1. Examining Action (Īśvarārpaṇa-Buddhi)
- Before
beginning a task, ask: "Am I doing this because it is my duty
(Dharma) in this situation, or am I doing it solely to validate my ego,
gain praise, or satisfy a personal preference?"
- When
a project succeeds or fails, do I instantly claim "I did
this," or can I trace how my intelligence, physical strength,
opportunity, and materials were all provided by Īśvara's order?
- "Which
duties in my life am I avoiding simply because my mind has labeled them
'boring' or 'unpleasant'? How can I reframe these duties as an offering to
Īśvara?"
2. Examining Outcomes (Prasāda-Buddhi)
- When
plans crumble, how much mental energy do I waste asking "Why
me?" or blaming circumstances, instead of recognizing the outcome
as the precise manifestation of cosmic laws (Īśvara-Sṛṣṭi)?
- "Am
I acting with a hidden contract that says, 'If I give 100% effort, the
universe owes me the exact result I want'?"
- After
receiving an unfavorable result, how quickly does my mind regain its
clarity and composure to ask, "What is required of me now?"
3. Examining the Mind (Antaḥkaraṇa-Śuddhi)
- Does
my daily engagement with the world make my mind more turbulent, or is the
practice of Karma Yoga gradually making my mind quieter and more centered?
- When
anxiety, anger, or envy arises in the mind, do I say "I am
angry" (identifying with it), or can I observe it as a temporary
wave passing through the antah-karana?
- Is
my mind becoming subtle and tranquil enough to reflect on spiritual
teachings (Śravaṇam) without being hijacked by restless desires and
anxieties?
Tip for Practice: Choose just one question to
hold in your awareness for a week. Observe your reactions without judgment
during daily tasks, interactions, and quiet moments.
