Charity & Volunteering 05 (Jul 25 - Dec 27)

[winston]

Why is service to be considered the very basic nature of human society?

Society is the coming together of people. Cooperation among people in a society, motivated by spontaneity and by pure intentions, is the hallmark of seva (service).

Seva can be identified with two basic characteristics: compassion and willingness to sacrifice.

History informs us that in all countries and in every age, man is a social animal. Man is born in society, he grows through society, and his life ends in society itself.

Man’s songs and speech, his duties and diversions, are all determined by society.

Society for man is like water for fish: if society rejects him or neglects him, he cannot survive.

What a single individual cannot accomplish, a well-knit group or society can achieve.

A man walking alone will feel tired and miserable at the end of five miles; but walking with ten others as a group, he would find the five miles a jaunt. He arrives refreshed and strong!

- Divine Discourse, Nov 19, 1981

When service is done spontaneously, it is its own reward.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why should youth take to service actively? How should we ascribe success or failure in any action we take?

The age span, 16-30 years, is crucial, for that is the period when life adds sweetness to itself, when talents, skills and attitudes are accumulated, sublimated and sanctified.

If the tonic of unselfish seva (service) is administered to the mind during this period, life’s mission is fulfilled, for the process of sublimation and sanctification will be accelerated by this tonic.

Do not serve for the sake of reward, attracting attention, or earning gratitude or from a sense of pride at your own superiority in skill, wealth, status or authority.

Serve because you are urged by love. When you succeed, ascribe the success to the grace of the Divine, who urged you on, as Love within you.

When you fail, ascribe the failure to your own inadequacy, insincerity or ignorance.

Examine the springs of action, disinfect them from all traces of ego. Do not throw the blame on the recipients of the seva or on your collaborators and coworkers, or on Him.

- Divine Discourse, May 19, 1969

Man should serve and worship Him when he is walking on two feet; he should not postpone it to old age when he is virtually walking on three feet.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

From Food4U:-

https://www.facebook.com/groups/7950454 ... 107733555/

[winston]

Practicing Generosity

When we achieve a mind of gratitude and dedicate ourselves to helping others, we can practice generosity.

We can be generous with our wealth, with ourselves and with the dharma.

- Sheng Yen, “Rich Generosity”

[winston]

What is the attitude with which we must take up service?

Why have you come such long distances, braving all the expenses and troubles of the journey?

To be in his presence and to win his Grace, isn’t it?

Why then do you seek other contacts and others’ favour once you have reached this place? Why fall into grooves that deny you his presence and grace?

Forget all else, and stick to the orders that he gave; He wants only to initiate you into the spiritual path of seva and love.

Do not be ashamed that you have been asked to watch a heap of sandals, or carry water to the thirsty, or stand at the gate.

The privilege and pleasure, consist in the use to which you put your skill and time for helping others.

Serving anyone is serving Him for He's in all. The relief and joy that you give to the sick and the sad reach Him, for He is in their hearts, and He's the One they call out for.

He has no need of your service; does He suffer from pain in the legs, or ache in the stomach?

Try to serve the holy; be a dasanudasa — servant of the servants of the Divine. The service of man is the only means by which you can serve Him.

- Divine Discourse, Mar 04, 1970

When you tend the limb, you tend the individual. When you serve man, you serve the Divine.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

You Are Needed

Wherever you see fit to serve, your wise and embodied offerings, are needed.

- Ruth King, “Awakening Together”

[winston]

Generous Hearts

It sounds so false and clichéd but nothing makes you happier, than doing something for somebody else.

- David Sedaris, “The Funny Thing About Death”

[winston]

What is the highest form of Sadhana (spiritual practice) and devotion?

A life without love is sterile and barren. Whatever be one’s difficulties or troubles, one should try to help others to the extent possible.

Selfless, loving service to others, is the highest form of sadhana. It represents true devotion or bhakti.

Such bhakti is not affected by the reverse of fortune or changes in circumstances.

One should not be concerned only about one’s own welfare, career and prosperity. It is not for the enjoyment of personal possessions and comforts that man has taken birth.

He has a greater goal to achieve, something more permanent and lasting. It is the realisation of oneness with the divine, which alone can give lasting bliss.

Even while being engaged in the activities of the secular world, we should strive to sanctify all actions by dedicating them to the divine.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 02, 1985

Man is the product of society and service to society is real service to the Divine

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Anywhere I see suffering, that is where I want to be, doing what I can.

– Princess Diana

[winston]

Greetings and good day,

Humanity cannot exist without compassion, empathy, and love.

These are the elements that bond us together in our life’s journey of caring and sharing with those we love.

By 2035, one in every seven Malaysians will be considered Warga Mas, elderly individuals aged 60 and above.

Sadly, even today, many Warga Mas are found on the streets and in government hospitals, neglected, abandoned, and homeless.

I have witnessed this heartbreaking reality firsthand, as I walk the streets with my volunteers to provide food aid, shelter, and medical care to these individuals.

Some of us are fortunate and blessed to have our loved ones to care for us.

But many others are treated like old furniture, cast aside and forgotten.

It is undeniable that all of us will eventually grow old, and one day, we too will pass on.

Let us age with grace. And when our time comes, let us go with dignity, with a roof over our heads and surrounded by those who love us.

Whatever we do to our elders, whether good or bad, our children will be the ones to witness it, and one day, they will follow in our footsteps.

Do good, and the goodness of life will return to you.

Food4U
Uncle Tony

======================

Please do help feed the hungry by donating essentials to Food4U’s distribution centre or Whatsapp Uncle Tony Lian at ‪+60178812666‬ for further information.
Food4U
No 4, Jalan P 2/18
Sekyen 2
Bandar Teknologi Kajang
43000 Semenyih
Selangor