A wise man once told me: “There are two ways to earn a living: one is to go out and get paid for a job. The other way is to be selfless and serve a cause greater than your own.”
People wonder how you can earn money by serving others. This is where the ancient practice of Karma Yoga, the path of selfless action, comes in.
Karma means action and yoga means union. So, Karma Yoga means union with the Self through selfless (egoless) action.
Of all the Yogas I have studied, Karma Yoga is the greatest Yoga of all! It is Karma Yoga that will save the world.
—Dr George King
The Law of Wealth
True story: a married woman served a noble cause for more than 30 years while her husband earned a living. He was a little resentful; sometimes even thought she was a freeloader. After all, his earnings paid for everything! Or so he thought.
Over the years, he received promotion after promotion and pay rise after pay rise. The question of how or why never crossed his mind. Totally unaware of the invisible power of selflessness, he was convinced his promotions and pay increases were solely due to his efforts.
The prosperity that came to them was phenomenal. Not only because of his earnings, but also because of her selfless work.
The Attitude of Giving
Many creators make products to sell, like books and courses. But for me, it’s always been about shifting my attitude.
We all work hard. The difference is that most of us work for a salary. I haven’t received a salary for over three decades. Of course, this is my choice.
I believe in selfless work. I believe in doing what’s right, serving something greater than oneself, and contributing without constantly asking, “What’s in it for me?”
This attitude has given me everything I could ask for: peace, security, a wonderful life—and a world-class view.
The Law of Selflessness
We have been conditioned to believe that the way to create a good life is to earn more money. I don’t believe that for a minute.
I believe another economy is at work: the law of selflessness.
When you serve a higher cause, a noble purpose, something beyond your own personal interests, life has a way of giving back.
I give because I believe in giving without expecting anything in return.
One thing I know about the law of wealth: if your attitude is to take, and keep taking, things will be taken from you. Maybe not right away, but if you constantly think, “What’s in it for me? What am I getting out of this?” you’re going to chase happiness for the rest of your life—and it will always remain elusive.
But if you give freely, the world will repay you tenfold. That’s just how it works.
Look at nature, and you’ll see this law of selfless working everywhere: the sun rises every morning and sets every evening, never once withdrawing its light. The earth doesn’t demand payment before it yields vegetation; it keeps giving, season after season. A cow doesn’t calculate what she’ll receive for her milk.
Nature has never once asked, “What’s in it for me?” Yet nature lacks nothing.
Your New Mantra: Give Back
We’ve been taking from the moment we were born. From the oxygen we breathe to the food we eat to the water we drink. My teacher always asked, “Have you paid your oxygen bill yet?”
No. Of course not. It’s free. Just because something is freely available doesn't mean you should take it for granted.
If there’s anything in your life you’re taking for granted, pause and think, “What is this actually costing me?” You’ll be surprised.
We cannot afford to take anything for granted. Everything in life has consequences.
Till next time, Be Well, Meredith ∞ The Elder Sage
