Flavours of Devotion: Who is the 'most important'? (Love-in-Action Blog Series)

In my early days with the Art of Living, long before I became a teacher, I had the opportunity to visit Gurudev together with my mom. We were about 10-12 people in a small meeting room. In the front of the room was a single mid-sized sofa covered with a white cloth and Gurudev's shawl. As we all waited for Gurudev's arrival, an elderly lady came into the room. Seeing no other empty chair and unable to sit on the floor, she sat on one end of Gurudev's sofa. Soon after, Gurudev came in and we all stood up. So did the elderly lady. Gurudev lovingly asked the lady to keep sitting, and sat next to her on the sofa. 

As soon as we were all seated, the elderly lady started requesting Gurudev to give her some meaningful seva (service project). I was amazed at the lady's commitment - despite being so old and weak (surely, she was at least 90 years old!), she wanted to be of service. Gurudev smiled lovingly and said: "you just bless people, Amma." But the lady insisted - "no, I want to be of use." Now, a mischievous smile came on Gurudev's face. He said: "Look Amma - look at all these people." He pointed to all of us sitting in the room. "Why do you think any of them are doing any seva? It is only to be able to sit next to me. See? You are already sitting next to me." We all laughed, and a small smile appeared on the lady's face.  

For the longest time thereafter, my favorite prayer was that I should become like Hanumaan - the favorite devotee and strongest, 'most important' seva warrior; someone who was therefore permitted to sit close to the Master. As time passed, however, I started feeling that this was impossible. There were so many others who were doing so much more seva, had better reach and results, and who were (therefore) permitted to spend more time in Gurudev's presence. But I persisted in Seva with the hope that, in addition to bringing some much-needed deep rest, and perhaps a glimpse of unconditional love into people's lives, I would gain some merit to be able to sit in Gurudev's presence - at least for a few moments every time I was in the same city as Him. 

A couple of years ago, Gurudev visited Switzerland during the New Year and gave a series of beautiful talks titled "Unveiling Infinity." A few of my friends, my daughter, and I were living in a large holiday home near the venue for this time. One of the senior Art of Living teachers, dear Marcel, had his birthday during this time. As I had a big oven in the holiday home and the word spread that I make good cakes, I was asked if I could bake a cake for Marcel. I was overjoyed! I thought, "if I can't be Hanumaan, at least I can bake a cake for one of Gurudev's Hanumaans!" I baked and sent the cake with all my love. Later, I heard that everyone loved the cake and Gurudev even ate some of the fruits that I had decorated the cake with. However, the cake had become too small - not everyone in Gurudev's room could get a slice. I felt bad - I should have baked a bigger cake! 

To compensate, I decided to bake another cake the next day. I found the largest cake dishes in the holiday home and baked not one, but two cakes! I prayed this time: "Gurudev, let these cakes be big enough to feed all your 'most important' and most devoted Seva warriors!" I baked the cakes and also decorated them with lots and lots of fruit toppings. I selected all the fruits and berries I have seen Gurudev enjoy in Europe. "If Gurudev is going to only eat the fruit on the cake, let there be enough and more!"   

I took the cake to the entrance of the hall where Gurudev was meeting all AOL teachers and volunteers, and patiently waited for Him to arrive. The plan was that I would give the cake to anyone who was sitting in the back seat of His car as He left for his Hotel room. Soon enough, Gurudev arrived, and His car arrived. As He was about to leave the hall, He saw me and asked "What is this?" I said, "Gurudev, it's cake." My prayer was still in my mind: "Let the cake be enough for all your 'most important' and most devoted Seva warriors." 

Gurudev looked at me, turned back into the Hall, and said to me: "Cut the cake. Give it to everyone." For a moment, I was totally stunned and disappointed! I thought: "But the cake is for your most important people! Not for everyone!" I looked around - there were literally 100s of Art of Living teachers and volunteers floating around the hall! 

Gurudev waited patiently while I took the cake out of its wrapping and started cutting slices. He started answering questions that various teachers and volunteers approached Him with. As He answered questions, He came towards the cakes and started picking out fruits from on top, and popping them into His mouth. As He saw my hesitation to serve, He urged me: "Give, give - give it to everyone!" I started handing out pieces to everyone. Again, He came and popped some fruits into His mouth, urging me again to keep giving cake slices to everyone. He stayed till there were only crumbles and cake frosting left in the two cake pans. 

After He left, I looked around as grateful teachers and volunteers thanked me for the cake and for finding a way to make Gurudev stay back longer at the venue! I was still in a state of semi-shock! What had just happened? As I looked around, I noticed that every single teacher and volunteer had had at least a small piece of the cake. I realized in that moment what Gurudev was telling me: To Him, all His teachers and volunteers were the "most important". Each of us was His "strongest volunteer". Every one of us was special to Him - no one less or more so! 

Today's 'most important' recipe:
Meera's Secret Vegan Banana Cake (Gluten-free option available)

PS: This was the cake I baked for Marcel and the "most important" Seva Warriors :) Hence, its the most important recipe

Preparation time: 15-20mins
Baking Time: 35-45 mins
Serves: 6-8 people

Ingredients: 

Dry Ingredients

2 cups flour (I use whole grain Spelt flour or half and half Spelt flour + regular white flour. The effect with gluten free flour-mix is the same!)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda (Natron)

Wet ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil (I like to use coconut oil)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbs Chia soaked in 10 tbs water for 15 mins
3/4 cup oat milk (for vegan cakes/banana bread)
2 overripe mashed bananas or equal weight of apple mousse
Egg replacer equivalent for 1 egg (follow instructions on package) - Optional

Method: 

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside.

Mix wet ingredients (other than soaked Chia seeds) in a separate bowl. Do not blend. Use a fork to mash bananas and then mix in all other wet ingredients. Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature (not cold).

Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix with a light hand. In the end, add soaked chia seeds and lightly mix again

Bake at 180 degrees (umluft) for 35-40 mins or till knife inserted in middle comes out clean.

Decorate with pudding and fresh fruit! Serve with love and see how your prayers come true!