“Our religion teaches us that service to man is service to God. Also service teaches us humility and it teaches one to love and respect God’s creation. I have always loved service and giving back, because it teaches you to see divinity in everything,” says Swami Shivashankarananda of the Guyana Sevashram Sangha.
Swami Shivashankarananda has been with the Sevashram Sangha since 1994, dedicating most of his life to the service of others. He said that even before becoming a member of the Sangha, he had always been fond of serving others. Swami Shivashankarananda is responsible for the operation of the Cove and John Ashram on the East Coast of Demerara and said that there are a number of persons who volunteer at the Ashram and are dedicated to serving humanity.
“I loved to share especially to those in need. I feel elated, satisfied, so happy. The experience is beyond explanation. The peace I get I cannot explain. We have shared, because it helps society when we can reach out to our brothers who have nothing, because it brings in togetherness and unity and peace, happiness. It helps to develop one another when we can share a little.”
The Ashram has two major roles: the educational aspect, which is being fulfilled through the Cove and John Hindu College, and the seva aspect. Seva translates to service and according to the Swami, service is at the foundation of everything they do.
“We have selfless workers who give service to the organisation, and we have the school and we have a very extensive programme. Our organisations stands for seva, which is service and we reach out to people on different grounds, not only from the religious but humanitarianly. We do hampers, we do medical outreaches and education also. We are committed to serving the people despite religion or class. Everyone is treated equally,” he said.
According to the Swami, sharing while expecting something in return is a recipe for disaster. He says that when we are in the position to share, it basically means that God has given you enough and that you should share that gift.
“Sharing teaches you to see divinity in everything and when you are able to serve, it helps you to be humble and gives you an opportunity to reach out. You must share everything you have. When you are prepared to share, that…it is very sacred. Service teaches us to share whatever we have, because whatever you get, that is a gift and you have to be prepared to share some of that. You will get more in return.”
Swami Shivashankarananda says our blessings increase infinitively when we provide our services to those in need and hence he advises the practice of seva to better humanity.
He encourages people to come to the Cove and John Ashram and learn how they can better serve their fellow human beings.
In 1955, Guru Swami Purnanandaji Maharaj came to Guyana to establish the Guyana Sevashram Sangha. The Cove and John Ashram has since become a pilgrimage site for a number of Hindus especially on the occasion of Maha Shivraatri. The Hindu College is also attached to the organisation as they seek to provide a comprehensive curriculum to benefit all their students.
Swami Shivashankarananda encourages all to visit the Ashram and be engaged, despite religion because service to humanity transcends all boundaries. (Sunday Times Magazine)
