Liberation through Service of Love

Introduction

In recent years, there has been an increase in the thirst for spirituality all over the world, especially at a time when there is so much conflict, upheaval, and other types of chaos in the outside world. Many people, including myself, have studied Vedānta, which is the philosophy of higher knowledge and mokṣa (liberation) distilled from the Upaniṣads, which are regarded as the sacred revelations that the ancient Indian sages received while they were in a deeply meditative state.

Many of us who follow the Vedantic tradition are looking for the best way how to best incorporate its teachings into our daily lives. One may ask, “Which path may I pursue to achieve liberation as the highest goal of human existence?”, or “How can I experience love and peace while living in this crazy world?”

Among many other sub-schools, Advaita Vedānta is widely considered one of the most influential schools of Vedānta philosophy. Its central tenet on non-dual metaphysics is based on the notion of Brahman as the only Ultimate Reality, which is “one without a second.” The Advaitic teachings are encapsulated by great Upaniṣadic sayings such as “tat tvam asi” (that thou art) and “ahaṁ brahmāsmi” (I am Brahman), which reflect the ideal of the Oneness of Truth: everything is none other than Brahman, or to put it another way, Brahman underlies the whole universe as it is the ultimate substratum of all names and forms of this world. By realizing the knowledge of Brahman, a human soul attains liberation (Self-realization, God-realization).

Now that we are clear on our goal but which path should we take? Many of us would envisage a yogi delving inward by persistently meditating in seclusion in a remote, deep forest in order to attain Brahman. As a result, a seeker may be faced with a typical conundrum, “Do I have to renounce the world, cut all relationship ties, retreat in silence, forgo bodily needs, and devote my entire life to meditation in order to realize the Oneness?”

In my opinion, there are more paths to liberation other than taking shelter in forests, caves, or monasteries to avoid social contact. In fact, a seeker can advance spiritually while remaining in the world. It calls for the proper mindset, attitude, and action on our part.

Great Saints of India on Liberation and Service

On my path to ultimate freedom, I am very much inspired by the life and teachings of two significant Indian spiritual teachers: Swami Vivekananda (1863 – 1902) and Mātā Amritānandamayī (1953 – present).

Swami Vivekananda, a prominent Hindu spiritual leader and reformer in modern India, was a key figure in bringing Vedānta to the West. His version of Vedānta proposes the divinization of the world: the Impersonal Absolute (Brahman), as the highest principle of existence, is the thread of unity that runs through the entire universe. All in this cosmos is encompassed by the Lord (Vivekananda, 2009).

Thus, Swamiji encouraged us to “contribute to the real well-being of people” and work “in the service of jivas[1] in a spirit of oneness” (Vivekananda, 1953, 7.2.15), emphasizing spiritual liberation through service to the afflicted people in the world. When one of his disciples expressed uncertainty about favoring the path of action over the path of meditation, Swamiji responded by describing the state of Oneness experienced by a person established in the eternal Truth, “You will feel the whole sentient and insentient world as your own self. Then you can’t help treating all with the same kindness as you show towards yourself. This is indeed practical Vedanta”. (Vivekananda, 1953, 7.2.9)

Swamiji established the Ramakrishna Mission (named after his guru Sri Ramakrishna) in 1897 for providing social service after witnessing the dismal reality of his nation, which was plagued by poverty, repression, and other social evils. The mission’s ideals were based on Karma Yoga – working tirelessly without expecting rewards or seeking personal gain. This practical path of Swamiji’s non-dual Vedantic ideal makes it abundantly evident that serving others is the best way to find God.

Currently, we have another exceptional teacher who likewise supports the path of service. Mātā Amritānandamayī, often addressed as Amma, is a well-known living spiritual master and humanitarian leader who places a strong emphasis on the connection between spirituality and service. She acknowledges the Advaitic worldview and asserts that the multitude of differences in the world is subsumed into a mono-conception of cosmic unity through her intuitive knowledge. According to several accounts of her life, she cannot see any difference but only the whole or Brahman (Amritaswarupananda, 1991, p. 255), and “beholds everything as Her own Self, an extension of Herself in different forms” (Amritaswarupananda, 1994, p. 54). In addition to the Vedānta, Amma emphasizes the inherent divinity in all beings (sentient and insentient) by referencing the core principle of Sanātana Dharma, which states that “the Creator and the creation are not two but one” in many of her spiritual discourses and public speeches (amritapuri.org, 2006). The universal language of the heart – love and compassion – are immediately awakened in our hearts toward all beings when sustained by this spiritual wisdom. And service is love in action.

Amma stresses meditation and sevā (selfish service) as essential components of the daily routine of sādhana (spiritual practices) in her ashrams in India and around the world because these practices refine the mind and get it ready to assimilate the Ultimate Truth. With the motto “Love and Serve”, Amma has successfully built a bridge between the spiritual truth of Oneness to humanitarian service through a global network of local and regional charitable activities in India and in more than forty other countries around the world. These activities support disaster relief, education, healthcare, women empowerment, environmental protection, and many other causes. She does this through her charitable organizations (such as Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Amma’s Centers, and Embracing the World), which are run by thousands of her disciples, devotees, and volunteers who are inspired by the ideal of selfless love.

My Spiritual Lesson of Service

Let’s go back to the question posted at the beginning now. Spiritual seekers who live in the world and strive to grow spiritually can find inspiration from the lives and teachings of Swamiji and Amma. Uttering statements like “ahaṁ brahmāsmi” and “tat tvam asi” over and over again while turning a blind eye to the sufferings in the world is meaningless. By helping those in need, we can widen our hearts and purify our minds, laying the foundation for attaining the knowledge of Brahman.

However, I must admit that when it comes to selfless service, rational comprehension and practical application are two very different things. The proper attitude toward service cannot be fully understood by intellectual speculation. Thankfully, I could spend a number of years in Amma’s ashram in India to learn about it. Back in 2014, my heart yearned to devote my life to sevā, and whenever I read these words of Amma, tears would well up in my eyes:

“The beauty and charm of selfless love and service should not die away from the face of this earth. The world should know that a life of dedication is possible, that a life inspired by love and service to humanity is possible.”

Soon my heartfelt prayer was heard and I was given an opportunity to serve at Amma’s university. After settling into my daily sevā rhythm there, I began to feel proud of my work ability and efficiency secretly. At the same time, traces of anger started to build up inside of me whenever I was asked to help with secretarial or assistant work that I believed there were many other people of less capacity and qualifications could do. I simply did not understand why my supervisor kept giving me trivial tasks. I desired to accomplish more. I never showed my dissatisfaction outwardly but the fire of irritation and resentment kept burning hotter and hotter inside of me. More than a year went by while I was in this state of internal turmoil, I was totally unaware of the powerful deception my ego used to keep me from embracing selflessness!

One day when I was resting after receiving a body treatment at a nearby Ayurveda hospital, I stumbled across a page in Amma’s book and prayed for divine guidance for me that moment. A message popped up and astounded me without any warning, very much like Kali Ma’s sword for cutting my inflated sense of self-importance. It explained that God has given us all of our skills and capabilities and it is God who wills everything.

“We should always remember that we are just instruments in God’s hands. We should know that we are not the doers, but that God is making us do everything. When we sincerely have this attitude, pride and selfishness will leave us.” — Amma

These words immediately humbled me. Yes, even the next breath was not in my control. I finally understood the important lesson underlying all the seemingly minor assignments given to me at the university: I was only an instrument of God. I would have been left useless if God took away all abilities and talents from me. How foolish of me to have been so haughty for so long! When I went back to the university, I sincerely felt grateful for being able to finish all the responsibilities assigned to me. I tried my best to work with full dedication and without any consideration of “I,” “me,” or “mine.” Every task I performed became a gift to me because being able to serve was indeed a big blessing. Soon after, I started getting new work on research and grant applications that needed greater intellectual strength. Without this episode of ego-cutting, I would have been horribly tortured by the ever-growing pride that would lead me further away from my path of service.

My personal experience has taught me that selfless service has double functions. It helps me work with my whole heart (love and sincerity) and mind (intellectual vigor and concentration) as a form of worship to God. It also supports those in need and unleashes the positive change we want to see on the surface of the Earth. Renunciation does not entail giving up action; rather, it refers to giving up the ego, which manifests itself in a variety of ways when engaging in any activity, including worldly desires, rewards, pride, anger, worry, and doubt. When I act now, I focus more on how to do my best during the process, and less on the outcome because I have very little control over it.

Final words

I believe, sevā based on Advaita principle is practical and possible for all of us. If performed without expectations or attachments, selfless service can work wonders for liberating both ourselves and the world. It not only transforms and purifies the individual’s mind on the road to ultimate freedom but also contributes to making the world a better place for everyone as God’s manifestation of love, compassion, and unity in diversity. Both the inner and the outer paths through service can bring us back to the truth of Oneness, as well as more joy and peace in our daily lives.

As Mahatma Gandhi said,

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

[1] Jīva, a Sanskrit word, refers to an empirical self that is ignorant of its true nature of purity, eternity, luminosity, and indestructibility as the Ātman, which is identical to the Brahman in essence. It falsely identifies with the body and senses and is enslaved by the ego.

References:

Amritapuri. (2006, January 1). The creator and the creation are not two: Amma in Kottakkal. Mata Amritanandamayi Math. https://www.amritapuri.org/8889/06-kottakkal.aum Amritaswarupananda, S. (1991). Awaken, children!: Dialogues with Sri Mata Amritanandamayi (Vol. 5). Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust.

Amritaswarupananda, S. (1994). Awaken, children!: Dialogues with Sri Mata Amritanandamayi (Vol. 6). Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust.

Vivekananda, S. (2009). Vedānta philosophy: Lectures on jnāna yoga. Kay Printing House.

Vivekananda, S. (1953). The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 7. Advaita ashrama.

To know more:

Swami Vivekananda: https://vedantasociety.net/vivekananda

Amma and her charitable work: https://www.embracingtheworld.org/about-amma/