How to Be a Volunteer: The Art of Selfless Service

"ਵਿਚਿ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਸੇਵ ਕਮਾਈਐ ॥ ਤਾ ਦਰਗਹ ਬੈਸਣੁ ਪਾਈਐ ॥"

"In the midst of this world, do seva, and you shall be given a place of honor in the Court of the Lord." — Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Ang 26

You've signed up to volunteer. Maybe it's at the Gurdwara, a Punjabi class, a community event, or a local charity. Congratulations—but here's something you might not have considered: this isn't just something you're doing. This is something being given to you.

Let that sink in for a moment.

The Privilege of Seva

In Sikhi, we don't just "volunteer"—we do seva. And seva isn't a chore or an obligation. It's a privilege.

"ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਤ ਹੋਇ ਨਿਹਕਾਮੀ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕਉ ਹੋਤ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਸੁਆਮੀ ॥"

"One who performs selfless service, without thought of reward, shall attain their Lord and Master." — Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Ang 286

Think about it: out of everyone in the world, you were given this opportunity. Someone trusted you enough to ask. The circumstances aligned. You had the time, the ability, the willingness. That's not random—that's a blessing.

When the Sangat or Guru assigns you a task, you're not just filling a slot on a volunteer roster. You've been chosen for this moment.

The Mindset Shift

Here's where many well-meaning volunteers get it wrong: they show up thinking they're doing the organization a favor.

Flip that around.

The organization—the Gurdwara, the school, the community—is doing you a favor by letting you serve. They're giving you an opportunity to:

• Grow spiritually
• Work on your ego
• Make a real difference in someone's life
• Learn skills you didn't know you needed
• Connect with your community
• Experience the joy that comes from giving

When you understand this, everything changes. You stop counting hours and start counting blessings.

From "Volunteer" to "Sevadar"

Here's a subtle but powerful shift: in Sikhi, we don't call ourselves "volunteers"—we are Sevadars.

A volunteer is someone who offers their time optionally. A Sevadar is someone whose very identity includes service. It's not something you do on the side; it's part of who you are.

When you start thinking of yourself as a Sevadar rather than a volunteer, the question changes from "How much time do I have to give?" to "How can I serve today?"

Showing Up: Give Your 100%

"ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਸਫਲੁ ਹੈ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਕਰੇ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥"

"Service to the True Guru is fruitful, only if it is performed with a focused mind (whole-heartedly)." — Guru Amar Das Ji, Ang 644

Seva done half-heartedly is merely labor. True seva requires the surrender of the heart. When you commit to serving, bring everything you have:

Be Prepared

• Know what's expected of you
• Arrive on time (better yet, early)
• Ask questions if you're unsure
• Come ready to work, not to be entertained

Be Present

• Put your phone away
• Focus on the task, not the distractions
• Listen more than you speak
• Notice what needs to be done without being told

Be Persistent

• Finish what you start
• Stay until the job is done
• Don't disappear when things get difficult
• Show up consistently, not just when it's convenient

Remember: Guru Ji is watching. Not to judge you harshly, but because this is your offering. Would you offer something half-done to someone you love?

You Are an Ambassador

Here's something that might make you stand a little taller: when you volunteer, especially in Sikh spaces, you represent the Guru.

Dress the Part

This doesn't mean wearing expensive clothes. It means:

• Be clean and presentable
• Ensure your head is covered—this distinguishes seva from secular volunteering
• Dress modestly and appropriately for the setting
• If you're at the Gurdwara, wear your bana with pride
• Look like someone who takes this seriously

When children see you, they're forming impressions of what a Sikh looks like. When non-Sikhs see you, they're forming impressions of our community. You carry more influence than you realize.

Speak the Part

• Use respectful language
• Be patient with questions
• Represent Sikhi with grace, not arrogance
• If you don't know an answer, say so—don't make things up

Act the Part

• Be the first to help
• Be the last to complain
• Treat everyone with dignity—the elderly, the children, the person who's being difficult
• Let your actions speak louder than any words

The Inner Work

"ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰੀ ਜੇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਅਪਣਾ ਜੀਉ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਤੁਮਾਰਾ ॥"

"I would serve You, if anything were my own; my soul and body are Yours." — Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Ang 635

Seva isn't just about what you do externally. It's about what happens inside you.

Hands to the Task, Mind to the Creator

There's a Sikh teaching: "Hath kaar val, chit Kartar val"—hands to the work, consciousness toward the Creator.

This is what elevates seva from social work to spiritual practice. While your hands wash dishes, fold clothes, or teach children, your mind gently remembers Waheguru. Silently recite "Waheguru" as you work. Let the repetition become a rhythm underneath whatever task you're doing.

Without this inner remembrance, seva can easily become ego-feeding ("Look how much I'm doing") or simply exhausting labor. With Simran, seva becomes meditation in motion.

Humility (Nimrata)

The moment you feel proud of your volunteering, you've lost the plot. Seva is the practice of making yourself smaller so something greater can work through you.

• Don't seek recognition
• Don't compare your contribution to others
• Don't keep score
• Remember: the Guru doesn't need your seva—you need to give it

Patience (Dheraj)

Things will go wrong. People will be late. Plans will change. Children will be chaotic. Adults will be difficult.

This is not a bug—it's a feature. Every frustrating moment is a chance to practice patience. Every test of your temper is a gift.

Non-Judgment

"ਫਰੀਦਾ ਜੇ ਤੂ ਮੇਰਾ ਹੋਇ ਰਹਹਿ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੋਇ ॥"

"Fareed, if you become mine, the whole world will be yours." — Sheikh Farid Ji, Ang 1382

You'll encounter all kinds of people when you volunteer: the ones who don't help, the ones who help too much, the ones with different opinions, the kids who won't listen, the parents who don't show up.

Your job isn't to judge them. Your job is to serve them.

You don't know their story. You don't know their struggles. Serve anyway. Serve everyone. Serve without keeping a mental list of who deserves it and who doesn't.

Working on Ego (Haumai)

Let's be honest: ego sneaks in everywhere.

• "I did more work than anyone else"
• "They don't appreciate what I do"
• "I know better than the organizers"
• "Why did they give that job to someone else?"

Notice these thoughts when they arise. Don't beat yourself up—just notice. This is the battlefield of seva. Every time you catch your ego and gently set it aside, you're winning.

The Rewards (They're Endless)

Here's the beautiful paradox of seva: when you serve without expecting anything, you receive everything.

You Touch Lives

During my time volunteering at Punjabi class, I've watched shy children blossom into confident speakers. I've seen kids who were embarrassed about being different become proud of being Sikh. I've had children run up to their parents after class, eager to share what they learned.

These moments can't be bought. They can't be earned through any other means. They're the fruits of seva.

You Find Community

When you serve alongside others, you build bonds that are different from friendships formed in other contexts. There's something about sweating together in a langar hall, problem-solving together when things go wrong, sharing the exhaustion and the joy—it creates connection.

You Discover Yourself

Seva reveals who you are. It shows you your limits—and then helps you exceed them. It exposes your ego—and then helps you work on it. It teaches you skills you didn't know you needed and strengths you didn't know you had.

You Grow Spiritually

"ਜਿਨ ਸੇਵਿਆ ਜਿਨ ਸੇਵਿਆ ਮੇਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਜੀ ਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਰੂਪਿ ਸਮਾਸੀ ॥"

"Those who serve, those who serve my Dear Lord, are absorbed into the Being of the Lord, Har, Har." — Guru Ram Das Ji, Ang 11

The Gurus could have spent their time in meditation, disconnected from the world. Instead, they built communities. They served langar. They taught children. They healed the sick. They stood up for the oppressed.

When you serve, you walk the path they walked. Seva is not separate from spiritual practice—it is spiritual practice.

It Never Ends

Here's one more thing about seva: you never "arrive."

There's always more to learn. More patience to develop. More ego to shed. More people to serve. The journey continues.

And that's the beauty of it. You don't have to be perfect to start. You just have to start. And every time you serve, you become a little more capable of serving better.

A Final Thought

The next time someone asks you to volunteer, or you see an opportunity to serve, remember:

This is not a burden being placed on you. This is a gift being offered to you.

Accept it with gratitude. Approach it with humility. Execute it with excellence. And watch how it transforms not just the people you serve, but you.

"ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਾ ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਸਉਪਿਓਨੁ ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਕੇ ਪਾਪ ਗਵਾਏ ॥"

"Nanak's wealth is the Lord; He has destroyed the sins of countless lifetimes." — Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Ang 819

The opportunity to serve is right in front of you. The Guru is watching. The world is waiting.

What will you offer?

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!