There is hardly any state wherein you are not performing any activity. Even when you are sleeping, your body goes through a cycle of rejuvenation and you find yourself energetic. Hence, even while sleeping your mind and body is performing an act or an activity. When you think that you are in a state of inactivity, you are actually not. The fact that you are thinking of that state itself is an act. Hence most of the time, one state of activity is merely replaced with that of another.
The State of Nothing or nothingness, Null or inactivity is nearly impossible to attain. This is the highest state of being which can be attained only through the highest form of meditation. In this state one doesn't identify oneself with the body and mind and rises beyond the cycle of Prakriti (Nature) thereby untouched by Karma. In this state one identifies oneself with ATMAN which is one's real identity. This is the state beyond the cycle of Cause and Effect.
A lazy person can never say that he is untouched by the cycle of cause of effect and thereby beyond the influence of Karma because he doesn't perform any act or activity. Actually he is merely not performing only a defined activity. And if the defined activity is one of his duties, let's say he is a student, he would ultimately realize the result of not studying in the form of failed mark sheet or report card. Being lazy itself is an act and is very much a Karmic activity.
I strongly believe that we are all born on this earth for some reason and cause. Human Beings are closest to understanding this because of amazingly structured and blessed mind. Mind is what takes you closer to your consciousness (Atman) and then to the Super Consciousness (or GOD) or away from it. So make your mind your best friend and it will help you understand the Karma Factor.
-KGS
The word Karma is derived from the Sanskrit Kri, to do; all action is Karma. Technically, this word also means the effects of actions. In connection with metaphysics, it sometimes means the effects of which our past actions were the causes. But in Karma-Yoga we have simply to do with the word Karma as meaning work.
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Spiritual knowledge is the only thing that can destroy our miseries forever. A spiritually strong and sound man will be strong in every other respect, if he so wishes.
Man has a tendency toward Tamas (inertness) and Rajas (activity, expressed as attraction or repulsion). Seldom does he find Sattva, an equanimous equilibrium between the two.
We read in the Bhagavad-Gita again and again that we must all work incessantly. All work is by nature composed of good and evil. We cannot do any work which will not do some good somewhere; there cannot be any work which will not cause some harm somewhere. Every work must necessarily be a mixture of good and evil; yet we are commanded to work incessantly.
What is the end of work? A vast majority of people belive there will be a time when this world will become perfect. How can it be? What is meant by perfection? A perfect life is a contradiction in terms. Life itself is a state of continuous struggle between ourselves and everything outside. (Aldous Huxley put it beautifully: life's a chronic civil war between passion and prudence)
All work results in a tendency toward Pravritti (selfishness) or Nivritti (selflessness). The latter is the fundamental basis of all morality, the very perfection of it is entire self-abnegation, readiness to sacrifice mind and body and everything for another being. When a man has reached that state, he has attained to the perfection of Karma-Yoga.
The above, largely in the words of Swami Vivekananda, is my understanding of Karma Yoga. I can't and don't claim any status on this path other than a superficial awareness of the path itself, and an elementary distinction between the path and the bordering jungle.
The result of this awareness takes shape in my work ethic. While I refer to my actions as an investment (SV:Nivritti, AH:prudence), I enjoy performing them regardless of their outcome (SV:Pravritti, AH:passion). There is a tension, a contradiction between these two forces, but they complement each other and neither could exist without the other. There would be no 'chronic civil war', ie no life.
While I consider myself more of a philosopher (Jnana) than a worker, I'm eagerly exploring my own potential, and am learning a lot about the universe and myself along the way. This is why (despite apparently being introvert) I'm deeply passionate about life and people.
On a personal note, thank you for your feedback today. Over the past few days, I've learned some things about you (not the least by reading entried in your blog) and am glad to have the opportunity to work with you and learn from you.
Sincerely,
Joris