Selfless Service
Seva means ‘selfless service’. It is a way to open your heart and develop bhakti within yourself. When done from the heart, the focus moves away from reciprocity and into the pure joy of giving. By seeking to please the other, expectations melt away and all that remains is love.
Seva is one of the nine forms of Bhakti. Called Padaseva Bhakti, it is cultivated by making every action an offering to the Lotus Feet of the Lord. According to the Guru Gita, there is no difference between God and Guru, and so when we serve the Master and his mission, we are also serving the Supreme Lord Narayana Himself by allowing ourselves to be the instruments of His action.
Seva can also be a sadhana, a spiritual practice to help us deepen our relationship with God. When done with this intention, it helps us move beyond ourselves to focus on giving to others. In this way, we grow into opening our heart to see God in each and every person around us.
Paramahamsa Vishwananda encourages all his devotees across the globe to undertake seva initiatives.
Seva in your own country
In addition to seva done at the Ashram in Germany, there are countless ways to contribute to Paramahamsa Vishwananda’s mission through seva in your own country. Time commitments vary depending on your availability and willingness to take on a leadership position. Contact the Bhakti Marga Country Coordinator (BMCC) in your country to find out how you can help support Paramahamsa Vishwananda and spread his Bhakti Marga mission.
The following is a partial list of ways to serve in your local community and country:
- Attend OM Chanting: The benefits spread out to a 2 kilometer radius.
- Atma Kriya Yoga: When you do your practice, you personally benefit and the light you radiate will uplift all you encounter.
- Sing bhajans: Share the love of Hari Naam, gather with friends to sing, start a bhakti band, go out and perform Street Kirtan.
Bhakti Marga temples and ashrams: Attend prayers and events at your local centre. Support it with your time, talents and finances. - Share: Tell friends, family, everyone, about your experiences with Guruji, his teachings, his books and CDs.
Host an event: Schedule an introductory event, hold classes, OM Chanting circles, or special events with your country Swami or Swamini. - Donate goods and services: Support events and day-to-day functions of your local centre, SPN or in the name of Bhakti Marga.
- Marketing and communications: Like and Post on your country Facebook page, Tweet, volunteer to do transcriptions, translations and subtitles. Take Paramahamsa Vishwananda’s books to your local bookstores.
- Volunteer: Offer to help at Darshans and Satsangs with Paramahamsa Vishwananda.
Become an organiser or teacher: OM Chanting Organiser, Mantra Project Organiser, Simply Meditation teacher, Atma Kriya Yoga teacher, or Sri Yantra Drawing teacher. - Become a Country Coordinator: If your country does not yet have leadership, contact the International Country Coordinator to take on the role.