It is said that selfless service (seva) alone is the antidote to duality. But what exactly is selfless service, and what is it that we mean by duality. How can the former negate the latter? Let us investigate.
Selfless service (seva) is the rising above of the material self and being in touch with the real Self (Formless God), in which there is no trace of selfishness. It is without prejudice and discrimination. It is likened to a flower which provides its fragrance to all asunder. It matters not if the recipient is a king, an itinerant, a poet or a doctor. The fact that he is close-by, a neighbour, is enough. Defining such a neighbour is the hallmark of duality, and the key to one of the greatest commandments – ‘love thy neighbour as you love thyself’. The flower is without bias; it serves from its own true nature, without harbouring a feeling of doer-ship. For the flower, there is no pride in giving freely. On the contrary, it is aware it cannot contain its fragrance, which it disperses freely. It loses nothing by sharing its fragrance. In fact, it becomes renowned by spreading its beauty. Such is its beauty that it is glorified in art, philosophy and Scripture. So much so that not even thorns and blemishes can take away its magnificence.
Duality, by contrast, is the mind-created labelling system, making you believe that you are separate from everything else. It divides all that is into opposites, e.g. you and me, day and night, right and wrong. It is this duality that shows up when consciousness – the awareness of the Self – forgets itself and collapses into the finite, conditioned mind. It is a closed belief, separating oneself from others. It distorts and deranges the view of reality.
Unlike the selfless flower, humans choose to serve the extremes of duality, with a strong sense of doer-ship. They serve either the powerfully affluent or the poor and struggling. The mind, drawn to the powerfully affluent, wishes to be the same. Even when showing mercy to the poor and the struggling, the mind still carries the ego of doer-ship, limiting the scope of compassion. Fuelled by duality, the mind is fixated on ‘how about me and my desires and wants’. Those who suffer from high levels of anxiety and depression are often so self-absorbed that they are unable to think about serving others without a reason.
However, those who serve without an agenda are known to be joyous and content, even if this amounts to quite simply giving a glass of water or opening the door. These may seem like random acts of kindness, but there is nothing random about them. It is a purposeful way of living. The purpose is to act beyond the confines of worldly duality, and to be free from the doings, which plague the mind in a ‘carrot before the donkey’ syndrome. Simply break the stick and throw away the carrot. You don’t need it.
Seva, which is beyond the body, is unrestrictive. It serves one and all. Its focus is not the body. Through the vision of the boundless (gyan), service too becomes boundless. The knower of the Formless (the gyani) no longer focuses on strengths or weaknesses, powerful or the powerless. He transcends all differences; actions become harmonious and the feeling of ‘pushing water uphill’ no longer prevails. It’s a natural state of acceptance, which allows one-self to fall in humility. No effort is required in such falling. The battle only exists in climbing the ladder of ego.
The Oneness gathering (satsang) is a place where all worldly considerations are rejected, and where service for humans is truly practiced, irrespective of their being poor or rich, able or disabled, black or white, weak or strong. Serving humans for being humans is only possible with a non-dualistic approach. Being aware of the fact that the doer is the Formless, ego is shed and bliss is attained. Just as the river serves without seeking to ask the boatman’s culture, colour or class. Those engaged in true seva do not consider any worldly deliberations in serving humans.
This undiluted feeling of service is inspired by the vision of gyan, which the Teacher of Truth (Satguru) provides. Serving humans as humans is rare; it is the epitome of humanness. Seva can be done anywhere, but in the Oneness gatherings (satsang), it is unique. It is a place where everyone who attends understands that bodies are not what we focus upon. It is the Formless that serves, and is the Formless itself that is served! The duality of the mind is dismissed, and humanity in oneness is clearly seen. It may seem somewhat strange to a mind that is still stuck in dualistic thinking. It gives rise to many questions – ‘why should I serve someone who appears to be normal in every way; why should I give water to someone who can get it himself. All these questions are common in a deluded mind. The mind which is aware of the Formless perceives only the Formless, and knows no other and serves no other.
Such is the vision the Teacher of Truth provides and allows every moment to be fulfilled with beauty. For those who serve the Formless, are served by the universe. The moment the spirit of seva is embraced, the mind begins to serve. The hankering for ‘me, me and me’ ends and merges into YOU, the Formless. Duality, the separation of the self, is subdued by the Formless, giving rise to the Self, which becomes instrumental in providing selfless seva.
– Surjit Dhami, Cannock, UK
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