Recently, we had the privilege of speaking with Seva Canada’s founders, Drs. Bev Spring and Alan Morinis, to reflect on what Seva meant to them when the organization was founded in 1982 and how that meaning has evolved over time. “I believe that organizations have souls, just like people do,” Alan shared. “From the start, Seva was formed by many conversations about who we were, what we stood for, and what we were going to do. In Seva’s early days, we were shaped by the pull of the head and heart… and we wanted to take meaningful action that kept head and heart in balance.”
Bev recalls that back in the late 1970s, the eff ort to eradicate smallpox in which she and Alan worked in India was motivated by a desire to reduce the burden of human suffering. That wasn’t just a mandate from the World Health Organization; it was also a spiritual calling from the guru of Drs. Larry and Girija Brilliant and Ram Dass. The program was ultimately successful, and the deep collaboration it engendered gave rise to a recognition of the interconnectedness of all people and the importance of alleviating suffering for everyone. This was the model for what was to come after when some of the people who had worked toward the eradication of smallpox, including Bev and Alan, were called together by Larry along with an eclectic group of hippie activists, physicians, spiritual seekers, and public health practitioners. They became Seva.
The lessons of the smallpox program were applied to tackling preventable blindness—a natural progression, as blindness was one of smallpox’s devastating side effects. Based on experience with the smallpox program, Dr. Nicole Grasset approached this mission with scientific rigor and a focus on evidence-based solutions, ensuring programs reached as many people as possible. Meanwhile, Ram Dass emphasized the spirituality of service, believing that how the work was done—with compassion, humility, and love—was as important as what was achieved. “The process mattered as much as the end goal,” Bev recalled. “We didn’t want to stomp on anyone or anything in the process of striving for good. This is what made both the smallpox program and Seva so different.”
From its founders to its supporters, volunteers, board of directors, and staff, the meaning of Seva lives on. “Serving and helping in places of need is such a meaningful way to create purpose in life, which is something I think we universally desire,” Alan reflected. “The trick is that we gain so much more from having a purpose than we give.” As we reflect on the meaning of Seva, we’re reminded that it’s not just about what we do, but how we do it—together, with open hearts, thoughtful minds, and a shared commitment to serving selflessly.
