Types of Selfless Service
Objective:
Understanding true selfless service and its proper application in society.
Quotes:
Serve society, help the poor and needy in distress and thus manifest the human quality of compassion. By doing seva (selfless service), service to people, you are doing service to God. Even Adi Shankara, who was the supreme exponent of the path of spiritual wisdom, in his later days came to realize that the path of devotion is the best path for humankind to realize God. Sathya Sai Speaks 27.24: September 4, 1994
Deserve the grace of God by helping the weak and poor, the diseased and the disabled, the distressed and the downtrodden. Sathya Sai Speaks 13.4: January 28, 1975
When you stepped into this world, you did not bring anything with you; nor can you take anything with you when you leave. No benefit accrues to you from having palatial buildings and huge bank balances if you cannot use them for the service of the society. Spend your money for the welfare of society. Only then you can win divine grace. Serve the needy by providing comforts and conveniences. Sathya Sai Speaks 32.pt1.5: March 12, 1999
Feeding the hungry with reverence and humility, is the selfless service that is urgently needed today. The cry for food is being heard everywhere, though if each one worked hard, the problem would not arise at all. We talk of stomachs to be filled, but each stomach arrives in the world with two hands. Those hands, if they are kept idle or unskilled, cannot fulfill their assignment of finding the food for the stomach. Work hard, that is the message. And share the gain with others. The harder you work, the greater your gain, the more you can share. Work hard and, more important still, work together with others in loving kinship. Sathya Sai Speaks 14.18: January 25, 1979
If we ensure the right kind of future for our children, the nation will benefit immensely. Every spiritual organization should provide free education. In the name of the Lord free education and medical relief should be provided. Sathya Sai Speaks 23.34: November 23, 1990
There are many poor people in our country who lack the basic necessities of food, raiment and shelter. Who will take care of them when they are afflicted with diseases? Doctors should render free service to patients to the extent possible. Doctors should serve the poor with the spirit of sacrifice. There is no greater service than this. God is the sole refuge for the destitute and the forlorn. As the human being is the embodiment of God, it is his or her primary duty to help the destitute and the forlorn. Medicine should not be commercialized. It is meant to promote heart-to-heart and love-to-love relationship between doctor and patient. Service to patients is service to God. There is no service higher than this. Sathya Sai Speaks 36.11: July 5, 2003
Education is a business. Music is a business. Health is a business. The whole world has become a market place. Welfare services should be free for all. Sathya Sai Speaks 28.16: June 3, 1995
Suggested Questions:
- Why should we serve society?
- How does providing physical nourishment compare to providing spiritual nourishment?
- What criteria should be used to see if the service you choose is appropriate? inappropriate? Can you think of examples of each you have participated in the past.?
Life Application:
Use discrimination to choose a service that is need to be performed this week, either at home, workplace or center, focusing on the joy of recipient.