It's all for you

Dear friends,

I had a very interesting experience recently that I wanted to share…

We had a ceremony at Ananda. I live in an apartment complex that is an intentional spiritual community (we have apartments available from time to time. You can check it out here). As part of the ceremony we do a bit of fundraising for needed projects of various sorts. As I walked up to make my offering I looked into the eyes of the bust of Yogananda and said mentally, “All for you…” I felt a strong response, “No it isn't! It’s all for you!”

That sort of put me back on my heels. It took a moment for me to wonder what that was about. Then I realized, it is all for me! We serve others because that is how we transcend our own ego and desires. We pray because prayer purifies our consciousness. We love because through love we become truly selfless. We make offerings because gratitude leads to freedom and joy. As my teacher put it, “I love because I feel much better when I am loving.”

It is very nice that this world is put together in such a way that when we do the things that serve and uplift others, we in turn are served and uplifted. It is such a strong temptation to give into littleness and to close in on ourselves, like the little hermit crab on the beach who tentatively comes out, but scurries back inside his shell at the slightest disturbance. We need to make it a practice to expand into our challenges and embrace what comes because, after all, “It's all for you.”

Blessings,
David G., manager
for the Gang at East West