Perfecting the means is a constant effort that requires steadfastness and humility. It requires placing importance upon every thought, every word and every deed. Our actions produce effects in both seen and unseen ways. Therefore, we should not be attached to the ends for we may not know or understand the actual effect.
It can be a great challenge to maintain our equilibrium when we are faced with difficult circumstances. We recognize the difference when an action is done in anger, impatience or intolerance, versus when our action is performed in joy, sincerity or selflessness. We think we know what will be the outcome, but we don’t have control over it. In fact, we barely have control over our own thoughts, let alone our words and actions. As difficult as it is to control our thoughts, it is impossible to have control over the results of our actions. The best we can do is employ appropriate means. We know every cause has an effect, yet we don’t know all the conditions and circumstances at play. Why should we be attached to the results or fruits of our actions? The life of yoga is freedom from such attachment.
The Bhagavad Gita implores us not to worry over the results of action. An action is a given cause. When the cause is given, its effect is inevitable. Therefore, good actions bring forth good results. We recognize this in the biblical expression, “the good tree bringeth forth good fruit.” Performance of good work brings only good to the world. If we have given out a good cause, a good result is bound to come. All negative actions produce inharmonious results. Then why worry over the result of an action? Worry is destructive. By worrying over the result of a good action, we destroy to a certain extent the good result that the given cause might have produced. But this does not mean that we must be unthoughtful about the result of our action. Before we engage, we must, to the best of our ability, find out what result our action is going to produce. Then when the action is done, we should not worry over the result.
When we work with pure concentration, completely immersed in our work, losing ourselves within the Self, we inevitably produce a noble result. Karma Yoga is constant self-remembrance in the performance of action. Our actions not only affect our own individual life, but they also influence the lives of others. There is a reverberation effect. It is like a boomerang that is sent out and returns to us. Our actions touch us as well as everyone around us.
Srimati Karuna
Gandhi’s Steadfast Yoga