To Nanda on lesson

[Guest guest]

Nanda wrote:

What is NOT seva ?-It is NOT seva to do a task and have someone come

behind and clean up my mess.-It is NOT seva to do tasks mindlessly -

if I had but put my sincere interest in the task at hand, I would not

have left those stains behind. So Mindfulness on the task is essential

for seva. -Doing seva is with the attitude of "What can I do help

today ?". And that help could vary because of the task and the time

available to do it. So even if it is only one task that I could do, I

would just need to make sure that it was perfectly.And of course,

knowing that Swamiji had to clean up after me really drove home the

importance of the seva that I was doing.It wasnt just cleaning the

temple or any old task - it was important enough that Swamiji would

clean it if I werent around. So even the smallest task IS important.

Dear Nanda ~ your windows into what happens at the Madir are without

compare in nurturing those of us who can't be there. So even in the

experience, of a lesson, which I thank you very much for sharing,

what you say is of immense value. Because of my illness, I find

myself either not doing a task fully, or because I know I can't do it

fully, not doing it at all. Just to dust the top of the bureau in my

(trailer) living room, which is where all my sacred and altar objects

are kept, is almost more than I can do at one time. So maybe the

lesson for me, is even if I can only dust one picture, or one candle

holder, just to it fully present and mindful. How beautiful. Thank

you ~ Linda