Here is your mission: It 4:55 pm. The post office closes at 5pm. You have a letter that has to be mailed today. Can you try as hard as you can to make it to the post office in the next five minutes but remain completely un-effected whether you make it there in time or not? This means not feeling happy (yeah me... life is great) if you make it and not feeling distressed (this is horrible ..... everything is wrong now) if you don't.
Often times I use this example in class to illustrate the praxis of "action-less action" or "non-attachment to action", one of the central themes of the Bhagavad Gita.
"Self-possessed, resolute, act, without any thought of results, open to success and failure. This equanimity is Yoga." - B. G. 2-48
There is no need, nor is it necessarily possible, to refrain from action in order to attain liberation (Moksha). The key is to perform all actions with an attitude of selflessness or dispassion. Remember, it is only the ego that is caught up in the whole "win/lose, success/failure" trip. This egotistic tendency stems from our own sense of self importance and leads to a life of anxiety, pain, and suffering. Instead, strive to make each action selfless. Relinquish your "it's all about me" attitude. Act wisely and boldly but do not concern yourself with the outcome of your actions. In doing so, the mind will remain steady, undisturbed and focused in all situations. This is true liberation. Nothing will get you down!
This same teaching can be found in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Here, Patanjali explains that Yoga (or Samadhi) can be attained through the non-identification of the fluctuations of the mind. In order to reach this one must sincerely, consistently, and with great effort practice concentration (abasyah) while simultaneously employing viragayah (non-attachment to all desires and worldly matters). In other words, work very hard in your pursuit of Yoga but have no expectations as to the outcome of your efforts. Worrying about whether or not you will someday attain liberation will only interfere with you efforts.
So, go forth, brave warriors. Take action! Engage! And then let go! Remain steady in mind and steady in heart. Everything else will take care of itself.
Om Shantih.
Comments