On giving
About giving
Recently, while I was walking
I started to think about giving
Now with Christmas coming up and all
with wrapping of parcels
for family members
and friends far & near
I started contemplating a bit
the Act of Giving
the Ways of Giving
the Meaning of …..
the Art of Giving
And then, over coffee
coincidentally I’ve been reading in the papers about this woman
my favorite billionaire
(Actually my only favorite actually, amongst the whole billionaire class,
I have to admit 😀
Her name is MacKenzie Scott
And I sooooooooooooooo like her
for the special ways she is giving away
large amounts of her money
Using her wealth
Using her mind
Using – mostly – her heart
For the good of others and the world
A real Giving Artist
~~~
Now, I don’t have billions to give
that is for sure 😎
and not many possessions either
that I could give away
But I have other “things”
that I love to share and give
and spread around
And so do you
And so could we all
And what a wonderful world this could be
If we would all just live like that
Smiles
Heartfelt greetings
Random acts of kindness
Sharing Inspiration
Simple deeds of beauty
Time for others
Talk with strangers
Sharing knowledge
Giving a hand
Caressing a dog
Stroking a cat
Sharing of vulnerable feelings
Sending uplifting thoughts and prayers
A meal offered
Invitation to sit together
Asking questions of interest
Showing empathy
Holding the hand of somebody in distress
Practicing compassion
Going the extra mile
Giving care to things
Showing tenderness
A hug
Showing that I care
Allowing my Love to show
Well, there are many ways
Many ways to give
And they are all called LOVE
Any time I engage myself with one such Act of Love
A wonderful thing happens
Inside
I feel happy
It feels right
Its not that I have lost something
By giving something away
Even something that
means much to me
Or is expensive
or important
or dear
to me
More often than not
By giving it away
By letting it go
I feel enriched
So paradox
So magic
So right
Man, i wish that somebody would have given us a lesson in school
A how-to-do-it
And how-to-do-it-often
A art-of-giving step-by-step manual
We would all be Masters by now
We would have a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Giving-ness
But wait! Some will say.
You are nuts!
You must be out of your mind!
You don’t have enough yourself to pay your rent in time most of the time.
And now you talk to us about giving?
There is this old parable i remember
and it is told in many ways in many cultures
The Parable of the Long Spoons
also called: What is the difference between Hell and Heaven
I like it!
~~~
One of my all-time-favorite sources of Inspiration – Kahlil Gibran – wrote:
On Giving:
Then said a rich man, Speak to us of Giving.
And he answered:
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?
There are those who give little of the much which they have—and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.
And there are those who have little and give it all.
These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.
There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.
And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.
And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;
They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.
Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes. He smiles upon the earth.
It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding;
And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving.
And is there aught you would withhold?
All you have shall some day be given;
Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors’.
You often say, “I would give, but only to the deserving.”
The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.
They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.
See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.
For in truth it is life that gives unto life—while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.
And you receivers—and you are all receivers—assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.
Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings;
For to be overmindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the freehearted earth for mother, and God for father.
~~~
The poet/philosopher Khalil Gibran often explored the theme of generosity and selflessness in his writings. One of his famous works, “The Prophet,” includes a chapter on giving, where he discusses the concept of giving with love and without expecting anything in return.
In this chapter, Gibran emphasizes the joy of giving and the idea that true generosity comes from the heart. He encourages giving with an open heart, stating that “there are those who give little of the much which they have—and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.”
Khalil Gibran’s perspective on giving aligns with the idea of selfless and unconditional generosity that is at the heart of many spiritual teachings and means far more than mere doing good deeds.
It’s the Practice of Selfless Acts – like giving – that allows us to transcend the self-centeredness of our ego’s interests and become a part of the wider world.
In practice ways as well as ultimately in consciousness.
~~~
Now, beyond the old-fashioned words of a wise poet …..
lets see what ChattyGPT, my little AI “know-it-all” ; ) has to say about all that:
In many spiritual traditions, the concept of selfless giving holds a central and significant role. This practice is often referred to by different names, such as “dana” in Buddhism, “seva” in Hinduism, and “charity” or “almsgiving” in various religious contexts. The underlying principle is the act of giving without expecting anything in return and doing so with a pure heart and intention. Here are some insights into the role of selfless giving in different spiritual traditions:
1. **Buddhism (Dana):** In Buddhism, the practice of dana, or generosity, is considered a fundamental virtue. It involves giving not only material possessions but also sharing one’s time, skills, and compassion. The act of giving is seen as a means of cultivating generosity, breaking the attachment to material possessions, and fostering a sense of interconnectedness.
2. **Hinduism (Seva):** Seva, or selfless service, is a key concept in Hinduism. It involves performing acts of kindness and service without any expectation of personal gain. Seva is considered a way to purify the mind, cultivate humility, and recognize the divine in all beings. Many Hindu traditions emphasize the importance of serving others as a form of worship.
3. **Christianity:** The Bible encourages acts of charity and selfless giving. The concept of “agape” love, often associated with divine, unconditional love, is reflected in the idea of giving without expecting anything in return. The biblical teaching of helping those in need, as found in passages like Matthew 25:35-36, underscores the importance of compassionate and selfless actions.
4. **Islam:** In Islam, the practice of charity, known as “zakat” and “sadaqah,” is an essential part of the faith. Muslims are encouraged to give to those in need, and the act of giving is seen as a way to purify one’s wealth and help those who are less fortunate. Sadaqah, in particular, emphasizes voluntary acts of kindness and generosity.
5. **Judaism:** The concept of “tzedakah” in Judaism involves acts of charity and righteousness. Giving to the less fortunate is considered a moral obligation, and the intention behind the act is crucial. Tzedakah is seen as a way to bring justice and balance to the world by helping those in need.
Overall, selfless giving in spiritual traditions is seen as a transformative practice that not only benefits the recipient but also nurtures the spiritual growth and well-being of the giver. It fosters a sense of compassion, humility, and interconnectedness with others and is often regarded as a path toward spiritual enlightenment and fulfillment.
~~~
Wow!!!
Isn’t it awesome how wise even the AI ChatPot can sound nowadays 😉
But beyond saying all the right words
and then doing the deed and being transformed by it
is still a long way to go ….
Well, lets just start doing it!
Giving gifts
have a good time 🙂