Seva - Selfless Service

“The act of service is not to be judged, according to the cost or publicity it entails; it may be only the offering of a cup of water in the depth of a jungle. But the need of the recipient, the mood of the person who offers—these decide whether the act is gold or lead. Fill every act of yours with love. Let no one suffer the slightest pain as a result of your thought, word or deed. Let this be your sādhanā (spiritual discipline). It will surely help you to achieve the goal.” – Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Some of TVC's service projects over the years include the following:

  • Community Outreach Programs
  • Feeding the Homeless, Downtown Los Angeles
  • Food Bank Donations
  • Visiting and Delivering Blankets, Socks, and Toiletry items to Nursing Homes
  • Nursing Home Singing Seva
  • Preparing and Delivering Gift Baskets to the elderly

Sai Spiritual Education Programs

“The End of Education is Character”- Sathya Sai Baba

  •  In 1969 Sri Sathya Sai Baba began a program for children in India to teach ancient principles of righteousness. The program became known as Bal Vikas (Blossoming of the Child), and outside India it is now known as Sai Spiritual Education (SSE). The primary objective of the program is to awaken the latent divine qualities within each child.
  • SSEHV - Sathya Sai Education in Human Values.  We were trained and certified to teach SSEHV.

We worked together with the LA Sheriff's department with at risk junior high school students. The Sheriff would create and teach his lesson plan.  We would create and teach our plan in alignment with theirs, incorporating character development and human values.

We partnered with the Los Angeles Probation Department and worked with incarcerated youth.  SSE lesson plans were based around what the youths were experiencing in their lives at home and as gang members.

We partnered with the Los Angeles probation department with incarcerated youth. Our lesson plans were based on the current needs or issues the youth were experiencing, incorporating character development and human values.

Experience of Yoga- 3 Day Retreat- Offering the Following:

  • Workshops/Classes
  • Devotional Music/ Bhajan Chanting
  • Yoga Classes
  • Divine Reading Study Circles
  • Fireside Meditation
  • Vegetarian Cooking Classes
  • Drum Circle

Dana Fund - Donations to those in Need

The Dana Fund was established by Swamini Turiyasangitananda. The word “Dana” is Sanskrit and means giving and generosity.  For Her students, it means giving in the form of donations.  These donations would go out in various forms to charities and individuals in need.  This Dana Fund was not set up for student’s personal needs;  it’s a fund set up to go out into a larger global community to help where needed. Over the years we have, through Dana, financially supported the following:

  • Clear Water Project
  • Gathering of Healers
  • Nothing Matters But the Children
  • St. Jude Children's Hospital
  • Sri Sathya Sai International Organization SSSIO (world disasters)
  • Swami Ramananda’s Orphanage
  • The Impact Circle
  • Wounded Warriors
  • Individuals with personal needs such as:
    • Airline tickets for funeral expenses
    • Utility bills
    • Medication expenses
    • And more

The organization's seva projects are aligned with the TVC Mission Statement, which states in part, “Participate in the mission of divine upliftment for all through service and the human values of love, peace, truth, right action and non-violence.”

Sathya Sai Baba has said, When we render service, we should feel that we are serving God. “Service to man is service to God.” Working together as a group was always very soul-satisfying and exciting for us, because we would say a prayer and put God first. We would incorporate the Five (5) Human values in the project. We would demonstrate, show, feel, think in Love! When we did that, the other Human Values just naturally fell into place!

One of our favorite Seva projects was the Nursing Homes Holiday Singing Seva. While growing up, every Christmas time, my family and I would do Christmas caroling with our church. It was such a joyful, happy, and fun time to sing to others, and see the smiles and some tears that the elders gave us. And we would, in return, shower them with hugs! I still carry those memories today.

As we move forward today, we look forward to serving our community near and far, through various programs and projects such as meditation, yoga classes, retreats, devotional music/bhajan chanting and holy observances, as well as through community outreach programs such as SSEHV Education, wellness programs and other humanitarian services to serve the ailing parts of society.

We invite our neighbors, friends, and relatives to join us. Our nation and the world today are experiencing many difficult challenges at this time, and all positive and beautiful distractions would be very beneficial to all. While serving others, we will keep God first and foremost in our thoughts, and move forward in service and a spirit of unity.

Remember, LOVE is the key ingredient to make ALL Seva projects fruitful, divine, and full of peace. This is one way we can continue to carry on AC Turiyasangitananda’s mission.

We welcome your Seva ideas. Please join us as we continue to make a difference in a great way! Please email your ideas to: [email protected].

Aum Shanti….

Brahmashakti Fudail,

Initiated Student of A.C. Turiyasangitananda