Symbiosis

My doctoral students often debate whether service is really service if you reap some benefit from it. Watching the natural world makes this debate seem moot. In nature there is a mutual dependency that serves each other and keeps the system working.

Wildebeasts are rather dimwitted so they follow the zebra in migration to water and food sources, the zebra use the accompanying wildebeasts for additional protection from predators. Warthogs often hang out with taller animals who can see farther in the distance, (ie girafe, zebras, elephants) and the tall ones enjoy the sharp sense of smell close to the ground that warthogs provide-again offering, mutual protection (service) for all.

There is a Whistling Thorn tree here that feeds and houses thousands of ants in its large seed pods, and in return the ants attack any animal predator that disturbs the leaves of the tree.

For those of you who remember Selfish Gene theory, you'll recognize the theme-man evolved virtuosity toward others for mutual gain and protection. It's much safer to get along in groups when surrounded by a threatening environment. Even Gandhi, who believed in selfless service to mankind without any benefit to self, enjoyed a higher level of consciousness because of the way he chose to live his life. Perhaps such transactions are necessary and natural, even when transformation occurs.