We have always been socially and culturally conditioned in placing the givers in the category of higher humans. There’s a proportionate share of the immediate family, relatives, friends, society, community, nation, and environment, in everything we gain and achieve and that’s why we give. The philosophy of minimalism supposedly also is an extension of this conviction. Giving is great, giving makes you great – in everyone’s and also in your own eyes. It brings with it a lot of responsibility and growth. And also, a sense of pride. Pride. Not that there’s anything wrong with pride; it’s too complex a subject of discussion. I never for a reason could decide whether or not it helps me for there have been situations both ways. Although pride makes us appreciate ourselves, when it seeps into our heads, it blinds us. Cultured by this mixed thought process for years, I never could fully comprehend the power of receiving.
Through Vipassana, I knew closely what receiving means. Everything that sustains us physically, mentally, and spiritually for those couple of days is technically a charity. A charity by someone we don’t know and will never know of. As givers, we often compromise peace by taking roles that we don’t align with emotionally, as receivers we perfectly work on those emotions with clarity, and peace.
Giving brings confidence, receiving provides courage. Giving speaks of empathy, receiving brings humility. Giving builds foundations for relationships, and receiving gives strength to sustain them. We know greatness when we give, we know gratitude when we receive.
Humans otherwise have been natural receivers; everything we have is practically a gift. From the time when we are born to the time when we die, our lives, careers, passions, positions, the air we breathe, the sun that shines, and the earth that sustains us. Probably the regard or indebtedness for these invaluable offerings inculcates the feeling of resistance to receiving. However, the circle of giving is not complete without our willingness to be open to receiving.
In Light & Gratitude,
Nazneen Kachwala
(This blog was originally published by nazneenkachwala.wordpress.com)
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