by Swami Radhanandaji
When a person performs a Yajna (Gita 3:9) -- an act without any selfish motives or considerations -- true happiness, harmony and freedom prevails within and among his/her family, coworkers, friends, society, and with all creatures at large.

When serving others for our spiritual benefit, we should remember and respect the innate tendencies, aspirations, emotions and expectations of others. Once we dedicate our service in the name of our Creator, we have no right or authority or any other assumed privileges except to serve, serve and serve. We have to totally ignore the other person's actions, behaviors or criticism of our services or even our intentions.

It is simply impossible for any two persons including the closest of relationships to have identical thoughts and tendencies. Hence, difference of opinions is inevitable and ought to be accepted willingly, lovingly and cheerfully. If the person whom we propose to serve disagrees with us, it is no cause for terminating our services and love for her/him. She/he is no enemy.

When differences arise, we can lean on Gitaji, or a spiritual teacher if available, for deciding on the truth of the subject matter. But there should never be any animosity or ill feeling towards those whom we propose to serve. This does not imply cooperating in any evil acts of those whom we are serving.

A person may be an established evil doer yet she/he can change when she/he decides to and act according to Yama and Niyama. We must be constantly vigilant and ready to change when confirmed wrong or selfish, but we do not under any circumstances have a right to force others to change even if we may consider ourselves on the side of the Gitaji or Truth. Even the Truth should never be imposed upon anyone except on those who have surrendered to the Teacher and have undertaken disciplines under his/her guidance. But once surrendered, the question of force does not arise for the will has been abandoned to the Truth or the Teacher. Usually, the teacher considers the innate qualities of the disciple but the molding requires changing our nature, particularly our ego, pride, jealousy, vanity, etc.

Freedom must be maintained and we should always be ready to depart at any moment when the Truth so demands. This leads us to Moksha, which is the goal of all human beings at all times.