SEVA
The very idea of seva begins with a metaphor: that of the milk-pot or vessel. Nanak says: First, wash the vessel, next, disinfect it with incense. Then, and only then, is it ready to receive the milk. The mind, like the vessel, first needs to be cleansed if one is to prepare it for things spiritual. Otherwise, all effort goes to waste. And this cleansing of the mind, the preparation, is done with the "soap" of humility. So far, all of this is esoteric and philosophical. But Sadh sangat brings the exercise down to earth by guiding us how to do it while going about our day-to-day, ordinary lives. In seeking humility, there’s a simple, direct and effective way: seva. Just serving the basic needs of those who are in need puts us on the right path. At home, with the neighbours, around the corner, in the community we live in ... the concentric circles can get as wide or remain as narrow as the situation demands. Simple: just wash the dishes at the langar, or serve food, or look after the shoes of those who come to sadh sangat. Not wearing a t-shirt or bandana that proclaims SEVADAR, helps. Doing it without a pat on the back, is a definite plus. Doing things that others do not want to, or cannot do, is good. Sweeping the floor or cleaning the washrooms is therefore bound to be the most rewarding. One of the most moving sights I have seen in my life is something I witnessed a couple of years ago in DODRA SAHIB, it was a samagam of 11 days duration the thousands had poured in from far and wide over the globe,. The logistics required to cater to the needs of these visitors was stupendous. What touched me deep inside was the vision of sangat, who saw it as an unprecedented opportunity to do seva. Any time of the day or night, if you walked into the toilets,langar,kitchen or wherever, you saw a couple of the devotees from the sangat cleaning the toilets and water basins, or down on their hands and knees, cleaning the floor. It was arguably the cleanest spot within the endless acreage of this village. And, you know, there was not a sign anywhere proclaiming, e.g., "Seva provided by the Sangat of ....." Nothing, That's seva. It's for the sheer sake of seva. It has no other goal. Even the end result is not important. You don't need a smile or a nod, a pat on the shoulder, or the gratitude of another to validate it. You simply do it, and you do it to the best of your ability, and nothing else matters. You don't go home and note it in your diary. Or tell your family and friends. Or have it published in a newsletter in the "Acknowledgment" section. Don't let the right hand know what the left hand does. Shoe keeping place was another site to watch; it was at all hours of the day during kirtan sessions, day or night, literally - even in the cold and dark hours before dawn - of men & women behind the counter, tending to the shoes of aspirants. No small-talk. No name-tags. No meeting of the eyes, no searching for acquaintances. Just simple, purposeful, swift, efficient movements ... the queues were long. There's always a hush around the shoe-stall, the only words you hear are “waheguru, waheguru...". I don't know how they do it. But I see them taking each pair of foot-wear as if it is a house-warming gift. Lovingly, gently, softly ... if you glance back for a split-second, as you turn away, you may even catch one in the shadows wiping the dirt off your shoes as they are placed on the shelves. I tell you, it is there, standing on the cold wet floor, looking at this scene, that I experienced the first communion with what I had come searching for, after all these years, at the doors of the mahapurakhs. It is the ultimate of seva.
A visit to this marvellous place “DODRA SAHIB” is highly recommended.
FOR DETAILS ON "DODRA SAHIB"VISIT: www.gurbanivichar.com
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58You, Jasbir Kaur, Jagdeep Naul and 55 others
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