How To Be a Yogi in the World — Defining Karma Yoga: Sabrina
‘How To Be a Yogi in the World’ is a series of interviews with Karma Yogis, practitioners of the path of selfless service. The objective? To shed light on Karma Yoga, the spiritual path of action, for interested readers as well as new and seasoned yogis alike. As the path prescribed for those living in the world (read: all of us) by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita—an ancient Yogic and Hindu Scripture—Karma Yoga is a complete spiritual path in its own right. The practice and contemplation of Karma Yoga deserves our time and attention.
Everyone can and should be a Karma Yogi.
This series is without beginning or end; if you would like to contribute, please email your answers to the questions below to angelika@7ygh.com
Pictured: Sabrina serving in the kitchen alongside Pranava Chaitanya-ji at the Sivananda ashram in the Bahamas, 2022.
What is your definition of Karma Yoga and its benefits?
Karma Yoga is the yoga of selfless service. In the act of selfless service, you can begin to overcome selfishness. Karma Yoga is beneficial in realizing that there is no separation between you and others, and to serve others is an act of serving God. On a personal level, Karma Yoga has helped me to understand the confining nature of dwelling in my own problems- it is almost as if the obsession with what’s wrong in my own life seems to subside completely when I care about something larger than myself, and when I am acting for the greater good I feel more in harmony with everything and everyone.
How often do you engage in Karma Yoga?
I think Karma Yoga can be engaged in every aspect of every part of our days, but it’s important to keep it intentional. It is done in small acts- holding the door open for strangers, asking people how they are and really caring about someone else’s emotional state, acting as an instrument in any way to help and serve those around you. Karma Yoga can seem more obvious when you take the time out to volunteer- it seems more literal. But it can really be imbued in every action at all points in the day.
What is a memorable Karma Yoga experience and what did you learn from it?
I was at the ashram in the Bahamas and it was Swami Swaroopananda’s birthday. Everyone woke up early to attend a special puja. I remember feeling particularly exhausted this day and the puja lasted very long, and I was under the impression that I would not have my regular kitchen duties that day because many brahmarcharis and devotees had flown in to celebrate and honor him. When I realized that I’d be going straight from the puja to the kitchen, I got upset. I had wanted personal time to rest or be on the beach. Shortly after starting in the kitchen, however, I really began to enjoy myself. Getting to prepare such a big feast with so many people felt really incredible. I learned new things in the kitchen that I hadn’t before. After the hours-long preparation, we sat to eat and it was the most incredible food. I know in Karma Yoga there is an aspect of not enjoying the fruits of your labor, or being attached to certain outcomes. But what made me feel really happy was that everyone at the ashram was able to enjoy such an incredible meal. I felt so appreciative. I think in this instance I learned a lot about my own resistance to certain things, and how pushing past that resistance can open me up. There is a reason why everything at the ashram is so clean and nice and delicious for everyone to enjoy- because everyone works hard in serving for the benefit of everyone. It is beautiful to see what can happen when we all come together to take care of one another and provide for each other.
What were your biggest misconceptions about Karma Yoga?
My biggest misconception about Karma Yoga was that it needed to be practiced in a grand way. Meaning, I would have to set aside time to go somewhere to volunteer or help people on some large scale, and never in exchange for money. I’ve realized that everything is Karma Yoga when you let it be. For example, I often work as a waitress and I failed to see serving others in that setting as Karma Yoga because I was making money. I eventually realized that Karma Yoga isn’t dependent on what comes out of it- whether it be money, praise, or good outcomes. Karma Yoga is in the service itself as long as it’s done in the right attitude.
If you could give yourself one piece of advice regarding Karma Yoga, what would it be?
We live in a world where we are expected to push past our limits constantly. I think there is so much pressure externally and internally to go above and beyond all the time, which often leaves our batteries drained. The one thing I remind myself of is that Karma Yoga is like an ecosystem: at times I need to accept help from others, this is being a human being and what makes everything work in harmony.