Sakam Karma and Nishkam Karma

There are two aspects to Karma Yoga - Sakam Karma and Nishkam Karma. Sakam Karma is to work
with selfish expectations and your own interests in mind. Nishkam Karma on the other hand is working
with unselfish/selfless motives.
You have to pay back all Karmas in this life or in future lives, good or bad. It could be good Karma, but
if it is selfish it is a chain that binds you. Nishkam Karma also still binds you to the Karmic law. It
doesn't matter if the chain is made of iron or gold, it binds you in same way. Good and bad, both
Karmas will bind you, put you into bondage. Of course negative Karma is harder, and good Karmas are
softer.
Nishkam Karma means free or without desire. Karma comes from the root word kama which means
desires. Karma comes from the root word "kriya" which means to do. In the act of Nishkam Karma you
have no selfish expectation, you are only giving. Give with love, devotion and happiness. What should
we give? Whatever you can! But observe your limitations, dont overdo it!

Nishkam Karma means doing Seva (selfless service), without the expectation of receiving
acknowledgement, reward or a word of thanks. When you have even just one thought that someone
should have said "Thank you", this is not Nishkam Karma. In Vedic culture there is no tradition of
saying 'Thank you', only 'Blessing'.
This can be a problem for westerners when they go to India, that whatever you may do, Indians will
never say thank you. But with modern education the word thank you has spread everywhere.
However, when you say thank you, it means you dont accept this Seva and you give back some fruits.
Nishkam Karma leads to liberation.
Selfless service bears fruit similar to Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Gyana Yoga. The fruits of Sakam
Karma will be paid for in this life and the fruit of Nishkam Karma will be returned after this life. Here
you enjoy a life of luxury, but in another life you will have empty hands. What will go with you? Dont
just think of this life, think also of your future lives. Therefore, in Yoga and Indian culture there is less
focus on past lives, but more on future lives.
Past is past, you no longer have any control over it. In a past life you were king and now you are a
cook. Suddenly you gain knowledge of the past life when you were a king but nobody will give your
kingdom back to you, instead you will be taken to a psychiatric hospital.
So, what do you get from the past? Do something for your future. Or do something for a permanent
position - immortality. Thats what Mahaprabhuji has spoken in his bhajan: Guruvara Me Calu Sa Una
Des.

Yoga for increasing concentration power

Although yoga is more widely known for the beneficial role it plays in the development of a persons
physical attributes as well as with the medical conditions that affect a persons being on a physical
scale, it also helps substantially in improving a persons metal attributes. The use of yoga for
concentration is extremely effective because of the meditative practices. The effectiveness of yoga
for concentration problems has gained greater relevance today for obvious reasons. In a day and
age that is dominated with a number of distractions such as television, radio as well as the internet,
getting children to concentrate and maintain concentration over a lengthy period of time is becoming

harder by the day. However, yoga is known to be one of the most effective options when it comes to
dealing with problems like this. High levels of concentration require you to open up your mind and
bringing out a defined, although not specific, impartial unconcern to any external influences. Yoga
concentration exercises will help you develop a certain amount of imperviousness to any of the
external influences, and allow your mind to focus solely on the task at hand. It is important to have
high levels of concentration - especially when it comes to carrying out very high risk acts. Although
having mentioned before that the condition is increasingly common in children because of the many
influences in todays world, the problem of concentration is hardly lost on adults who also tend to
suffer from a number of concentration problems.
One of the best and most effective yoga concentration exercises is known as the tratak. This yoga
concentration exercise can be performed by simply placing yourself in front of a lit candle and start
to begin the exercise by performing a few meditation and relaxation techniques that lie at the heart of
yoga. Once you have opened your eyes from the meditation exercise, focus solely on the light of the
candle and you should be able to rain your mind to hold onto a particular thought. There are many
techniques in yoga for focus and yoga poses for concentration such as the surya namaskar that
helps the body relax and allows the mind to open up. Yoga for concentration dharana the mental
strength in the mind increases while there is a reduction in the strain on the mind. Yoga for
concentration dharana also helps the mind remain calm for longer periods of time thereby making
it a very useful yoga technique for those individuals that are suffering from a very short temper. Most
yoga concentration exercises revolve around practicing regular and daily meditation.

Stress management
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Stress management refers to the wide spectrum of techniques and psychotherapies aimed at
controlling a person's levels of stress, especially chronic stress, usually for the purpose of improving
everyday functioning.
In this context, the term 'stress' refers only to a stress with significant negative consequences,
or distress in the terminology advocated by Hans Selye, rather than what he calls eustress, a stress
whose consequences are helpful or otherwise positive.
Stress produces numerous physical and mental symptoms which vary according to each individual's
situational factors. These can include physical health decline as well as depression. The process of
stress management is named as one of the keys to a happy and successful life in modern society.
[1]
Although life provides numerous demands that can prove difficult to handle, stress management
provides a number of ways to manage anxiety and maintain overall well-being.
Despite stress often being thought of as a subjective experience, levels of stress are readily
measurable, using various physiological tests, similar to those used inpolygraphs.
Many practical stress management techniques are available, some for use by health
professionals and others, for self-help, which may help an individual reduce their levels of stress,
provide positive feelings of control over one's life and promote general well-being.
Evaluating the effectiveness of various stress management techniques can be difficult, as limited
research currently exists. Consequently, the amount and quality of evidence for the various
techniques varies widely. Some are accepted as effective treatments for use in psychotherapy, whilst
others with less evidence favoring them are considered alternative therapies. Many professional
organisations exist to promote and provide training in conventional or alternative therapies.

There are several models of stress management, each with distinctive explanations of mechanisms
for controlling stress. Much more research is necessary to provide a better understanding of which
mechanisms actually operate and are effective in practice.

The Significance of the Asanas and Pranayamas - Language of the Body

Asanas
Asana is the Sanskrit word for a physical posture. Expressed in general terms Asana denotes a
specific position which can be held in a relaxed and comfortable manner for a long period of time. In
the 2nd Century before Christ, Patanjali wrote down the principles of Yoga practice in the Yoga
Sutras (aphorisms). He named only the meditation posture Asana and the physical postures he
termed Yoga Vyayam. However, in common usage the dynamic Yoga exercises also became known
as Asanas.
Many Asanas were derived from the natural movements and positions of animals and carry the names
of animals such as cat, deer, tiger, hare, etc. These postures make use of examples from nature
on how to help oneself. Asanas have a far-reaching effect upon body and mind. The animals
instinctively used these movements and positions because of their natural benefits. These effects are
attained through the practice of the Asanas. For example: Marjari (The Cat) for stretching the body
and the spine, Bhujangasana (The Cobra) for the release of aggression and emotions, and
Shashankasana (The Hare) for relaxation. The headstand (Shirshasana) and Lotus (Padmasana), are
regarded as the supreme or royal Asanas.
Asanas are beneficial for the muscles, joints, cardiovascular system, nervous system and lymphatic
system, as well as the mind, psyche and Chakras (energy centres). They are psychosomatic exercises,
which strengthen and balance the entire nervous system and harmonise and stabilise the practitioners
state of mind. The effects of these exercises are a sense of contentment, clarity of mind, relaxation
and a feeling of inner freedom and peace.
The system Yoga in Daily Life is designed in such a way that the body is gradually and systematically
prepared, leading from simple preparatory exercises towards the more advanced and difficult Asanas.
Periods of relaxation are included at the beginning and end of each Yoga class, as well as between the
individual exercises. By developing the ability to relax, the feeling for one's own body is deepened.
Physical and mental relaxation are prerequisites for the correct performance of all Yoga exercises and
it is only in this way that the effects of the Asanas completely unfold.
The breath plays an important role in the Asanas. With coordination of breath and movement, the
Yoga practice becomes harmonious, the breath deepens of its own accord and the bodys circulation
and metabolism are stimulated. Use of the breath greatly enhances muscle relaxation by
concentrating on tense areas of the body and consciously relaxing those parts with each exhalation.
As most people are in the habit of breathing quite shallow, inadequately filling the lungs, the Full Yoga
Breath is practiced in Yoga in Daily Life. Correct breathing is fundamental for the bodys optimum
metabolic function. With regular practice, the Full Yoga Breath becomes the habitual and natural way
of breathing. Slower and deeper breaths improve circulation, nerve function and ones whole physical
condition. It also develops a calm, clear mind.

The second pillar of the Yoga exercises is PRANAYAMA

Pranayama is the conscious and deliberate control and regulation of the breath (Prana means breath,
ayam means to control, to regulate). With each breath we absorb not only oxygen, but also Prana.
Prana is cosmic energy, the power in the Universe that creates, preserves and changes. It is the basic
element of life and consciousness. Prana is also found in food, therefore it is very important to have a
healthy and wholesome vegetarian diet.
The conscious guidance of Prana in the body gives rise to an increase in vitality, physical detoxification
and improved immunity, as well as the attainment of inner peace, relaxation and mental clarity.
In mythology it is said that the length of a person's life is predetermined by the number of breaths.
The Yogi tries to conserve time and lengthen life by slowing down the breath [1].

METHODS AND BENEFITS OF CONCENTRATION

When you focus your mind, you conserve your energies and do not dissipate them on
irrelevant thoughts or activities. This is why, developing concentration is vital for anyone
aspiring to be more efficient and take charge of his or her life. This skill is vital for every
kind of success. Without it, your efforts get scattered, but with it, you can accomplish
great things.
Concentration has many uses and benefits. It assists in studying, enables faster
comprehension, improves the memory, helps in focusing on a task, job or goal, and
therefore, achieving them more easily and efficiently. It is a powerful tool for the efficient
use of creative visualization, and it also helps in developing psychic powers.
When this ability is strong, the mind obeys you more readily and does not engage in
futile, negative thoughts or worries. This ability plays an important role in meditation,
gaining mental mastery, and attaining peace of mind.
Without it, the mind just jumps restlessly from one thought to another, not allowing you
to meditate properly.
Do you now realize, why it is very important and worthwhile to develop and improve the
ability to concentrate?

To develop this power you need to train and exercise it. Forget all your excuses about
not having the time or being too busy. Do not say that the circumstances are not
appropriate, or that you cannot find a quiet place to exercise. With a little planning,
desire and motivation, you can always find the time to exercise each day, no matter how
busy you are.
YOGA FOR WILL POWER

Yoga offers three really clear guides to the cultivation of willpower:

Willpower is a muscle that can be strengthened over time and through the
body; self-compassion is the foundation needed to strengthen resolve; and a
deep connection to the Self will set us free. Both yoga and science
demonstrate that practicing these three principles will create fertile ground
for transforming our most difficult and unwholesome habits.
Despite our self-deprecating comments about self-control, most of us would
categorize willpower as an essential life skill. Research shows that it is a
greater predictor of success in life than IQ. People who maintain good selfcontrol have better relationships, tend to achieve more career success, and
enjoy healthier lives.
This is very good news because if IQ alone predicted life outcomes we would
be in significant trouble. Why? Because, for the most part, IQ is immutable,
but self-control can be cultivated and strengthenedit is not a zero sum
concept, one that you either have or lack. It can be improved. The difficulty
lies in determining how. One way is simply to start a yoga practice, as the
following story illustrates.