How do you relate to the notion of ready-made gifts leading us to "forget the reasons for giving?" I agree with the author that gift giving is commercialized. It shifts our spiritual emotions to material emotions. Even from a young age, we learn to evaluate our emotion through a price tag. The material exchange as a ‘transaction’ can bring a “closure” to emotional exchange. On the other hand, if the gift is an expression of love, such as creating a unique object with our own hands, as an expression of sharing our life/time, the gift is ‘energized’ by our love and it can be a reminder of never ending flow of love. Time and action can create a depth of emotion. How do you stay mindful of your reasons for giving? We do not need a reason for giving. Life and happiness are a collective flow of give and take. After our first responsibility to be independent and not be a burden to any one, all thoughts and actions should be to enhance our environment through individual and collective effort, and sharing. Life itself is divided in to four stages of giving, as Ashrama dharma: 1) Learning to be a productive member of the community 2) Being a contributor through family and friends 3) Being of full time service to the community and 4) Not being a burden on the community. Can you share a personal story of a gift that you chose to make with your own hands? Of the various things I have experimented with, in my life. The one I am most comfortable with has been an understanding of myself from a global and universal perspective, and promoting such global/universal perception. This has significantly satisfied my need for creative insight and “meaningfulness” in life. “Meaningfulness in life” appears to be closely related to our contribution to the welfare of our environment or community. Each of us appears to have a unique skill (Verna dharma or Svadhrma) to contribute to community, based on our natural tendencies (‘Gunas’).
On Nov 29, 2012 Narendra wrote :