Seva, selfless service, is one of the core spiritual practices on the Siddha Yoga path. At Shree Muktananda Ashram, staff and visiting Siddha Yogis from around the world offer their skills, talents, and energy in support of the SYDA Foundation’s work—serving the Siddha Yoga Mission.
In a great scripture of India, Shri Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna teaches, “Yoga is skill in action.” By serving with love and attentiveness, we cultivate proficiency, self-confidence, joy, and evenness of mind, and we strengthen our connection to the inexhaustible source of joy and power at the core of our being. Practicing seva in this way, we move toward attaining the goal of yoga: the steady awareness of our union with the Self.
As you view these photos of Siddha Yogis engaged in many different types of seva, you are invited to reflect on how each expresses skill in action through qualities such as focus, respect, and enthusiasm.
When I see the pictures of Yoga—Skill in Action I am inspired by the community of Siddha Yoga students. I am also amazed to see how the calm atmosphere of the Ashram can be experienced just by looking at them!
Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico
I feel myself become calm when I look at the photos and into the healthy and bright shining faces of the sevites. I see sevites of all ages offering their best with great focus.
As I look at these images, I see that the Ashram is a beautiful place, and I sense that everything there is very precious.
Although I am not able to offer seva at the Ashram at this time, I feel deep gratitude to have a little view of Ashram life via the Siddha Yoga path website.
RosendhaI, Germany
I love to see these expressions of love in the form of service. In the Birthday Celebration preparations, there is a sweet anticipation—from the cooking of sweet dishes to the preparation of the hall. It is moving to see all the effort and dedication that are behind every little detail.
Montreal, Canada
The combination of joy and diligence I see in the faces and body language of these Siddha Yogis reminds me that the two traits go hand-in-hand. As I contemplate what they have in common, the word presence comes to mind.
In my experience, whenever I stay present, joy naturally arises in me, along with diligence in my actions. Whether I’m pouring a glass of water or listening to a friend, whenever I am present with whatever I’m doing, I’m more likely to experience satsang within and feel that I am making a positive difference in the world.
New York, USA
I loved viewing this gallery with so many photos of sevites gently preparing and caring for the silk cloths to be draped around the Ashram for this month’s celebrations. This deepened my appreciation of the practice of seva. It became clear to me that seva truly is an offering of love. I felt I was seeing seva both beautify the environment and transform its practitioners into angels of love.
I loved seeing that Shivanataraj is enveloped in this love too. How beautiful!
