Work as an Instrument of God

 

Photo Credit:QuoteFancy|Sri Chinmoy

Work as an Instrument of God

When we ask someone to perform any kind of task as if we are performing it for God – what do we mean? What we are trying to say is do that task so selflessly, filled with love and compassion such that the result will always be positive for the beneficiary and you will feel good and blessed within. The happiness which one derives by working selflessly for others is very difficult to explain – this joy and happiness makes us glow from within.

Swamiji has said this umpteen number of times – do not bring your ‘I’-sense into your work – do whatever you are doing by surrendering it to the Guru-energies – it may be as mundane as sweeping the floor – do it as if you are offering service in the house of God – and you will get that inner glow – believe me, just try it and see for yourself!

In Sanatan Dharma the concept is of Karma Yoga, which is a path of devotion to the work. One loses one’s identity while working, only selfless work remains. This state is very difficult to achieve. Generally, some rewards or incentives or outcome follows the work and one is attached to this reward or incentive. This is not Karma Yoga! Non-attachment with the work and becoming the perfect instrument of super consciousness in this manifested universe is the ultimate aim of Karma Yoga.

There are innumerable ways of becoming God’s instrument – helping the needy without expectation, showing love and compassion to those who are feeling low and depressed, doing your daily office work with complete dedication and honesty. For example, be the kind of visiting teacher you always wanted to be; ask a single adult about that he/she intends to do in life, rather than why haven’t you got married yet; share instead of accumulate; smile at your spouse or child even though they’ve caused frustration and heartache; put your arm in comfort around someone who has suffered a huge loss; show by your attitude that you are finding joy in this life’s journey.

Believe me, there is no end to the good we can do, the influence that we can have on others who trust us and have faith in us, we can be counsellors to even those people whom we do not know personally and help them with love and compassion. Stop being critical and negative, learn to look at the positive always and always do so by looking at both sides of the coin. Let us pray for strength and the capacity and desire to assist others selflessly. Let us light up the life of others with the same light that radiates within us – that of love, joy and compassion.