“I am ready to act with courage and integrity.” John Selby.

According to John Selby, in his book entitled “Expand This Moment,”  upon the pronunciation of the first five words “I am ready to act…”, a person’s unconscious focus shifts from a passive to an active mode.  Just the utterance takes the brain to a higher gear, and accordingly, the spirit follows.  And, this led me to the discovery of karma yoga and the awareness that, up until now, I was an unwitting practitioner. 

Karma means “to do” and yoga is “union with the divine.”  Together, the two lead to a path of union through action.

**

In January 2009, I unknowingly embarked on a karma yoga journey.  My innocent new year’s resolution to become more engaged in my community carried me to extreme heights of happiness which seemed inexplicable.  Until now. 

After six months, perhaps before, I realized that my random acts of volunteering directly correlated to my new and improved ability to feel content and complete for sustained periods of time.  And, let me tell you, the service I performed involved 2-4 hours a month!  And, let me be clear, my acts of service during this time involved interviewing, documenting, envelop stuffing, shoe collecting, asparagus picking and the like.  I wasn’t acting like Mother Theresa; I didn’t even have contact with the people for whom the benefits of my time and energy served.  And, as each month passed, my spirit soared higher and higher.

With my new year’s resolution half complete, I puzzled over my transformation.  I didn’t set out to become happier and contented per se.  My logical mind kept insisting upon a rational answer to the question “How did this happen to me?” 

At first I chalked my experience up to karma.  I must have good karma and this added element of volunteering was pushing my balance over the top and I was reaping the rewards I deserved.  That sounds rather silly, even now, however it sustained me until another idea, a better idea, surfaced in my brain. 

The question tugged and pulled at my mind.  Always playing like background music, my listening and observations continued as I whiled away the months donating blood for the first time, working registration tables, cooking/cleaning/washing dishes and waitressing, bartending, stocking pantry shelves and finally prancing around as one of Santa’s elves.  From August to December, I continued showing up for various duties at different nonprofits.  Always willing.  Sometimes unsure, especially when assigned the elf task.  (Aren’t elves supposed to be young?)  Nonetheless, I carried enough curiosity and willingness to touch and be touched on the deepest levels of my heart.  After all, the year had brought blood, sweat and tears along with the most beautiful gifts of humanity and intimacy.  I just allowed myself to trust in the process.

**

I’ve practiced yoga on and off in my life.  I’ve been searching for just the right class: the one which requires my mind to stretch just as much as my body.  Ever-searching, ever testing, ever spending and I have yet to plant my feet in the right class with the perfect teacher.  Or so I thought.  Until I read the last chapter of John Selby’s book, Expand This Moment (April 2011, New World Library), I found the answer to all my questions about happiness in just two words.

Karma Yoga

“…a way of acting, thinking and willing by which you orient yourself toward realization of letting yourself be guided by your heart, without consideration of your personal desires, likes or dislikes.  You accomplish this by acting without being attached to the fruits of your deeds.  … balancing spiritual development with spiritual expression each and every day seems to be an ideal stance for most of us.  … shifting your attention to action, to karma yoga.”

Yes, that’s me.  YES! Yoga practiced off the mat and in the real world with others sharing a goal of creating common good.  This is my perfect yoga practice.  And it’s the answer to all my questions. 

**

Once my twelve month resolution was achieved in December 2009, I knew one thing for certain.  My heart and soul needed to continue serving others.  There was a time during the fall of that year, when I couldn’t express my overwhelming feelings of gratitude and humility.  Tears spilled onto my cheeks at the very thought of how blessed I was and at the idea of being filled with grace.  My inability to hold my emotions in check annoyed me to no end because my wobbly voice, shaking hands, racing heart all barred me from communicating to others. 

In early spring, I gave up trying to rejoice out loud and turned inward to cherish my precious peace.  After all, my life wasn’t perfect.  I still was unemployed. My family life was turbulent and fraught with illnesses of the mind and body. Relationships strained further as financial pressures increased.  And yet, in the middle of disaster, I felt profoundly supported and content.  I found an oasis of unconditional love and comfort even as I walked in a world of trouble. 

I continued volunteering throughout 2010 – adding new roles: wood polisher, cat companion, dog-waste bag distributor, information desk attendant.  I set-up or tore-down, depending upon the need.  I sold swag, distributed questionnaires, collected trash, performed quality control inspections, and so on.  I broadened my volunteer scope from Denver to Grand Lake, Colorado; to Park City, Utah, Las Vegas, Nevada and the Washington, D.C. area.  Whether working in Rock Creek Park or in a mountain hostel, whether urban (Bethesda) or country (New Windsor, Maryland), I go where I find a good cause and anywhere that will accept my offer to help.

**

Now, I understand what this journey is all about.  Each time I venture out to new and friendly environments, the occasion causes my focus to shift to the present moment.  Surrounded by unfamiliarity, my mind pays close attention to the job at hand.  So not only when I say I’m ready to act but also when I do spring into action, I am an actor in life’s karmic yoga class.  I am tuned-in to receive and inspired to transmit.  It’s pure.  It’s right.  And, it feels so good.

**

Too read more, visit Curious Volunteer’s blog and the Denver Post online edition:

http://open.salon.com/blog/curious_volunteer

http://denver.yourhub.com/GreenwoodVillage/Stories/News/Nonprofit/Story~710328.aspx