“I Am Nothing”

The purpose of seva is to create humility in us, to help us become one with our fellow humans, to be humble, meek, to fill ourselves with humility, because the Lord created us all alike.
_{Maharaj Charan Singh, Spiritual Perspectives, Vol. III}

Seva or service in any form, be it with the mind, body, soul or wealth, is integral to one’s spiritual life. Many people seek it and are grateful for every opportunity to serve. When we perform selfless service, we please the Lord and grow in our love for him and for our fellow man.

However, as with most group activities, conflict and discord inevitably occur when there are disagreements and differences of opinion. While the objective of everyone concerned may be a common one, it is sometimes difficult to agree, submit, and follow the instructions of a team leader without bringing our own personal views to the forefront.

The ego is at the root of self-importance. It is the cause of our weaknesses and the five passions, namely – attachment, lust, greed, anger and pride. It is the ‘veil’ that stands between the soul and the Lord. The saints tell us that meditation is the only antidote that can annihilate the ego. Hazur Maharaj Ji said:

When our whole body is filled with love, the ego is gone and only humility and meekness remain. When that love and devotion is not in us, the whole body is full of ego. We have to detach ourselves from the world and attach ourselves to Him. Only by the spiritual practice, only by that meditation, can we kill the ego.
_{Spiritual Perspectives, Vol. III}

A question was once asked of Maharaj Charan Singh, “How can I kill the ego in me?”

Well, brother, that is a very important question. Ego comes with the mind. This is the instinct of the mind. As long as ego is there, the soul can never go back to the Lord. We can drive that ego from within us only when we see that light, when we hear that sound, the word of God, the holy ghost.

That power, that audible life stream is within every one of us, here, at the eye centre. We have to withdraw up to the eye centre to merge into that sound, to merge into that light. Attachment to that, automatically detaches us from the senses.
_{Spiritual Perspectives, Vol. III}

Meditation, therefore, remains the single most important undertaking in the life of a spiritual aspirant. It is the seed that brings forth humility and obedience. It is vital and irreplaceable. Through meditation, we are able to purify the mind and attach it to the light and sound within. When this happens, love for the self is replaced with love for the Lord.

The more we are in love with the Lord, the more we realize his greatness and the more insignificant we are in our daily life, the more humble we become. The more we are away from him, the more the ego increases and we think ‘I am doing it. I am supreme.’ When we find the real Supreme, we know how humble we are at his feet. Then the real humility comes.
_{Spiritual Perspectives, Vol. III}

The virtues of humility, obedience and love come naturally to those who are steadfast and diligent in their meditation. In fact, incidents of conflict and discord become an opportunity to evaluate one’s self – a chance to check the size of one’s ego. When put in a difficult situation, we go through the exercise of asking ourselves, “Why are we offended?” and then make an effort to change our thought process. We become aware of our failings and shortcomings and try to improve.

Likewise, we are motivated to work hard at our devotion, giving time and effort to meditation in a disciplined way, with the understanding that without attaching our attention to the sound and light within, there is no hope of eliminating the ego and moving forward on the path.

In this inspiring passage, Baba Jaimal Singh lovingly teaches us the right attitude for every sevadar to imbibe:

Whatever work you do, believe in your heart that the Satguru is doing it all: “I am not doing anything. Worldly or spiritual work, all is the Satguru’s. I am nothing; you are everything.”
_{Spiritual Letters}