The reward for doing any act of service, no matter how small, is the inner transformation that you may experience right then and there.
Nipun Mehta
Acts of Service
Topic: Serving Others
The reward for doing any act of service, no matter how small, is the inner transformation that you may experience right then and there.
Nipun Mehta was born on March 26, 1975, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Raised by parents who were deeply involved in community service, Nipun was instilled with a spirit of giving from a young age. This early influence would later guide his life's work. He moved to the United States with his family at the age of 12, and there he received his education. A tech-savvy teenager, he taught himself computer programming and web design, skills he further cultivated while studying Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley, from which he graduated in 1995.
After graduation, Nipun worked at Sun Microsystems. However, instead of pursuing a conventional career in Silicon Valley, he founded ServiceSpace in 1999, an organization initially set up to provide free technical services to nonprofits. While still in his twenties, Nipun started to question the conventional definition of success and began seeking spirituality and service to humanity.
In this spiritual journey, Nipun found himself drawn towards various wisdom traditions. Nipun was raised in the Hindu faith and his wife Guri was brought up in the Sikh tradition. Though he has often expressed appreciation for Buddhist principles such as compassion, mindfulness, and selfless service, these are part of a broader vision that informs his worldview. Indeed, his philosophy is not limited to a single tradition. The universality of wisdom and compassionate action across traditions deeply resonates with him, reflecting in his work with ServiceSpace.
Over the years, ServiceSpace transformed from a purely technical support provider to an expansive platform that encourages individuals globally to engage in small acts of service. Its projects range from a daily positive news service to a gift-economy restaurant. Today, Nipun serves as the founder and inspirer-in-chief at ServiceSpace, continuing to propagate the idea that the smallest acts can ignite significant transformations.
His passion and dedication have led him to embark on remarkable endeavors, such as a walking pilgrimage across India with Guri—his wife and counterpart in love—advocating a message of compassion and gratitude. His journey has allowed him to forge friendships with many contemporary luminaries who share his commitment to service and inner transformation. These relationships have only further enriched Nipun's understanding of the boundless potential for goodness in every individual, a belief that remains central to his life vision and the mission of ServiceSpace.
Citation: Mehta, Nipun, and Jacob Needleman. "Acting from the Heart: Point Reyes Dialogues." The Fetzer Institute, 2008.
Nipun Mehta
Theme: Serving
Acting From the Heart: Nipun Mehta and Jacob Needleman [Commentary]
In the dialogue hosted by the Fetzer Institute in 2008, Nipun Mehta was discussing the essence of service with renowned philosopher Jacob Needleman. Mehta’s remark, “The reward for doing any act of service, no matter how small, is the inner transformation that you may experience right then and there” (Acting from the Heart) encapsulates his firm belief in the transformative power of service.
In the broader context of this dialogue, this quote stands out for highlighting a critical shift in perspective. In a world where acts of service are often seen through the lens of their external, material impact, Nipun emphasizes the equally, if not more important, internal, spiritual reward. It is around this concept that ServiceSpace operates—inspiring individuals globally to engage in small acts of service, thus sparking inner changes.
Jacob Needleman, in response to Nipun’s thoughts, also stresses the importance of action: “You have a way of acting through the heart, through actions of the heart.” Needleman, well-known for his work with ideas and philosophy, acknowledges the value in transforming those ideas into practical, meaningful actions in the world. His words underline the importance of not merely understanding or speaking about acts of service and inner transformation theoretically but putting those concepts into action.
Needleman’s response complements Nipun’s statement perfectly, affirming the dual impact of service—both inner and outer transformation. The dialogue between these two thought leaders in the Fetzer Institute event thus effectively elevates the discourse on acts of service, presenting it as a pathway for individual and societal transformation.
The Origins of ServiceSpace [An Excerpt from a Nipun Mehta Biography]
While still in his twenties, Nipun started to question success as defined by the material world and began to seek spirituality and service to humanity. Over the years, ServiceSpace has evolved into a global community promoting small acts of kindness driven by the use of technology, volunteerism, and a gift-economy model.
What transformed Nipun’s life significantly was a walking pilgrimage across India with his wife, Guri, in 2005. They journeyed over 1000 kilometers relying solely on the kindness of strangers, and had no backup plan or safety net. This transformative experience embedded in him the concept of “giftivism”—the practice of radically generous acts that change the world, which has become central to ServiceSpace’s philosophy.
Throughout his journey, Nipun has been inspired by and has inspired many contemporary luminaries. His friendships range from luminaries like His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to public intellectuals like Howard Zinn, to various social activists, writers, artists, and everyday heroes practicing kindness. Today, Nipun continues to serve as the founder and ‘Chief Inspiration Officer’ of ServiceSpace, spreading his message of kindness and generosity across the world, one act at a time.
Resources
Related Quotes
Copyright © 2017 – 2024 LuminaryQuotes.com About Us