Serving in the World

Serving in the World

Service as a spiritual practice appears in many traditions including the Fourth Way. It is one of those practices that exists on different levels, from caring for a child or an elderly parent to aspiring to connect with the mystical energies of the universe, healing the wounds of the world. In all types of service, from the customer service rep on the other end of the phone to the Buddhist ideal of the Bodhisattva, one is putting others before oneself. Working with others often brings friction which softens our sense of self-importance and of being right. It can also bring humility, that useful state, where we can experience our limitations and blind spots.

Sometimes it seems to me that the pill which the sly man swallowed, and gained at once what the others worked for, for years, was 'things as they are, myself as I am'. ― Rodney Collin

Service requires patience, which is essentially nonidentification with the present moment. Patience is also a practice. External consideration, which is putting another at the same level as yourself, being present to them and seeing what they really need, is also a practice and an act of service. These actions open us to a world that is larger than our own self-absorbed habitual views. It may seem hard to believe that what seem like little not so important activities in our life such as hurrying, expressing a small negative emotion such as irritation, multitasking and compulsive scrolling on our phone are what separate us from experiencing the freedom and mystical energies of higher worlds, but that is what the teachings say.

We are the bees of the invisible. We wildly collect the honey of the visible, to store it in the great golden hive of the invisible.” ― Rainer Maria Rilke

Higher energies and states can be subtle; our physical machines may not value them. Part of our work lies in learning to recognize and value these finer energetic states while also being clear about the effects our daily choices are having on these experiences. Another use of the word service is as a liturgical form; a religious service would be an example. These services help to make the invisible worlds visible so we can get a glimpse of higher possibilities. The right external activities can be useful supports of the inner work.

Beauty surrounds us, but usually we need to be walking in a garden to know it. ― Rumi

With practice and help from our teachers and friends, we develop the ability to have our attention and presence ‘stay home’ and not be captivated by identification and imagination. We can look for opportunities to serve by being present and sharing presence, thus strengthening our connection with higher centers and states. G. I. Gurdjieff spoke of this two-way exchange of energies as the Law of Reciprocal Maintenance which both provides the means by which we can awaken and also serve that which is higher.

All things are mutually intertwined and the tie is sacred. ― Marcus Aurelius

The fruits of inner work are gratitude and love, both of which increase the desire to serve. A positive feedback loop. The tools to more consistently realize higher states are available, it is up to each one of us to pick them up and use them.

Your own Self-Realization is the greatest service you can render the world. ― Ramana Maharshi

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