Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa!
Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!
Seva is a core principle of Sikhism. We are all passionate about it when it comes to doing something at the Gurudwara or in the community. But we must remember 3 basic traits with which Seva is associated. If we are in lack of any, let alone all, call it anything, but it is not Seva.
1. Humility
2. Tolerance
3. Patience
Seva must be in humility, because it is what eradicates our ego. If we are proud of what we are doing and shout from the roof tops about what we are doing, we are only making the disease of ego grow in us. Whatever we involve ourselves in Seva, if ego creeps in, the Seva will not bear fruit and it is not accepted by the Guru.
In the course of working for the Panth, we meet all kinds of people who we can at times find it difficult to work with. We must keep our peace and try and correct ourselves, and others, in humility (which is why it comes first). If we cannot tolerate people, we will become fanatic and in that state, Seva cannot be done.
3. Do we tire of doing something for the community? If we are either doing the wrong thing, or our heart is not in it. In Seva, if we do not have patience, with ourself and with others (and with the Guru ), we will easily lose what we gained earlier - our humility and our tolerance.
So whenever you do Seva, do it for the Guru and remember the 3 traits. Do not do it for anyone else, because only the Guru knows with what intention you are doing Seva.
Lakhvir Singh
