Cog of the wheel is not the wheel.

Karma Yog concept needs to be even practiced and not just discussed. Here is the 1st technique for that, which is, “wake up to see the larger picture” and realize that “cog is not the wheel“.

In everything that happens, there are lot many other processes / things that makes it happen and a lot of people are involved, but we usually do not acknowledge as we just see ourselves at the center of everything. This gets corrected by seeing the larger picture.

So, let’s see larger picture in a smallest of things like having a cup of tea.

For a tasty cup of tea to be in our hand, Lets acknowledge that tea leaves, sugar and milk, all ‘gave / contributed‘ their properties and even fire burnt itself to work on them. We also needed that ceramic cup which contained it for us to drink it. So, there are several material / ingredients that played their part of role for us to have a cup of tea. Each ingredient like tea leaves, milk etc here are like ‘cogs’ in this wheel, which is moved by ‘Time’. Cogs are important, but cog is not the wheel. This is 1st wheel – wheel of time and natural laws that is at play in our cup of tea.

Now let’s look at the people involved. People who grew and plucked tea leaves, people who processed, packed and delivered it, people who managed cows and milked them, people who made utensils and even the last person who made the tea. So, there are several people that ‘gave / contributed’ their time, energy and skills for us to have a cup of tea. Everyone playing a role is like a ‘cog’ of this wheel, which is moved by collective efforts. Cogs are important, but cog is not the wheel. This is the 2nd wheel- wheel of people and processes, that is at play in our cup of tea.

So, let’s say, we can enjoy our cup of tea, is because multiple cogs of both the above wheels were contributing in sync. Both the wheels are important… Without right weather and timely rains, tea leaves couldn’t be grown and without the grass, cow would not give milk, and if tea leaves grew and cow gave milk, without human efforts both would not reach and become a cup of tea. By understanding this interdependence, we know that we are just a cog, and let’s become a better cog. Lets appreciate that interdependent totality is more important than stand alone individuality.

Let’s say some self-centered and argumentative non-existent alien comes and says, “what’s the big fuss? I am paying for the tea”, would request that arrogant alien to go out to the Amazon Forest or the Sahara Desert and ‘demand’ a cup of tea by showing currency note as payment…wonder what snakes and scorpions out there would think and do to such a creature…

Anyway, we being humans, let’s work on our self-improvement…

Preparing our minds for Karma Yog is to “wake up to see larger picture” ,  than see our place, position, the need of the time (individual as a cog) and in turn do our best as ‘ offering/contribution’ to cycle of life.

Let’s be mindful about the fact that, nonperforming cogs gets replaced, and cog oversizing itself, will be cut to size by the wheel of Nature and Time. Only way is the way of giving your best when you are at play.

Conclusion: See the bigger picture. Know that the cog is NOT the wheel.

Technique: Sit quietly and observe and acknowledge ALL the cogs of BOTH the wheels that are at play in any act or event that we are witnessing. Do backward integration of the present situation and try to see the larger picture.

It should not take more than a minute to think and see things impartially. This simple technique will prepare us for cultivating right understanding and motivate us to do our best for our overall success…

2nd technique in next post. Enough for now.