| Karma Yoga has many principles, which are | | | | by men. I tell you the truth; they have received their |
| interchangeable with any religion. Many people think | | | | reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do |
| of karma as fate; but karma is action, not fate. | | | | not let your left hand, know what your right hand is |
| Karma is also known as, "The law of cause and | | | | doing. So that you're giving, may be in secret. Then |
| effect." | | | | your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will |
| We are responsible for our actions in this life and | | | | reward you." |
| beyond. In contemporary terms we say, "What goes | | | | Mohammed said, "God does not judge you according |
| around; comes around." Does this seem like a law | | | | to your bodies and appearances, but He looks into |
| that is specific to a certain religion? | | | | your hearts and observes your deeds." He also said, |
| Some would say, "Yes," but this is a universal Yogic | | | | "Charity does not diminish wealth." |
| principle within all religions. There is no religion which | | | | Buddha said, "If you knew what I know about the |
| has exclusive rights to the law of karma, but all | | | | power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass |
| religions address karma, in principle, even though the | | | | without sharing it in some way." |
| word, "karma," may not be mentioned. Giving to | | | | Selfless Service, which we know as Karma Yoga can |
| those in need, without seeking a reward, creates | | | | be practiced by anyone. It does not matter, which |
| good karma. | | | | religion you practice; that is entirely your own |
| Karma Yogis exist in all cultures, religions, and races. | | | | prerogative. |
| In the twentieth century, we had Mohandas Gandhi, | | | | You do not have to be materially rich in order to help |
| Anwar Sadat, and Martin Luther King, Jr,. as famous | | | | people. You do not have to be a religious leader, |
| examples of Karma Yogis. Each man practiced a | | | | famous person, politician, messiah, prophet, or Yoga |
| different religion. | | | | teacher to practice Karma Yoga, but each of us can |
| In the words of Mohandas Ghandi: "Gentleness, | | | | easily start by practicing acts of kindness toward |
| self-sacrifice, and generosity are the exclusive | | | | everyone. Let go of demands, anger, swearing, |
| possession of no one race or religion." | | | | intolerance, and "road rage." |
| Throughout time, inspirational religious leaders have | | | | Help your family, friends, co-workers, and anyone |
| referred to self-sacrifice, charity, and generosity, | | | | who is in need. It is as simple as listening, helping, |
| which create good karma. The following are a few | | | | giving a card, showing a gesture, or telling your family |
| timeless quotes to ponder: | | | | that you love them. |
| Jesus said, "Be careful not to do your 'acts of | | | | Karma Yoga is about helping others and forgetting |
| righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If | | | | about our own desires. A Karma Yogi will find peace |
| you do, you will have no reward from your Father in | | | | of mind by abandoning anger, jealousy, envy, and |
| heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not | | | | hate. |
| announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in | | | | Regardless of our religious beliefs, if all of us practiced |
| the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored | | | | Karma Yoga, we would finally attain world peace. |