on seva

We usually assume that financial aspect is a separate aspect of our personality and life. But, it is not so. Financial healing and abundance, both are integral part of what we have created and what we are. This way, financial abundance is reflection of our own karma. If that be so, what are the characteristics, attitudes, belief systems and thoughts that affect our financial abundance?

a) Seva : Most easiest to do and get benefited; but most misused and abused word and deed! Let’s find out what Seva is not first : Any Act that is done with the thought “If I do service here, I am only benefited!” The moment this thought crosses the mind; it is not Seva but the person is operating out of greed. Greed is like an ‘empty well’ which never gets filled however much you put into it.
“The world has enough to fulfill every man’s need; but the entire world is not enough to cater to one man’s greed” – M.K.Gandhi.
So, true!
The basis of Seva should be self-less-ness. But, this thought negates the very basis of Seva. So, karke bhi nahi kiya – so inspite of doing, it’s not done! Seva doesn’t look at the benefits. It is not ‘results oriented’. It is a reminder to self and a way of expressing gratitude for having already received lots from the person/ God to whom you say you wish to do ‘Seva’!

How it’s abused?

Many people use it most frequently trying to fool themselves/ others into believing that they have gratitude. It’s a proof, they use ‘seva’ for every work they are supposed to do. Let me explain with a situation. A person ‘X’ having received a lot from Reiki ‘says’ (just says doesn’t mean!) they wish to do ‘seva’ so will say they wish to come for repeat classes / reiki meet et like and do seva. With this statement, they take few duties to perform. But, actually boss around when performing that duty putting on airs of authority on all and sundry and giving an impression that they are the Be-All of the meet/ class. They wish to exert their ‘control’ actually and just use word ‘Seva’ and take an opportunity to perform duties with the same intention.

They take decisions on others behalf and make statements on their own.

Seva sub-dues one’s ego and doesn’t fan it. Seva doesn’t bloat one’s personality to shout, control or manipulate the finances or any resource for their benefits only.

Same is the case, when people do any ‘Seva’ at any homams/ puja/ temples / ashrams. They want to be recognized as the in-charge of the whole proceedings.

As rightly said : “anni unna vistari anigi manigi untundi, emi leni vistari egiri egiri paduthundi”. A plaintain leaf that is filled stays still, but an empty one floats from here to there.

-yes, empty vessels do make much noise!

So, stop manipulating and start living honestly. Don’t use the word ‘seva’.

will continue the rest tomorrow................

On Seva!

 

On Seva!

What is Seva?

Who does it and why?

What is the benefit of doing seva?

Where and when can one do seva?

Why is seva so imbibed in Eastern philosophy?

also read previous post on seva : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=seva

Me, my Guru – On finding faults

 

Me, my Guru – On finding faults

Today, I arrived earlier than usual. The class hasn’t started. Many of us had come. Few were engaged in cleaning the place. Our Guru didn’t ask us to ever. And yet, only the handful always cleaned, arranged and decorated our Guru’s place with flowers that they brought. They even brought scented candles and lighted them. This they did on their own. No one asked them to. They never mentioned it to anyone too! They were joyous when they did it. Today was no exception. I stood there looking at all they did. I found it odd that they did this week after week. I have seen them do this for years now and yet neither were they tired nor was I impressed!

As they were doing their chores I started the conversation. One thing led to another. Slowly one by one joined and the time came when everyone was talking about one and  only topic – Vaishnav. We were commenting on him and having a hearty laugh when our Guru entered the class. She sat down to meditate. We were engaged in our chatter. After some time she opened her eyes. Tea was served. It was a bit chilly today in spite of it being summer. We welcomed tea and biscuits. She drank her tea in silence. Once done, later, she asked us the reason for the commotion.

Contd...

# me, my guru stories, on finding faults, on being judgmental nature, judging others, owning up our mistakes, most easy for all to do, being faultless, on forgiveness, compassion, empathy, understanding, teasing, taunting, 

read previous post on this topic https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=The+greatest+curse+of+Kaliyuga+%E2%80%93+Praising+and+fault-finding+%E2%80%93+Me%2C+My+Guru 

" Today, I arrived earlier than usual. The class hasn’t started. Many of us had come. Few were engaged in cleaning the place. " - What is the fun of being early if all we do is while away?

And what is the purpose of coming to class if (applies to all higher degree students) we assume to just come, sit and enjoy the class (the stress here is on enjoy). We come to class to heal ourselves.

And everybody talks about 'seva' but hardly people put that into practice! And there in lies the reason for 'delay' in our healing - both inner and outer issues!

" Our Guru didn’t ask us to ever. And yet, only the handful always cleaned, arranged and decorated our Guru’s place with flowers that they brought. " - Seva develops the quality of 'owning up to the responsibility of contributing to the place, relationship, company, Nation' that we have! It comes with practice. It is not to be theorised! It has to be lived and put into practice! 

One who takes the initiative to do the 'unsaid' is the disciple.

The others - well, they just are 'vidyarthis' - arthi is one who seeks (like alms). Here it is one who seeks know-how! The Guru gives the same to all! And yet, a disciple receives all and vidyarthi - just little! The difference being in their state of mind and character!

"  They never mentioned it to anyone too! They were joyous when they did it " Anyone who is grateful would do seva! And yet, he owns it not! He doesn't go around saying 'I did it, I did it!' 

Be good but don't be vocal about it!

The joy one gets when he is genuinely doing seva is all that is to receive in exchange for seva or gratitude! Nothing more! And that quality is the pre-requisite to receiving "grace" from the 'higher being'! https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2023/12/grace-healings-out-of-gratitude.html 

" I stood there looking at all they did. I found it odd that they did this week after week. I have seen them do this for years now and yet neither were they tired nor was I impressed! " - In spite of seeing people doing it week after week, the narrator doesn't work on his attitude. He is not taking the initiative to do it. He on the contrary is finding it odd that others are doing it??!!

This is the nature of the lowest consciousness. To raise above it, only way is to give without asking. To feel responsible towards all who contribute positively in your life. To understand the importance of giving back from where you receive.

" As they were doing their chores I started the conversation. One thing led to another. " - This the the classic nature of people who shun responsibilities. The feeling of entitlement is very high and they feel it is below their stature to do seva! And what do we do in such cases - start useless conversations and divert the mind of people who are doing 'seva'! Observe if that is the case and overcome it.

" She sat down to meditate. We were engaged in our chatter. After some time she opened her eyes. " Guru here sits in meditation and yet the blabber continues. She is leading by example and yet, we are lost in our way of living. This is one weakness we need to address at the earliest and it is the most easiest to attend to!

on seva

..........continued

A really brave person never goes around stating he is brave.
A really good person never talks about his goodness.
A really beautiful never flatter their own beauty.
One who is not brave only talks about his cowardice.
A real bhaktha never shouts from roof-top that he is one. A true devotee just loves, never brags about his devotion or mode of devotion.

Seva generates an awareness that there is abundance that I’ve received without being eligible to receive that much. This knowledge brings humility and a sense of gratitude that wanting in expression comes out as an act of service-seva.

It works on the “aham” that’s always saying “I am doing, giving, good etc” and thereby healing starts.

It is a natural act of love. It is an expression of Love. It is not a marketing tool of my goodness. It is not in the “ACT” but in the “BHAVA” feeling behind the ‘Act’ that seva is expressed.

Let’s just take one issue per day…because our ego is so smart to make us believe that this topic doesn’t apply to me….because examples given may not be applicable to me… they are just the indications not the ‘all-that-is’ of ‘seva’…

If you are an honest person, then honestly look within and drop this manipulative character to experience more abundance in your life….just as I am going to do for myself…

On Chanting!

 

 Contd.....

On Chanting!

One is bitter and complaining. He is ever demanding with /but I didn’t receive this or such things /experiences didn’t happen to me’. He is looking at what others have and desires what others have.

But the other is sensitive and so validates what Reiki/guru/god does to them. They are expressive of their blessings received. They look at every small receipt and sing praises of His Grace. When they see others receiving too, they see His Grace even in that! And hence their hearts is filled with joy and eyes wet with tears of joy – for they see His Love in all these acts!

Now, who is qualified to let miracles work through them?

Right from I dg reiki class we are told, reminded that basis of all our ‘karma’ is attitude. Now, do you see the link between the attitudes and ‘act that we perform’.

In the guise of questions you throw so many accusations like :

“….but maam, such big big things happen to them and to me even small things don’t happen…”

“ ..i hate God/guru. Inspite of doing pooja worth Rs. X he doesn’t fulfill my wishes…”

“I hate my Guru for making me do sadhan. I hate sadhan. I don’t want to change. I hate her for giving explanations to my questions….”

 Contd.....

# on giving and receiving, giving without expectations, intention and its effect on receiving, expectations and receipt, life and its rules, laws of nature, abundance and its secret...

also read suggested : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=saint 

Questions addressed : 

• What is seva?
• How should one do seva?
• How seva benefits us?
• Why seva is an integral part of Eastern spiritual practices?
• Is giving physical?

Points to be understood :

• Every act in our daily life can be turned into sadhan - an act of worship. One can be in sadhan through all the acts of livelihood. But the key is to know the secret of doing the act 'right'.
• By saying 'I am doing without expecting anything maam, then why I am not getting what I desire or why am I suffering in my life?' seems to be contradictory - isn't it?
• Sit in meditation atleast for 15 minutes per day for atleast 7 days and try to find out a. how you feel while performing an act (pick up any act of the day for this exercise) b. Can you change the way you feel for better while doing the job? c. How would you feel if you change the way you feel while performing the job?
• Then try to apply it in your life. See if there is any change.

Guru shishya

….contd…..

But those type of Guru’s don’t exist now so what’s the use of doing seva and to who can we do such seva? Guru’s are ever present in our midst – only we can’t know them due to our ignorance. That’s the curse of Kaliyuga – that the real Guru remains hidden in plain sight and the dubious, fake and cheats get followed as Gurus.

Then how are we to know real Guru’s? No need to know. When the student is ready, the ‘Real Guru’ enters your life. Now what does ‘when the student is ready mean?’.  A  student is said to be ready when he has NO ego and arrogance and HAS humility, bhakthi, respect for Guru, eagerness to learn, purity of intent and earnestness.

Only a student who wants to be guided by a master and has purity of such intent meets a Master who will guide him accordingly. Now this master may be one who just gives discourses enmasse. But after listening to 1000 such masters who give  discourses and having tried and applied atleast few of their advice one comes across a master who’s good with few techniques to outgrow one’s limitations. After doing seva (100%) for 1000 such Masters, one is qualified to meet a Guru who knows what he says and who’s walked the path that he is teaching. Only when having done seva to 100’s of such Gurus, does one come across a Sadguru like Adishankaracharya or a Paramahamsa.

So, instead of trying to gauge the qualities of a Master develop purity of intent and humility. This is so very easy especially since you are a reiki channel and various techniques taught to you if used regularly will yield result thereby moulding you into a ‘student’ and then Guru will find you. Relax till then….but be in regular sadhan! Yes, Sadhan once again. Nothing beats sadhan. Remember that always!

....contd.....

on love - Bhagavatam

....contd......

There is a boy called Prasad – most of you don’t know him. He is coming here daily by 5.30am. He cleans the entire compound, waters the plants and leaves by 6.30am. He is not in good position and can’t afford leaves. He travels for one hour to reach this place and again one hour to go home. Then by 9am he leaves his home to go to his office. He has been doing this for the past 15years without a break. Only times, he couldn’t come was when rain water flooded major parts of the city. He was held at his place. He can’t even

attend these classes. Yet he does this seva without fail and without expecting anything. He’s never asked to be healed – never. There has been so many emergencies in his house and life and yet....never! since, he doesn’t attend any class or sessions, he couldn’t make any friends with other students. He doesn’t do this to get ‘good name’ or to flaunt his ‘goodness’. He doesn’t even meet me most of the days. By the time, I come out; he’s gone most of the days. That is ‘love’ – love for reiki, seva or as you think it fit.....

When a person does for the other without any expectation, know him to be at this ‘space’. When all that a person desires is others’ happiness, know him to experience this love.

Isi ko tootke pyaar karna kahathe hai......

This is what is called as ‘losing the self’ completely in the other...

And who better to love than Krishna? Krishna was a yogi totally devoid of ego and ever in the state of ‘I-less-ness’. So by loving him, Radha ended up being in that space for herself effortlessly and thereby she ended by being ‘love’.So was the case of ‘Meera’ who realized her ‘Divinity’ by following this simple principle.

Krishna was ever in the state of ‘love’ and hence his every act became pure and divine by his mere touch as his thoughts were pure too! So Krishna’s love is not about his affair with others. It is his state of being that spilled on to his every act and relationship there by making them all pure and Divine. And a person at that state can’t act against anybody well being. He can’t harm anyone. He can’t be with the wrong. He automatically becomes an embodiment of ‘Dharma’ and ‘walks its path’ with smile and ease. Now tell me, have we discussed about ‘Krishna’s love’ or not?” she asked with a chuckle.

Somebody got up to prepare tea. That was so welcome at this point of time. We relaxed and stretched a little bit. Couple of students went closer to Guruji, maybe to talk about their personal issues. We were busy chatting among ourselves. This explanation was certainly anti-climax. We thought we would hear stories of Radha and Gopis. We were wrong. But we actually gained a new perspective of love. All through it was man-woman for us. Now, we saw its various dimensions. Infact, few among us actually were surprised that love can be used for so many issues and at such varied situations.

We didn’t receive what we expected. But we didn’t go home empty handed too! Then now, it was as if we were  seeing the world through a peep hole. By changing this definition and understanding its scope it was as if we had opened the door to various possibilities of letting love, happiness, purity,

contentment and completeness come into our life. Whether it was applicable – by us or not was yet to be ascertained. But we atleast knew of the possibility – that was enough to enhance our chances of being ‘blissfully complete’ person.

For today, it was no meagre possession! We went home rich!

Concluded..............

Me, My Guru – Guru who gave back youth to his shishya!

 

Contd....

Me, My Guru – Guru who gave back youth to his shishya!

So, you see with qualities like humility, service, trust, egolessness, and surrender, Gautama regained ‘his lost youth’ too! Patience in the right direction and place gives fruits beyond our understanding. Even without asking or demanding anything from his Guru, Gautama got it all. So, with you too! You see healing should be used to change attitudes and character. It should be to build character and divine qualities otherwise life remains wasted like that of Ravana. He had access to the Mahadev and yet he gained nothing substantially. On the other hand, Gautama didn’t do any penance like Ravana, just Guru seva all the years, and still, not only did he get his material needs fulfilled but also his guru’s blessings and love – which is priceless.

So, seek the spiritual wealth, the needs of this World are also fulfilled. But, run behind the things of this World and you lose both this World and the other too!”. As our Guru concluded her explanation, she just closed her eyes and went into meditation. We followed her example. We didn’t look at our watches. We lost count of time. And yet, we felt young, fresh, pure and clearer as we opened our eyes. This was the greatest day in terms of experience. We left contended!

Concluded......

# Me My Guru series, Ravana, guru's grace, on grace, qualities of the shishya, attitudes, humility, seva, 

also read suggested https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2014/03/guru_3673.html

********     

Pointers to understand the post - Contd... in the next post....

 

Me, My Guru – Guru who gave back youth to his shishya!

 

Contd....

Me, My Guru – Guru who gave back youth to his shishya! 

Pointers to understand this post:

“And yet, in spite of being at such close quarters to Mahadev, Ravana didn’t overcome his weakness for women. His ego was his weakness. He didn’t work on it. Arrogance was the attitude that brought about his downfall.” – A person can be highly knowledgeable, powerful, ritualistic, close to the people in high places and power, could have all the riches of the World and yet, if his acts are immoral, his end is imminent. He has to bear the fruits of his evil acts (karma). There is no escape from that!

““If the Bhaktha looks at me with total devotion and thinks of nothing but me, then I’ll take care of all his needs of this world and the other too” – Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita.” – Things of this World are required to survive in this World but always remember – “Man doesn’t survive by bread alone”. Jaako rake saiyaaan maar sake na koye – No one can touch the person who is protected by the Divine!

Seek the Divine and all the protection and needs will be yours for asking!

The only thing that is permanent is the love and grace of the Divine! Work for that. Seek that! Long for that!

“This job was also done lovingly by our student Gautama. On the day of graduation, Guru permitted all to leave except Gautama. He didn’t flinch – he didn’t cry, feel miserable ro was angry. He resumed his studies. He continued doing the of the Ashram too.” Doing SEVA to Guru doesn’t mean you become entitled to demand things from him. You are doing seva because it is part and parcel of shishya’s life and sadhan.

When Gautama’s Guru didn’t allow him to graduate, he didn’t flinch. That is the mark of a shishya. One who is just a student will call his Guru names for not giving him graduation /certificate. A student will demand an explanation from his guru. And that’s why he never has a Guru in his life! But, by having a quality of surrendering, humility, unflinching trust and egolessness, an ordinary student becomes eligible to be a “shishya” and thereby receives Guru in his life!

Read the above explanation 10-20 times till you understand this! Most of your questions will be answered. But of course, only those who have set their ego aside can understand, others will THINK  they have and they wouldn’t!

Contd....

# Me My Guru series, Ravana, shishya, qualities of a shishya, Guru and shishya, grace of the Guru, eligibility to receive grace, humility, egolessness, faith,