A way to say Thank You

[Guest guest]

Seva and Dakshina

 

There is a flow in the Universe that has to do with giving and

receiving. There are very basic teachings such as arriving at the

Guru’s doorstep with an empty cup. If your cup is already full with

your own ideas, concepts, needs, desires… there is no room for the

Guru’s blessings and teachings.

 

In the Guru Gita, it speaks of serving the Guru’s lotus feet with

selfless loving service. “With your actions, thoughts and words

eternally please the Guru.” In addition to serving and giving by the

devotee, it speaks of the gifts of the Guru… "places of pilgrimage,

grace, wisdom, purification".

 

When devotees think of seva, they often think of physical actions.

Projects such as cleaning, cooking, building, writing projects. This

is fine for those who live at the ashram or live near-by. But what

about those of us who do not live close enough to serve in that way.

 

Serving can also include “offerings of the necessities of life to

produce the effect of delight in the life of the Guru.” As well as

actual objects, there is a tradition of giving money as an anonymous

gift of resources (dakshina).

 

I started a little habit of putting my earnings in the form of cash in

a drawer. Whenever I am able to do so I like to forward some of these

resources to the Devi Mandir to say thank you for all I have received

over the years and as a thank you for the priceless gifts that I will

receive in the future due to my Guru’s guidance and teachings. I

actually love seeing the money “gather itself together, jump into the

envelope and mail itself off.”

 

It is a part of my activity as a member of the Devi Mandir family. It

is a part of the flow of the Universe. I have discovered that as I

give, so I receive. Giving makes room for more blessings. Giving

removes the fear of financial uncertainty because it is so clear that

the money is not mine, it belongs to the Goddess. And I can always

count on God/Goddess to provide.

 

If you hold onto your resources with a closed fist, that is all you

will receive. You need to open your hands and let it go. Give to

others who need it. What could be better than giving it to your

Teachers so that they can continue to serve All.

 

On Mar 15, 2005, at 5:57 PM, Karen Borak wrote:

> Maa and Swamiji sending messages to us is amazing!  These two

> absolutely powerful beings provide continual wonderment for me.  I

> don't know where else except here at the DMC that an average ol'

> person can connect directly with two enlightened beings.  The fact

> that Maa chooses a renunciant's life of prayer and meditation for the

> benefit of this universe means so very much.  What service!  Maa and

> Swamiji merit full devotion and support in any way that we can provide

> it.  There's no way to say Thank You to convey the depth of gratitude

> we all feel, but here goes...thanks, Maa.

> Human life is the greatest form of birth. Humanity is the

> illuminator of consciousness.

>

> The illumination of consciousness brings the functions of creation,

> preservation and transformation.

>

> In order to protect creation and to enhance the illumination of

> consciousness, Brahma, the creator, himself, established the Vedas.

>

> In the wisdom of the Vedas, there is no discrimination as to caste

> or birth.

>

> In the wisdom of the Vedas, there is no discrimination as to

> religion or creed.

>

> In ancient times the rishis revealed the wisdom of the scriptures,

> but without any distinction as to birth or religion.

>

> When humanity realizes the truth of the wisdom of the Vedas, then

> they understand that the entire human race is one family.

>

> The Vedas are scriptures which illuminate the greatest truths for

> all humanity.

>

> Hey our beloved universal family! Enter in to the abundance of

> wisdom contained within the Vedas! Feel their relevance! And

> illuminate yourselves!

>

> May God bless you.

> Blessings from Maa and Swamiji

>

>

>

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