Dear soul,
Welcome to this second meditation on selfless service,
Sefa.
As you settle into this moment,
Know that you are about to step into a journey of connection,
Love and service.
In the following moments,
We will open our hearts to the divine power of selfless service,
Offering ourselves to the world with love,
Devotion and compassion.
Allow yourself to be fully present and remember,
In each moment,
You are an expression of the divine's love.
Let us begin with a deep breath,
Knowing that you are exactly where you need to be.
Find your seat and gently close your eyes.
Let your body relax into the support beneath you.
Take a slow,
Deep breath in through your nose and as you exhale,
Feel yourself sinking deep deeper into this present moment,
Fully arriving here,
Now.
Shift your attention to the area just beneath your nostrils.
Focus all of your attention there and keep it steady.
As you inhale,
Feel the breath entering through your nose,
Noticing the coolness of the air as it touches your skin.
When you exhale,
Notice the warmth of the air leaving your body.
This is your point of focus,
Your anchor.
Shift your attention to the area just beneath your nostrils.
Focus all of your attention there and keep it steady.
As you inhale,
Feel the breath entering through your nose,
Noticing the coolness of the air as it touches your skin.
When you exhale,
Notice the warmth of the air leaving your body.
This is your point of focus,
Your anchor.
Try to feel the subtle sensations,
The rise and fall of your chest,
The movement of your abdomen.
Allow your breath to become smooth and steady.
With every cycle,
Feel more grounded,
More connected to the present.
Every breath is an offering,
An expression of devotion,
An intimate conversation with the divine.
Let your breath flow naturally,
Without force.
As you continue to observe,
Focus on recognizing the exact moment the inhale begins and the moment the exhale starts.
As you continue to observe,
Focus on recognizing the exact moment the inhale begins and the moment the exhale starts.
Don't rush.
Let each breath reveal itself to you.
Allow your awareness to deepen with each passing cycle,
Recognizing how the breath moves in and out and how your body naturally responds.
Stay with this focus for the next few minutes,
Observing the flow of breath with equanimity,
Without judgment or distraction.
Just you and the breath.
Feel its rhythm,
The way it comes and goes,
Like a wave flowing in and out of the ocean.
Notice if your mind starts to wander.
Simply bring it back to this spot under your nostrils.
There's no need to judge.
Gently,
Kindly,
Return to the breath.
If thoughts arise,
Observe them from a distance without attachment.
As soon as you notice the distraction,
Return your focus to the breath,
Feeling its coolness on the inhale and the warmth on the exhale.
Be patient with yourself.
In this stillness,
You are connecting to the divine,
Breathing in the pure essence of love and presence.
Let go of everything else and simply rest in the awareness of your breath.
Feel how this breath nourishes you,
How it connects you to the divine within.
This is the practice.
Only you,
The breath,
And God.
Always in this moment.
Always together.
And God.
Always in this moment.
Always together.
Now,
Bring your awareness to the understanding that God is the infinite source of divine love,
Unfathomable and eternal,
Like an ocean of grace.
This love is not something separate from you.
It is who you are at the core of your being.
You are an expression of this love,
And every act of selfless service brings you closer to the source of this infinite love.
Feel the presence of this love within you,
In every cell of your body,
Igniting your heart and flowing through you.
Every time you serve,
You are reconnecting to this divine source,
This cosmic love.
There is no separation between you and God.
In every breath,
In every act of service,
You are a channel of divine love.
You are the instrument through which this love flows into the world.
The path of bhakti yoga teaches us that service is the highest form of love.
When we offer our service without attachment or expectation,
We align ourselves with the divine will.
Service is the purest expression of love for God,
Because it is not about seeking anything in return.
It is simply a way to give,
To surrender,
And to express devotion.
In your mind,
Silently say the words,
I am a child of the divine.
I surrender my will to God's love.
My service is my worship.
In giving,
I receive.
Feel the truth of these words resonate deeply within you.
I am a child of the divine.
I surrender my will to God's love.
My service is my worship.
I resonate deeply within you.
As you offer yourself in service,
You offer your heart to God.
The more we serve,
The more we connect to the divine,
And the more we experience divine love in its purest form.
To the divine,
And the more we experience divine love in its purest form.
As you offer yourself in service,
You offer your heart to God.
The more we serve,
The more we connect to the divine,
And the more we experience divine love in its purest form.
The key to Seva is surrendering the ego,
The I that seeks reward,
Recognition,
Or validation.
In service,
There is no self to protect.
There is only the flow of love,
And through that flow,
We become one with God.
In every act of service,
The ego dissolves.
The more we serve selflessly,
The less we are concerned with the ego's desires,
And the more we open ourselves to divine grace.
The highest form of service is to act without attachment,
To give without expecting anything in return,
And to love without limitation.
To deepen this practice,
Silently repeat a mantra of service.
It could be OM NAMA SHIVAYA,
Offering yourself as a servant of God,
PARERAMA,
Remembering that God is present in all,
And all is God.
I am yours,
O divine.
I am an instrument of your love.
With each repetition,
Feel the love of God fill your heart.
Feel the connection between you and the divine grow stronger.
Allow the mantra to soften your heart and free you from the need for recognition or reward.
With each breath,
Surrender deeper into God's embrace.
Now,
With your heart full of divine love,
Let this love radiate outward.
Begin by sending love to yourself.
Silently repeat,
May I be filled with love.
May I be at peace.
May I be free from suffering.
May I be filled with love.
May I be free from suffering.
Extend your love to those close to you,
Your family,
Your friends,
Your community.
Visualize them enveloped in the warmth of divine light.
May my loved ones be filled with love.
May they be at peace.
May they be free from suffering.
Now expand this circle further.
Send your love to the entire world.
May all beings,
Everywhere,
Be filled with love.
May they be at peace.
May they be free from suffering.
Feel your love spread like a radiant wave,
Touching everyone and everything.
With each breath,
The love grows,
And with each breath,
You become a more pure instrument of the divine.
Take a moment to reflect on the love you've cultivated during this meditation.
Feel it filling every corner of your heart,
And know that this love is God's love,
Flowing through you.
Remember,
Every act of service is an offering to the divine,
And through this offering,
You draw closer to God.
Service is love in action,
And through service,
We find God in every moment,
In every person,
In every breath.
As you prepare to end this meditation,
Take a deep breath in,
Feeling the love you've cultivated within yourself.
Exhale slowly,
Carrying this love with you.
When you're ready,
Gently bring your awareness back to the room.
Open your eyes,
And know that the love you've shared during this meditation will continue to guide and inspire you as you go forth in your day.
