Guest guest Posted April 21, 2005 Report Share Posted April 21, 2005 >>" > What is the difference/similarity between doing seva for a Guru and > doing volunteer work in any other organization ? > > What are the pros/cons ?"<<< Dear Latha and group, One of the things that a true guru teaches us is that the ideas we have about "separation" are an illusion> We seem to learn this in steps. For a time, it may be necessary to see "guru seva" and "volunteer work" as two different things but, in reality, we are doing guru seva to serve the inner guru, ultimately, and not just OUR inner guru but the inner guru who is the foundation of everything... (as it says in the Siddha Kunjika Stotram:"jvala Ham Sam Lam Ksam Phat Svaha...this Illumination is the Divine 'I' in ALL manifested beings!!!). Truly doing "guruseva" is serving this Divine "I" in ALL manifested beings. At first, it is easier to see it and serve it in the pure radiance of a true guru, whose job it is to mirror this state (that we all contain) back to us and to teach us that we ARE that. Later on, it becomes very important to extend this vision out into the world. A spiritual path is not meant to teach us to live outside the world in a small select group of chosen people but to teach us how to live in the world as true human beings and to share that beingness with others who are suffering.. There is no separation between "the world" and "god"; the world IS "god". In my opinion, it is critical to take ourselves out into this world and see just how stable our understanding is. It's one thing to do seva in the protected atmosphere of an ashram or spiritual center and another thing to serve out in the world with the same pure heart, loving-kindness, compassion and attention, as though the one you are serving is just as precious to you as the true guru. sadhvi > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2005 Report Share Posted April 21, 2005 Dear Sadvi, I agree with you totally on this topic. I have answered in a similar fashion on other posts, but you have given it such a complete and clear exposition here. Thank you, sister. Pahari Maa On Apr 21, 2005, at 7:20 AM, nityashakti wrote: > > > >>" > > What is the difference/similarity between doing seva for a Guru and > > doing volunteer work in any other organization ? > > > > What are the pros/cons ?"<<< > > Dear Latha and group, > One of the things that a true guru teaches us is that the ideas we > have about "separation" are an illusion> We seem to learn this in > steps. For a time, it may be necessary to see "guru seva" > and "volunteer work" as two different things but, in reality, we are > doing guru seva to serve the inner guru, ultimately, and not just OUR > inner guru but the inner guru who is the foundation of everything... > (as it says in the Siddha Kunjika Stotram:"jvala Ham Sam Lam Ksam > Phat Svaha...this Illumination is the Divine 'I' in ALL manifested > beings!!!). Truly doing "guruseva" is serving this Divine "I" in ALL > manifested beings. At first, it is easier to see it and serve it in > the pure radiance of a true guru, whose job it is to mirror this state > (that we all contain) back to us and to teach us that we ARE that. > Later on, it becomes very important to extend this vision out into the > world. A spiritual path is not meant to teach us to live outside the > world in a small select group of chosen people but to teach us how to > live in the world as true human beings and to share that beingness > with others who are suffering.. There is no separation between "the > world" and "god"; the world IS "god". In my opinion, it is critical to > take ourselves out into this world and see just how stable our > understanding is. It's one thing to do seva in the protected > atmosphere of an ashram or spiritual center and another thing to serve > out in the world with the same pure heart, loving-kindness, compassion > and attention, as though the one you are serving is just as precious > to you as the true guru. > > sadhvi > > > > > > Sponsor > > > > Children International > > Would you give Hope to a Child in need? > > > <332170_011805_newchildforemail.jpg> > > · > Click Here to meet a Girl > And Give Her Hope > > · > Click Here to meet a Boy > And Change His Life > > Learn More > > <l.gif> > > Links > > • > / > > • > > > • Terms of > Service. > > Attachment: (text/enriched) [not stored] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2005 Report Share Posted April 21, 2005 Beloved Sadviji and beloved Pahari Maaji, i agree totally with both of you as well! i had been contemplating how to express my feelings about this subject when Sadvi came up with such a wonderful way of expressing my feelings. Everything is the Guru! There is only One! i really love what Sadvi ji said here, and this is also what i would want to say: "It's one thing to do seva in the protected atmosphere of an ashram or spiritual center and another thing to serve out in the world with the same pure heart, loving-kindness, compassion and attention, as though the one you are serving is just as precious to you as the true guru." This has been one of my major tests in this life and so i can really relate to it with all of my heart. Everyone [animate or animate] is our Guru in disguise; what kind of attitude will we be expressing when She/He decides to suddenly remove Her Mask? Every situation that comes before us in life is the blessed opportunity and privilege to serve the Guru! Jai Guru! Jai Chandi Shree Maa! Jai Shiva Swamiji! Jai Ramakrishna Deva! your sister always, muktimaa , Ardis Jackson <ardis1@v...> wrote: > Dear Sadvi, > > I agree with you totally on this topic. I have answered in a similar > fashion on other posts, but you have given it such a complete and clear > exposition here. > > Thank you, sister. > > Pahari Maa > > > On Apr 21, 2005, at 7:20 AM, nityashakti wrote: > > > > > > > >>" > > > What is the difference/similarity between doing seva for a Guru and > > > doing volunteer work in any other organization ? > > > > > > What are the pros/cons ?"<<< > > > > Dear Latha and group, > > One of the things that a true guru teaches us is that the ideas we > > have about "separation" are an illusion> We seem to learn this in > > steps. For a time, it may be necessary to see "guru seva" > > and "volunteer work" as two different things but, in reality, we are > > doing guru seva to serve the inner guru, ultimately, and not just OUR > > inner guru but the inner guru who is the foundation of everything... > > (as it says in the Siddha Kunjika Stotram:"jvala Ham Sam Lam Ksam > > Phat Svaha...this Illumination is the Divine 'I' in ALL manifested > > beings!!!). Truly doing "guruseva" is serving this Divine "I" in ALL > > manifested beings. At first, it is easier to see it and serve it in > > the pure radiance of a true guru, whose job it is to mirror this state > > (that we all contain) back to us and to teach us that we ARE that. > > Later on, it becomes very important to extend this vision out into the > > world. A spiritual path is not meant to teach us to live outside the > > world in a small select group of chosen people but to teach us how to > > live in the world as true human beings and to share that beingness > > with others who are suffering.. There is no separation between "the > > world" and "god"; the world IS "god". In my opinion, it is critical to > > take ourselves out into this world and see just how stable our > > understanding is. It's one thing to do seva in the protected > > atmosphere of an ashram or spiritual center and another thing to serve > > out in the world with the same pure heart, loving-kindness, compassion > > and attention, as though the one you are serving is just as precious > > to you as the true guru. > > > > sadhvi > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Sponsor > > > > > > > > Children International > > > > Would you give Hope to a Child in need? > > > > > > <332170_011805_newchildforemail.jpg> > > > > · > > Click Here to meet a Girl > > And Give Her Hope > > > > · > > Click Here to meet a Boy > > And Change His Life > > > > Learn More > > > > <l.gif> > > > > Links > > > > • > > / > > > > • > > > > > > • Terms of > > Service. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2005 Report Share Posted April 21, 2005 namaste, well…as i see it, if the guru is the light in everything, then there is no real difference as serving others is serving the guru. this reminds me of a biblical scripture in book of matthew that (paraphrased) says what you do to the least of me you do to me. 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"> 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy">my .02. 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"> 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy">jai guru! 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"> 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy">BeLove 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy">Berijoy (Egyirba) 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"> 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2005 Report Share Posted April 21, 2005 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy">wow! this is so beautifully stated. thank you! 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"> 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy">Be Love, 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy">Berijoy 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy">http://www.egyirba.net [] On Behalf Of nityashakti Thursday, April 21, 2005 7:21 AM RE: guru seva and volunteer work >>" > What is the difference/similarity between doing seva for a Guru and > doing volunteer work in any other organization ? > > What are the pros/cons ?"<<< Dear Latha and group, One of the things that a true guru teaches us is that the ideas we have about "separation" are an illusion> We seem to learn this in steps. For a time, it may be necessary to see "guru seva" and "volunteer work" as two different things but, in reality, we are doing guru seva to serve the inner guru, ultimately, and not just OUR inner guru but the inner guru who is the foundation of everything... (as it says in the Siddha Kunjika Stotram:"jvala Ham Sam Lam Ksam Phat Svaha...this Illumination is the Divine 'I' in ALL manifested beings!!!). Truly doing "guruseva" is serving this Divine "I" in ALL manifested beings. At first, it is easier to see it and serve it in the pure radiance of a true guru, whose job it is to mirror this state (that we all contain) back to us and to teach us that we ARE that. Later on, it becomes very important to extend this vision out into the world. A spiritual path is not meant to teach us to live outside the world in a small select group of chosen people but to teach us how to live in the world as true human beings and to share that beingness with others who are suffering.. There is no separation between "the world" and "god"; the world IS "god". In my opinion, it is critical to take ourselves out into this world and see just how stable our understanding is. It's one thing to do seva in the protected atmosphere of an ashram or spiritual center and another thing to serve out in the world with the same pure heart, loving-kindness, compassion and attention, as though the one you are serving is just as precious to you as the true guru. sadhvi > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2005 Report Share Posted April 21, 2005 >>>"This has been one of my major tests in this life and so i can really relate to it with all of my heart. Everyone [animate or animate] is our Guru in disguise; what kind of attitude will we be expressing when She/He decides to suddenly remove Her Mask?"<< Dear Muktimaa, This is a beautiful way of bringing ourself into the present moment!! In fact, it is a beautiful practice...to remind ourselves (since ALL of us forget until we can hold the state of pure awareness) that everyone, everything is Our Beloved wearing one costume or another. It gives you a small insight into how a being like Shree Maa walks through the world in the way that she does. Thanks, Muktaji. sadhvi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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