Selfless Service (Karma Yoga)

It is the action, not the fruit of the action that is important.
You have to do the right thing.
It may not be in your power,
it may not be your time,
there may not be any fruit.
But that does not mean you stop doing the right thing.
You may never know what results come from your action.
But if you do nothing, there will be no result.
- Mahatma Gandhi

Selfless service is a natural unfoldment in one's spiritual awakening; for with a commitment to spiritual growth and enlightenment comes the realization that these cannot be accomplished in isolation. We get to know the people at the Center in a way that isn't possible by only attending Sunday services.

Through participation in service with others on the path, one finds many opportunities to experience healing within community, to begin to deepen one's spiritual realization, and to become increasingly aware of the activity of grace in one's life.

Not only does service promote the server's spiritual awakening, but also the server promotes the evolution of the spiritual community; thereby influencing life itself. People willing to practice volunteer spiritual service as one of their paths to wholeness are an essential component for creating a vital spiritual community with services and programs for the members.

Many times people who haven't spent any time in "service of the spiritual kind" wonder what's in it for them. In addition to putting our faith into practice volunteering gives us the opportunity to give back to the CSE community. Giving to others in this way is really about giving to oneself. Giving and receiving are intimately connected.

God is present in every act of service.
-Bhagavad Gita

In addition to the many opportunities volunteers to offer ongoing service here at CSE we devote two special days to the practice of karma yoga, or selfless service. One day is devoted to preparing the sacred temple grounds for our yearly Open House and the other in preparation for our Gratitude for Teachers celebration.

On these special days devoted to service many hearts and hands work joyfully together to create and maintain this beautiful oasis which are the CSE grounds and building interiors.

The day begins with prayers and teachings on the path of karma yoga and follows with many opportunities to put the teachings into practice as we work together on various projects here at the Center and share a vegetarian meal in silence. The day concludes with prayers of gratitude and the opportunity to participate in a healing circle to bless all those who enter our meditation garden, the Temple of the Eternal Way, and other parts of our property.