In many of my observations of people in the spiritual community, and of course in my own life when I did not truly understand what was important--I notice many doing their spiritual work for personal gain. And of course, most desire Illumination and Ascension. But I now see clearly that in the later stages towards this highest level of Being that I have come to the fact that the most important work is to serve others and the healing of our beloved planet. Our shamans tell us, "when I heal you, I heal myself" and this is all too true since we are all One in essence. To lift another for the compassion, love and healing of All is what I believe to be one of the great keys to self-healing. But it is a slippery slope since in the selfish part of your ego, you know you will be getting karma brownie-points with it. So then it becomes poisoned with being altruistic for selfish motives. This I believe is service from the mind leading the heart, instead of the heart leading from compassion and mercy toward All. I tend to watch myself now to see if compassionate actions are coming from a heart open to really feeling empathy for our Family---whether it be human, animal or any of our relations. In my mind, I know that this is right and maybe I will also receive---but I am careful not to do it from a selfish point of view. In any case, if you truly care about the welfare of all the inhabitants of our planet---since we are all intimately and ultimately connected, you will heal yourself when you approach giving from a clean heart.