SERVE, LOVE, GIVE

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SERVE, LOVE, GIVE

 

by Swami Sivananda

 

Become a Karma Yogi and work for the well-being of the world. You

must do universal service in order to attain the state of being one

with the universal consciousness.

 

It is only through selfless activities, unattached work and loving

service that one can acquire the precious gem of purity, patience and

humility.

 

Wherever there is distress share what you have and alleviate human

suffering wherever it is possible. Thus you will be able to achieve

the goal for which God has given this human body.

 

While doing selfless service, an insidious feeling of self

approbation may creep in unnoticed. This may later manifest itself in

the form of a sort of indulgent attitude and a lofty contempt for

those who are not following, a similar life. A constant humility kept

alive by a ceaseless exercise of it in service is the sure armour

against this foe.

 

Spiritualise all activities. Feel you are an instrument in the Lord's

hands and that all the Indriyas (senses) belong to Him. Repeat the

formula 'I am Thine; all is Thine; Thy Will be done.'

 

Feel that the whole world is a manifestation of the Lord and you are

serving the Lord in all names and forms. Whatever you do-your actions

and the results thereof-consecrate them all to the Lord at the end of

each day. Do not identify yourself with actions. Then your heart will

be purified and you will be ready to receive the divine light and

grace.

 

Rest not with being good. Do good also. Be kind. Be compassionate.

 

Let not virtue wither for want of exercise.

 

God is love. Love is God. Selfishness, greed, egoism, vanity, pride,

hatred contract the heart and stand in the way of developing

universal love. Feel that the whole world is your body, your own

home. Melt and destroy all barriers that separate man from man. Idea

of superiority is ignorance. Develop Visvaprema-all-embracing love.

Unite with all. Separateness is death. Unity is eternal life.

 

God is love. The only true religion is the religion of love or the

religion of heart. Feel for others as you feel for yourself.

 

Love expects no reward. Love knows no fear. Love Divine gives-does

not demand. Love thinks no evil; imputes no motive. To love is to

share and serve.

 

Do charity-amounting to at least one tenth of your income or six

Paise per Rupee.

 

Happiness comes to him who gives happiness to others.

 

Give, Give. Give in plenty, in humility and with joy. Thus in the

very process of giving enrich yourself too.

 

If a man, who has not removed jealousy, backbiting, hatred, pride,

selfishness says, "I am meditating for six hours daily," it is all

nonsense. Excel. There is no hope of getting into a meditative mood

even after a year unless a man removes all these Vrittis and purifies

his mind first by selfless service at least for six months.

 

Excel in Service,

 

Expand in Love,

 

Advance in Knowledge.

 

Service is Love in expression,

 

Love is concentrated Knowledge,

 

Knowledge is diffused love.

 

 

(Source: http://sivanandaonline.org/html/)