sevā

selfless service

At the heart of selfless service is surrender; giving the gift of surrender, surrendering into into the gift. It is a deep offering, from the core of our being. Everything that comes our way serves this deeper purpose of stepping out of the way, letting life flow through, and continue to pour from this ever-flowing fountain of compassion. It is a giving that equals receiving. It’s a treasure, gift and sustenance on many levels. It fills you up as you pour your heart.

Stepping into our dharma and living a purposeful life, aligned with what we are here to do. Finding ones purpose may be a process, or it may be crystal clear. No matter what, living a life of selfless service is at the heart of living aligned, filled with contentment. When one serves the happiness and health of another being, joy is bound to flourish within.

What does selfless service really mean? When one can tap into the awareness that there is no doer, and not needing to claim credit or recognition for ones actions, as well as not projecting expectations of fruits of ones actions, the service becomes impersonal. When we act as conduits for the divine force, without having to be in control as an individual with our own agendas and tied to beliefs, we can honor That which is here to serve the greater good. This doesn’t mean being passive or not being involved. On the contrary, one is fully involved with life and ones actions, yet detached from any outcome, no matter the result. Selfless service is based upon a foundation of acting from a place of non-violence, ethically and morally aligned with compassion and care - for others and not just oneself - where equanimity and contentment are important pieces of the puzzle. It is about honoring the divine life force that’s finding expression through oneself, being the conduit for that force, and thus it becomes a means to connect intimately with the world.

SERVICE
Through the process of selfless service, inquiry becomes a natural and essential part of the work. We have to honestly look at our own motivations, hidden agendas, egotistical expressions (conscious as well as unconscious) and thus engaging in selfless service becomes an integral part of ones spiritual practice and inner journey. Another word for selfless service is Karma Yoga, however it goes by many different names depending on the spiritual tradition. The essence, however, is always the same. Serving as a conduit for the divine creative force.

To begin with, one may have to apply effort to cultivate the inquiry into ones motives and intentions for doing this kind of work. But the more one steps into ones authenticity and dharma, the easier the ride. Cultural conditions such as focus on success and personal achievements are constantly challenging selfless service, as are other cultural beliefs. But once there is a deep sense of gratification (non-ego related) felt through this type of action, there is a deeper drive cultivated within to always serve from this place of selflessness. Lasting contentment will always spring from serving other beings wellbeing.

SELF CARE
There may come a whirlwind of guilt and judgement when the body is tired but you want to keep going. First of all, inquire about Who is it that need to keep going? Who is it that is resisting the change of pace? What it comes down to is being coherent to what the body/mind complex needs in order to stay healthy and nourished, but also on the path. Unless we honor the temple of the spirit (our body/mind complex), we’re also not honoring or in service to spirit. The one who does not feel like self care is something to even consider, because one may say ‘it is all part of the illusion’. However, we’re here to learn how to accept our human conditions to the degree of transcending them. If this bothers you, you’re obviously hooked by the belief that you are the body. But in addition to that, we are here to integrate the human sides we have been gifted and to work with them. The moment we neglect (which is an active choice), or judge taking care of the body and mind we perpetuate the belief (conscious or unconscious) of separation. There is nothing wrong with taking care of the body, it has to stay healthy in order to serve, to serve as a vehicle for the Life that is moving through, and 2) in order to serve, you most often are benefitted by having a healthy body to do so with.

We all know the difference between swimming with the current or against it. If we let go of any type of belief around self care, that it has to do with self-worth or ego or else, we’d actually restore energy for letting go of the belief. Resisting something takes energy. Just care for the body and mind to the point where it benefits the rest of your life, don’t become lazy. Be attentive, curious and restore your energy when you need to. We don’t live in caves, our circumstance is different; at a different pace and among different pollutants. The body is going to need rest. Giving wholeheartedly doesn’t have anything to do with amount of hours of the day you do so. Time is just an illusion.

When the body is low on energy, just notice, impersonally, that ‘oh the body is low on energy’, and then attend to that. When the muscles are sore, just notice that ‘oh the muscles are sore’, and provide what is needed. Just like in the midst of service, you find yourself giving life back to life. Just because. No reason. Just. Be. Cause.