Re: How to give
Namaste FFTW,
An important question. I heartily agree with Devotee and EM on knowing who you're giving to, and when. Having good intentions in your heart to alleviate the suffering of others is a wonderful, beautiful thing, but it must be tempered with the practical knowledge of knowing who really benefits in a situation. Are you really doing good, or are you unconsciously feeding a deeper negative cycle (e.g. giving money to the beggar on the street so he can continue pay for his drug/alcohol addiction)?
This act of giving - "dana" - is considered to be one of the ten niyamas (observances) essential to cultivating one's conduct. It asks one to be generous to a fault, and doesn't require praise or recognition for doing good works. Doing a good deed is it's own reward.
I don't think this giving necessarily entails giving actual money. It's the thing people usually think of first when they hear the words "giving" and "charity", but IMO, it's the laziest way of dana. Or at least, the one that involves the least amount of effort on one's part. Most of the donations I might give to charity from time to time involve donating warm clothes, shoes, socks, bedsheets, books, etc. I've heard some of these charity organisations that collect unwanted clothing can be a bit shady, so it's worth checking out first if the items will go on to provide relief to the needy, and not just up in some garage sale to better the organisers themselves.
Devotee, you're spot-on in your points. Giving doesn't stop at your wallet. Your time, energy and love may be worth even more than what little money most people can spare to others.
5. Many people don't need any material thing from us. They need our caring words and love ... give it freely to each and everyone. There are innumerable people on this earth who are beggars of love ... but there are very few who are givers of love.
Beautiful thought. Have you ever realised how much brighter your day suddenly seems when someone you can trust has given you even just a few minutes of their time to talk with you, smile and laugh with you and make you feel cherished? If everyone could show this kind of sefless giving love to at least just one other person everyday... how happier this world might be.
One great way of giving your time to others is helping out with an organisation that sets up a helpline to deal with troubled individuals who feel like they've no one else to turn to. A non-judgemental and ready ear is a real balm to a person who is consumed with depression, sorrow or anger. I started volunteering at one at the start of the year, and it was really tough to go through initially. The stories I had to hear would make anyone feel disheartened. It takes a lot of psychological stamina yourself to deal with these organisations, but it does get easier with practice. It also makes you appreciate the importance of having a shoulder to cry on when the world seems at its ugliest and darkest.
EM, interesting idea on blood donation. I think it's one of the forgotten avenues of giving (probably because so many people fear needles! lol), which is a pity because it has an actual impact on saving a life. I've given a it before once, but since I lost a few pounds since college, I'm apparently underweight for eligibility. Sad thing is, I know a lot of other people who have plenty blood and weight, but refuse to entertain the idea because of being pricked with a needle. Luckily they only need about 3,000 donations a week over this side of the water, so it's not an unreachable target. 9,000 on the other hand... that's a lot of blood.
Om namah Shivaya
"Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny."
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Om Gam Ganapataye namah
लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु ।
Lokaah SamastaaH Sukhino Bhavantu
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