This Year (2012), take the Sevadaar.com Seva Pledge

I, solemnly swear that I will follow the 4 steps outlined below to
make difference to the community I live in:

Step 1 – go to www.sevadaar.com
Step 2 – sign-up for one of the many Seva postings
Step 3 – Go ahead and perform the Seva
Step 4 – Feel good about yourself and that you have made a difference
and be rewarded.

Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara and Gurdwara Sukh Sagar will each month pick
one person from that takes the Seva Pledge and share their story with
the Sangat and recognize their achievement.

When you hear the word Seva, what does it mean to you? Quite literally, Seva means service. In the context of our faith, it means selfless service rendered as a community action, done for the goodwill and benefit of others. The concept of Seva though is more than all of these things. It is the very essence of Sikhism.

“Centre your awareness on Seva – selfless service – and focus your consciousness on the Word of the Shabad.” (Guru Granth Sahib : Pannaa : 110 Line:1 )

The very act of worship at the Gurudwara is a manifestation of Seva. As we bow to do Matha Tekh, we make an offering of money or food for the upkeep and running of  the Temple. After listening to Shabad or completing our worship, we take our place in the Langar and eat food. The Langar is one of the most important institutions of Sikhism, the significant symbolism of which is often overlooked. When we break roti and eat, we are participating in a tradition that has been part of Sikh life since the very birth of our religion.

The Langar is the free kitchen which is open to all. It was founded by Baba Nanak. The philosophy behind it was a radical departure from the prevailing norms of Indian society at the time. Ridden by caste hierarchies and the restrictive religiosity of the ruling class, the Langar was a place where peasent and king, man and woman, high and low, saint and sinner could sit as equals and eat together. In India, dietary rules  have always played a restrictive part in everyday life. Such a practical expression of  equality, embedded in the very heart of the place of worship, was unprecedented. This ethos remains to this day, and is perhaps the most visible and obvious manifestation of Seva that we encounter in our lives in modern times.

“Do Seva, selfless service, for the Holy Saints, and the noose of Death shall be cut away “ (Guru Granth Sahib : Paanaa : 214 Line:7 )

The Langar is provided by the Sangat , or community. It is cooked by the Sangat, served by the Sangat, and consumed by the Sangat. However, when we eat Langar, it not only serves a social function (to prevent hunger and provide shelter: no man is permitted to want for food within a mile of any Gurudwara, of any religion or race) but as a reminder of God, of Waheguru. God is equated with food in our Seva. Just as food is an essential for life, for our very survival, so is God our provider of sustenance, our nourishment. Just as no man or woman can live without food and water, no matter how high or low born, so can no man or woman exist without the succour and love of the Lord.

“The Sevadar performs selfless service when he is pleased, and confirmed in the True Word of the Shabad” (Guru Granth Sahib : Paanaa :767 Line :8)

So just as food is essential to us being alive, so are we dependent upon God for our existence. But this is a two way process. Sikhism does not preach absolute submission to the higher body. In Sikhism, God is not an arrogant spirit who demands us to be automatons beholden to her will. Because just as we are dependent upon her, so is she dependent on us. We are enjoined to carry out her work on earth. We are urged through Seva to carry out the Guru’s work. Thus, when we take food to the Langar, serve food in the Langar, we are part of a dual process in which we act on behalf of Waheguru. We are equal partners with God in our time on earth. Just as we mark out our own destiny, create our own Karma, forge our own path, we do so under the tutelage of Waheguru. Because Sikhism is a people centred belief system. God is not only found in Temples, in places of Pilgramage, in certain holy people only. It is focussed in you, and you, and you. Guru Tegh Bahadur, ninth Guru and father of Guru Gobind Singh, asks:

“Why do you go to the forest in search of the Divine? God lives in all, and abides in you, too. As fragrance dwells in a flower, and your reflection in the mirror, so the Divine dwells inside everything; seek therefore in your own heart.”

Thus we can see that Sikhism is a call to arms: a religion based not on ritual but action. Truth resides in us all. God resides in us all. Every action, therefore, is holy.

“Whoever has good destiny inscribed on his forehead, applies himself to Seva – selfless service” (Guru Granth Sahib: Paanaa:1142 Line : 4 )

So it is not only in our acts of service at the Gurudwara, or our involvement in charities, helping the homeless and infirm, housing the earthquake victim, that we perform Seva. We can worship God, and perform Seva in our everday activities. Getting up in the morning, going to work and performing our tasks. Going to college and studying for exams. Coming home and cooking and cleaning. Every single mundane activity can be an act of Seva. Keeping in mind your intentions, the reasons for living and helping others, you can realise your status as an ambassador for Waheguru, an agent of truth and love. Herein, God is present in our lives, and we can extend the concept of Seva to include all that we do. Everything is a manifestation of the truth, and our very lives become an affirmation of that. Even if you do not pray every day, and cannot visit the Gurudwara as often as you would like, keep the Guru’s name on your lips and perform the best you can. Because those things that keep us busy: our job, our families, our love of football, our passions, our hobbies, our friends, our music: these are things we should pursue to excellence, to the fullest of our abilities, and with Waheguru in our heart. They are all part of the holy life we lead. Help those in your vicinity. You will be touching the Divine.

Definitions and Principles of Seva

Volunteering or Seva as its called in the Sikh community, is performed without any thought of reward or personal benefit. The person performing this service is called a Sevadaar.

All Sikhs are encouraged by their Guru (Guru Granth Sahib) to perform Seva or Selfless Service. This is not only good for community relations but also is good for the moral uplifting of the person. You will find Sikhs engaged in free service in Gurdwaras washing dishes, cleaning the floors, serving food, etc.

Sikhs are also encouraged to help the community by performing unpaid work in hospitals, ‘old peoples’ homes, community centres, etc. Volunteers engaged in Seva are referred to as Sevadaars and for many people this activity forms an essential part of their life, providing spiritual fulfillment and practical benefits.

Sikhism is founded on principles of Sarbat da bhalla – working towards the “common good of all”. For Sikhs, this means reaching out to serve and uplift all of humanity as an expression or devotion to the Creator. Many other Sikh institutes, such as Guru-ka-Langar, Kirtan, Paath, etc., depend on the performance of Seva by many in the congregation. So the principles of Seva underpin many Sikh values – such is the importance given to Seva in Sikhism.

Some principles of Seva

• Seva benefits the community and the volunteer;
• Seva work is unpaid;
• Seva is always a matter of choice;
• Seva is a legitimate way in which citizens can participate in the activities of their community;
• Seva is a method for individuals or groups to address human, environmental and social needs;
• Seva is an activity performed in the not for profit sector only;
• Seva respects the rights, dignity and culture of others; and
• Seva promotes human rights and equality

Part of being a great Sevadaar is enjoying and loving what you’re doing. The best way to go about this, it to find something that you’re passionate about or something that inspires you, and then find a need in our local community. There are many reasons why you should volunteer – you just need to find the one that feels right to you.

Some Great Reasons to Volunteer

• Help others
• Make a difference
• Find purpose
• Enjoy a meaningful conversation
• Connect with your community
• Feel involved
• Contribute to a cause that you care about
• Use your skills in a productive way
• Develop new skills
• Meet new people
• Explore new areas of interest
• Meet good people
• Impress yourself
• Expand your horizons
• Make new friends
• Strengthen your resume
• Feel better about yourself