Questions about service versus selfish motives

[Guest guest]

Namaste Family,

 

I have been thinking a lot about a conversation that occurred this

evening with a friend. She asked if I am working (in a current job)

for ego (selfish aims) or to be of service. I am wondering, are we

ever really fully without selfish motives (short of when we become

saints)? If I am doing a job to buy dog and cat food and to pay my

bills, or to take care of my children, is that selfish or being of

service?

 

If I am working two jobs that I like OK and in which I am of service

but in which service is not my primary aim but rather to save for a

long range plan that I believe will help me to truly be of service, is

that selfish?

 

If we believe we are working off a debt to society or our families (as

in karmic or spiritual debt to help the world be a better place), is

that service or selfish?

 

Is it possible to turn around a situation once begun to make it more

about service?

 

Is it wrong to plan for and try to advance one's career? Is that selfish?

 

Can it be service if we really want to do it and enjoy doing it?

 

Is it service if we resist it but feel we must or are being called to

do it?

 

Do we always know? I am not sure that I do. Sometimes I just have to

pray and make the best decisions I can and hope I am on track. I keep

asking God to email me but what I get are little gems and hints in the

words of other people....no burning talking bush yet.

 

OM

[Guest guest]

Dear Sadhumaa and everybody,

 

Thanks for interesting questions! My own 2 little cents - God puts us

here to make a contribution with our lives to His creation - with love

and joy. To make that contribution, we ourselves need sustenance too

When you take care of your little puppy and cat, you are taking

care of God's creation!

 

Wherever you are working, you are making your contribution to this

creation, in your own unique and beautiful way! We just have to give

with love and accept what we get as God's gift to us - i feel it is

too much to figure out from our mind what is selfish and what is not

-- It is easier to pray " I am your little child. Make me your

instrument. " If we are in our heart with love then we are giving

ourselves and happy about it! We enjoy and make others around us enjoy

-- and in that joy God smiles!!!!

 

Wish you a happy, joyful day of love!

 

ramya

 

 

 

 

, " Sadhu Maa " <sadumaa wrote:

>

> Namaste Family,

>

> I have been thinking a lot about a conversation that occurred this

> evening with a friend. She asked if I am working (in a current job)

> for ego (selfish aims) or to be of service. I am wondering, are we

> ever really fully without selfish motives (short of when we become

> saints)? If I am doing a job to buy dog and cat food and to pay my

> bills, or to take care of my children, is that selfish or being of

> service?

>

> If I am working two jobs that I like OK and in which I am of service

> but in which service is not my primary aim but rather to save for a

> long range plan that I believe will help me to truly be of service, is

> that selfish?

>

> If we believe we are working off a debt to society or our families (as

> in karmic or spiritual debt to help the world be a better place), is

> that service or selfish?

>

> Is it possible to turn around a situation once begun to make it more

> about service?

>

> Is it wrong to plan for and try to advance one's career? Is that

selfish?

>

> Can it be service if we really want to do it and enjoy doing it?

>

> Is it service if we resist it but feel we must or are being called to

> do it?

>

> Do we always know? I am not sure that I do. Sometimes I just have to

> pray and make the best decisions I can and hope I am on track. I keep

> asking God to email me but what I get are little gems and hints in the

> words of other people....no burning talking bush yet.

>

> OM

>

[Guest guest]

Namaste Sadhu Maa:We do live in the world and I think it would be selfish to abandon one's duties to those who depend upon us. I think Shree Maa mentioned this. This is my take on it. We do what we have to do with as little attachment as possible. We do our thing without being attached to the result. We move towards enlightenment which is an opening up towards spiritual knowledge, and a letting go of our attachments.Selfish/service depends upon the way one views one's own actions. Isn't one of Patanjali's yamas earning a living in a just way? I do think we have to look at our careers and how this career affects the world for good or for ill.Peace,ShankariSadhu Maa <sadumaa wrote: Namaste Family, I have been thinking a lot about a conversation that occurred this evening with a friend. She asked if I am working (in a current job) for ego (selfish aims) or to be of service. I am wondering, are we ever really fully without selfish motives (short of when we become saints)? If I am doing a job to buy dog and cat food and to pay my bills, or to take care of my children, is that selfish or being of service? If I am working two jobs that I like OK and in which I am of service but in which service is not my primary aim but rather to save for a long range plan that I believe will help me to truly be of service, is that selfish? If we believe we are working off a debt to society or our families (as in karmic or spiritual

debt to help the world be a better place), is that service or selfish? Is it possible to turn around a situation once begun to make it more about service? Is it wrong to plan for and try to advance one's career? Is that selfish? Can it be service if we really want to do it and enjoy doing it? Is it service if we resist it but feel we must or are being called to do it? Do we always know? I am not sure that I do. Sometimes I just have to pray and make the best decisions I can and hope I am on track. I keep asking God to email me but what I get are little gems and hints in the words of other people....no burning talking bush yet. OM

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