Right Action (Tapas): Pairing Passion and Non-Attachment
Right and fervent actions
facilitate mastery over the senses
and reveal the true Self within.
Sutra ii.43
To create the happy life we dream of, a combination of passionate engagement and disciplined living is necessary. The purpose of right action (Tapas) is to keep us on the pathway toward true happiness rather than allowing ourselves to be pulled impulsively toward short-lived pleasures. Finding our balance through sincere effort, physically and mentally, this Sutra assures us that we will awaken an inspired consciousness and find joy in sharing our unique gifts with the world.
Tapas, along with the next two Niyamas on Self-reflection (Swadhaya) and devotion (Iswara Pranidhana,) make up what is referred to as the yoga of action or kriya yoga. Will-fueled effort is applied to transform any mental or physical obstacles that plague us, such as apathy, laziness, distraction, or narcissism. By employing temporary restraints like fasting, holding silence, or regulating our breath, we weave the practice of purification into daily life. Through these spiritual practices (sadhana), we enhance the expression of our natural brilliance, creativity, and joy.
In order to facilitate this inner clarification, Tapas practice must be understood in the same way as the use of physical fire. We need self-control for right action the way fire needs to be controlled for right use. A contained fire is helpful for heating or cooking, but a wildfire is destructive. Tapas, as a cleansing fire within us, helps us achieve clearer and higher consciousness. But too much effort based in the ego’s need for achievement or validation destroys our spiritual progress.
Willpower versus Willfulness
In order to cultivate Tapas, we need willpower. Not desire or intention, but an unbreakable will that generates force and action. Desires or intentions without will force are nothing but impotent wishes. Will, on the other hand, creates energy and requires that we employ it in constructive, focused ways. It is the link between positive thought and actual manifestation.
Will is the essential component for success in any endeavor, and, like any muscle, the more we use it, the larger it grows. It is stimulated by enthusiasm, a cheerful attitude, determination, and love. Willpower is fueled by attunement to our inner wisdom and sustained by it as we apply concentration and continuity to our chosen course.
Will is an instrument of change and the greater our will force, the greater the change we can effect, both internally and externally. By consciously using willpower to burn through personal obstacles and tap the unlimited Source of life energy, this Sutra describes how we are freed from physical and mental limitations.
There is, however, a difference between applying the power of will to a challenging situation and pushing through that experience with willfulness. The former is the sincere discipline required for success. The latter is the ego serving its own desire. The first way enlivens us. The second exhausts us. Like any other yogic practice, the effort of purifying action (Tapas) must be combined with reflection, discernment, and non-attachment for best results. In this way, we can see where our motivation and action falls on the spectrum of willfulness to willpower.
Through Tapas practice, we learn to apply just the right amount of effort or discipline to all aspects of life. By exchanging ego-based willfulness for soul-centered willpower, we engage with our activities and relationships easefully. We also release ourselves from the roller coaster of the ego’s pride in success and suffering from failure. Spirit empowers our will when it is guided by soul-centered wisdom and a desire to serve the good of all beings, and enables us to accomplish without limits.
Tapas and Dharma
What we are meant to accomplish is determined by our soul’s purpose (dharma) for this lifetime. This is our unique contribution to the world and is usually perceived as we combine what we love and feel most passionately about with service to the greater good of all beings. Our enthusiasm is the fire that burns away any blocks within, such as fear or doubt. To fully express our dharma or unique soul purpose, we must stoke that fire strongly but keep it under wise control. In this way, it can fuel the accomplishment of our goals without burning us out or leaving us stifled through lack of tending.
Our dharma gives us focus, a charge to action, and a gauge to know when we stray from what is important. By knowing our purpose, we have a guide by which to determine the validity of all our choices. For example, if running an honest and stress-free business is part of our dharma, then anything that compromises our integrity or ability to feel peaceful is not a good choice. Knowing what the overall goal is, we make clear decisions in how and where we expend effort and will on a daily basis.
Take a moment to consider what your dharma is and how your life at this time aligns, or not, with this purpose. Whether or not this is clear to you at this time, Tapas practice purifies us, removing that which stands in our way of full expression, such as negative thinking or bad habits. If we are prepared to do our clarifying work, applying right effort and at the same time holding non-attachment to the results of our actions, we assure that the ego is not being served but rather being placed in service to the soul.
In future chapters, other limbs outline practices that purify and discipline the body and mind, like right posture (Asana), life energy control (Pranayama), and deep concentration (Dharana). All of these clear away impurities of the ego, revealing in its place our true nature, the inner light of the soul. In order to be fully alive, we must be on fire with purpose, and use our will to move forward with undaunted determination toward our goals. By bringing passion, diligence, and devotion, coupled with non-attachment, to each day, our unique soul purpose will be revealed. Then life will be a grand adventure, enjoyed even when difficult.
Tapas of Thought
There are three main categories in which Tapas practice is accomplished: thought, speech, and action. Since thought is the powerful initiator of creation, we begin here. All that is now manifest was originally a thought in the Universal Consciousness and our minds are a part of the Great Mind. We have access to infinite intelligence. So if we want to create or change anything, we must begin in thought.
As we have already noted, however, habituated patterns of thought can subtly sabotage our progress, even if we know our desired direction in life. The uncontrolled thoughts of the fidgety, egocentric, self-serving mind are the demise of many intelligent people and must be tamed. In Tapas we continue watching the content of our thoughts in order to consciously direct them in a positive way to create the life we wish for. All the practices of the Eight Limbs help to purify the restless mind, especially the later branches of interiorization (Pratyahara) and concentration (Dharana). Practicing Tapas in regard to thought is the preliminary step to these deeper practices.
Repetitive thought creates neural pathways called Samskaras in the yogic teachings. Like driving with the emergency brake on in our car, negative Samskaras that result from difficult experiences or Karma impede our efforts at self-improvement and wreak havoc on the accomplishment of our goals. So we begin by astutely watching our thoughts, bringing them into the light of awareness. We cleanse the mind by catching and discarding judgments, fears, self-doubts, and limitations, as these disrupt our will force.
Once we can catch these detrimental thought patterns, then we can replace them with their positive opposite, a practice the Yoga Sutras call Pratipaksha Bhavana. Tapas of thought uses this simple technique to escort out all mental saboteurs. Simply replace any negative thought with its positive opposite. Even chronic pessimists can change through this simple yet profound practice, one thought at a time.
Like a movie producer who films the same scene from close up and then from a wide angle, we can step out of the personal attachment (Raga) or aversion (Dvesa) to the experience at hand and watch what is occurring with objectivity. This further development of mindfulness or witness consciousness enables us to observe thought, feeling, and experience, rather than be immersed in it. It is the key to shifting from the perspective of the ego (i.e., “I, me, mine”) to the Self (all as one).
We change our lives by utilizing willpower to redirect habituated patterns of thought that drive behaviors that keep us suffering. Setbacks then become temporary learning opportunities rather than permanent failures and we assign personal meaning to crisis and challenge. In all these ways, ordinary moments lead us to spiritual awakening.
Tapas of Speech
As a reflection and extension of our thoughts, our speech also requires the purification practice of Tapas. Granted, we all need to speak our minds, but not everything that comes to mind needs saying! We should regulate the outflow of thought by pausing for internal reflection before speaking. Exercising self-control, we can ask ourselves, “Is what I am about to say uplifting? Is it loving and compassionate? Is it true? Is it relevant and necessary?” These integrate the practices of Ahimsa and Satya, and help to keep our speech pure. Speaking unkindly or reactively devitalizes our will and demagnetizes our Life Force Energy.
Additionally, our vocal quality affects how others receive us, and the information we wish to convey. If we speak harshly and loudly, people may withdraw and reject what we have to say. If we mumble or fib, people may not trust us. Bringing clear intention to our tone and to our words is practicing Tapas and creates more effective communication. Additionally, we can combine Tapas and Santosha by being content not speaking at times.
Tapas of Action
In the realm of physical actions, in order to transform obstacles, we start by identifying where the imbalance lies. Looking back to Brahmacharya, we check how our energy level is in relation to our physical activities. If it is low, maybe an adjustment in our exercise or food intake is needed. A purifying action could be a fast or cleanse to remove toxins from the body, allowing the organs to rest and revitalize. If our energy level is racing and anxious, we can apply energy-control techniques (Pranayama) discussed in chapter twelve in order to come back into balance.
Maybe we spend too much time looking at social media or television, or we stay too long at the office and forgo healthy activity. Are we draining energy and will force through overstimulation of the senses, overwork, or laziness? By bringing full attention to each moment, we can more accurately address what is out of balance.
Happiness lies in being able to master our urges, impulses, and reactions. Choosing positive, ethical, supportive environments and friends enables us to be stronger in our healthy choices. We are not free if habits of thought, speech, or action dictate our choices. Recognizing where we are enslaved by our habits is the first step toward breaking those patterns of behavior that do not serve our dharma purpose.
The Terrible Nature of Habit
Every time we repeat an action or a thought, we create impressions on the consciousness. These mental blueprints, the Samskaras, become grooves in the physiological brain. Habitual actions and the accompanying thought patterns become so ingrained that when even the slightest attention is placed there, or we come near the action, we are ensnared again and the grooves are cut deeper. When in the grip of a habit, we are afraid to change and eventually the ruts become so deep that monumental effort is required to literally get “out of the groove.” The influence of bad habits of thought or behavior make us prefer little fleeting moments of pleasure to the joy of true right action. They seem to satisfy but inevitably disappoint, creating satiation without satisfaction and the soul goes on seeking its eternal happiness.
Willpower is required to do what we know is right and good and to avoid what we know is not healthy or positive. By using the Tapas practice of will force, we can eradicate happiness-
killing habits. Make up your mind and do it! Will the habit to leave and feel the spiritual power that kicks in when attention is clear and focused.
Breaking the shackles of habit requires intensity, earnestness, and devotion. We can start with one small thing to change and stick to it until we have erased the habit of thought or action. In this way, we train our mind’s power of command and its capacity to change anything we choose. Then we can move on to larger endeavors and liberate ourselves from the terrible grip of habitual behavior.
Perseverance through Challenging Times
Consistent training of thought, word, and action is required to become a true yogi. It is one thing to feel a flare of passion, but it is another to feed that flame and keep it on course. This is the discipline of Tapas.
The trials of life come to teach us to keep a calm mind and a persevering will, thereby becoming stronger and clearer as a result. In the same way an athlete in training improves by competing with more skilled opponents, challenges stimulate us to greater heights of wisdom and of love. When we choose happiness under all conditions and give kindness to all who cross our path, regardless of what they give us, we open the door to joy. Each small movement in this direction strengthens us. We can trust that whatever our particular environment or circumstances, it is perfect for our spiritual growth.
Proper use of self-control, will force, and the elimination of doubt secures our progress. The more we practice and stay the course, the more inner help and resources appear, awakened from within the Divine subconscious that lights our discriminatory faculties. As our will is aligned with soul wisdom, faith becomes our traveling companion. We cultivate the habit of inwardly conversing with Spirit, releasing our ego-based control of things to the highest good for all involved. We concentrate on gratitude for what we have been given rather than what we miss. Eventually, we surrender the ego fully in recognition that Spirit is the ultimate doer of all actions and the One to whom all results are due. As the Bhagavad Gita directs, we perform all actions undisturbed by their results, immersed in the thought of the Divine, forsaking attachment.
Through the conscious action of passionate perseverance and non-attachment, we put ourselves in harmony with Universal Goodness. As we decide time and again to be happy and to live life to the fullest, no matter what, we enjoy a trust in the cosmic order that is larger than our mind’s comprehension. This mental evenness during all states of activities is yoga. And yoga is liberation.
Daily Practices
Integrate an active practice of right and fervent action into your daily life. Look for the ways in which you get blocked mentally or physically and apply strong-willed effort to clear your way forward.
Questions for Further Reflection
Take a moment with your journal now to answer the following questions. Or find a quiet pause sometime today to remember the practice of right effort and contemplate these thoughts further.
Affirmations to Post and Remember
Affirmations solidify beliefs in our subconscious minds, creating a foundation from which we can then manifest positive change in our outer lives. Repeat these often with strong intensity and full faith.