There is a certain joy in getting
something. That’s the joy children experience when they get things like toffees
and toys. Parents and grandparents feel happy when they give. The joy in giving
is much more fulfilling than the joy of receiving. Have you noticed how happy
we feel when we share? When we see a good movie, for instance, we tell
everybody about it, even recommending that they must see it. The moviemaker is
not giving us any commission to do that! We just feel that our loved ones
should have the same experience. Or an elderly lady who cooks different dishes
for her grandchildren derives an enormous happiness from doing so. People who
give, experience more happiness than people who receive. Graduating from the
mindset of taking to that of giving purifies the mind and brings immense joy.
There are three ways to purify the mind. Yagna or collective action that
purifies not just our minds and bodies but the environment as well. There are
different kinds of yagnas – jnana yagna, dravya, japa and dhyana yagna, for
example. Among these, dhyana yagna, a group of individuals that collect to sing
and meditate, is considered the highest. When we sing, chant or listen to
chants, the sound vibrations penetrate every cell of our being and purifies the
whole system. Likewise, when many people meditate together, the impact
multiples manifold.
When we do daana, charity, or help someone who is
really in need, the sigh of relief from that soul brings positive vibrations to
you. These good deeds bring you merit, which in turn helps you go deep in
meditation and elevate your consciousness. If we think of how we can be useful
to those around us, we can never get depressed. People who get depressed do not
know this. They get depressed because they keep thinking only about themselves.
If they start to give or serve they will notice that their depression has
vanished.
Tapas is the endurance of discomfort or restraining
the senses. The practice of knowledge, wisdom, meditation, yoga, pranayama, and
fasting, all come under tapas. If you are unhappy, one way to get out of your
sorrow is tapas. Tapas is being in total acceptance of the present moment,
pleasant or unpleasant.
All three, yagna, daana and tapas, purify our
minds, consciousness and actions. They are, however, not one-time actions, but
are to be done repeatedly. Make it a habit. Whenever we get an opportunity to be
useful, we should embrace it. If, despite our meditation and other practices,
we feel discomfort, we should do something to bring happiness and comfort to
others. Giving is essential for spiritual growth. Willingness to share what we
have and to help others without expecting anything in return, is called seva.
Seva connects us to others. It dissolves barriers that separate our happiness
from their happiness. We can serve others in endless ways. Serving in whatever
possible manner we can, whether by contributing our time, donating money or
just by speaking about positive things, will change our consciousness.
Let’s ask ourselves, “How can we be useful to people around us, and to the whole world?” Then our hearts start to blossom. The best seva is helping someone to understand this eternal nature of life. Life is a journey, moving from the joy of taking, to the joy of giving.
