Karma Yoga Bhakti Yoga

The provided text is a selection of chapters from "Karma-Yoga & Bhakti-Yoga" by Swami Vivekananda, published by the Ramkrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York. The book explores two fundamental paths in Indian philosophy for spiritual realization and a well-lived life: Karma Yoga (the Yoga of Action) and Bhakti Yoga (the Yoga of Devotion).

Here's a summary of the key concepts presented in the provided chapters:

Karma Yoga:

• Karma and Character: Karma is defined as action, and the cumulative effect of all actions shapes an individual's character. Both pleasure and pain are seen as significant teachers in this process, with suffering often playing a more profound role in character development than happiness.
• Knowledge and the Self: All knowledge is inherent within, and the external world serves as a suggestion for us to discover our own inner knowledge. What we "learn" is essentially "discovering" or "unveiling" what is already within our souls.
• The Nature of Work: Work, in its broadest sense, encompasses every mental and physical action, each leaving an impression on the soul. True character is revealed not in great performances but in common, everyday actions.
• The Power of Will: Mighty wills, like those of Buddha or Jesus, are not acquired in a single lifetime but are the result of persistent work and accumulated power over ages.
• Work and Non-Attachment: The core principle of Karma Yoga, as taught in the Bhagavad Gita, is to work incessantly but without attachment to the fruits of the action. This non-attachment prevents work from binding the soul.
• Motives for Work: Vivekananda discusses various motives for work, from fame and money to duty and even penance. However, he emphasizes that true power comes from working for work's sake, driven by unselfish motives.
• Self-Control and Power: Restraining outgoing energy, particularly when driven by selfish motives, leads to the development of power. Self-control is presented as a greater manifestation of power than unrestrained action.
• Ideal Karma Yogi: The ideal Karma Yogi finds activity within solitude and calmness amidst activity. They can navigate the busiest city with a mind as serene as a desert cave, performing intense work without being disturbed.
• Duty Varies: Morality and duty are not absolute but vary according to individual circumstances, societal norms, and the stage of life. The idea of "resist not evil" is presented as a high ideal, but its practical application depends on one's capacity to resist. Arjuna's dilemma in the Bhagavad Gita is used to illustrate that true non-resistance is a virtue only when one has the power to resist but chooses not to.
• The Importance of Self-Reliance: We help ourselves by fulfilling our duties, and this process purifies us. True help to the world is spiritual knowledge, as it removes misery permanently, unlike physical help which is temporary.
• The World as a Gymnasium: The world is viewed as a moral gymnasium for spiritual exercise, making us stronger. Fanaticism is discouraged, as it hinders progress and breeds hatred.
• Non-Attachment as Self-Abnegation: Complete self-abnegation, where the sense of "I" and "mine" dissolves, is the ultimate goal. This is achieved through non-attachment, understanding that the world is for the soul, not vice-versa.

Bhakti Yoga:

• Bhakti as Intense Love: Bhakti is defined as intense love for God, a love that is all-consuming and leads to eternal freedom. It's considered the easiest and most natural path, though it can degenerate into fanaticism in its lower forms.
• Ishvara: The Personal God: Ishvara is the personal aspect of Brahman, the Absolute Reality. He is the Ruler of the universe, the Teacher of all teachers, and the embodiment of love. The Bhakta worships Ishvara, the relative aspect of Brahman, because the Absolute is too abstract to be loved.
• Spiritual Realisation as the Goal: The aim of Bhakti Yoga is spiritual realization, experiencing God directly, which is considered higher than mere intellectual knowledge or even liberation.
• The Role of the Guru: A Guru (spiritual teacher) is essential for spiritual growth, as they transmit spiritual impulses directly from soul to soul. Books can only provide intellectual stimulation. The Guru must be knowledgeable, pure, and motivated by love.
• Incarnations (Avatâras): Great teachers like Krishna, Buddha, and Jesus are considered Avatâras, divine manifestations that can transmit spirituality with immense power.
• The Mantram "Om": The sacred syllable "Om" is presented as the ultimate symbol of Brahman, representing the entire universe and the primordial sound from which creation emanates.
• Worship of Substitutes and Images: Worship through symbols (Pratikas) and images (Pratimas) is considered beneficial when they serve as reminders or pointers to the divine, rather than being worshipped in themselves.
• Ishta-Nishtha (Chosen Ideal): A Bhakta must focus on one chosen ideal with unwavering devotion, while respecting the paths and ideals of others. This focused devotion leads to a deeper spiritual realization.
• The Forms of Love-Manifestation: Love manifests in various ways: reverence, pleasure (Priti), intense longing in absence (Viraha), and ultimately the selfless love of the highest ideal, which transcends all other attachments.
• Universal Love and Self-Surrender: True love for God leads to universal love, where all beings are seen as manifestations of the divine. This culminates in self-surrender, where the individual will merges with the divine will.
• The Triangle of Love: True love is characterized by three inseparable qualities: knowing no bargaining, knowing no fear, and knowing no rival.
• The Goal of Love: The ultimate goal of Bhakti is to realize the oneness of Love, the Lover, and the Beloved, where God is the only object of love, surpassing all worldly desires and attachments.

In essence, Vivekananda's work presents Karma Yoga as the path of selfless action and duty, leading to self-mastery and spiritual purification, while Bhakti Yoga offers the path of intense, unconditional love for the Divine, leading to spiritual realization and union with God. Both paths, when practiced correctly, aim at transcending the ego and achieving ultimate freedom.