Seva (Service)

Since I was new at assisting Art of Living courses for teachers of my locality, I pondered.. Is working for Art of Living, assisting courses, recommending someone to do the Art of Living courses... Is this what seva is?

I remember discussing this with an AOL volunteer too! :D

So what is seva?

As Guruji says.. Seva means Doing like HIM (God) or Imitating God. God provides so many things to each and and everyone in the world! Just look at us! We feel we have done this, we have done that! Its we who do it! Anything good happens.. we say "Oh my good luck!" anything bad happens "God! You don't love me!"

God knows what is best for you! He has done so much for you right from the time you exist! (and i mean not just this lifetime!) And does he expect anything in return? NO. He doesn't even make you realise that He has done so much for you!

Similarly seva means doing something good for someone or just doing something good.. + having no expectations in return!

Even when you make a person smile.. That's a seva! Provided you do not expect anything in return for yourself! :D

Two things to know here is 1) whoever does seva, gains something for sure! and 2) There is no class or hierarchy of seva. Whatever seva you do, big or small.. the gain will be the same! In other words, if you change someone's life completely for good and on the other hand if someone makes a stranger smile - The gain that both the people will receive will be the same! :) There is no bigger seva = higher gain and vice versa :D

One advice to those who are new to AOL - If you are an AOLite you may serve for AOL. Coz you have a platform here to serve! But do not have this notion that seva is limited to AOL only :D

Do anything good.. anywhere... without expecting anything in return.. that is it! ;)

As you must be knowing - Life is not linear... (If not.. you know it now ;)) There are many curves.. many twists.. turns! There is no one-way to go... there are many ways to reach a destination. Say if I want to visit a place, I can go via Plane, train, vehicle, walking! There are many ways.. but where am I gonna reach? The same place! Even to be liberated there are so many ways! Similarly, methods of doing seva can be different for different people. So which method is correct? All the methods! There is nothing like this way of doing seva is right and this is wrong. All are correct! :D (I will discuss more on the right methods - wrong methods attitude in the next posts! :))

Yes! But remember.. the moment you do something to expect something in return... you are not doing seva :)

Seva also means.. doing that which you can do! Say if you are good at creativity.. do some service related to that! If you are good at communication.. do service related to that! If you think you are good at xyz.. do seva in that field! That is not a problem! You can do seva.. in the field at which you are best! Just remember 2 things: 1) You should do seva regularly. You cannot say I don't have time now.. I will do seva after 2 years or 2 months or 2 days! Seva can be and should be done along with your daily activities! Just do some service everyday... it can be anything for that matter! You will love it! :)

If you are student (doesn't matter if you are an AOLite or Non AOLite) - I would advice concentrate on your studies 100%. and whatever time you can devote for seva - 30 - 60 minutes is enough! You just have to do as much as you can do! If you are working for a living.. make sure you focus on your job and then whatever time you get.. devote it for seva! But try and strive further! If you do x amount of seva.. try to do some more after every week or so.

Again overdoing of seva is not good! There has to be a balance in everything you do. Remember riding a bicycle.. You don't want to fall on one side too much! The reason I advice everyone to concentrate on their professional work first is.. If you do lots of seva.. there will be a phase in your life when you will regret the path of service! You will blame this path! (Unless you have completely decided with your family's support in your decision making that you are choosing service as a career). Did you know even Guruji does not encourage Full time AOL teachers! I completely agree to that - become part time AOL teachers - earn from whatever job you do and serve for AOL! (Again unless you have completely made up your mind - this is what you want to do full time!)

Now the most important thing! If you want to bring love and peace in everyone's life around. It is mandatory.. absolutely necessary that you should be at peace first! If you yourself are not at peace, you will not be able to bring peace in other's life! Such people may start doing seva but then they will leave it! This is bound to happen.. coz you are preaching something that you yourself do not follow :)

The question in your mind at this point in time should be How can I be at peace all the time?

Answer in the upcoming posts! Stay tuned... Jai Gurudev :)