Why It Is Important
To Be Generous

13 Dec 2017 Bangalore, India

"Give in such a way that the other does not even feel they have taken. This is generosity, and this is beauty."

Click To Tweet

Two Internal Tendencies

  1. Taking from another
  2. Giving to another

Which value system we are imbibing in our children is worth noting. If our children are hesitant to take or ask, then that is a sign of good values. But if they are hesitant to give, then there is something wrong there.

If people feel hesitation to put their hand out to take, that is a good sign, but if they hesitate to extend their hands out to help, then we need to change the direction society is going in. If a child is sattvic (positive state of being), s/he will always make an effort to share her/his belongings with everyone. But if the child is rajasic (restless state of being), then s/he tries to take things from everyone.

We Should Imbibe the Value of Sharing in Children

Children should feel happiness in giving and sharing, and hesitation in taking. They should feel hesitation to put their hands out and ask.

There are people who have enough, and yet they keep asking for more. This is very strange.  So, when there is an attitude to give and hesitation to take or to ask, then the direction of life has reached an elevated level. If there is hesitation to give and no shame in taking, then, comparatively, that is of a lower level of existence. And there are some people who even go to the extent of pouncing, grabbing, and seizing, which is an even lower level of existence.

Now, in this world, there are all kinds of people and all sorts of things happen. So we must not hold anyone guilty or judge anyone. The important message is that we must set an example for others, but not make another feel guilty.

Click To Tweet This Article

Subscribe

If you enjoyed reading this content and would like to receive a notification on our future updates, you can subscribe here.

Enter your email address:


You can also write to us on webteam.wisdom@artofliving.org for any questions or comments.

The 3 Types of Maya

These are three types of Maya,
and one has to cross over the
three types.

1. Moh Maya
2. Maha Maya
3. Yoga Maya

In this article, 
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar explains the three types of Maya.

READ MORE

 

 

Read earlier posts

  • September 23, 2019

    September 23, 2019
  • September 23, 2019

    September 23, 2019
  • September 23, 2019

    September 23, 2019
  • September 23, 2019

    10 Steps to Improve Communication Skills

    July 29, 2019
    • In this article Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar shares 10 steps one can take to develop effective communication at work and in personal relationships.
  • 7 Steps to Cope with Frustration

    November 23, 2018
    • In life you will have 101 reasons to get frustrated. However it is up to you keep the enthusiasm alive without allowing the frustration to seep in. Here are some pointers to help you keep frustration at bay.

    May 1, 2018
  • The Best Form of Donation

    April 28, 2018
    • It is important to donate at least 3 percent of what we earn - says Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. In this article he further talks about the best form of donation

    Is Buddhism a Part of Hinduism

    April 25, 2018
    • It is often asked - Is Buddhism a part of Hinduism? Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar sheds light on the origin and similarity between the two religions

Free Breath and Meditation Session