If we are ignorant of the negative karma associated with an action, that karma still impacts us. If we by gas from an oil company that has caused the destruction of a tribal community in the path of its oil exploration, then we have contributed to those actions. The far-reaching consequences of our actions affect us whether or not we are aware of them. All paths of yoga lead to higher states of awareness. Awareness means being informed about how we impact the world around us.

Practicing karma yoga involves sacrifices. In our culture, the idea of sacrifice has developed a negative association with scarcity. Scarcity is not the truth of the universe. The universe and everything in it, including us, are infinite beyond comprehension. Sacrifice is nothing more than the conscious choice of giving rather than taking with the understanding that there is plenty for all. It does not mean that we deny ourselves because there is not enough but rather that we give simply to give.

the soup we swim in
Western culture is largely focused on individualism, progress and consumerism. It has taught us to place a high value on individual wealth and security. But that value is driven by an endemic fear of scarcity. There exists a fundamental undercurrent in our culture that there is not enough for everyone, not enough money, time or security. In order to have awareness, it is critical to discover how the influence of our culture impacts our thoughts, desires and actions. For example, it is an almost universal opinion in Western society that the economy needs to grow. Growth is always seen as a good thing but the impact of that growth is rarely considered because of the underlying belief in scarcity. One of the best ways to identify how our culture has influenced us is to go out and experience other cultures. Isolated in the remote islands of Indonesia live a people called the Moken sea gypsies. They have managed to keep their language and their way of life intact despite the development of modern society and industry around them. In their language they have no word for want and no word for when. Without a word for want, there is no concept of lack. Without a concept of when, there is only a perpetual state of now. Just as our society is unconscious to the undercurrent of scarcity that rules us, the Moken people are ruled by an unconscious cultural assumption of abundance that has allowed them to preserve their culture and their identity. Exposing ourselves to these types of cultural differences brings the influences that have shaped us out into the light of consciousness. The resulting awareness allows us to mindfully assess the karmic purity of our actions.

In order to honor and respect the earth and our place in it, we must develop a global long-term view of the world and take universally positive actions locally, in the present. This requires us to let go of the mass cultural, unconscious fear of scarcity that promotes global disharmony and degradation. Karma yoga teaches us to be courageously honest with ourselves in examining the impact of our actions. By doing this we can begin to see ourselves as integral members of one world tribe with common needs, interests and desires. As the 6th teaching of the sacred Sioux pipe says, we should “remember the generations,” those that came before and those yet to come. If we take actions consistent with these principles, we will be granted lives filled with spiritual and emotional riches beyond our wildest dreams. We will rest in the knowledge that we have lived a truly good life of which our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will be proud.
Mike Stokes - freedomyoga.com