Be the Cause

Letter from John

Dear Seva Cafe Family,

July 28th marks the day that Seva Cafe was officially set in motion. The basic idea originated from Swami Shantanand of Rishikesh who had an epiphany that an “eat what you want, pay as you wish” restaurant would be a good way to spread a higher message of trust and goodness out into the world. He started a high-end Indian restauarant in Singapore called Annalakshmi and others would soon follow. When the idea to create a cafe next to Gramshree came into being, it was his inspiration that sparked another inspiration – why not try it in Ahmedabad? If a cafe was to be borne here, surrounded by such love-filled projects like those of Manav Sadhna and Gramshree, why not make this cafe one that also transcends?

Ironically, on the same day that this idea was set in motion, Swami Shantanand passed away. Perhaps it was just coincidence or perhaps his vision had somehow been fulfilled. We will never know.

An inspired idea is one thing. Applying the day-in, day-out dedication and unwavering commitment to keep that inspiration alive and translate it into a tangible reality is something altogether different. Something like the Seva Cafe cannot just come into existence anywhere. It requires a fertile ground of love and a dedicated community to constantly breathe that love and life into it.

And that is what you all have done. In one year, so much faith and care and goodness and trust and dedication has been planted into a place that exists for the simple purpose of providing a different kind of nourishment to those who enter its space. Though the numbers may not yet have added up, the amount of transformation that has taken place as a result of all this goodness is astounding. Everyday people walk out of the Seva Cafe very different then when they walked in. It has planted countless seeds of what is possible and what is most valuable. It has helped activate a greater community of Seva in Ahmedabad and it has been a transformative place for those who serve, allowing each of you to grow in humility and grace.

We will never know all the ripples that have come from all your efforts, but it is certain they are many and beautiful. Because of the purity of spirit going into and sustaining the Seva Cafe each and every day, it has inspired a group in Auroville to open one as well, called Indus Valley, and it inspired the BeTheCause group to open a sister site in Los Angeles, California.

When you read Sukh’s words about the enormous impact the experience has brought, you can know that your dedication – your light – has lit others and the collective glow is now so much brighter. When you hear Nirali talk about the miraculous effect of this place in Los Angeles, you can feel very proud. They did it. Those 16 who came to Ahmedabad were so moved by the generosity they received, and what they did about it was the highest compliment they could have given. They gave birth to that spirit in America. And they did it with absolute brilliance, capturing the magic, the love, the spirit in its purest form.

I was very fortunate to share in the experience of Seva Cafe in Long Beach on its opening night and I was awed by the beauty of the night. Sukh says that it has only gotten better. And I believe him.

I want to thank everyone for putting so much love, care, and beauty out into the world. Perhaps from a day to day perspective, it may not seem like you are doing much, but in truth, what you are doing is transforming the world. We can’t always see it, but it is happening and the more love that everyone gives, the stronger it grows, the more it takes root, the more it takes over, The world could go in many directions. We can only do our personal best to make it go toward love. When it does, when it hits that tipping point where a tide of goodness begins to take over, perhaps noone will ever know the cause.

It’s up to each and every one of us to be that cause – doing so is our own salvation, our own metamorphosis, and the evolution of everything we know. Thank you everyone. My gratitude is beyond words.

Love, John

From Rodeo Dr. to Redondo Ave.

I have been telling myself that I should post my thoughts to the Seva Cafe blog. It’s been three weeks now since the launch. Most importantly, I have been saying that I should thank each and every kind soul that has made this project a true “gift from the universe”, week in and week out. But I can’t.
A simple post cannot capture the outpouring of love, compassion, generosity, kindness, and selfless service that I have experienced at the Seva Cafe. It cannot capture the power of Seva, which as Nirali so eloquenty said in her SOS speech, makes ordinary people do extraordinary things.

I am an ordinary person being given an extraordinary opportunity to serve with love.



The Seva Cafe exists because of people like Srini and Dustin, who jumped in during the moderate chaos of the Week 1 launch and got their hands dirty, washing dishes for hours and hours…

The Seva Cafe exists because of people like Laura, who touched all of us in Week 3 through a powerful act of kindness – showering a homeless woman with so much love, hope and compassion…I will never forget the stunning look of gratitude on the woman’s face as she was leaving…

The Seva Cafe exists because of Carolina, Marcella, and Gianna, who not only made the trip to India and volunteered at the original Seva Cafe, but were an integral part (& continue to be) of the experiment here…

The Seva Cafe exists because of the folks at CharityFocus, who drove all the way down from the Bay Area to be with us for the launch and embrace us as part of the Seva family…

The Seva Cafe exists because of Manuri and Raju, who made most of the posters, buttons, and logos in time for our launch and then so seamlessly integrated themselves into unconditionally serving in the coming weeks…

The Seva Cafe exists because of Rajeev, owner of the Royal Cup, who has given us all the opportunity to serve..with love.

and most appropriately,

The Seva Cafe exists because of Sukh, an inspiration to all who have been in contact with him to embrace life and to live it by unconditionally serving others.

Elizabeth, Sudi, Angela, Shwetha, Nimo..the list goes on and on…to all Seva Cafe volunteers, thank you for giving.

And finally, thank you Manav Sadhna for your inspiring acts of compassion and for launching the original Seva Cafe. We may all never realize the true impact Seva Cafe has had and will continue to have on our brothers, sisters, family, friends, neighbors, and complete strangers.

In the spirit of service,
Srikanth

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