We can now choose to channel the raised energy levels from meditation, Gayatri, and COD, to either selfish or selfless motives. However, only through selfless acts can this energy level be retained and grown.
How can we ensure that we perform our acts/service with the right intention - selflessly?
- Dedicate the act to Swami – make sure we realize that He is the one leading. Our bodies are just channels.
- Concentrate on the task at hand – having an unwavering, focused mind allows us to tune into our conscience and is the 1st stage of meditation.
- Sincerely listen to the conscience throughout – this ensures that all decisions we make are for the greater good, and helps us remember that Swami is the one leading.
"Before embarking on a service project one must introspect and examine their equipment, which is, whether their heart is full of selfless love, humility and compassion; whether their head has an intelligent understanding and knowledge of the problem and its solution; whether their hands are eager to offer the healing touch; and finally whether he/she can gladly spare and share time, energy and skill to help others in dire need." – Sathya Sai Baba.
Tips of the Month
• Participate in one small service activity that is happening in your community. Search online to find local volunteering opportunities.
• When volunteering, fill your act of service with energy - follow the simple suggestions below to build the right intention.
• Share your service experiences with other youth across the nation. Post pictures and stories on the Service Forum on www.saiyausa.net.
| Right Intention Matrix | Tools |
| Dedicate the Act to Swami | 1. Develop an affirmation for yourself that will guide all your actions. Write it down, stick it on your bathroom mirror or closet door, and repeat it aloud every day. Make it in the present tense and action oriented, for example “I repeat ‘Om Sri Sai Ram’ three times before I press the send button on every e-mail.” Affirmations are a powerful way to build new habits. 2. Create and maintain a journal to track the service that you do on a daily basis. 3. Picture Swami in front of you as you plan your service, perform your service, and reflect on your service. 4. Each day, resolve that “I will perform one act for someone else without wanting anything back in return.” This will help to build the habit. |
| Concentrate on the Task at Hand | 1. Commit to only those activities that you can physically attend and effectively perform. 2. Resolve to show up on time and with a positive energy and excitement that others around you can feel. 3. On a calendar, track you energy/approach towards the day. This can be as simple as a happy face every morning in your calendar to set the tone for the day. 4. Have and follow a routine that facilitates performing service for yourself, you family/friends and your community. 5. Start a service act with a prayer, in which you ask Swami to help you focus on your activity. 6. Sing bhajans while performing a service or recite a prayer while you perform service. 7. Think about the energy that you are projecting as you perform service; think about the energy you derive from performing service. |
| Listen to the Conscience | 1. Use meditation to stay in touch with your heart and focus the energy you gain from it into a service act. 2. Read the Service Thought for the Day and determine how it resonates in your life, and how the God within you responds to it. 3. When a decision needs to be made, and multiple possible resolutions exist, think “which of these are for the greater good, and which is for my personal good?” Choose the one that is for the greater good 4. Think “how would Swami behave/act at this moment?” |