A Karma Yoga Question

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I am a professional musician and I am curious as to the proper way to practice karma yoga with respect to my musical life. I understand, I think, the path of selfless service and surrendering the results and not focusing on the outcome. And I do my best to act with humility.

My question is this, what is the proper way to try to get work? To try to go and get paying gigs - I need to play to support myself and my family. But when I do this, is it then [I]not[/I] karma yoga? I am selfless at gigs and not an egotistical person. I try very hard have no expectations and try even harder not to think about results. I just want to play. Am I missing something? I would greatly appreciate any input on this subject.

Thanks in advance!

#2

Though we live in a world focused on self - when you do what brings you joy - it will bring you more gigs. Just the act of creation in itself is karma and Bhakti yoga simultaneously. This does not mean that you can’t charge a fair rate for your services. Money is just an exchange of energy and it honors yourself. I used to think that if I took money I was a greedy bastard like all the people on Wall Street who recently got bailed out - but this isn’t the case. The Dalai Lama gave away all his earnings from receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, but he still has to raise money to travel around the world spreading the message of peace. Give to both yourself and others. Strike that balance and you will be rich both spiritually and monetarily.

#3

"I am selfless at gigs and not an egotistical person. I try very hard have no expectations and try even harder not to think about results. "

That in itself is egoistic. If you want to set certain goals in your mind, what is the problem ? That it is a problem for you to have expectations and set goals is itself a problem which you have created. If you are truly liberated, then whether it fails, whether one succeeds, you remain absolutely contented.

“But when I do this, is it then not karma yoga?”\

If you are acting, but in such a way that you are not clinging to whatever arises out of the action, then regardless of what it is, it is karma yoga. That is all it means. You may be sweeping the floor, planting seeds in the garden, washing dishes, painting, dancing, playing music, a servant or the president of a large corporation, it does not matter.

#4

rob8068,
At times, we do not invest enough in getting the ‘meaning’ right and try to use words tentatively hoping for the right meaning to emerge. Please look at words like ‘selfless’ or ‘surrendering the results’ or ‘focusing on the outcome’. The words would themselves reveal what they mean if you deeply meditate on them.

For example, one would never achieve anything if there is no focus on the outcome. Focus one must, get attached one should not. The key is what the outcome is to you, post-facto. When you fall short of the outcome (play a discordant note) the only concern should be how to do it better. When the outcome is perfect, one should be nonchalant about it. The differentiator to avoid is ‘attachment to expectations’ that results in pain or pleasure.

Likewise, when ‘surrendering’ leaves a sense of duality (“I” surrender) it remains an act. When you get totally absorbed or immersed unaware of anything else, it is the real surrender. Same goes for ‘selfless’. May these words be useful.

#5

[QUOTE=Suhas Tambe;50272]rob8068,
At times, we do not invest enough in getting the ‘meaning’ right and try to use words tentatively hoping for the right meaning to emerge. Please look at words like ‘selfless’ or ‘surrendering the results’ or ‘focusing on the outcome’. The words would themselves reveal what they mean if you deeply meditate on them.

For example, one would never achieve anything if there is no focus on the outcome. Focus one must, get attached one should not. The key is what the outcome is to you, post-facto. When you fall short of the outcome (play a discordant note) the only concern should be how to do it better. When the outcome is perfect, one should be nonchalant about it. The differentiator to avoid is ‘attachment to expectations’ that results in pain or pleasure.

Likewise, when ‘surrendering’ leaves a sense of duality (“I” surrender) it remains an act. When you get totally absorbed or immersed unaware of anything else, it is the real surrender. Same goes for ‘selfless’. May these words be useful.[/QUOTE]

Nicely put Suhas…

#6

I, too, like what Suhas has written.

I would also like to suggest that perhaps a reading of the Bhagavad Gita is in order. You could read the Wikipedia page first to get an idea of whether it addresses your concerns.

#7

[QUOTE=BlueLotus;50284]I, too, like what Suhas has written.

I would also like to suggest that perhaps a reading of the Bhagavad Gita is in order. You could read the Wikipedia page first to get an idea of whether it addresses your concerns.[/QUOTE]

Thank you, BlueLotus. Actually, I have recently read the Bhagavad Gita and I am presently reading ‘Paths To God, Living The Bhagavad Gita’ by Ram Dass.

Thanks to all of you who have responded to my post. Suhas, I appreciate your words of guidance.