By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500
We often call Karma Yoga: The Yoga of action. The action we perform is that of giving to others. Yet, few people volunteer their help for free. There are many reasons for this. People are working more than one job to make ends meet, married couples both work, and any time left is for the family.
Now, you ask: “How can I find the time to volunteer, if I had the time or the energy?” Each of us is in a different place in life, but all of us can practice acts of giving to others. The following are some examples of giving during the day. Offer to help someone who needs a helping hand.
There are more people who need help, than there are people who ask for it. Family members, co-workers, and neighbors have obvious needs, but how many of us observe when they need help? Do we help when there is a need? How many of us would give another driver “a break,” when we are on the road?
Giving a card, courtesy, a flower, or a helping hand, does not have to cost you a vast sum of money or a large amount of time. Karma Yoga is good for those who give and good for those who receive. Showing courtesy should be a natural reaction to the first meeting between strangers.
However, there are a few people who take pride in being rude and arrogant to others. Unfortunately, they cause grief to most of the people they meet. This also causes a chain reaction, when people meet. If you say, “good morning” and someone snaps back with “What’s so good about it?” – will you be undisturbed by a rude person?
Will you say, “good morning” to another person, on that particular morning, again? If not, negative energy has triumphed and may cause a “domino effect,” as this person spreads toxic energy everywhere possible. The answer for those who see the morning as a bad thing is: We have much to be thankful for.
A short answer for those, who want to know what is so good about the morning is: “You are alive aren’t you?” It’s nice to add a smile and answer a question with a question. The person with a caustic personality is confused when he or she runs into Teflon.
There are more saintly ways to interact with rude people, but how many of us are saints? Give what you can, and practice Karma Yoga because it is good for everyone.
© Copyright 2010 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
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