“…the primary lesson to be learned on earth, as exemplified by God, is to every day share at least a little of your earthly possessions with worthy, needy persons, or, still better, with worthy, needy Divine Causes.” ―
Paramhansa Yogananda in the Second Coming of Christ
The Joy of Giving
Everything in life, every thought, word, and action has power and energy. God’s power and energy is set in motion when we live according to God’s laws. All great Masters share certain basic principles of how to live the spiritual life ― Non–violence, do to others what you want them to do to you, love your neighbor, and many, many more. These are not just nice ideas; these actions represent deep spiritual principles that are activated when we begin to live in these ways.
The universal laws of energy and magnetism are working all the time. Giving, as we know, whether love, money, a smile etc., spreads joy and well-being, supporting and uplifting all involved. Because when we give we open to the flow of divine abundance, as long as we are open there is an unlimited flow. God is an abundant giver and as children of God those gifts flow freely to all. The flow of God’s bounty will stop only when we close the flow. Master said, “The instrument is blessed by what flows through it.”
Our understanding is helped by considering what happens when we do not or cannot cooperate with spiritual law. The nature of our karma, creates challenges for us, so we may not be able to be open, but spiritual law, like physical law, is perpetual, think of the law of gravity. You know that if you throw a heavy object straight up into the air, you must move before it comes back down. If you don’t move, you will have to deal with the consequences. You don’t take it personally, you don’t blame anyone, because you know that the law of gravity is an irrefutable part of physical reality. Your action or inaction does not change the law of gravity, what it does is change the outcome for you.
When we give love, love flows, when we give joy, joy flows, when we give money, money flows. The same is true for any negative qualities we give out. When we close the flow, whatever was, or might have been possible, now becomes remote, inaccessible, maybe impossible. Spiritual law flows like water through an open channel, close the channel and there is no flow. No judgement or guilt, this is simply how it works.
Giving therefore, or any other spiritual assignment, poses a direct challenge to our ego nature. God wants us to learn to trust Him and His guidance. Asking us to live according to spiritual law so that we will not suffer, so that we may know joy, love and peace. As we begin to understand, we experiment and practice the many ways we can spiritualize every aspect of our lives.
“Give, and it will be given to you. You will have more than enough. It can be pushed down and shaken together and it will still run over as it is given to you. The way you give to others is the way you will receive in return.”― The Bible, Luke 6:38
And here you can find out more about how Giving can transform your life: “The Joy of Giving” – Campaign