying in sync with the Ultimate. It is God who prepares, equips, and strengthens us for work. At every moment, we must not forget to be thankful to the Almighty for empowering us to perform our work religiously.
No work is to be considered superior to one. No matter who is the one performing be it a billionaire or a poor or a hindu or a muslim or so on. It is not the environment that impacts the work rather it is how one approaches his/her work. As long as one is sincere, optimistic, displays sheer devotion and energy that person is a true karmayogi in Vivekananda’s ji definition.
It is considered more honoring to God or worshipful to do good work, to do your work well, to do work that is beneficial and humanistic, than to go to a building and partake in ceremony and rote liturgy. True faith is in our hard work rather than merely praying. The contentment and delight gained from work cannot be surpassed by any kind of ceremony. Those who trust their efforts will maintain optimism, even in turbulent strife.
Disciplined workers render an upright life, but unproductive slackers depend on others as parasitic organisms. Living without a sense of meaning or guidance impairs both our psychological and physical wellness. Earnest diligence is surely the way to progress in life. True believers are those who fully commit to their work.
True adoration extends beyond worldly possessions and desires. It elevates us beyond and outside the realm of our ego, or self. Being an earnest worker teaches us a way closer to God who loves an honest person with work ethics. Hence, for communion with the Supreme being one needs to combine Bhakti and Karma.
By: Ayushi Sharma
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