“…if he
seems to be lonely try to help him, give him of your willing service; if he be
sad console him, if poor succour him, if oppressed rescue him, if in misery
comfort him. In so doing you will
manifest that not in words only, but in deed and in truth, you think of all men
as your brothers.” (`Abdu’l-Baha; “Paris Talks”, p.
16)
“Service”
Offered selflessly, purely, with no
conditions set in mind, no hopes for return, no expectations entertained in heart
for any rewards!
Whatever the measure and
regardless of its form and outer significance, a ‘service’ should be offered
sincerely and selflessly. It should
encourage freedom and be detached, light and free—of any attached strings of
expectations, obliging burdens, or imposed feelings of guilt, inferiority and
being in debt. Yet again, no one should
be forced to render a ‘service’; it should only be done voluntarily and through
the free exercise of one’s own will-power.
Act of service deserves and merits the call for one’s own willing
initiative and desire, depending on one’s own volition and conscious act, not
‘being volunteered’ for or having been imposed upon. It should not be done for the sake of saving
personal benefits in difficult situations, nor be considered popularity
maintenance and an effort to preserve one’s reputation within the crowed. Rendering a ‘service’ is an act that always
involves a degree of sacrifice on one’s part; thus, it stretches beyond and
stands far above the limits and obligations of one’s daily duties and job
assignments performed merely for earning a living, with sole incentive of
survival and securing one’s own material life.
Service is a nobly independent act and not a one to be confused with a
forced rendering out of helplessness or insecurity or of desperation to receive
attention, praise and popularity, nor it should be done because of any other
reasons and mixed with ulterior motives—but only to be of a benefit and some
goodness, promoting the best interests of the cause(s) and the person(s) that
are being served.
“The more
we search for ourselves, the less likely we are to find ourselves; and the more
we search for God, and to serve our fellow-men, the more profoundly will we
become acquainted with ourselves, and the more inwardly assured. This is one of
the great spiritual laws of life.” (From a Letter written on
behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 18 February 1954)
“That one
indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire
human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to
promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth.” (“Gleanings from the
Writings of Baha’u’llah”, p. 250)
“Service in love for mankind is unity
with God.”
You are welcome to visit my three other blogs—English,
Chinese bilingual, and Persian—below:
Learning
Felicityhttp://learningfelicity.blogspot.ca/
Timeless
Treasures: Words with Meanings
