A friend sent the following video some time back:
https://youtu.be/K9vFWA1rnWc?si=IJMUOw-fKoJUB9De
An interesting video where a person is helping everybody. He is trying to help a plant get water, feed a dog, help an old woman, help an old neighbor, and also a girl begging for money on the street for no reward or expectation. I often wonder about "helping" or "giving". Doesn't it imply an artificial division between the giver and the taker? The moment there is a division between the "giver" and the "taker", there will definitely be an exchange of considerations. The "taker" may be taking something tangible and returning something "intangible" in the form of a smile on the face or gratitude or something else and that "smile" or "gratitude" may carry more value to the "giver" than what he gave.
There may be quite varied types of exchanges. For example, some "givers" may give to improve their "social image" so that they shall be regarded as philanthropists by the society. On the other hand, some may try to improve their "self-image" because they "feel good" by having a self-image of being a giver. Some may give because they want some tax benefits in return. Some give to add it to their CV. Some feel that giving is like an investment and the takers will be standing with them as and when they need them. Some feel that takers will feel obliged and that is how they create a cult of appreciators and followers and thereby feel powerful.
However, I feel that "giving" is not possible till the time the division between the giver and the taker exists. It is only when we feel connected to the other person, we feel like extending. There is not much difference between our hunger and the hunger of the street dog demanding food from us. We feel connected to that little girl who is forced to beg on the street and share whatever we have. We feel connected to the old lady somehow trying to feed herself. When there is a feeling of that connection, there is no giving or taking.
Our minds are very good at creating divisions between "I" and "you" by forming strong identifications with our thought processes and material possessions. However, it is an eternal truth of life that we must eventually leave this body, leaving behind all our thoughts and beliefs, as we transition to a new existence and begin anew in a different body with a fresh thought process. We can live in two very distinct ways. One involves strong identifications with our thoughts, bodies, and material possessions. In this case, we would always inhabit a world of divisions and seek to maximize our happiness around the mental concepts we've constructed throughout our lifetimes, including the notion of "giving." However, the more we strive, the stronger these divisions will become, and the more fearful and fragile we will find ourselves. The other way is to maintain constant awareness of "who we are." When we hold onto that awareness, we naturally develop a concern for those around us. There is no question of "giving"—how can I give to myself? In that state, there is no need to search for happiness; it is a natural outcome of love and compassion.
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