Three Types of Action

The activities and actions of human beings can be broadly categorized into three distinct types based on the underlying motivation and attitude. These are:

1. Action performed with selfish desire

2. Action with unselfish desire

3. Action without desire

Let's examine each of these in detail:

Action performed with selfish desire

This is the lowest form of human activity. Here, the individual is driven purely by egocentric motives - to satisfy their own personal cravings and gain comfort, pleasure or profit for themselves. Their actions are entirely focused on procuring more for their own benefit, without any concern for the larger good or welfare of others.

Action with unselfish desire

As an individual's spiritual awareness grows, their actions become less selfish and more altruistic. They start to visualize a higher, nobler purpose beyond their own personal gains. Their efforts are now directed towards serving a common cause and working for the benefit of their community, country or humanity as a whole.

While their actions are still propelled by some desire, this desire is no longer confined to their individual interests. It has expanded to encompass the greater good.

Action without desire

This is the pinnacle of human action, performed in a state of complete detachment and renunciation. The spiritually evolved individual acts without any selfish motive or desire for the fruits of their labor. They simply do what needs to be done, out of a sense of duty and responsibility, without attachment to the results.

To illustrate these three types of action, consider the example of a person donating money to a charitable cause:

1. Selfish desire: Donating with the intention of gaining social status, public recognition or even tax benefits.
2. Unselfish desire: Donating out of a genuine concern for the less fortunate and a sincere wish to make a positive difference in their lives.
3. Action without desire: Donating simply because it is the right thing to do, without any expectation of personal gain or reward.

The quality of our actions, therefore, is determined not by the outward activity itself, but by the underlying motivation and attitude with which it is performed. By gradually purifying our intentions and rising above selfish desires, we can transform even the most mundane tasks into sacred offerings.

The path to spiritual enlightenment lies in continuously refining our actions, elevating them from the realm of selfish desires to the realm of selfless service and ultimately, to the state of actionless action. This is the true essence of karma yoga, as expounded in the Bhagavad Gita and other Vedantic texts.