Mystic Mantra: The spirit of seva

In family life, one plays various roles. A woman plays the role of a daughter, mother, wife, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law and so on. In the office too, a woman plays diverse roles. The case is similar for a man. Different relationships have different roles and distinct duties. Duties towards the mother, spouse, children, and employer will each be different.

One must remember, by doing our duty we are really serving the other person. Be it our mother, husband/wife, in-laws, or children. The roles and duties may be different, but the spirit of service (seva) is common. If an action is performed with the attitude of duty, then we bring the spirit of seva into the duty.

Everything is seva — only the priorities change. For instance, if a child is sick, the woman’s role as a mother takes priority over other duties and roles. She will serve the child by taking him to the doctor; shower him with love, and help him recover quickly.

Therefore, even though there are different roles, activities and duties, when all are looked on as seva, they become one. With this perception, there will be no compartmentalisation, no conflict.

ADDING VALUE TO ACTION

In a vast ocean, there are multitudes of waves. Every wave has a fundamental and basic relationship with the ocean without which and apart from which it has no existence. Its relationship with other waves is not fundamental; it is only “relative”.

Similarly, all of us have a fundamental relationship with the Lord. Our first and foremost relationship is with God. All other worldly relationships are secondary, fleeting and relative. That is why, our family members are referred to as “relatives”! Just as our relationship with the Lord is eternal and absolute, everyone else, with whom we are associated, also has a fundamental relationship with the Lord. Therefore, when we serve someone, we must keep in mind that we are in fact worshipping God. Then, even though the work and duty remain the same, the action becomes divine and spiritual. It becomes bhakti; it becomes worship.

This is called spirituality. This is what we need to bring into our lives. We do not have to do anything special, different or new. As you continue to change your attitude, you gather a new vision, and start becoming spiritual. If I serve my mother, looking upon her only as a mother, then I am performing the duty and seva of a son. But, if I do it as loving worship, the same action becomes spiritual. Likewise, an action minus the right kind of attitude is an ordinary action. In conclusion, duty itself is seva and that seva is also my worship of God.