Smajo Safic Gupta, Prof. Vaidya Dr. Manpa advocates an understanding of the importance of the environment to the human race. In their life path, every human being, through interpersonal relationships, should also know the living processes: socialization (birth, parents, environment); mystifications (abilities through which a person perceives himself and the world around him); cultivation (acceptance of the current culture and the culture of previous generations); humanization (sincerity, peace, communication and selfless help). Seva is a Sanskrit word meaning selfless service, and perhaps considered the most important part of any spiritual practice — selfless action — and asks us to serve others with no expectation of outcome. Seva, is a meaning is said to be embodied by the root words Saha, meaning “with that,” and Eva, meaning “too,” which together mean “together with.” Selfless service is an important concept most Indian religion. The act of Seva leads to collective benefit and gain, although it is performed without regard for the outcome of the individual. Seva is an act of compassion and care for others above oneself. Seva may be performed by a person in any number of ways, but the term is often associated with the work done in Ashrams centre. Performing Seva may be a challenging task as it may raise personal difficulties for the people doing it – for instance Sade-Sati is the 7+1⁄2 years period of Shani – astrological phase Jyotish / a period with many challenges, but also a time of great achievements and recognition. They may discover their own aversions to certain aspects of the work. However, through mindful awareness of these challenges, Seva can be a powerful tool for people to learn more about themselves, their personalities and the patterns of behaviours or thought that are no longer serving them. In this way, performing Seva can be a form of personal and spiritual development. This can be considered a devotional practice because by serving others, you are serving God. Seva services can be performed to benefit other human beings or society – Seva means service and worship, have been merged. Seva is expected to be a labour of love performed without desire and intention, and with humility. Before the early nineteenth century, the meaning of Seva (serving or honouring) had been virtually synonymous with that of puja (worship), which typically also included distribution of prasad (sacrificial offerings or consecrated food), such as food, fruits, and sweets to all gathered. In modern times, the concept Seva has been taken to volunteering for the greater good, such as in disaster relief and other major incidents (the different types of natural and human-caused disasters and their impact on behavioural health). A volunteer for Seva is called a Sevak. The term Sevak to represent people who engage in ministrations, altruistic philanthropy, and humanitarian endeavours in service to religion and society. According to Hindu scriptures, Seva is seen as the highest form of Dharma (righteousness). Reader of this text / website – Seva product, become a Sevak (or recommend others whom you think can be a Sevak – donor, supporter). Money from the purchase of Seva products, a part of the collected money is intended for students of the Institute of Ayurveda, Ayur Ashram (www.ayur-ashram.in) who want to approach the traditional therapeutic integrative approach in their work / environment.
Smajo Safić Gupta, Prof. Vaidya Dr. Manpa