Why and How to Devote Yourself to Seva ‘Selfless Service’
Following the Kundalini Yoga lifestyle is not merely about practices, such as meditation and kriyas. This way of life covers a myriad of approaches and ethos you can use. When you start your journey, you may hear the term Seva now and then. Within this guide, we will take a look at what it means and how you can adopt it.
What is Seva ‘Selfless Service’?
Put simply, Seva translates to ‘selfless service’ and people often think of it as being the act of doing good deeds. For example, you may help the people around you, offer your services to a charitable organization, or simply adopt an altruistic approach to life.
All of the above is a part of Seva. While a type of selfless service appears in countless religions and practices, it can be hard to understand the true Seva definition. Should you want to adopt it as part of your Kundalini Yoga practice, you may need to delve deeper.
One element of Seva is that we should look for ways that we can perform acts of service. Throughout your day-to-day life, there are plenty of times when you will have the opportunity to help someone other than yourself. It could be as simple as helping someone cross the road or a grander gesture, such as giving someone emotional support. All of these acts add up to make a central part of your character and your worldly being.
The Ego and Seva
One of the things that you need to understand when it comes to Seva is the relationship that it has to the Ego. When you are practicing Kundalini Yoga, the aim is to rid yourself of your Ego completely. There’s a good reason for this. When you are ruled by your Ego, it controls your every move and the actions that you take.
That means that when you deliver acts of service, you will not be doing so altruistically. Instead, you will be doing good deeds with the incentive of getting a reward or commandment. For instance, you may expect people to look favorably on you for your actions or see you as a good person. This is not the right reason to engage in Seva.
It’s important to realize that the Ego itself is an illusion. We are one entity and must act that way, looking after one another. In simple terms, that is about not considering how your actions will benefit you in any way. Instead, the focus should be entirely on the good dead and its intent.
Use Seva in Your Journey!
Now that you fully understand what Seva is (and that it requires no Ego), why not use it in your own life? As you slowly diminish your Ego and become more neutral, you will be able to engage in this practice. Consider the ways that you can help and support those around you. Make doing good deeds a central and important part of your existence.
See also: 5 Ways to Enhance Your Sadhana (Personal Practice)
