The dictionary defines “devotion” as 1. commitment or loyalty to a purpose; or 2. strong love for something or someone. Synonymous with commitment, loyalty, allegiance, dedication, enthusiasm, fervor, zeal and ardor, the word devotion often brings to mind countless religious men and their followers. Devotion, however, is not exclusive to the pursuit of God and religion. It is a characteristic that impacts every facet of a human beings life.

Why is devotion important?

While devotion may take the form of prayer and ritual, it can also reveal itself in our pursuit of excellence in every other aspect of our life. The qualities of commitment, love, dedication and humility lend themselves to success in every endeavor. It was devotion that inspired Mother Theresa to serve the poor of Calcutta, and it was devotion that drove the Wright brothers to invent the airplane. Devotion is the combination of love and dedication that motivates humanity to excel.

Obey, Serve, Love, Excel

Yogi Harbhajan Singh Khalsa referred to that formula as the Law of the Universe. As Shiv Charan Singh Khalsa explains it,

“To obey is like following the call of the river to reach the ocean. Even when the power of the flow gets deeper and wider and is not so easy to stay with. To serve is to hold to our commitment no matter what circumstances we cross. No matter how strong the storm of fear or how great the doubt. To love is to deliver your whole and true self, letting the heart go through the pain of stretching wider to reach the discovery that there is nothing the Light of God within cannot hold and deal with. To Excel is to let that Light shine through into every single act you do.”

At Miri Piri Academy, a boarding school in India founded by Yogi Harbhajan Singh Khalsa, school students are practicing this formula, starting with rigorous daily discipline and ending the school year with 40 days of service at the Harimandir Sahib. According to Amrit Kaur Khalsa, school alumnus, “Obedience develops humility, humility inspires service, service inspires love, and love leads to excellence.” If you can teach your child obedience and give them the experience of service, then love, devotion and excellence will follow.

Developing Obedience

There are countless books written on this subject, and countless approaches to discipline in parenting. They boil down to the same thing:

1. Be a good example. Live what you teach.
2. Be neutral. If you are emotional, then your children will be commotional.
3. Be clear and simple. Rules like “Be kind,” “Be safe,” and “Listen the first time” can be applied to almost any situation.
4. Be consistent. If you do not follow through on what you tell your children, then they will not learn to follow through on what you ask of them.
5. Expect obedience. People tend to manifest what we expect of them.

The Service Experience

There are no words, no lesson plans, no curriculums that can impart the wisdom gained through personal experience. Jugat Guru Singh Khalsa, School Principal at Miri Piri Academy, insists that students participate in service programs as part of their school program. He sais “The practice of service is an integral part of any holistic education. Humility begins and love begin with service.” You can begin at home by:

1. Volunteering with your children at a local charity that provides service to those less fortunate.
2. Participating as a family in food preparation and service at your community gatherings.
3. Encouraging your children to be creative and follow their naturally altruistic inclinations. If they state that they want to share with others, then create a sharing program at home where part of every grocery purchase is donated to the local food kitchen, or part of every allowance is set aside for charity.

Author Bio: Saraswati Khalsa is school Admissions Director for Miri Piri Academy , a boarding school in India that offers IGCSE, A-Level and KRI Kundalini Yoga Certification. Students come from Surrey, Vancouver, Phoenix, California, Los Angeles, New York, India, Germany, Mexico, Canada, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, France, Spain, Chile and the UK.

Category: Advice
Keywords: education, devotion, khalsa school, yoga certification, boarding school in India