So what is seva?

Interestingly Seva has different versions today.. and whatever you feel is the definition of seva.. you call it to be seva! :D

So different people say ohh this is bigger seva.. ohh that is not seva.. etc. etc.

One best thing about Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji is he explains everything so easily.. in few lines! Sri Sri says, Seva means to be like Him.. doing things like him (God).

Now none of us have seen God, but if there is someone who is equal or next to God, or greater than God. He is our Guru. Gurustotram says the same thing:

Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara. Guru Sakshath Parambrahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha. (Guru is the creator Brahma, Guru is the preserver Vishnu, Guru is the destroyer Shiva. Guru is directly the supreme spirit — I offer my salutations to this Guru.)

So though we haven't seen God.. we have atleast seen our Guru? We know how is His way of doing things? Can we atleast be like him?

Ask yourself. Every act you do from this moment, ask yourself.. If I was Sri Sri how will I do this? Or will I be doing this the same way if I was him?

Want to do seva? - 1st Be like him!!

Few people expect a thank you in return for the seva. Ask yourself, does your Guru expect a thank you for what he has given to you? Expressing gratitude is fine, but He never asks you to say thank you, never expects that you thank him for whatever he has done. So do you expect something in return for your seva? If you do expect, then are you being Him? then are you doing Seva?

Some people demand respect! Does a Guru demand respect from you? Will a Guru do that? So are you being Him? So are you doing Seva?

Misunderstanding happens because of distance. A Guru never misunderstands anyone. He never judges anyone. For Him - it doesn't matter you like him or hate him, still there is no ill feeling from his side. Do you do the same? If you judge people, misunderstand them, are you being him?

If everyone of us could focus on the BIG picture - as to why we are doing seva, then these small small things won't bother. Look at the BIG picture. When I say Big picture, look at Why are you doing seva? Are You helping someone? Are you doing a favour on someone? You are doing seva for yourself! For your own satisfaction. Its not a help/favour you do on someone. Its an opportunity! Only lucky ones get this opportunity! One cannot be satisfied, one cannot be at peace without seva.

On the path of being in service, I have met so many different sevaks. Wow! And it's amazing.

So Sevaks, this question is for you! - Are you being him?
If you really want to do seva.. Just be like him. That is seva!

Jai Gurudev :)