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Thread: Karma Yoga and Seva

  1. #1
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    Karma Yoga and Seva

    Namaste

    In my country all spiritual organisations (with gurus from India like Amma, Satya Sai Baba and many others) demand Karma Yoga or Seva. For example they buy a building to hold (commercial) classes. Now the memebers of the organisation are requested to renovate it. To give this renovation the spiritual touch it is called Karma Yoga and Karma Yoga is cleaning ones ego. Thus it is a kind of blackmail.

    At the end it is a saving of money, since spirituality is completely commercialised. There is noting for free.

    During the class attendants are requested to help in the kitchen, in the garden, to do cleaning and whatever is necessary. Karma Yoga again. Once I took an Indian to Shiva Ratri, the fee was 28 Euro plus Karma Yoga. He was aghast.

    Seva is used for what Christianity calls charity or service for others. You are demanded (following Jesus) to take care of old, sick or dying people, for unprivileged or handicapped, the spectrum is vast. At the end it is also a saving of money since we pay a lot into social systems to get this done.

    My point is not to criticise this.

    I just want to know is this the real meaning of Karma Yoga and Seva? Or is this an adaption for the Westerners since Christianity has no other goal in life than charity and service to others ... just like Jesus.

    Pranam
    Dance with Shiva - live with Shiva - merge with Shiva

  2. #2
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    Re: Karma Yoga and Seva

    Vannakkam: Seva is such a joy. To have the opportunity to apply oneself, or use a profession you have in the Service to others is a boon from God, an indirect way of helping yourself get closer.

    Now ... demanding it? Well, I don't think that should ever be necessary, but these days, unfortunately it might be the only way to get things done, as not everyone understands the benefits, or in this busy age, actually has that much time.

    Just thoughts.

    Aum Namasivaya

  3. #3
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    Re: Karma Yoga and Seva

    Vannakkam Eastern Mind,
    you are right, helping others is a joy.

    But to call it Karma Yoga and Seva gives a special touch, you are not only helping others, you are a yogi, you earn spiritual benefits. Cleaning toilet gives more benefits than peeling potatoes for meal. It became a kind of competition. So called Sevakas are cheap workers in the name of Yoga and Yoga is a billion business.

    I wanted to illustrate the profanation of Vedic philosophy with only one example. They who demand Karma Yoga and Seva refer to Bhagavad Gita of course.

    Karma Yoga is acting without expecting the fruit, just being a medium in the hands of God. It cannot be reduced to social service.

    What is Seva in the original sense? There must be a difference between Karma Yoga and Seva since Bhagavad Gita does not mention Seva as far as I remember.

    Pranam
    Dance with Shiva - live with Shiva - merge with Shiva

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