Yoga for a Generous Spirit

In yoga, there is a powerful term that we rarely take the time to contemplate on a deeper philosophical and social level. Many people associate the word karma with consequential actions --creating “good karma” or “bad karma” based on one’s deeds. The well-known saying “what goes around, comes around” is synonymous with the everyday, westernized definition of karma. If you’re familiar with basic Buddhist principles, you might relate karma with the concept of reincarnation and the sum of one’s actions and how they relate to past and future life cycles. Karma embodies all these concepts and more. What we refer to as “karma yoga” is one of the most effective and practical means of spiritual development. It can have a direct impact on the amount of joy and freedom you experience in your life. 

In Sanskrit, the word karma means “deed” or “action”. This definition relates to the concept of social ethics and the accumulation of samskaras, or more simply, “spiritual residue.” When you behave in ways that are kind, compassionate, helpful, honest, and pure, you create “good” karmic energy or positive consequences. On the contrary, when you express anger, judgment, and violence towards others or lie, cheat, or steal, you accumulate “bad” karmic chords. 

Karma yoga is not only the “yoga of service,” but also a state of being that can also be defined as an attitude of service. To practice karma yoga, you must connect (yoke or yoga) to the karma (action or deed) without attachment to the outcome. Essentially, work to align yourself with more pure, benevolent behaviors for the sake of being purer and more benevolent. During the holidays, especially this year, karma yoga is a way to practice yoga off your mat, in everything you do—even in the small and mundane acts of your day. The important (and challenging) caveat to karma yoga is to release the ego’s need for recognition or reward. The goal here is to engage in the acts of service for the experience of the service or actions alone. This is where the magic happens and the joy, camaraderie, purpose or spiritual fulfillment take place.

Consider a time when someone did something kind for you anonymously or would not accept any kind of payment for their service. As the recipient, remember how that felt, as well as how you felt when you witnessed their approach to giving for the sake of giving. Perhaps there is time that you volunteered yourself for no recognition, just for the sake of volunteering. Karma yoga is a way of being, acting and serving others, just because you can. Such actions result in higher states of joy and reveal your life’s purpose (dharma) over time. But just like physical practice, you must start at the beginning and be patient as you strengthen your state of being in service.

Here are some holiday-related ways you can practice yoga off your mat with karma yoga:

Volunteer!

• In “normal” years, you might volunteer at soup kitchens or homeless shelters, but in current times, those options may not be available or the most safe. You can volunteer in other ways! Call a local shelter to find out what they do need from the community and show up however that aligns with your wellness and safety

• Offer to pick up groceries or supplies for seniors or at-risk neighbors if you are already planning to get your own. Utilize community forums to organize how you can be of service to people who literally cannot leave their homes

• See if any of your neighbors need help decorating their home for the holidays. Or maybe you can help them in the garden or with another outdoor project that allows for social distance

• If you have a friend whose small business is struggling, reach out and see where they could use some help! Help them with their marketing or deliveries so they can make it through these hard times. Write a review online and share their posts – every little bit adds up!

Donate!

We often donate to local establishments that work as resale shops for good causes—and that is a great first step! But you can also eliminate the middleman and find ways to get things directly to those in need with no monetary transactions

• Do you have more holiday decorations than you need? Maybe there is a single parent out there struggling that would appreciate some holiday cheer for their family in this hard year

• Have extra blankets? Socks? Jackets? Instead of bagging them all up and dropping at the Goodwill, put a bag or box in your car and safely offer them to the homeless people you see on the streets or corners

• Create gift bags of essential items like non-perishable snacks, clean water, socks, Chapstick, winter hats and other small items to offer to people who you may otherwise walk or drive past daily. Having apples, bananas, and granola bars is great for these moments also.

Pay it Forward!

Ever have someone buy your coffee in front of you in line or offer to let you go before them if you seem flustered and short on time? These are easy ways to share kindness in your everyday outings that go a long way! There is a ripple effect in the world when you treat someone kindly, they are more likely to pass it along as their day develops.

• Random acts of kindness have grown in popularity alongside the growth of yoga in the United States. Write a nice note to a “stranger” and leave it on their car window or place it in a highly trafficked spot so that the person who needs to know they are seen, appreciated, or loved receives that message. Quotes work great for this as well

• Buy or pick a bouquet of flowers for a neighbor, friend or family member just because. Drop off with a sentimental note or sweet quote. Give a gift “just because”, with no expectations to receive one in return

• If you are doing your holiday shopping and find a great deal or something you cannot live without, consider buying two and sending one to your friend or having it on hand as a last-minute gift for someone you forgot about or rarely get to spoil

In closing, if a situation presents itself where your kindness, time, generosity, or service could be useful, go with the flow and be there for others. Pay attention to the shift it creates within you and trust that everything in life is accounted for and every action has consequences, so you might as well focus on the good. Have a positive, joyful, safe, and merry holiday season!