Being of Service

​Broadening our Lens

I recently read a great newsletter from Susan Barkataki, of Ignite Yoga & Wellness Institute, about the concept of Seva. If you’re new to this Sanskrit term, Seva loosely translates as: selfless service. 

In other words, Seva is yoga in action. It’s taking what we practice internally and being intentional about putting it out into the world. 

Now, you may think this means you have to go and volunteer for an organization.

Or, write a fat check to a worthy cause.
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But those aren’t the only ways you can put Seva into motion.

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“Never give from the depths of your well, but from your overflow.”

~ Rumi

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Hello my friends!

I hope your week is flowing along nicely. I can’t quite get adjusted to how late it stays light outside! This week’s sunshine and sound of sandhill cranes have certainly elevated my mood. 

And, I’m feeling the stress and strain created by the fear and chaos that surround us every day. In challenging times, I understand it’s imperative to continue resourcing ourselves through our yogic practices. I know it’s also essential that we all keep living our yogic beliefs. In fact, this is a wonderful time for us to put our yoga into action. 

How do we do that? What might that look like?

I really appreciate how Susan Barkataki begins to answer these questions:

“Seva isn’t just volunteering or giving back - it is an embodied spiritual practice. 

It is action infused with love, done without expectation of reward.
It is showing up for something larger than ourselves, with humility and devotion.
It is offering our gifts in service to dharma - the greater good.”

This is where I feel it’s important to remind us all: our action doesn’t have to be GRAND in scale, nor in expense. 

It can be as simple as offering a compliment to someone you cross paths with. 
Or, listening to a friend in need without trying to “fix” the person. 
It might be finding a new way to offer up your talents . . . perhaps you will read to elementary school children, or teach a class about nonviolent communication, or help a friend organize his/her closet, or drive a neighbor in need to their medical appointment.

If you’re not sure where to begin, ask yourself: 

• How do I enjoy spending my own time? What am I naturally drawn to?
• Is there something within that activity/talent that I can use for the greater good? 
• How can my voice be used for others who may not have a seat at the table? 

And let’s be really clear. Seva is not about losing yourself in order to serve others. In fact, seva is about living in deep alignment with your highest, best self and shining from there. 

✨ We don’t just practice yoga. We live it. ✨

With love and fire,

~ m