MINDFULNESS VIDEO SERIES (17): SERVING OTHERS IS OUR NATURAL FUNCTION

Over the last few decades we have seen a big shift in most societies towards people becoming more self-centered. The idea is that if I really focus on what I want, I will become happier. There is so much emphasis on people setting their personal goals and then doing whatever it takes to reach them, even if it means harming others in the process. We have all been influenced by so many types of slogans like “If you don’t care about yourself, who will? or “Look out for # 1”
When more and more people think they are #1, then naturally we will have societies where there is great conflict. We will view each other as obstacles to move past and as competitors to climb above instead of viewing each other as friends or someone we should care about. Nowhere is this more evident than in the corporate world where people often maneuver in many ways so they can become the next manager of a big department.
It has become evident that this approach of many people wanting more and more material things and experiences cannot lead to harmony and peace. Nor is it sustainable in the long run from an environmental point of view.
This type of self-centered approach to life is in great contrast to the ancient yoga wisdom which teaches that we can have harmony and love personally and as societies when we care and serve each other. We all have heard slogans like “Giving is better than taking” or “Leave a place in a better condition than you found it”.
So where do we find ourselves on the spectrum of selflessness vs. self-centeredness? Have you experienced feeling some happiness inside when you did something for someone else without any expectation for something in return?