Does a yogi ever do anything proactively?

If for example; an action can be seen as beneficial to others, does the yogi act, or does he/she just sit back and do nothing?

a yogi acts for the sake of action and not for the fruit of action.

Not acting selfishly is a given, but would he act for the benefit of others?
Does that qualify as "for the sake of action"?

a yogi may appear to act selflessly, and in some instances selfishly, but invariantly the yogi is acting through the will of God. The more the yogi is possessed of the will of God, the greater will be his acts. Thus will you come to know them through their works.

For reference, read the Mahabharata or a concise version of it, the epic poem which contains the Bhagavad Gita as a small part.

Thanks

i believe an yogi doesn't see things in terms of right or wrong and good or bad. this is because the yogi doesnot believe in action. According to an yogi, things are happening, but no one is doing anything. when the yogi does soemthing, there is no mind involved in it. All there is, is awareness of what is happening and spontatneous reactions devoid of thoughts. And since there is no mind involved there is no question of decission which is just another mind construct.

I like that explanation a lot, it feels more right than the previous response even though it was valid all the same.

Thanks Ilimow

It sounds to me like the described 'yogi' simply doesn't care. If not caring is tantamount to enlightenment, then sociopathy is the way

You're right Dan, a yogi neither cares or does not care.

Ahhhh, to experience the absolute stillness of mind of a yogi and the frenzied becoming that knows no satiety nor weariness, at the same time! That, my friends, is true living.

Dan, the yogi is detached, but is it right to call this trait sociopathic, or do you mean that it just tends to be associated with sociopathic behavior? I think such detachment can grant the yogi, or whoever else possesses it, a freedom to do anything, which can be both a bane or a boon.

Detachment is not the same as being anti social. Once a person taps into the One truth of reality and lives in total surrender to that all action and thought becomes aligned with the will of that.
Just as the universe supports all beliefs and allows man to deny or embrace spirit, a detached man will support the universe in the same way. Without getting involved in forcing any issue, but standing firm as an example to reality. Such as a lighthouse stands in and amongst the differing aspects of the environment without being swayed by the weather, continually shining the light of truth.

I don't know about 'real' yogis, but I can say that at least one 'yogi' that frequents this board is rather sociopathic. mahahahahaha

not real, 'real'

get it?

Nope!