Ive read about service as a spiritual practice in many places lately for some reason, so I have decided to write about it. The fruit of most mature spirituality is usually some kind of service. When one forces oneself to do it out of guilt, it can often be a very painful experience. Service from the heart can be charity, social justice, transformational work, or healing work. The problem for some people, however, is that they dont make much money for doing it. Many people do the things listed above, but are also paid for it, and some make a great deal of money, but can one do service in the true sense, while living in a capitalist country? Some of the impediments to doing service are a feeling of self esteem that is attached to how much one is paid, resentment because of ungrateful people receiving the services, being looked down upon, or feeling looked down upon, by friends, neighbors and relatives who think that we are just plain crazy.

If one begins to understand who one is doing service for, however, he can foresee any obstacles and prepare for them. Is one serving humanity? Is one serving himself? Is one serving God or the Universe? All of these questions need to be answered before entering into a life of service, or Karmic Yoga. If one is serving humanity it is very easy for him to eventually become resentful and angry. Many people are ungrateful if they receive anything free. This comes from the influence of a capitalist society, lack of clear thinking, and feeling that they dont deserve to be treated well, on a subconscious level. This is the nature of humanity in some casesthey tend to think less of people who care for them, if they dont like themselves. Though very few may be ungrateful wretches, there are also, always, some who are very grateful. Most are grateful, but its very easy to ignore them and focus on the negative. If one is doing service for humanity, it is important to be aware of this. Human beings are never easy to work with, and many of them have serious problems when it comes to clear thinking and self love.

If one is serving oneself, after a while, he or she will feel that they should be making more money. She will feel like a failure when her fulfillment doesnt add up to more fulfillment then receiving decent compensation, and helping people. This will especially be the case if she stops liking the work, and begins to feel marginal about it; especially if she has spent a lot of money and has done a lot of studying to get a degree or certificate. Upon looking at peers and associates and seeing them prosper, it will be easy for her, if she is not careful, to become resentful, envious and a bit jealous. These signs will follow those who are doing service for themselves, instead of their clients or the Divine.

If one is doing service for God or the Universe, however, one will do it without expectation. They will know in their heart that they are creating a better world and allowing that part of their self that is the channel, or midwife of the loving presence that we call God, to thrive and usher love into the world. Their creativity will be released and everything will be done out of a love that supersedes the need for acclaim and compensation. When doing service for God or the Universe, one does work without expectation and one is sensitive enough to the spirit to realize that they are receiving gifts of the spirit as well as monetary gifts for the work they are doing. As a result of their work of sowing the seeds of love, they will reap the fruit of joy. That is why it is important to understand for whom you are doing service in the beginning. If you decide in advance for whom you will do the service, things may not run smoothly or perfectly, but if it is for humanity or yourself you will know what impediments to expect, and what to expect if it is for God.

People will think that you are crazy, of course, if you are doing service for a higher power. People will probably put you down, but others will always lift you up, and more importantly, you will be an example for coming generations. Doing service is a great way to seek the spirit and to find it quickly. Be sure, however, when you partake of Karmic Yoga that you are prepared. If you think that you are serving the Divine and any of the above things occur it will be time for you to refocus, do some more of the inner workmaybe even take a break until you are really doing service for the Divine.