SERVING

I was born into an impoverished Jewish family. At the age of five I found myself living part of my life underneath the boardwalk with the homeless people, drug addicts, prostitutes, and alcoholics. Four homeless African Americans gave this young child a part of their life and a part of their dreams. They shared their food and their life; they taught me the true meaning of sharing.

When Chews was dying of an overdose, she told me to give back by taking care of others. I grew up with her voice riding on the winds of my beating heart. I learned one thing that day I will always remember: there are no throwaway people. Each person is whole, unique, complete, and is God’s child. This continues to be the essence of my teaching.

What is the fastest way to God?” I asked my Guru in a basement in Brooklyn. “Serving God’s children,” He said. “Share, feed everyone, and never, ever have a dry heart.” The ability to feed everyone comes from all of us feeding ourselves with the grace of spending every second at the feet of our Beloved.

Service to others is the fastest way to God. What does that mean? What does it mean to you when you hear “God”? What a strange and magnificent word. Inside every single one of you is a thirst that no desire, once attained, can fill. It is a thirst that must be quenched only by that which is permanent. Only the soul is permanent. Words are impermanent. Everything is impermanent, except God.

Ma Jaya

Ma Jaya's Sacred Art: Indian Sunset series