In Sanskrit, the word Seva is often translated as “selfless service.” It refers to actions performed without any expectation of reward. Seva is the simple act of doing what needs to be done, for the sake of others, for the greater good. As I practice yoga, I realize that my actions ripple out into the world in ways I may never fully understand.
The more I show up on my mat, the more I am called to show up in the world.
Showing Up for Justice: Two Events This Week
This week, there are two important events that I’ve been sharing with my yoga students at The Marsh and the Minnesota Arboretum. These events are rooted in the same principle of Seva—the practice of showing up for what we believe in, and doing the work without expecting anything in return.
Welcome MN Legislators to the 2025 Session - January 14
First, I’ll be at the Minnesota Capitol on Tuesday, January 14, as the legislative session begins. I’ll be joining people from the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA) and Lake Fellowship to gather in solidarity for justice and equity.
This is a chance to show our elected officials that we are paying attention, that we are committed to their work, and that we are a voice for justice. We’ll meet at 10 a.m. outside the rotunda, where you can get supplies for the rally. There will be a rally for the Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and a meeting of Rise & Repair, a diverse alliance of people and organizations working to advance Indigenous rights and climate justice in Minnesota’s legislature.
Many other groups will be there, too. Gender Justice, Jewish Community Action, League of Women Voters MN, the MN Abortion Access Committee, OutFront Minnesota, Voices for Racial Justice, YWCA Minneapolis, and so many more. After the rally, we’ll write messages on note cards and head upstairs to greet legislators as they enter the chambers at 11:30 a.m. It’s a simple act, and it’s one of showing up, of being present for the causes that matter to us.
The People’s March - January 18
Then, on Saturday, January 18, I’ll be at the People’s March (formerly the Women’s March) in Saint Paul. Again, I’ll be there with Unitarian Universalists as we uphold our values of justice and equity.
Here are the key details:
- UU Meet-up: 11:00–11:15 a.m. at Cathedral Hill Park
- Pre-March Rally: 11:30 a.m. at Saint Paul College (235 Marshall Avenue, Saint Paul, MN ~ Parking Lots D & E)
- March: Begins at Noon, from Saint Paul College to the Minnesota State Capitol
- Capitol Rally: 12:30–1:30 p.m. (on the Capitol steps at 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN)
I attended this march in 2017 with my mom, wife, and kids. At the time, it was the largest coordinated protest in U.S. history. The energy was palpable. It was a powerful moment of people coming together to support what is right.
If you’re interested in attending, you could bring your own group or let me know if you’d like to march with me and other UUs. Like yogis, we encourage you to bring your whole self: your full identity, your questioning mind, your expansive heart. In our communities, we draw from many wisdom traditions. Together, we embody a vision “beyond belief,” a vision of peace, love, and understanding.
Does Seva Call You?
In the yoga world, we often speak of “showing up” on the mat. We can carry that same attitude of presence, attention, and service into the world. Service is an act of mindfulness, of being present, being intentional, and contributing to the collective good. It’s not about accolades or recognition; it’s about answering the call to serve.
So, I ask you: Does Seva call you? Is there a way you feel drawn to show up in the world, not for personal gain, but for the sake of others?
I invite you to join me. Let’s practice Seva together, not just in our yoga poses, but in our actions, in our communities, and in the causes that matter most.
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