Tag Archives: volunteer

Considering Seva by Marlene Gast

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Devapriyaa (Denise) Hills, Seva Coordinator

Devapriyaa (Denise) Hills, Seva Coordinator

Seva — also called selfless service and karma yoga — is described in the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3.  In Verse 18 Krishna instructs Arjuna that “’Every selfless act’” is ultimately a way to know yourself as Self, a path to Self-Realization, the purpose of life, the goal of all of the practices of yoga.

I’ve served on seva communication teams since 2008, and this year, since the Ashram and Master Yoga consolidation, I notice a new, powerful synergy in seva. Sometimes it feels as though I’m sailing along on rocket powered wings, both in the seva itself and in the way that seva continues to dissolve lifelong obstructive patterns, opening me inward to Self.

Since our consolidation, expansiveness is enhancing seva teams as well, including leading to the creation of new seva teams.  Seva Coordinator Devapriyaa (Denise Hills) offers this introduction to them:

Two seva teams have just gotten underway. First is the Emcee Team. Bindu (Maureen) Short was the Emcee at last Sunday’s satsang. John Frank, Sri (Sonya) McNeil & Kanchan (Connie) Mohn are also Emcee Team members. Our second new team is the Music Team, who have already brought their offering to Sunday’s Satsang, beginning last week with Vicharini playing OM Nama.h “Sivaya before meditation.

Everyone has one or more talents and skills.  Where would you like to offer your time and talent? It takes only 2-4 hours per week.  You are especially needed for the following:

  •          Web updates (we train you!)
  •          Constant Contact (we train you!)
  •          DYMC cleaning and set up (a local opportunity)

There are other seva opportunities as well. Once you make yourself available, Swami Nirmalananda reviews your skills/interests survey, working with Devapriyaa to find the seva that serves you best.

When you are ready to take on this practice, email seva@svaroopavidya.org.  Devapriyaa will send you a link to complete the seva survey that Swamiji will personally review. When Swamiji suggests your seva, you decide whether it is an opportunity that you would like.  Having assisted many yogis in finding their seva, Devapriyaa says it is “quite beautiful…profound and grace filled…sometimes subtle — a beautiful spiritual practice.”  Let the yoga of seva open you to MORE!

Trusting the Process of Seva by Gayatri (Barbara) Hess

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Gayatri

Gayatri (Barbara) Hess

I continued this path of volunteering as I grew into adulthood.  I also became part of several groups in which my spiritual growth was nurtured.  As part of my growth, I gained a deeper understanding of the concept of tithing of my time, talent and treasure.  Initially, my mind was quite contracted and controversial about giving my time, talent and treasure.  At some point I decided I needed to trust the process and “just do it.”  My life grew from volunteering to serving, and from serving as an obligation to serving from a space of gratitude in which I live to serve.

When I became part of the Ashram, the opportunity of seva was mentioned.  Initially I thought, “I do a lot of service in my other communities.   That should be enough.  I don’t have time for more seva.”  When I would sit in meditation or pause and reflect after listening to an audio recording from Swamiji, my heart would swell with gratitude.  In gratitude I was urged to serve.  Initially, my mind did what it always does.  Thoughts of doubt surfaced, “What do you have to offer?  You are not part of the inner crowd.  What if Swamiji thinks you are not good enough?”  I moved forward and offered to serve.  I trusted the process.  I did not put limits on how or where to serve.  I wanted to offer my love and gratitude to the source that was giving me so much, a path to discover my SELF.

I wanted to perform seva as a way of supporting the Ashram where it needed help.  In offering my service without attachment I have been asked to serve in various ways.  I assist Jennifer with typesetting.  I assist on the gardening team, and I have recently been asked to assist with some of the administrative tasks on the gardening team.  I am also on the special events team and helped create the Japathon last year.

In October 2013, I attended the conference as part of the seva team.   Initially, when asked to serve in three capacities, I did resist.  I did not want to commit too much!  Once again my inner voice reminded me, “Just do it.”  I can trust the process and know that I have all the time, energy and resources I need to serve.  I want to give freely to the source that has given so freely to me.  I give in gratitude, not out of obligation.  I deepen my understanding and capacity to love and grow when I serve from this space of selfless service and gratitude.  Thank you, Swamiji, for this opportunity.

If you, too, would like to undertake the ancient yogic practice of seva, send an email to our Seva Coordinator, Devapriyaa Hills, at seva@svaroopavidya.org. She will get you started on your skills survey.  You can sign up for ongoing seva or for a special project. You will be contributing two-to-four hours of your time and talent per week.  Not only will you be strengthening the Ashram organization through your selfless service, you will be adding a powerful yoga practice to your life.  What new and wonderful fruits will you harvest?