The Yoga of Liberation by Renunciation

In the final verse of the Bhagavad Gita, we are reminded of the previous verses important points. Arjuna asks what true sannyasa (renunciation) is. Krishna replies that renunciation of selfish actions and even renunciation of the fruits of actions is the brings true freedom. We continue to act, as has been pointed out throughout the Gita, but we give up the desire for a particular outcome or a particular reward for our actions. We act simply because it is our duty. Egoism, selfishness and attachment are all possible when we act; so it is renunciation of all of these that we should be focused on.When we perform action with a mind toward sacrifice, gift and austerity it's still possible to get caught up in the reward of it; whether a pat on the back, a pay raise or an award. When we act only from the place of giving, with no expectations, we are purifying our souls according to the Gita.We are reminded that our actions may be sattvic, rajasic or tamasic in these lines:

20. That by which one sees the one indestructible Reality in all beings, not separate in all the separate beings—know thou that knowledge to be Sattwic (pure).

 

21. But that knowledge which sees in all beings various entities of distinct kinds as different from one another—know thou that knowledge to be Rajasic (passionate).

 

22. But that which clings to one single effect as if it were the whole, without reason, without foundation in Truth, and trivial—that is declared to be Tamasic (dark).

 In other words, when we recognize that we are all one, that it is an illusion which makes us believe we are separate and distinct, we act in the best interest on the one. We act from a place of purity. On the other hand, when our actions derive from seeking a certain effect, we are acting from a darker place that won't lead to enlightenment. This isn't to say that such actions are 'bad'. if you are seeking enlightenment, though, it simply isn't the way to go.In terms of my own life, and likely a whole lot of other people's, I act from all three of these places. Life is a great learning ground. And the more we act out of selflessness the more practice we get the better equipped we become to continue. It takes time though, maybe many, many lifetimes. We can't beat ourselves up about not acting selflessly in every situation; that adds nothing of value to the one consciousness. Compassion for all, as always, is the overall message to me. Compassion for those who we disagree with, for those less fortunate, those more fortunate, those whose behaviors are in and out of alignment with our personal beliefs. And compassion for self, because it matters.If you are interested in hearing my take on the previous verses, here are the links:The Yoga of the Despondency of ArjunaSankhya YogaThe Yoga of ActionThe Yoga of WisdomThe Yoga of Renunciation of ActionThe Yoga of MeditationThe Yoga of Wisdom and RealizationThe Yoga of Imperishable BrahmanTHE YOGA OF THE KINGLY SCIENCE & THE KINGLY SECRETThe Yoga of the Divine GloriesThe Yoga of the Vision of the Cosmic FormThe Yoga of DevotionThe Yoga of distinction between the field and the knower of the fieldThe Yoga of the Division of the Three GunasThe Yoga of the Supreme SpiritThe Yoga of the Division between the Divine and the DemoniacalThe Yoga of the Division of the Threefold Faith