Karma Yoga expands the heart and breaks all barriers that stand in the way of unity or oneness. The secret is to work without any attachment and egoism. The practice of Karma Yoga allows for inner spiritual strength and power by performing motiveless and selfless actions. Mostly, we tend to do things of good nature for others so as to be seen as kind, generous, giving etc.
“Can we do these actions, without any selfish motivation or need for reward or acknowledgement?"
"Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are." -Mother Theresa
Nar Seva, Narayan Seva - Is an inside out approach to living.
Seva definition:
"Service which is given without consideration of anything in return, at the right place and time to one that is qualified, with the feeling that it is one's duty, is regarded as the nature of goodness." -Bhagavad Gita 17.20
Seva is a Sanskrit word meaning selfless service, and perhaps considered the most important part of any spiritual practice. It lies at the heart of the path of karma yoga - selfless action - and asks us to serve others with no expectation of outcome.
I chose Christmas day because it is the time for giving. Inspired by the birth of Christ and savior to the world. On day 25th December 2019, I volunteered to give 5 hours to feed the homeless in the community of Lansdowne who occupy the station roads, bridge and parking areas because I read a post that these individuals would be evicted and felt that out of all the causes where support was greatly needed, that this is where I could assist and support the most in the hope of enriching and uplifting a group of individuals who, too, deserves the basic human essentials in life.
I joined my friends, Rucita and Viveka and arrived at their house at 08:30 and from the get-go, felt a sense of warmth because I was participating in something that would potentially make a difference to a community who are in dire-straights. We cooked pasta and soya mince and made Bolognese. There were many food donations and also other volunteers.
From thereon, with the heaps of items that were given with such love, I felt a pure sense of community and goodness. The goodness of people. People who care and want to assist where they can to make a sincere and perhaps even small difference to one's life for the sake of enriching our surroundings. Immediately, I knew I was in the right place, doing the right thing at the right time with the right people.
We drove in unison to the Lansdowne station community and setup a food station. Other volunteers from far and wide joined in. I took a long walk around the area and looked for people to round them up for their meal and gifts. We looked everywhere and once the word got out, people started climbing, jumping and walking out of their homes. What a blissful occasion filled with jubilee. To see happiness. To feel the comfort of knowing that someone knows that today on Christmas, they will have food and entertainment and even a Christmas gift.
Once everyone was in the parking lot, we served food and cooldrinks. We sang Christmas carols and also danced and laughed together.
The community felt the love and also felt safe. They were happy and in that moment, all was well.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing that can beat that. The feeling of being safe, secure, cared for, supported and loved. I was humbled, in awe and so inspired that I shall always be a Seva practitioner.
