Question: I thought karma yoga had to do with being of service to others. That’s not so?

No, not directly–though that’s one type of action that can arise. The target of karma yoga is the ego-self–specifically, its diminution and ultimate “extinction” (The quote marks around “extinction” are meant to indicate that the ego-self never existed in the first place.)

Let’s look at this matter very concretely:

Suppose you’re walking around your house, and you notice that there are dishes that need to be washed. What, after this visual perception, is the next experience? An aversion. Maybe thoughts like “Why do I have to do this?,” “When are we getting a new dishwasher?,” “What other drudgery do I have to do today?,” and “Just add this to the to-do list!”–follow in train. Suffering, and more suffering.

Then you look around and see that you’ve left some clothes here and there, and see that you feel an aversion to picking them up. Thoughts quickly turn to doing what you term “meaningful work,” and you feel, perhaps, a jolt of excitation, a stirring of attachment. 

See my point? As actions unfold, you’ll notice that there are–caroted in, as it were–these strong likes (attachments) and strong dislikes (aversions). Simply take note and carry on. Can you carry on without making any fuss? On this very point, The Tao Te Ching states: “Therefore the sage goes about doing nothing… / Working, yet not taking credit, / Work is done, then forgotten.”

Alternatively, take note of the attachment or aversion and then ask: “Whose aversion is it? Whose attachment is it?” This question will engender a spontaneous, natural form of self-inquiry: “Who is the one who ‘has’ this attachment or aversion?” Find out.