Greetings,
Blessings,
And thank you so much for choosing to spend this time together,
Even if virtually the intention is shared.
In this segment,
The Prophet speaks on giving.
It's worth noting the one who asks is identified as a rich man.
The rich man asks about giving,
Whether you're rich financially,
Rich in spirit,
Rich in friends,
Rich in life,
Health.
Listen to this segment and the instructions or advice,
The insights from the Prophet,
And how to approach giving.
Sometimes in my yoga classes,
I'll remind students,
Keep the fires burning.
No matter how dim they might seem,
You just might be that lighthouse guiding someone to safe harbor.
And so it is with giving.
Sometimes we don't even know what we offer.
And so let your thoughts,
Your words,
Your actions be guided from a place of light and love.
It's authentic,
It's genuine,
And it comes from your soul.
So find your comfortable seat and close your eyes.
Begin to stack your spine and settle in to the natural rhythm of your breath.
Take a full cycle together,
Deep breath in,
Long,
Relaxing breath out.
Let go of distractions.
Take a moment or two just to set a mindful intention to receive wisdom from the Prophet in this particular segment on giving.
And 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?
And tomorrow,
What shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?
And what is fear of need but need itself is not dread of thirst when your well is full,
The thirst that is unquenchable.
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 and 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.
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 someday 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.
Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights is also worthy of all else from you.
And he who is deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.
And what desert greater shall there be than that which lies in the courage and the confidence nay the charity of receiving.
Yet who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?
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 over mindful of your debt is to doubt his generosity who has the free hearted earth for mother and God for father.
Assume no weight of gratitude lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.
Yet give as in yonder valley the myrtle breeze its fragrance into space.
Allow the wisdom to echo.
A tree,
The myrtle tree doesn't send debt with its fragrance across the valley.
The nature,
The natural order,
The natural order in accordance with our true nature.
Our light,
Our love always shines.
It's only the illusion of control,
The illusion of the ego of self preservation that the light begins to flicker.
Sheltered behind our defenses.
So fear not,
Breathe,
Share your light and love with yourself.
Recognize it.
And those who happen to be in your life and pass by will know your thoughts by the expression on your face.
We'll hear your words,
Be inspired and they will see your deeds and be lifted up.
Thank you so much.
I'm choosing to practice with all my love and with all my gratitude.
Namaste
