Karam Yoga in chapter 3 talks about this , working for a higher goal and with right intentions. There are various examples shared in Gita sessions here are some ....
1.
A helper in a kitchen cutting onions.
He can merely be cutting onions or helping prepare a meal
He is helping prepare a meal to feed hungry people
He is helping prepare a meal to feed hungry people to enable them serve God.
Is the intention and the larger goal identifiable?
2.
I want money ...seems like a selfish desire
I want money to give to a needy guy...sounds better
I want money to open a training centre to help needy people learn and then earn for themselves....that sounds noble.
3.
I want to write a blog ...so!!!
I want to write a blog and increase the hits & make more people visit it ... sounds selfish
I want to write a blog and increase the hits & make more people visit it so I can share my thoughts about knowledge with more people ... sounds better??
4.
I want to do a fund raiser...good idea
I want to do a fund raiser to be more visible in the school / society....sound self centric
I want to do a fund raiser to help the cause and also be more visible in the school / society....mixed up intention!!!
I want to do a fund raiser to help the cause and not for my image , that is a by product ...now that sounds like real charity
5.
I need firewood so will cut a tree...how simple and limited to self
I need firewood so will cut a tree, but will that harm nature, or the ecological balance ...what a thought!
I need firewood so will cut a tree, but since that will that harm nature and ecological balance , I must plant another 5 trees...now that seems like a noble action.
6.
I need good grades in school to please my parent...hmmmm
I need good grades in school to please my parents and they want what is good for me ......getting better
I need good grades in school to please my parents and they do want what is good for me and that will help me become capable to work for myself and contribute to the society.......now that is even better
7.
I want to look pleasant ...why?
I want to look pleasant so people will compliment me ...so ?!
I want to look pleasant so people will compliment me and see me as a manifestation of God ....now that is a new way to think
Our thoughts and intentions impact our actions. Noble thoughts with society and world at large will purify them and selfish thoughts will make them impure.
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