________________
Chapter Look to the Interests of Others
When people undertake social service and undergo some sacrifice, they expect appreciation; and if the society fails to do so, they get disappointed. They should, however, remember that while undertaking any social work one needs to forgo all sorts of expectations. He should do it selflessly like a mother, who serves the child without expecting anything from him/her; she does it because of her innate affection. The social worker also needs to have affection for the people whom he intends to serve. That can be done, if one keeps in mind that his own interest cannot be separated from the social interests. It was therefore stated in the last chapter that one's own interest lies implicit in the benevolent activities.
While undertaking any work, one should feel that the work has been assigned to him by his Karma. Some people have the tendency to shift it to someone else. That is not acceptable in the realm of Karma. One should analyze his work and figure out how best he can do it. Shifting it to others amounts to borrowing, for which the law of Karma charges interest; and the rates of interest in that realm are very high. Law of Karma is indelible. A calculator, though being lifeless, does not commit mistakes in the calculations; the same way the liféless Karma never commits mistakes. We should therefore avoid incurring its debt (acquiring new Karma) and try to be free from the existing ones as early as possible.
149
