What Is Service To Self?

There are two types of dharma; a third type of dharma does not exist. The dharma in which there is service to the world is one type of dharma, and where there is service to one’s own Self (Atma) is the second type of dharma. Those who serve the Self go in the ‘home department’ [the real form as the Self], and those who serve the world get the worldly benefit for it or enjoy material pleasures. Where no form of service to the world is involved, where service to the Self is not involved, that is all considered to be a sort of social lecture! And it increases the intoxication of one’s ego (kef) tremendously. There is religion wherever there is any form of service to the world. If you cannot serve the world, then serve your Self (Atma). Service to one’s own Self is even much more than serving the world because the one who serves one’s own Self does not hurt anyone at all!

Questioner: But it should occur to a person to serve one’s own Self, shouldn’t it!

Dadashri: It is not easy for that to occur to a person.

Questioner: How can that be done?

Dadashri: For that, you should ask the Gnani Purush, who serves his own Self, “Sir, are you serving others or are you serving your own Self?” Then he will reply, “I am serving my own Self (Atma)!” Then you should request him, “Please show me that path!”

The Distinguishing Signs of Service to One’s Own Self

Questioner: What are the distinguishing signs (lakshano) of service to one’s own Self?

Dadashri: The foremost distinguishing sign of service to one’s own Self is that such a person does not hurt anyone. Everything is covered within this. In that, he does not even get involved in abrahmacharya (sexuality). To get involved in sexuality is equivalent to hurting someone. Even if consensual sex takes place, millions of living beings die! Therefore, it is equivalent to hurting [others]. So with this, the service itself comes to an end. Then, one should not lie. He should not steal, should not commit violence (himsa) nor should he accumulate money. Being acquisitive; to accumulate money is also violence. So when one hurts others, everything is included in that.

Questioner: What are the other distinguishing signs of service to one’s own Self? When can it be said that one is serving one’s own Self?

Dadashri: All the people of this world can hurt the one who serves his own Self, but he does not hurt anyone at all. Not only does he not hurt anyone, but he does not wish them ill either that, ‘May something bad happen to you!’ He says, “May good things happen for you.” Yes, even so if a person retorts, then it is not a problem. If someone were to say, “You are worthless, you are a rogue, you hurt others;” we do not have a problem with that. ‘You’ only have to see to how you react. The other person will continue talking like a radio, just as though a radio is playing!