This article first appeared The Frontiersman Karma Yoga teaches us that serving others with right intention and loving kindness is a path to self-realization, and a way to bring true happiness, harmony and an inner peace into our lives. Karma Yoga is just one of the many forms of yoga, with Hatha Yoga being the most popular. Karma Yoga -the Yoga of Selfless Action is derived from Sanskrit Kri -meaning “to do”, in its most basic sense Karma simply means action, and Yoga translates to the path or union through action. Karma Yoga is exemplified by the lives of Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, and St. Francis of Assisi, all who knew the secret to true happiness. When I think of Karma Yoga, two phrases in St. Francis Prayer come to mind,” Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace:, and, “for it is in the giving, that we receive”. Not receiving in a material sense, but in a warm open hearted joyfulness that is felt deep down inside. A joy that is realized from giving, to the best of our ability, which no amount money, or material possessions could ever buy. In a way Karma Yoga is a paradox, we think we are giving to the other, when in reality it is a win/ win. When we give in right mindedness we receive as much, if not more. The law of attraction states that what you put out, comes back to you. Karma Yoga differs from “ordinary volunteering” because it is a mindfulness practice, of observing our thoughts. A saying I love is; Watch your thoughts, for they become your words, watch your words, for they become your actions. Watch your actions, for they become your character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. Ordinary volunteering won’t guarantee us happiness and spiritual enlightenment. To truly practice Karma Yoga, one must come from a place of loving kindness, and not be attached to the outcome of our actions. Daily Karma Yoga can be as simple as doing your very best in all that you do, for the sake of giving your best. This gives us an opportunity for personal growth, finding the sacred in everyday acts and situations, moment to moment, as well as in every person we meet. Ram Dass, latter in life, dedicated himself to serving others. He explains that ordinary volunteering is often performed, to fulfill the ego’s needs: to alleviate guilt, seeking praise or respect, or to “save” people. This type of volunteering is dominated by the ego, the shallowest level of our being. Karma Yoga has no negative judgment of the other, but comes from a higher level of Soul to Soul reaching out. Mother Teresa spoke of seeing Christ in the eyes of all she served. If those being helped sense that they are being judged, it only increases their pain. Gail Straub, author of The Rhythm of Compassion: Caring for Self, connecting to Society believes that. “What I can do is offer my kindness, knowing that I’m not going to solve anything. Surrendering all attachment to the outcome, to accomplish life’s highest good.” In her book Straub cautions against “the shadow side of service” This can take the form of service workaholics, who can become resentful, and burn out. Those who have a contemplative practice like Meditation and Hatha yoga are better able to stay in balance, refilling their own cup. If negative feelings do arise, don’t condemn yourself, be gentle, and remember your intention, re-centering in the heart. We can make things easier on ourselves by following some common sense guidelines: start small, use what you’ve got, do something you enjoy, and don’t over commit. Children can learn from an early age the joys of serving. Someone with a demanding job or raising small children can’t spare that much time, but there are always opportunities to be of service. Retirees, who keep busy volunteering stay healthier, live longer, with less depression and loneliness, embracing a zest for life. Gandhi said, “Your life is your message”.