There is nothing more beautiful than giving, especially if the giving is totally unconditional ― but the ultimate aim of giving is liberation of both the giver and the receiver, says MOHANJI
When we give wholeheartedly, our whole heart expands; our life becomes more meaningful and worthwhile. When we take from someone, we may perhaps be happy for a few minutes or hours. Then the happiness erodes and more needs begin to replace that space which was occupied by the momentary happiness a few minutes earlier.
But giving keeps us liberated. Giving keeps us free and abundant. Abundance fills our hearts and it shows. It shines forth in our expressions. Like fresh water fills into a well after a bucket has removed a quantity of water from it, so also when we give, grace fills in.
Giving has degree variations too. When we give our most precious possession for a higher cause, it can create a challenge in our existence. If we survive that challenge, our consciousness shifts. Our awareness level changes. We achieve beautiful states of existence.
All people have good hearts and an attitude of service in them. Spiritual liberation depends on how people express that in their daily life.
There are different kinds of givers. A person spontaneously gives money for a good cause and forgets it. This is a passive good person. Another person collects material or money from others to help the needy and also includes his own contribution. Yet another person doesn’t go away after his act of giving, but stays through until the problem is solved. Then there is a kind of giver, who makes it his duty to take steps to prevent re-occurrence of the same calamity or problem in the receiver’s life.
So, what kind of giver are you? It would be a good idea to look at yourself and understand your method of giving.
Now also consider one important point. When you wish to express your kindness, such as feeding the poor, it becomes the responsibility of nature to provide you the poor and hungry. Look at it from another angle ― in order to satisfy your wish, or to achieve our happiness, you need an object that suffers. Those who walk the path of karma yoga (selfless service) should understand this concept very well.
We should help the helpless, no doubt. But, as I mentioned in the case of the last person who ensures that no further calamity happens to the victim, an act of kindness should be a bridge to liberation for both the giver and receiver. This means that an act of charity should be aimed at creating self-sufficiency in the receiver. The more self-sufficient the receiver is, the more liberated you are from him. The one who gives and the ones who receive are inter-dependent. One does not exist without the other. So our aim and prayer should be: “Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu”.
“Let everyone be self-sufficient. With my act of charity, may the receiver be empowered to lead his life on his own. Let me not create dependency in those who I give to. Let me stay liberated, and let those who receive from me stay liberated. Each act of charity may attain completion this way. Let my life be complete, too.”
This is the art of giving. Giving should lead to completion and liberation of both the giver and the receiver, which is the ultimate aim and wherein lies the true joy of giving.
Giving should be full of awareness. Giving without awareness breeds dependency ― we create takers and we create dependents. This binds both the giver and the receiver. Do give, but never create dependency.
When you give money away to orphanages or poor homes, don’t depute others to do it for you. The first preference should be to do it yourself. This can help create a shift in awareness. If you are giving food to the needy, there’s more joy in giving if you prepare the food yourself. If you chant mantras while cooking, the food becomes an offering to the Lord Almighty. You can thus create higher dimensions to your joy of giving.
Teach children also to enjoy the joy of giving. Tell them that the receiver is extending us a favour by taking gifts or food from us. The receivers are helping us to attain bliss of giving. Bless them and be full of gratitude towards them for helping us in our higher journey.
Giving is good. Giving is joyful. Giving is bliss. There is nothing more beautiful than giving, especially if the giving is totally unconditional.
Mohanji has dedicated his life towards the earth and the service of all beings, with the conviction that the world should be a better place because we have lived here. Mohanji believes that: “The best religion for human beings is humanity” and the best practice is Ahimsa or non-violence in thought, word or action. He promotes the positive human qualities of kindness and compassion. He has a global following and lives his message of unconditional love expressed through Mohanji Foundations, Ammucare and ACT Foundations, which are conducting humanitarian activities globally.
Website https://mohanji.org/
(Featured Image: Thgusstavo Santana from Pexels)