Giving

04 Oct, 2024

Outline

• Rejoicing
• Giving (Picking up here!)
• Daily meditation
• Bonus: How do monastics live?

Preamble

We are going to continue exploring cultivating positive states of mind.

Giving

Giving is also called dāna.¹ Giving is a cultivation of generosity.

I chanced upon this practice when I almost free-loaded on the retreat accidentally. The participants weren't charged anything nor reminded often to "pay" for the retreat. Instead, we were invited to donate, with the suggested amount of $60-$80 for a weeklong retreat to help cover operating expenses.² At the end of the retreat, they told us there was a basket of red envelopes we could use to put cash in. I didn't carry cash, so left the abbey paying nothing!

When I got home, I remembered I've not yet paid.³

Then, I had a moment to decide. I could decide if I wanted to donate, and if so, how much? I ended up donating slightly more than a hundred. The act of financially donating was rather foreign to me–growing up, I've generally been taught to give time and energy more than money. I could not explain the mental chemistry that changed after I clicked the "Submit" button. The simple way to put it was: it felt really good.

I can speculate on why giving feels good. Perhaps it's abiding in an abundant mind (if you're experiencing scarcity, you cannot give). Perhaps it's a sense of autonomy (you were not forced to give). Perhaps it's connecting more deeply with the world. I can't say, but it's a good mental state to be in. And it's surprising that the act itself brings forth the mental states, when these are also the mental states that cause the act.

I now try to give more financially, whether in restaurant tips or to street performers.

(See part 2.1c)