The Spirit of Seva

Ram Dass, a Frisbee, and the Big Question

You’re standing on the beach, it’s a fabulous summer day. The sand is hot, sliding in between your toes. You’re about to toss a frisbee; the sun’s heat hitting your hand. And then, a vision appears.

It’s Mahatma Gandhi’s tomb, and above it are the words “Think of the poorest person you’ve ever seen and ask whether your next act will be of any use to that person.” Do you throw the frisbee or not?

We’d love to claim this story, but that would mess up our karma. It was told by Seva’s beloved Co-Founder, Ram Dass. A prominent psychologist, spiritual leader, author, and friend, Ram Dass has been a guiding light for millions to lead their lives with love and compassion. His name, meaning “servant of God,” inspired a lifelong quest to relieve suffering through service. He planted the seeds for the Seva Foundation over four decades ago, and through his vision and compassion, 57 million people have received vital eye care services since.

Today, we celebrate Ram Dass’s life, legacy, and unwavering commitment to service. He put it best, “to me life is joy, and the joy can include service. Instead of the joy or the service, the joy through the service.” Watch Ram Dass speak about his path to service in the video above and find out if he threw the frisbee or not!