A story of
faithFaith in God
Have faith in the great utterance that God is holding the strings of all the hearts (sutradhari), and everything happens according to His will. Knowing this, you feel very happy in participating in the day to day duties and responsibilities. In the practice of karma yoga this feeling that, "I am just a puppet and God is the string-holder," is absolutely essential. Otherwise powerful prakriti with Her gunas will entangle the soul. Feeling is the most powerful instrument. It costs nothing to feel that God's palm is always over our heads. If you think it strongly, it will be so; if you doubt, it will not be. Therefore, one who is not a bhakta can never be a karma yogi, and one who is not a jnani can never become a genuine bhakta. Let it be known that jnana is not book knowledge, but consists in feeling the oneness of God in the world of variety.
Surrender to God
Craving, anger, fear, grief, attachment, ego, arrogance, unclean mind, likes and dislikes are all impediments in the practice of karma yoga. Fill the heart and mind with the Name and the Prem (love) of God and never entertain any of these demoniacal and negative feelings. Should they arise, pray God sincerely so that they may be driven out or transformed into love divine. If you independently try to avoid these bad qualities, you will see that it is difficult to conquer them altogether. The best way to destroy these is by taking shelter in God (that is, total surrender). Have the "Krishnarpana bhava" (that is, mentally offering everything to God). This is the secret of success in karma yoga, and for that matter, all yogas.
In the beginning stages the mind prays God to fulfill its desires. Suppose the result is opposite, or not as desired. Immediately think that, for your own good, God is willing otherwise. God knows your needs. More than anyone, including you, He knows what is best at a given time for a given soul. If you cultivate this bhava, you will know the technique of turning your will to the will of God until ultimately your will merges in Him and His will alone manifests through you. Then you become absolutely happy, free and peaceful. Why not try, beginning now, this minute, and witness the miracle of God taking you into His hands!
Divine test
One important thing to remember here is: as soon as you try to surrender your will to His will, He may either immediately send His grace, or He may send trials to play with His devotees. He may send various tests and difficulties. But please do not forget that when tests and difficulties come to you, they are a definite sign that God loves you and wants to make you His perfect, permanent instrument--His servant. We know that every master uses only perfect instruments. If they are imperfect, he makes them perfect. This means the instrument should undergo difficulties, trials, etc. Most people think that when they remember God they should be given only health, wealth, long life, progeny, worldly fame, earthly riches, etc..
We agree that this is one of God's of methods of showering His grace. But we cannot limit His ways. Suppose He gives you what you desire, do you think it will quench all your desires once and for all? Suppose it make you forget God, as it does in most cases; then you are at a total loss. There is another method, in which God gives everything that is desired by His devotees and still confers His devotion, too. People will certainly think of such a boon. Suppose He gives both material wealth and His love; then what happens? You will see, all that you have desired you desire no more because of God's love. Lord Krishna transformed His friend Kuchela (torn-clothed one) into Sudhama (one having a rich palace). He gave him all riches and His love also. What happened? Sudhama offered all the riches back to Sri Krishna and asked Krishna not to to tempt him with any worldly riches.
Love those who hate
In practicing karma yoga there is a definite possibility of ignorant and arrogant people bringing all sorts of trouble to you. Some might smite you, spit on you, hurt you, or deprive you of your time and rest. In all such cases, you should remain as a passive witness without taking it seriously or with active joy receiving both honor and ignominy alike. You know how much happiness you derive when people praise you. If you could maintain the same joy when people abuse you, then you have become a fit instrument to serve everybody.
Thus, a robber hurled stones over a harmless saint for no fault of his, and the saint was calm and serene. After a few days the robber fell ill. The saint came to know about it, went to the robber and sat near him, kneading his feet. The robber realized the compassion of the saint and fell at his feet. This Narayana bhava (to see God in everybody) is the highest state in yoga, which is not possible for everybody, but should be the ideal. Sage Narada transformed a cruel hunter into sage Valmiki by transmitting divine love and imparting the sacred mantra. Such illustrations are abundant in our sacred spiritual literature.
The Bhagavad Gita is of the opinion that none can surely escape action through inaction. Karma could be reduced to ashes through selfless action done with the spirit of yajna or sacrifice. You will never reach the selfless state of yoga without beginning to act with a dedicated spirit. The more you give, the more inspiration and strength you receive, until you realize only to give and never receive.
(Essence of Bhagavad Gita and Bible, p. 126.)