Often people do not understand the words yoga or karma, but they are more used to the words charity and good deeds. The combination of such charity with detachment will be called karma yoga. Now let's think about why there were patrons of art before, but now there are fewer and fewer of them? Why does the Spirit of compassion and mercy disappear in our minds? These questions are raised in the ancient Teaching called KARMA YOGA.
Can Karma Yoga be the foundation of social well-being? Discussing the rather complex topic of "karma yoga" we mockingly and skeptically think - how can yoga, per se, move material and spiritual progress, develop culture, science, be the basis of social well-being ?! How is this process even possible? To analyze this, we need to touch slightly on the concept of "yoga" in general and "karma yoga" in particular, and only then compare this with the very a priori formation of social well-being.
So, yoga, as a part of Indian philosophy, according to S. Radhakrishnan, is predominantly spiritualistic in nature, according to Swami Vivekananda and the teachings of Sai Baba, it is accessible to a person regardless of his religious beliefs, social status, race, caste; according to the author's view, it is a cosmopolitan, universal worldview, capable of giving a person something that cannot be found in modern world religions - an understanding of oneself, the purpose of one's life, self-realization. "Karma yoga" as a part of the total yogic teaching bears all the same characteristics, but unlike the classical form of "ashtanga yoga", it has as its goal the ennobling of social life through personal transformation - at the first stage of labor for the good and prosperity of the individual, the nation, the state, subsequently, - the beauty of character, "soul."
There are enough examples of such "service" - transformation in the history of mankind - these are prominent military leaders, politicians, patrons of art, spiritual teachers of the world. The Sanskrit word "karma" has several meanings - action, causation, fate. All three of its designations are logically related. So the action gives rise to the reasons for the subsequent oppositions, and from their totality "fate" is born. It is in this sequence that one should look for the seed of the teachings of karma yoga - to act in the name of good and prosperity, without expecting a reward or praise in the end, i.e. to act for the sake of the action itself and in this action to receive pleasure and enjoyment.
What should be understood by such an action? Firstly, since this is the teaching of yoga, a complete surrender of oneself to the "lord of yoga", and hence, the development of such qualities as humility, patience, peace of mind in relation to the objects of the world, expressing the material manifestation of His creative intention. Secondly, it is the awareness of the relationship of all being - physical and metaphysical, its unity and interdependence, leading the follower of "karma yoga" to a conscious choice of nonviolence at the level of thought, word, deed. Thirdly, this is the desire through action to realize the connection between subject and object: the practitioner of "karma yoga" and "the goal of practice is Brahman", and hence selflessness and love in action for the sake of action itself. Thus, in this sequence, the seed of "karma yoga" reveals itself - selfless service to Brahman, manifesting itself in the consciousness of a follower of practice through being itself, society, and the universe.
Hence it follows that "karma yoga" teaches a person to develop into a personality striving for holy ideals, to develop a universal character based on the ideals of yoga - universal human values. But how is the very process of formation of social well-being on the basis of "karma yoga" possible? A society in which the ideal of social life is the teaching of "karma yoga" is itself utopian at first glance. But when considering several options of the above, it becomes clear his right to life.
This is how a similar society was described and created by yoga adepts - Aurobindo Ghosh, Swami Yogananda, Swami Vivekananda. Here the focus is on a group of people united by common interests - the desire for self-realization, the achievement of the yogic state of samadhi. Methods of such personal improvement may be different, but what they have in common is that they are driven by an unselfish love for life, a person, and society. Having achieved self-realization, they are a kind of beacons of truth, to which restless human hearts are directed, thirsting for a breath of spiritual knowledge and peace.
Gaining the experience of experiencing close communication with an enlightened person, yoga adepts enthusiastically begin to practice in the world the great universal values - love, peace, righteousness, non-violence, patience, and hard work. An example of such a selfless life is the deeds of Swami Sivananda. Thus, one can see how one soul awakened to the truth is capable of leading thousands of other souls striving for peace and freedom. But what if a whole galaxy of enlightened teachers were engaged in such activities in society? One thing is clear - their life is their message, which a person needs to understand and apply in his life.
The world is capable of transformation, and if enlightened teachers become the leaders of modern society, they will lead people to truth, goodness and beauty; each will understand his purpose and will work for the benefit of others. This process itself will be a continuous act of self-sacrifice for the sake of the highest goal - the achievement of brahmic consciousness, the consciousness of Atman. Peace, prosperity, a golden age of truth, goodness and beauty will come on earth. Everyone will work for his own good, and will see himself in all the diversity of living beings, having attained an enlightened consciousness.
A person realizes the value of his birth, will truly become a peacemaker. There will be no more hungry and suffering. Is it possible? Yes. "Karma yoga" is able to give such progress to society - proof of this is the lives of the holy enlightened teachers of truth, who have realized the ideals of "karma yoga" in their lives.
