We believe in following some rituals every time we have a batch of students at the Rishikul Yogshala. Some of those rituals are fire ceremony, acts of karma yoga, cleaning the Ganges, helping the needy, yoga on the beach etc. These acts of kindness and purity have a way to cleanse, discipline and detox the mind of the budding yogi. This year too Rishikul Yogshala with its new batch of yoga teacher training students conducted the acts of Karma Yoga in the ashram premises itself.
Sri Ved Niketan ashram on the banks of Mother Ganges became the center for the action of Karma Yoga for our students. They were asked to clean the ashram premises, picking up plastics bags, and help the ashram people in maintain a clean and a green environment. The reason why we inculcate the practice of Karma Yoga in our students is because these acts will enable the yogi to understand the significance of hard work and how cleansing the surrounding benefits not just others but most importantly ourselves. When we are cleaning, sweeping, and wiping we are in a way detoxifying our surroundings, just like we detoxify our body & mind with yoga and meditation. This will help the students in meditating in a pure atmosphere. The energy level positive vibes created by the actions of our students will help them in the long run.
Karma Yoga has been stated in Bhagavad Gita, the holy scriptures of Hindu culture and asks the yogi to part himself completely with the false ego. Bhagavad Gita states, “Thy right is to work only, but never with its fruits; let not the fruits of action be thy motive, nor let thy attachment be to inaction. As the ignorant men act from attachment to action, so should the wise act without attachment, wishing the welfare of the world.” The form teaches the yogi that no act when done with full will and concentration in the name of divine, is big or small. Our duty is to perform and not to expect fruits out of it. When an act is done with this intention it becomes seva or service, no matter what you are doing.
We have seen many yogis performing the acts of charity, cleaning the floor of temples, offering food to poor etc. A sense of responsibility towards the society in which we live, from which we take so much, also arises. Through selfless service we are giving back to the society and maintaining balance.
The school also conducts Karma Yoga activities around the town and the banks of Ganges from time to time.
To know about Karma Yoga in further detail, explore our Yoga Teacher Training In India.
