Karma: Way Of Work

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Karma: Way of Work
Karma Yoga represents one of the four main classic forms of Yoga. Like all other forms of Yoga, the main and final purpose of Karma Yoga is to facilitate and accelerate the spiritual evolution of its persistent practitioner. The main difference from other forms of Yoga is that Karma Yoga can be practiced well from the very beginning, and can be applied all the time, all day long, because it is applicable to all human activities. Compared to Karma Yoga, the continuous daily practice of Bhakti Yoga for example is only available at a very high level of attainment and the practice of Jïana Yoga (with its main form Hatha Yoga) is restricted to specific periods of the day, for a specific interval of time. (Sivananda, p. 165)
Karma yoga is undoubtedly one of the most practiced yoga in the Hindu religion. Unlike hatha yoga which primarily concentrates on the physical well-being of a human, or bhakti yoga which aims for a spiritual realization of God, karma yoga joins both the physical and mental aspects of Hindu philosophy to produce a single concept.
The root of the word Karma is the Sanskrit Kri, literally meaning "to do." The essence of karma relies heavily on action, it theorizes that past actions reckon consequences and affects one's position and progression in life. Western philosophers such as the Greek Epicureans believed the sole purpose of life was to live for the happiness of themselves. On the contrary, Eastern philosophy professes the ultimate goal to not live for pleasure, but to be one with knowledge. This philosophy goes hand in hand with karma, because it is through the complex "wheel of karma" that knowledge is reached.
A major facet of karma is the work one does, and the attitude with which he goes about his duty. To work for selfish reasons, such as to be able to afford luxuries such as convertible cars and swimming pools, is bad karma, especially when one craves these possessions to gain stature in...