Karma Yoga (book)
Karma Yoga (The Yoga of action) is an English book of Swami Vivekananda, the book was published in February 1896 from New York. Swami Vivekananda delivered a number of lectures in his rented rooms at 228 W 39th Street in New York City from December in 1895 and January, 1896. In 1895-1895, friends and supporters of Swami Vivekananda hired a professional stenographer Joseph Josiah Goodwin (who later became a follower of Vivekananda). Goodwin recorded some of the lectures of Vivekananda, and those lectures were published as the book Karma Yoga in 1896.
Theme
The main topic of the book was Karma (work) and Karma Yoga. Swami Vivekananda discussed the concept of Karma in the Bhagavada Gita. Swami Vivekananda described Karma Yoga is a mental discipline that allows a person to carry out his/her duties as a service to the entire world, as a path to enlightenment.
Chapters
Karma yoga
Karma yoga, or the "discipline of action" is a form of yoga based on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Sanskrit scripture of Hinduism. Of the three paths to realization, karma yoga is the process of achieving perfection in action. Karma yoga is said to be the most effective way to progress in spiritual life. Found in the Bhagavad Gita, karma yoga is a part of nature. Karma yoga is taught by teachers of zen who promote tranquility. Karma yoga is an intrinsic part of many derivative types of yoga, such as Natya Yoga. Karma yoga is often understood as a yoga of selfless (altruistic) service.
Background
The Bhagavad Gita gives a summary of the karma yoga process. The Gita itself is a chapter from the epic known as Mahabharata, wherein a dialogue takes place between the prince Arjuna, and his friend and chariot driver, Lord Krishna, on the brink of a great dynastic war. Their conversation is prompted by Arjuna as he is engulfed by sorrow and misgivings regarding the oncoming battle in which he has friends and relatives on both sides. In reply, Krishna then elucidates upon a number of philosophical yoga systems and practices (including karma yoga) by/through which Arjuna should indeed continue with the fight on righteous principles.
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