Dr.T.M. CHINNAIYAN - FOUNDER

Spiritual essence

Spirituality is conscious existence and being mindful is a direct experience of the self in its surroundings. This direct experience of the self realizes that knowledge is sacred when in value and service. A journey to know the spiritual essence of India is to discover the rich and diverse traditions of spirituality that have shaped cultures and civilizations for a millennia. India is a land where spirituality is not just a matter of personal faith but a way of life that permeates every aspect of society. It is a land where the sacred and others coexist harmoniously, work and worship come together, philosophy and practice are inseparable, and the ultimate goal of life is to realize the real within oneself.
To embark on a journey to know the spiritual essence of India, we must be open-minded and eager, willing to learn from ancient wisdom and modern insights and ready to apply them in one’s own life. We must also be respectful and appreciative of the diversity and beauty of the Indian spiritual heritage and seek to contribute to its preservation and enrichment. Such a journey can be rewarding and transformative and cause a deeper understanding of ourselves and the collective life.

Service to humanity plays an important part in our lives.  The material realm is only a part of our being. Between spirituality and the materialistic, the real is in the experience of the self without a selfish motive. We are not separate from the material world and can elevate our minds by being aware of our true selves and not being attached to our wants.

We can start wherever we are, but as on any road, the scenery – our values, our aspirations and our understanding of life around us – are of public interest and make up public life, changes as we gain progress. This state is the fulfilment of our personality, and it is achieved in the midst of life.

Entering the Indian subcontinent along the Indus River a civilization already thousands of years old, in which the defining features of the ancient Dharmic faith – the practice of meditation and the worship of God and the Divine Mother – seem to have already been established.

Far from deprecating physical existence, they teach that Self-realization means health, vitality, long life, and a harmonious balance of inward and outward activity.

The insistence is on knowing not the learning of facts but the direct experience of truth: the only reality underlying life’s multiplicities. It is not an intellectual achievement. Knowledge means realization. To know the truth, one must make it real and live it out in thought, word and action. From that, everything else of value follows.

Science is “the reduction of multiplicities to unities.” Conceived of the natural world – not only physical phenomena but human action and thought – as uniformly governed by universal law, expressing the Central Law of life that all things and events are part of an indivisible whole. It also means being true to what is essential in the human being: nobility, honour, forgiveness, truthfulness, loyalty, and compassion.

The sacredness of life is a core value of Indian spirituality, which guides us to live a meaningful and fulfilling life, in tune with the natural order. It is a value that can enrich and enlighten our personal and social lives, and help us to overcome the challenges and conflicts of the modern world.

Self-realization often emphasizes the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being. It involves nurturing both the body and mind. By maintaining good health, vitality, and a harmonious balance between inward and outward activities, individuals can enhance their overall well-being and lead fulfilling lives.

Health and vitality are essential components of self-realization. When individuals prioritize their physical well-being, they can experience increased energy levels, improved cognitive function, and better emotional resilience. They contribute to a greater sense of self-awareness and personal growth.

Long life is another aspect associated with self-realization. Longevity is a boon of genetics and lifestyle choices. Self-realization often emphasizes the importance of practising healthy habits, managing stress, and cultivating positive relationships. These practices can contribute to a longer and more fulfilling life.

A harmonious balance of inward and outward activity is considered crucial for self-realization. This balance involves nurturing one’s inner world through meditation, self-reflection, and personal growth while engaging in meaningful interactions and contributions to the external world. Striking this balance can lead to a sense of purpose, fulfilment, and overall well-being.

It’s important to note that self-realization can vary across different philosophies, spiritual traditions, and cultural contexts. The practices and beliefs associated with self-realization may differ, but the underlying principle is the same: - to achieve an equanimous state of personal growth, well-being, and self-awareness.

A time that revealed a remarkable sense of public-mindedness. “In no other part of the ancient world, were the relations of man and man, and of man and the state, so fair and humane. India was a cheerful land, whose people, each finding a niche in a complex and slowly evolving social system, reached a higher level of kindliness and gentleness in their mutual relationships than any other nation of antiquity.”
India today is more cheerful, profound, kind and gentle in her associations. 

Why create a Public Service Organization?

They play a crucial role in society. They provide services to the public and contribute to the well-being of communities. The importance of public service cannot be overstated.

Public service organizations are essential for maintaining a functioning society and addressing the needs of the public. They contribute to the overall welfare, safety, and progress of communities.

The criteria for improving public life and public service organizations aim to enhance the quality of life in communities by addressing social issues, promoting equality, and working towards creating a better society. The literature on public administration has long endeavoured to distinguish the characteristics of public and private administration. Service motivation is one such characteristic identified as a prime driver of organizational performance among public sector officials. Individual motivation is to serve the public interest and contribute to the greater good. It leads to higher organizational performance among public sector officials and explores the intervening effects of altruism, perceived social impact, and political support in this context.

In summary, public service organizations aim to improve public life by addressing social issues, promoting equality, and working towards creating a better society for everyone. 

Altruism

It refers to the disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others. It is a general motivation to help others and involves acting for their welfare. In the context of public service organizations, service motivation is a related concept that encompasses both self-regarding and other-regarding motives. Service motivation is for the betterment of society grounded in public institutions and organizations. It is a unique element in organizational performance among public sector officials.

While altruism is a broader concept that can apply to various contexts, service motivation focuses on the motivation to serve the public interest and contribute to the collective good. It goes beyond self-interest and emphasizes the importance of working for the benefit of society as a whole.

Altruism and service motivation play significant roles in public service organizations by shaping the behaviour and performance of individuals. They contribute to the overall mission of public service organizations to improve public life and address societal challenges.

Nonprofit organizations in India are classified into three legal forms; trusts, societies, and limited (Section 8) not-for-profit companies. Public charities, also known as public nonprofit organizations, are the most common type of nonprofit organization. They are classified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) based on the level of public involvement in their operations. Public charities must contain a diversified board of directors that represents the public interest. More than half of the board must be unrelated and unable to receive compensation as employees of the institution. Public nonprofit institutions rely more heavily on public support and are less regulated than private nonprofit institutions.

Private foundations, on the other hand, are nonprofit charitable entities that are generally created by a single benefactor, usually an individual or a business, through an endowment of funds. The most substantive difference between public charities and private foundations is how funds are acquired. Public charities use publicly collected funds to directly support their initiatives, while private foundations derive much of their income from a smaller pool of donors and investment income.

It’s important to note that the legal framework governing nonprofit organizations in India is complex and varies depending on the specific legal form and the state in which the organization is registered.

In summary, nonprofit organizations in India are classified into trusts, societies, and limited not-for-profit companies. Public charities rely more heavily on public support and are less regulated than private foundations. The legal framework governing nonprofit organizations in India is complex and varies depending on the specific legal form and state of registration.

Serving life Shapes the mind; A noble and fulfilling aspiration that arises from the awareness of the devotion and interdependence of all life forms. Spirituality in serving life is a moral duty and a practice to purify our minds, expand our hearts, and realize our true nature.

It can take various forms, depending on our abilities, interests, and circumstances. It can be as simple as helping a needy person, feeding a hungry animal, planting a tree, or donating to a worthy cause. It can also be as challenging as fighting for a social cause, protecting the environment, promoting peace and justice, or uplifting the oppressed. Whatever form it takes, serving life requires a spirit of selflessness, generosity, and compassion.

Serving life also benefits us in many ways; it enriches and enhances our lives. It gives us a sense of purpose and fulfilment as we contribute to the well-being of others and the world. It also brings us joy and happiness as we experience the gratitude and love of those we serve. It also helps us to grow and evolve as we learn from the challenges and opportunities that come our way. It also connects us with the divine as we express and manifest the unseen.

Thus, serving humanity is a natural and rewarding expression of our awareness of the spiritual essence of life itself. It is a way of living that honours and celebrates the diversity and beauty in life and fosters harmony and unity among all living beings. It reflects the highest ideals and values.