Volunteer Work

[Turgon]

Hello,

On and off I have been wondering if a good way to spend some of my time would be to take up some volunteer work. I have been spending a lot of time thinking about what I can do for others, without actually getting much accomplished. I still find it difficult to see when someone is truly asking or not, and often wonder if I'm giving my all, or just enough to satisfy my ego in doing a good deed.

I've never done volunteer work before, other than randomly helping out friends or family here and there, and a few things for FOTCM. So I was thinking, that as a way of really exercising that Giving ALL without expectation or rewards is by giving my time freely to people who may really be in need, and help for the sake of helping.

I've been told I have a youthful energy, even though I haven't been feeling it lately, So I think some type of work that involves at least some physical activity or running around would be best suited for me.

I'm also trying to break out of a self-oriented mindset and social anxieties, and think this is a great way at tackling both at the same time, maybe start the process of re-wiring neurons in small, simple ways. Sometimes the aspect of trying to help out on the forum and post more seems daunting because there is just so much going on! Like I'm trying to run before I can crawl and missing out on important lessons, and feel like I should be doing something simple, everyday as a means of learning to give more freely of myself.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[KJN]

Hi Turgon-

As you well stated your reasons for exploring volunteer work, I'm not sure there is a lot of feedback necessary. Your experience will depend on where you choose to volunteer and the existing situation you enter. If you are able to serve without ego and expectations, it might best reflect your purpose and intent for the experience. Volunteer work might be offered to non-profit organizations where the rule of thumb is: 25% of the work is done by 25% of the people 25% of the time. The rest is left to the one or two overworked and underpaid staffers who might really appreciate someone volunteering a skill-set that they need. Be open to unexpected benefits and good luck.

 

[Sinapi]

Hi Turgon,

I think it's a great idea that you are thinking about volunteering, assuming that you have enough time to do so. Some organizations are picky about how much time they want you to commit; it depends on the service you wish to do. I'm not sure if I can answer your questions, but I can share some experiences.

I myself have been volunteering at a community center for about a year, specifically helping with Meals on Wheels. When I started, it really wasn't with the intent of serving others; I just wanted to get my public education requirement out of the way.

I met a lot of new people there, but it was difficult at first for me to socialize. Truth be told, I had to sort of fake being an extroverted person. I tried to be polite to everyone and get to know them better, even though it was mostly out of some sense of social obligation. Well, I'm glad I did, because those people turned out to be some of the nicest and most interesting ones that I've ever met, at least, within my community. I'm even comfortable with giving them hugs now, something I'd thought I'd never do outside of my family!

It felt good to volunteer, perhaps in the sense of "just enough to satisfy my ego in doing a good deed". When I was having a good day, I would literally feel energized in thinking that I had helped others, especially when my coworkers thanked me for my time. I'm still not sure whether or not I'm serving others all the time while volunteering, but I know that many MOW clients appreciate the time we put into the program. And even if I have selfish intents, at least I know that my work is helping those who have trouble getting food from going hungry.

It makes me wonder if my service is conscious suffering or not. My Predator hates waking up in the morning and having to leave early (in fact, I must go soon!) and wishes I'd enjoy my summer before I go to college. But another part of me, perhaps another "I" or more, wants to help those whom I've come to care for.

So, I'm not entirely sure if I've been successful in Giving ALL during my service. But anyways, as far as some physical volunteer work goes, I can recommend only what I've done. If you want to do A LOT of physical labor, go to the food bank. You can repetitively lift heavy boxes for hours at a time, although you might be sore after a while. If you just want to be on your feet or travel for an hour or two per week, you might try being a driver for MOW, or, if you don't want to drive, you could pack food like I do.

Well, I hope that gives you some ideas. Good luck. :)

 

[Turgon]

If you are able to serve without ego and expectations, it might best reflect your purpose and intent for the experience.

This is inherently the aim, although I'm sure there is ego and expectations involved in wanting to volunteer. But in doing so, I'm combatting another program, that of stagnating and thinking about doing without actually putting the work in. And I don't want to ruin whatever momentum I have at the moment by stopping, so it's full steam, baby step ahead!

It felt good to volunteer, perhaps in the sense of "just enough to satisfy my ego in doing a good deed". When I was having a good day, I would literally feel energized in thinking that I had helped others, especially when my coworkers thanked me for my time. I'm still not sure whether or not I'm serving others all the time while volunteering, but I know that many MOW clients appreciate the time we put into the program. And even if I have selfish intents, at least I know that my work is helping those who have trouble getting food from going hungry.

There seems to be a fine line, sometimes. I know the C's said something along the lines that if you do something for someone with the intent of feeling good about it, it is STS. But then we are STS anyways, so I'm thinking that if we do enough for people who are asking and need help, then at some point, if we can realize our intent and aim, it will become a more natural state, where there isn't that ego boost involved. In other words, practice makes perfect. Learn to be STO...

It makes me wonder if my service is conscious suffering or not. My Predator hates waking up in the morning and having to leave early (in fact, I must go soon!) and wishes I'd enjoy my summer before I go to college. But another part of me, perhaps another "I" or more, wants to help those whom I've come to care for.

... by doing what 'it' does not want you to do. :)

Thanks for sharing your experience with volunteering zlyja!

If you want to do A LOT of physical labor, go to the food bank. You can repetitively lift heavy boxes for hours at a time, although you might be sore after a while.

Not what I had in mind. :/ Actually, today in class, one of the attendees brought in 4 baby wild rabbits who's nest his dogs chewed up. We were pretty worried about what's going to happen to them as they are only 2 days old. He tried taking them to the Humane Society but they were already closed. I find this a bit symbolic that this happened and so am going to apply for volunteering at the Animal Shelter. Seems like a good place to start and I'm reminded of this Gurdjieff quote: 'Practice love on animals first; they react better and more sensitively'