Can someone entangled in their own troubles help others? If we are angry or depressed, can we bring peace and joy to anyone’s life?
Serving others is an excellent way of making life worthwhile and valuable, but if we are wrapped up in our own problems, we will have neither the time nor the inclination to assist anyone.
In order to be of use to others, it helps to have not just good intentions and ability, but also an understanding of their situation, which enables us to decide what exactly needs to be done. A clean intellect that can discern accurately is a great asset in this.
Our service cannot be conditioned by our comfort and preferences. If we accept any support or facility for the self and become habituated to it, we will be happy for a while and even do good service, but we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. Dependence on such support is a weakness that will cause distress when we find ourselves unable to do without it.
Seeking a reward for service is another mistake that can trip us up. If we crave acknowledgement and praise, our state of mind will be like a pendulum – happy one day and dejected a few days later.
It is said that God serves the whole world; He comes to the aid of everyone. Yet he desires nothing in return. He is truly altruistic, which is one reason why He is held in the highest esteem.
Similarly, when we stop wanting name and fame, we come to be loved by everyone, as they sense that our motives are unselfish. The slightest wish to be appreciated taints the service we do. It acts as a subtle chain that holds us back from rising to greatness.
Longing for acclaim after serving others is short-sightedness. If we hanker after quick returns in the form of plaudits, we are depriving ourselves of the enormous rewards that charitable actions bring, including goodwill, blessings, and cooperation.
Some people complain of injustice when there is no immediate recognition of the good work they have done, and demand what they see as justice. They forget that one who asks for anything, in any form, cannot experience contentment.
The better way is to just give – our cooperation, good wishes, and any other help we can offer. It is a universal law that those who serve selflessly get a hundredfold return. They never lack anything they need.
B.K. Atam Prakash is a senior Rajyoga teacher at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.