We typically think of bad actions as being detrimental. And yes, it is very true. Bad actions particularly those conducted with malicious intent have extremely bad karma attached with it. But what Lord Krishna teaches us in The Bhagavad Gita is that, typically, there are three types of actions- action (all kinds- performed with the belief that we are the do-er) called as Karma, bad action (any action which is detrimental to human well-being) called as vikarma and no-action (inertia) which is called as akarma.
| Note that vi is a suffix used to indicate negative and a is a suffix used to indicate lack or absence. Because of which vikarma is bad or negative action and akarma being inertia or no-action. |
All these three types of action have karma attached with it. We conduct these three types of action, while identifying with our self to be the do-er of that action. It is because of this, that when we conduct such actions, we are bound to the ‘cause and effect’ as well as the feedback mechanism of karma.
Our incorrect association with our identity (ego) leads us to conduct actions which has karma associated with it and because of this, these three types of action behave like ropes of materialism, that keep us (as the eternal soul) attached and bound to this material existence. Once we are bound to karma, we are bound to this material existence and along with it, we are stuck in these repeated cycles of birth and death.
Our incorrect association with our identity (ego) leads us to conduct actions which has karma associated with it and because of this, these three types of action behave like ropes of materialism, that keep us (as the eternal soul) attached and bound to this material existence. Once we are bound to karma, we are bound to this material existence and along with it, we are stuck in these repeated cycles of birth and death.
Now there is a type of action which is not tarnished by karma. Such a type of action is called non-action. This gives us the concept of Karma Yoga.
Lord Krishna explains the concept of ‘non-action’, where we perform our actions as a “non-doer”. We perform the actions with the knowledge that the divine is ultimately the true ‘do-er’ of all actions. We perform our actions as a guidance from the divine. We do what is needed (keeping the principles of self, social and human well-being in perspective) to the best of our capability- with the knowledge that the divine is the real dancer and we are its dance.
Lord Krishna explains the concept of ‘non-action’, where we perform our actions as a “non-doer”. We perform the actions with the knowledge that the divine is ultimately the true ‘do-er’ of all actions. We perform our actions as a guidance from the divine. We do what is needed (keeping the principles of self, social and human well-being in perspective) to the best of our capability- with the knowledge that the divine is the real dancer and we are its dance.
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When we perform actions in such a consciously evolved manner, while not identified with our physical self (our ego); we also tend to relinquish our desire to the fruits of that action. Because of which, we also somewhere relinquish our attachment to the very action itself.
Do note that not being attached with the action itself, does not mean lack of focus, determination or apathy. Infact, when we perform action with complete and conscious involvement with no expectation for results or outcome (fruits) then we can perform that action with total clarity, proper focus and required dexterity to the best of our competence and ability.
And it is this detachment, which allows for non-action to NOT be bound by karma and its effect of feedback and law of cause and effect.
An action performed in this manner becomes non-action and the person performing such a non-action, is not caught in the web of karma. Such a person is called as a Karma Yogi, one who performs Karma Yoga- the Yoga of non-action.
Do note that not being attached with the action itself, does not mean lack of focus, determination or apathy. Infact, when we perform action with complete and conscious involvement with no expectation for results or outcome (fruits) then we can perform that action with total clarity, proper focus and required dexterity to the best of our competence and ability.
And it is this detachment, which allows for non-action to NOT be bound by karma and its effect of feedback and law of cause and effect.
An action performed in this manner becomes non-action and the person performing such a non-action, is not caught in the web of karma. Such a person is called as a Karma Yogi, one who performs Karma Yoga- the Yoga of non-action.
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