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Serving with joy is the heart of Ananda. The attitude residents have, no matter what task they have in front of them, is one of cooperation, compassion, kindness, love and joy. Everything is service here. This is how Swami Kriyananda, the founder of Ananda Communities explains it: “We should view whatever gainful employment we seek as a service, never merely as work. The mere thought of hard work, indeed, often drains a person’s energies, whereas joyful, willing service opens inner floodgates to a boundless supply of energy.”
And what is amazing is that this is not only expressed here at Ananda Village but also in the other communities in the United States and other parts of the world. We recently had here at Ananda, a weekend retreat for Hispanic families. The last day of the retreat one of the mothers, who is a doctor and a member of the Palo Alto community in California, was sweeping the floors and cleaning with great joy. Another lady, very successful in her business, was cleaning the toilets. What I see with all of this, is that the ego is put aside and the willingness to serve takes its place.
Here are some tips that I offer to serve with joy:
- Stay focused and centered on the task at hand. This way your energy will flow in one direction to accomplish it successfully.
- Bring peace and calmness into every activity. If you get disturbed by anything, do whatever you can bring yourself into balance. You can use breathing exercises.
- Remind yourself that the Divine Presence in you is serving others through you. Feel the joy.
- The more you serve with joy, the more joy you feel. This is the law of cause and effect.
Affirm: “My joyful, willing service, opens my heart to others”
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