Karma Yoga (also called buddhi yoga) is essentially the art of selfless service with dignity, also called seva. The notion is not one of sacrifice, but one of joyfully serving others in need without expecting anything in return. Karma yoga is based on the concept of karma and reincarnation; it is believed that those who purify their mind, body and soul from the negative impact of karma (cause and effect) attain liberation and are not reborn on this earthly plane. The concept is similar to the Christian concept of ascension. In Hinduism it is believed that humans are born with certain Samskaras (the by product of cause and effect), which in essence reflect a person’s inclination towards attracting specific circumstances including profession, relationships, personal, intellectual and spiritual predispositions etc. In other words Samskaras push us towards making specific decisions and performing certain actions in this life. Samskaras, brought forward from past lives shape our life path and are especially reflected in the challenges we face in life. If we surmount all our challenges gracefully we will eventually experience a greater freedom of choice in life (generally called luck). Yogis usually aim at transforming all Samskaras until they attain a zero balance, (no karma remains) wherein one achieves liberation.

Some consider personalities such as the Buddha to have been karma yogis. Buddha is the ideal karma yogi... acting entirely without motive, and the history of humanity shows him to have been the greatest man ever born, beyond compare, the greatest combination of Head & Heart that ever existed. - Swami Vivekananda

In other scriptures Karma Yoga, as a philosophy of life, is also described as the act of performing actions, including work, without expecting anything. The aim is to experience detachment from the action or work, so as not to produce negative Samskaras, since expectations, when not fulfilled, bring about negative emotions. There is a psychological component to it too – people who practice Karma Yoga as a philosophy of life are less stressed and yet their performance is better; with detachment comes a greater clarity of mind and a greater ease in performing tasks.

The concept of Karma Yoga can be easily translated into everyday life;

- Do not get attached to the fruit of your labour and you will soon experience how the things you desire will naturally come about without any effort on your part.
- Engage in a social cause and contribute to the wellbeing of this planet and its inhabitants to experience how much fulfilment and sense of purpose one feels to be of service to others.
- Perform your duties and chores with detachment yet with care and precision; you will use less of your energy and yet will perform better.
- Improve your karma by serving others selflessly.