To work and learn is the essence of life, and birth through death, our lives revolve around it. In every phase of life work takes on a different dimension.
During childhood, our focus is more on our basic learning necessities, like language, math and history. As we grow old, we focus more on advanced or vocational studies and skill formation. But the main intension remains almost the same, to meet our basic necessities, to earn roti, kapda and makan, and to make life physically more comfortable. We study hard, so it can give us a comfortable living, and also a feeling of identity, through which we may propel ourselves to somewhat higher pedestal than our fellow beings. This feeling of separation satisfies our ego.
As life advances, one often realizes that ego, attachment, and material growth which motivated us to work so hard all through our lives, failed to bring true joy or happiness in life.
According to our scriptures, work should be our way of worship, not material attainment. According to Bhagvad Gita, any work can be a joyful experience for us and can lead us to liberation only if we change our inner intension from selfish needs to universal love, from personal attachments to collective well being.
The critical difference, when we work for our loved ones, like parents working hard for their children’s welfare, is that we are motivated by love, not by greed. So then with a smiling face, we may carry the heavy load of work willingly, without any grudge.
According to many thinkers, it is necessary to develop the one skill, to know how to handle our ego and individuality within the broader context of living. It is essential to develop our own individuality, with inner peace and calmness. Ego is an energy. With inner calmness we can transform that energy and channel it for service and welfare for all. Desire and greed bring commotion, create excitement, and disturb our inner calmness. With that state of mind, whatever work we may do, it can never bring harmony, peace and joy to all. Whether in our home or in a society, when our work leads to a collision of the individual self with the broader community, it is sure to create constant friction, and lack of ease.
The only way out is to get past our personal greed and to work for a broader goal - welfare of all. Our personal gain should not cause any harm to others. We must be aware every moment that we are not separate beings - closed in by a feeling of “I” and “Mine”. Truly we are one with all.
Our life’s goal is to realize that underlying oneness. The Upanishad teaches, that the universal Atman is in every being, and all beings are in the Atman. This realization expands our heart with love and positive thoughts. Being empowered with this knowledge, whatever work we may do, it is sure to bring good to us and to all.
Our liberation depends, not on what work we do, but on how and with what intension we do on it.
The Bhagvad Gita refers it as “nishkam karma”, which means work with detachment. Detachment is not indifference. It means without personal expectation. We must perform all duties of life, to the best of our ability, as an offering to our creator. Then only our work becomes sublime, and crosses the narrow boundary of personal gain, and leads us to the path of liberation.
Paramhansa Yogananda says, “It is better to die trying to develop spirituality even if results are not immediate or spectacular, then to follow the momentarily joyous life of the senses” (God Talks with Arjuna)
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