The Heart of Service
About this audiobook
This book was born in a moment of inspiration.
The Heart of Service is an exploration of the spiritual aspects of service—especially of its power to transform our consciousness.
When we serve selflessly, we unlock hidden treasures of joy, expansion, and divine connection. The difference between mere work and true service lies primarily in attitude—specifically, how selfless or how self-involved we are. Even a little training in the right attitudes and practices can elevate our service and make it an extremely effective spiritual path. A life grounded in meditation and service leads to success on all levels. Most importantly, it leads to profound happiness and fulfillment.
Yogananda taught that life has one ultimate purpose: for each one of us to expand our consciousness until we achieve Self-realization, the direct experience of our oneness with God. To reach this lofty goal we must balance meditation and service, each supporting the other.
Yogananda emphasized that any genuine path to liberation must include both meditation and service. He wrote, “Unselfishness takes everybody, including one’s own self, into the circle of brotherhood. It brings many harvests—return service from others, self-expansion, divine sympathy, lasting happiness, and Self-Realization.” Thus, though on the surface this is a book about service, seen more deeply, it is about the journey to Self-realization.
Nayaswami Jyotish is an author, painter, and yogi. He and his wife Devi are the Spiritual Directors of Ananda Sangha, a worldwide association of meditation groups and spiritual communities, founded by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Yogananda.
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About the author
Nayaswami Jyotish Novak is a disciple of the great master Paramhansa Yogananda (author of Autobiography of a Yogi) and student of Swami Kriyananda. His mission is to help others live the teachings of Self-realization through meditation, devotion, and service. His lifelong dedication to the spiritual path has led him to lecture, teach, counsel, and serve throughout the world, spreading the message of peace through meditation. Nayaswami Jyotish was named by Swami Kriyananda as his spiritual successor after decades of helping him build Ananda’s work around the world. Jyotish began taking classes from Kriyananda in 1967. In 1969 they moved together to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California to found Ananda Village, now a model spiritual community. Jyotish has also written several other books: Lessons in Meditation, How to Meditate, 30-Day Essentials for Marriage, and 30-Day Essentials for Career. He and his wife are recipients of the Global Ambassador Peace Award. This honor was conferred at the United Nations in a special ceremony by the Institute of International Social Development in recognition of their contribution to fostering world peace. Jyotish has also written several other books: Lessons in Meditation, How to Meditate, 30-Day Essentials for Marriage, and 30-Day Essentials for Career. Since 1984 he and his wife have been the Spiritual Directors of Ananda Worldwide, pioneering Ananda’s work in Italy and India and guid-ing the spiritual welfare of thousands of Yogananda’s devotees. They are the co-authors of Touch of Light, Touch of Joy, Touch of Love, Touch of Peace, Touch of Divine Wisdom, and Touch of Inner Power. To see their schedule of appearances, lectures, classes, and events online and in person, go to jyotishanddevi.org.
