The Same But Different
At your recommendation, I have memorized the “brahma satyam” saying (at very bottom) and been reciting it every day along with my other inquiry so wanted to thank you again for all of your artful guidance, which continues to bear fruit.
I am seeking some clarity with regard to “karma yoga” if I may…
Part of my inquiry is to recite the words (as I heard James say once), “the results of my actions are not up to me, so I let go, let God, sit back, relax, and don’t worry about anything”. Basically, meaning that if I can “do” something about the jivas’ life conditions, then I do, but ultimately, it’s up to Isvara, so I surrender to the field.
Sundari: Yes, got it in one.
Peter: My question is: would it be accurate to say that, in addition to “the results of my actions”, to say, “what happens is not up to me”?? So, “the results of my actions and what happens is not up to me, so I let go, let God, sit back, relax and don’t worry about anything”
In other words, if a child dies in Africa (for instance), that is not a result of any action of mine (such as me being nice to someone and expecting a favorable result), but rather “what happens” in the world, but it can be distracting, so it seems like that would be helpful for the jiva to add that verbiage in order to surrender to everything that is??
(I’m not trying to re-write scripture, but just my “hair-brained” jiva looking for more clarity…)
Thanks for any thoughts…
Sundari: Your question regarding what words to use regarding karma yoga is a strange one because by acknowledging that the results of any action or inaction are not up to you, you are saying that what happens is not on you or up to you. What’s the difference?
Whatever words you use to that effect are fine, as long as they work for you. The whole point of karma yoga is to relieve the jiva of the burden of doership and anxiety over results that wears everyone out, and in so doing, freedom from and for the jiva.
The main thing is understanding that you are the Self and not the jiva, neither is capable of doing anything and nothing ever really happens anyway. The world of experience and action exists but it’s not real, so doing seems to happen, and results seemingly accrue due to the power of Maya. Take it all as prasad. There is no point in investing emotional energy or getting distracted by situations that cannot be changed by you. If it is your svadharma to help those in need, help where you can. But do so knowing you are not the doer. Isvara has everything under control.
Lon: You have cleared things up nicely for me by adding the word “inaction”, so thank you.
With regard to the “Brahma Satyam” mantra, it states that the “jiva is non-different from me” and you say below that “the main thing is understanding that you are the Self and not the jiva”…
Fair to say that (like the wave is to the ocean), this is paradox? (i.e. the jiva is me, but it’s not me… or “apparently real”)…..
Sundari: This is a nondual universe, so the Jiva is you but you are not the jiva. The same but different. The discrimination is between the conceptual jiva or apparent individual (mithya) and Jivatman (satya).
Love
Sundari
