Sometimes the significance of Karma yoga is overlooked and dismissed as a preliminary practice for spirituality. Yet karma yoga can be one of the most effective and practical methods of spirituality for destroying the ego and freeing oneself from the bondages of human life, opening the doorway to greater connection and harmony with the divine. Karma yoga basically consists of selfless service in which the ego is abandoned and the spirit is set free to unite with higher states of consciousness and spirituality. There are many ways in which one can practice Karma yoga; one of the more generic ways is through active service in which we offer our time and energy to serve with selfless intent. Karma yoga does not always have to be in devotion to god as it can also be a service to humanity, a guru, the Earth, or anything that we see as larger and more significant than ourselves.

Another form of Karma yoga is through donating our services, resources, or assets in order to help another human being, society, or community. This form of karma yoga can be unnoticed as it does not fit the typical definition of a karma yoga practice. However, by offering the things we identify with most like money, books, computers, or things which give us status and an egoist identity, we are destroying the outlets through which the ego can express itself, gradually subverting the ego's identity and cultivating a compassionate and loving personality.

This understanding of Karma yoga comes from the ideology that karma yoga is a path of doing the right thing and fulfilling one's personal dharma in the world. By offering ourselves as well as our possessions to others we are creating Karma which automatically invokes spirituality. There are many forms of Karma in life, however selfless actions which are performed for the benefit of others will always build karma which is conducive for spirituality. As yoga is not restricted to one religion, Christianity and Judaism both clearly define the significance of service and charity within their scriptures. The Bible states that one who gives to others will receive in return that which they have given in multiple. This is the promise of God and also the philosophy behind selfless service.

Whether in India or any other country throughout the world, Karma yoga and selfless service is a significant means for achieving spiritual growth and transformation. By renouncing the things with which we identify with and offering ourselves as servants to a greater cause, we are opening the doors for spirituality and self-revelation. While not everyone is meant for the path of karma yoga, those who do practice will find rapid transformation through relinquishment of their ego. Karma yoga can be practiced anywhere in the world, and if you are not able to travel to India to practice spirituality, karma yoga can be achieved by joining any nonprofit organization or community service effort in any country throughout the world. The only requirement is that you serve with all of your heart and all of you spirit, and you will receive the benefit of Karma yoga.

In the beginning, Karma yoga is a difficult practice; the reason being that the human mind typically expects a reward for the actions which we take. However the longer we serve with the awareness and intention of our selfless service, the more rapidly the ego begins to dissolve and is replaced by compassion and spiritual wisdom. Karma yoga can bring us to self-realization in the same way that meditation and other yoga practices can, and is one of the many forms of spirituality that can be practiced on a daily basis for self development and spiritual growth.

The Tureya ashram continually promotes karma yoga. Every student, volunteer, and teacher at the ashram performs karma yoga service in order to help relinquish the bonds of the ego. For those interested, there are also volunteer opportunities available which are based upon the qualities of Karma yoga. To learn more about these activities, please contact us by visiting our contact page.