In seva there is no 'I'. You do it because it has to be done. You do it for someone else. You do it because it needs to be done at that time. There is no vasana behind seva.

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        🌺 ASHTAVAKRA GITA🌺

    

                🌿Chapter - 28🌿

 ~ Seva And The Art Of Enthusiasm ~

                  🌱 Day - 162 🌱

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भ्रान्तिमात्रमिदं विश्वं न किञ्चिदिति निश्चयी ।

निर्वासनः स्फूर्तिमात्रो न किञ्चिदिव शाम्यति ॥

Seva is the only work done without vasana (latent tendencies), without the selfish wanting or craving. Everything else you do for yourself out of selfishness. Even when you meditate, you are doing it for yourself. You are meditating because you want to be enlightened and want joy. Meditation itself is a selfish act. You do sadhana because you want to end your misery; you want something! Behind every act there is "I want something". We do things through the vasana. You smile at somebody because you want something from that person. If they are looking good, you give a bigger smile. Notice how you act, if somebody is very smart. You walk in the street, and when you see somebody very beautiful - a good-looking boy or girl - your style and your actions, change immediately. The way you talk to them is different. The way you behave is different. The way you dress is different. Everything changes. How do you dress if you have to go to a party? You think for long about the sari or dress to be worn. There is something even behind your smile. You expect recognition or appreciation from the other person.

If an artist is asked to perform before kids, they will perform in a different way as they don't think kids can appreciate their music. But if there are adults, notice how they perform. Their very attitude changes, even towards music. It's the same thing if you cook. If you are cooking for some people and you know that they know you are cooking for them, you will do it with great interest and earnestness. But, if you have to cook where nobody knows that you have cooked, you will do it in a different way. Very different. Your tone changes, your walk changes, your look changes, your behavior, appearance; everything changes because behind everything is your ego, 'I', 'I', 'I'.

But in seva there is no 'I'. You do it because it has to be done. You do it for someone else. You do it because it needs to be done at that time. There is no vasana behind seva. निर्वासनः स्फूर्तिमात्रो न किञ्चिदिव शाम्यति । This is a very beautiful statement. Your enthusiasm is always connected with some gain for yourself. Have you observed? When are you enthusiastic? When you get some pleasure either as recognition, appreciation, wealth, or some physical joy, then you are enthusiastic. But that enthusiasm is spiced with your ego; with stones. It's a beautiful fruit salad with lots of sand in it. What do you do with it? Nice ice cream, but with a lot of sand. That is how you are enthusiastic in life, and your enthusiasm brings apathy to you most of the time.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

ASHTAVAKRA GITA

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