Selfless service to others
“Selfless service is a far higher means of spiritual progress than other means such as Meditation, Name-Repetition or Yoga. This is because when we engage in Meditation, Name-Repetition or Yoga we do so for our own benefit and not for the sake of others. These means are meant to subdue one’s individual desires and achieve happiness for oneself. What we should aim for is the achievement of good for others without any desire for personal gain.”
Sri Sathya Sai Baba“Selfless service is the fragrant flower of altruistic Love. We should undertake service activities for the purification of our own hearts.”
Summer Showers Vol. 6 Ch. 2 1979“Selfless service is the very essence of devotion.“
Extract from the Discourse of March 29, 1967“Service is the best cure for selfishness.”
Excerpt from the Discourse of January 13, 1968“Regard selfless service as the best spiritual discipline… But do not think that you can by service reform or mold the world. You may, you may not; it does not matter. The real value of selfless service, its most visible result, is that it reforms you, molds you. Do selfless service as a spiritual discipline, then you will be humble and happy.”
Excerpt from the Discourse of March 29, 1967
General principles
Selfless service can be transformed into a spiritual activity resulting in spiritual transformation when it is offered with the attitude that one is serving God in the other person, without any expectation of reward. Such selfless service should be performed according to the following principles:
- UNITY: The essential message of Sathya Sai Baba is the promotion of unity, including unity of purpose and unity in our actions, and therefore all participants are encouraged to work together in a spirit of unity.
- DETACHMENT: Overcoming our likes and dislikes and eliminating judgments about others, particularly those we serve – is enough if one has the inclination to do good work and a compassionate heart.
- LOVE AND GRATITUDE: Since God resides in all beings and what we offer reaches Him, we should approach all with love and also with gratitude for the opportunity to serve them, particularly as we are transformed by our selfless service and benefit from the service.
- TRUSTWORTHINESS: Towards the beneficiaries (our service is a commitment to them and to the God residing in them) as much as the people we serve.
- FRIENDSHIP: Expressed through simplicity, kindness, empathy, non-violence and respect for the beneficiaries.
- SAFETY: It is imperative that each service activity be undertaken after a sufficient safety assessment has been conducted to ensure that no participant is at risk of personal injury or harm.
The first aspect of selfless services is to take care of one’s own body, for it belongs to God. The second is to serve one’s parents. The third, one’s own family should be served. Fourth, one serves the poor in society and also the animals, without neglecting service to the needy members of the Sathya Sai Centre itself.
“Selfless service should not be restricted to mere social work. Any interaction with others will be transformed into selfless service when done with the right attitude.”
“The core of the spiritual discipline of selfless service is to see all as oneself and oneself in all.”
Divine Discourse, 14 November 1975.
There are community service activities in all Sai centres, to participate you can check with your nearest Sri Sathya Sai centre.