Seva

Seva is a spiritual practice of offering selfless service to the Guru. It is performed with an attitude of nondoership, without attachment to the fruits of one's actions. 

There is a saying that it is easy to be a saint on a mountaintop, but the real proof comes when you return to the marketplace. On the Siddha Yoga path, we test our attainment and refine our understanding through the practice of seva. As we work with others in a spiritual environment, we have a practical means to put the Siddha Yoga teachings into action. 

During the practice of seva, Siddha Yoga students perform familiar activities, such as cooking, cleaning, playing musical instruments or working at the computer. When we offer seva with a focus on the Self, with awareness, we perform a tangible offering of love in action. In her message for the year 2000, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda spoke about "uninterrupted loving service" as a way to dissolve that which separates us from the constant experience of divine love. As we cultivate an attitude of service, we learn how to make all of our life's work service to God; all aspects of our life become yoga. Ultimately, we come to understand that serving humanity and serving God are one and the same. 

There are many ways to participate in the spiritual practice of seva. If you are interested in offering seva regularly at the Siddha Yoga Meditation Center in Honolulu, please leave a message at the Center's voicemail at 808.597.9194, send an e-mail to symchonolulu@hotmail.com or talk with a member of the Center Leadership. If you leave a message or send an e-mail, someone will contact you to share the available seva opportunities and help you to decide what seva offering would be right for you.