Service

Service is an Opportunity

Before we develop "The Spirit of Service', let us comprehend what service is.  First of all, service is an opportunity.  Mercenary service like a job or a career is not an opportunity.  One does service to earn income for his livelihood.  This is a necessity, but true service is a matter of good fortune.  This chance is not given to everybody and comes but rarely.  It drops like heavenly manna, as the Holy Bible says.  All may serve at an unexpected hour.  When you are quite unprepared, service drops down as a stroke of good luck.

Service is Love in Action

Really speaking, service is love in action.  It is not enough if a father says to the son, "Dear son, I love you."  But when the son demands money or clothes and the father refuses, then the spirit of love is missing.  Similarly, when a husband expresses love for his wife, it should be manifested in action.  Unless we serve, we cannot say that we love.

True Service is Above Self

The third point is that true service is above ego.  When we nurse ambitions of becoming the convener of a Sai Centre or such position, it is an expression of total ignorance.  Here, the ideal of true service is missing.  When we have no desire for name or fame and we are silent, calm and serene in our efforts, that service spreads like the fragrance of a flower, which goes without announcement, propaganda or broadcast.  This is true service, one that is above self.

(To be continued)

(From the book "Sai-Chology" by Prof. K. Anil Kumar)