Meditations on Transcendence

 How to do devotional service?...…………………..Service is not a task to perform; it is a divine energy flowing through us. When we enter that sacred zone, sevā manifests effortlessly. As the Gita states, daivī prakṛtim āśritāḥ—aligned with the divine nature—we transcend struggle. Yet often, we linger in mohinī prakṛti, ensnared by illusion, laboring with senses in vain. This exhausts time and spirit, yielding no fruit. Instead, seek refuge in daivī prakṛti, where service blooms naturally. Await its gentle surge, a subtle push from within, rather than forcing action. How do we shift to this divine nature? Through a refined mindset, cultivated by pure thoughts and elevated emotions. By anchoring ourselves in this clarity, we shed delusion’s weight, allowing service to arise as an organic expression of the soul, complete and unbound, in harmony with the eternal.

Bliss in Divine Service: The Path of Swadharma True bliss lies in divine service. This service, however, must be grounded in swadharma—one’s individual duty or natural calling. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna emphasizes the importance of swadharma when he says, "Better is one’s own duty, though devoid of merit, than the duty of another well performed" (Gita 3.35). This highlights that spiritual fulfillment and happiness arise when we express the unique abilities and responsibilities that the Divine has instilled within us. Swadharma isn’t merely a worldly duty; it’s a form of worship. Each of us is born with specific talents, skills, and inclinations. These are not accidental but are gifts from the Divine, meant to be used in service to the world. According to Vedanta, the essence of dharma is the alignment of one's actions with the divine order. Our natural abilities, when harnessed and used for service, help us contribute to the well-being of society, while simultane...