Karma Yoga and The Lotus-Heart

The Lotus-Heart is a busy cafe in the centre of Christchurch, run by students of Sri Chinmoy. When I first started working there after school, I thought it was cool because I got to wear a sari and work with my friends. Now after working there for a few years full time, I have found working there not only fun but also to be one of my most valuable and sacred spiritual disciplines. I am fortunate that The Lotus-Heart offers a peaceful, harmonious environment, and it also offers the opportunity for selfless service, or Karma yoga in Sanskrit, the world oldest language.

Many spiritual Masters have spoken about the importance of Karma Yoga. In the Bhagavad Gita, this is what Krishna says to Arjuna about Karma Yoga:

"Do your duty always without attachment. That is how a man reached the ultimate Truth; by working without anxiety about the results. In fact Janaka (a royal Saint mentioned in the Upanishads) and many others reached enlightenment because they did their duty in this spirit.

Sri Chinmoy also has spoken about Selfless service many times, this paragraph is taken from on of his many books, titled Yoga and the Spiritual life.

"Karma Yoga" is desireless action undertaken for the sake of the Supreme. Karma Yoga is man's genuine acceptance of his earthly existence. Karma Yoga is man's dauntless march across the battlefield of life. Karma Yoga does not see eye to eye with those who hold that the activities of human life are of no importance. Karma Yoga claims that life is a divine opportunity for serving God. This particular Yoga is not only the Yoga of physical action; it includes the aspirant's moral and inner life as well".