Seva – Service
In Sanskrit, Seva means service. The word service is packed with meaning. We receive and give service of all kinds. Culturally, we regularly attend a variety of services. Furthermore, service in its heightened capacity is honorable. We thank those serving in the military as well as our first-responders. Moreover, we’re in service to ourselves and others every day.
“I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service way joy.”
– Rabindranath Tagore
Seva is an act of compassion and care for others above oneself. Equally important, we do so without expectation of reward. In the yoga paradigm, service is considered a spiritual practice. Additionally, seva is integral to the soul’s evolution. Selfless-service provides an opportunity for growth. Therefore, seva is a form of personal therapy and spiritual development.
Knowledge, work and resources.
In the yoga tradition seva is performed in three basic ways:
- Intellectually through teaching and mentoring
- Physically in the form of labor
- Sourcing through tithing and philanthropy
“He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.”
– Gordon B. Hinckley
Seva begins within ourselves.
Thoughts become words and words become actions. Are they serving us and others for the good of all? Choices made for the “higher good” contribute to those around you and beyond. Seva helps us become self-aware on a deeper level. Finally this brings us in better alignment with the Higher Self. Here is where peace and joy reside. Always.
Additional Reading: Seva – Memoir of a Modern Day Yogi (Amazon)
