On Money and Seva

[Guest guest]

Tom, I have had similar experiences, and found them to be very painful, indeed.

Sanatani

 

Tom <tomgull (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote:

The clear difference in my point and the original poster is that I'm

talking about making exceptions for "need". In my case, I was not

asking to be paid, only a clean floor to sleep on. I was willing to

pay travel costs across the ocean and pay for food, but the man in

charge of the karma program insisted the program was only 2 weeks

long and if I recall said there'd be a fee for lodging.

 

As locally, things tend to be geared towards those who are

financially comfortable. NORMALLY, yes, you should pay for lodging

if you're able to. With my life, this was my only chance to come and

serve, and certain prideful managers didn't see it that way,

thanks! not

 

tom

 

Ammachi, Prajna - Brianna <prajnaji wrote:

>

> The karma yogis do pay a small fee for food and water, etc. A good

friend of mine just did the program recently, and he had a wonderful

time and was not at all bothered by the small fee. In fact, it was a

life-changing experience for him. If we are getting paid for doing

our seva, than it's not really "selfless" service, is it? Also, how

could it possibly be determined who deserves a salary and who

doesn't? All of the money comes from the devotee's donations, and

they no doubt expect their donation to go towards all that wonderful

humanitarian work we hear so much about. The volunteer aspect is one

of the things that makes the MA organization so respectable, and

distinguishes it from so many others.

>

> love,

>

> Prajna

>

> amalia_darling94804 <amaliadarling wrote:

> <<Yes, the MA Center does offer opportunities for karma

yoga. In

> exchange for needed work, people can live there without paying the

> usual "rent." They are "paying" by doing the needed work.>>

>

> As far as I know karma yogis pay a stipend when they stay at the

> ashram. What Amma told Jani, who helps manage the tour staff, is

> that if people get too much in return for their service work, then

> it doesn't function as seva. It is my understanding that seva is a

> spiritual practice that removes karma. If one gets paid or gets

> perks then it will not remove the karma as effectively.

>

> My kids work hard and save their money all year to pay their staff

> fees and transportation for the N.American tour. They are very

> grateful for the opportunity of being able to serve Amma and it

> seems to be paying off spiritually.

>

> in Amma,

> Amalia

> Ôm Amriteswaryai Namah

>

>

>

>

>

>

> "Children, all of spirituality is contained in that one word:

Awareness." - Amma

>

>

>