nn 1,2

1.4.8 spir. in practice

I will speak today on the topic of dedication. Do you know what it means to be dedicated to a cause, to a friendship, to a project, to Guru? Dedication is a singular commitment to devote ones' self to the service of another.

There are four categories of dedication. In the first, an individual may say "I have dedicated myself to a noble cause". What does it mean? It means this person has the feeling that they are doing great work that is of significance and therefore they aspire to continue the work with commitment and zeal. Their reward is the knowledge that they are doing great work for a noble purpose. If they receive any other compensation it is unimportant for their motive is to experience the sense of alliance with something great.

Now, the second type of dedication is one in which there is some ulterior or subtle motivation. For example, a person may dedicate themselves to a particular project or a cause or even a teacher but the service alone is not the true reason for the dedication. There is some alternate reason. Perhaps to gain compensation, notoriety, or some type of importance by association with the cause, project, or person involved. Dedication is for the purpose of achieving some personal gain. Now, this type of dedication may or may not achieve the personal motive, but generally speaking it does not achieve any lasting results. If the situation is no longer profitable, the dedication is lost and the person goes on their way. It is not the most constructive form of dedication as it often does not last due to the inherent motivational pitfall.

Now the third type of dedication is one in which there is a desire to please, to be appreciated. The person may take up a cause, start a project, follow a teacher, devote themselves to a friend or dedicate themselves to God, but the reason for this dedication lay in the desire to gain approval, to be recognized for their services. So in this type of dedication there is no selfishness as in the last, there is no idealization as in the first, but there is a need for recognition and approval.Such a person will find that if the circumstances are rough and little reward in terms of positive recognition is coming to them, they will lose interest and the dedication will wane. So this form of dedication, though it is in fact superior, may also be whisked away by unfavorable circumstance.

Now in the fourth category of dedication, there is the feeling or desire to assist, to accomplish or to produce for the mere pleasure of knowing that a noble act is done. So such a person, when they have dedicated themselves in this way, requires no compensation other than the joy of performing right and noble action. If they are dedicated to a cause, or project, they will work tirelessly. If there is no compensation, no personal reward, still they will work for the mere knowledge that their work serves a noble end. If they receive no praise, it will not matter as their work is a gift to something beyond themselves. Such people are often drawn to spiritual life and spiritual dedication. For what work can hold their dedication if it is not the work of God, for the welfare of human beings, of animals, of the natural world, of the universe. It must be a noble cause or this type of dedication is not possible. But, unlike the first category, in this category there is no fascination, no idealism that must be fed. There is the pure joy of giving.

It is very subtle and requires a pure heart and a simple mind. For this giving is an act of love and requires nothing in return. When a person dedicates themselves to a noble cause, a spiritual teacher or Guru in this fashion, they will find the dedication is of a more permanent nature, not likely to wax and wane. It will be steady and pure and from this dedication only good results will be had. So if you are dedicating yourself to a cause, it is best to look deeply into the motives which stir your dedication and make certain that your heart and mind are aligned in love and that what you give is given out of love. If there are other motives, honestly acknowledge them and evaluate for yourself if in fact you wish to continue, to give of yourself in dedication or if the reason for your dedication does not warrant continuation. If you desire to remain in dedication to a noble purpose, then forego superficiality and personal gain and give yourself without reserve, for only in love can true service be given and the blessings of love come to you. I am finished.