Ufond Blog. This is a bad thing
In the last few years, I have often thought about charity. I was interested in its nature and why, in some cases, when faced with this topic, we experience the brightest feelings and sincere admiration and respect for people who selflessly do good deeds, decorating the lives of others and the world at large. And in other cases, we experience completely different feelings - bewilderment, pity in its negative form, guilt, indignation.
So what is charity? The answer is self-evident - it is to provide selfless help to those who need it. It would seem that it could be clearer and easier. Armed with this obvious knowledge, thousands of people, originally driven by the altruism inherent in every normal person, rush to do good deeds. And very quickly fall into two classic traps.
In the first of them, I’m sure, and you came across more than once. To find out if this is the case, answer a couple of simple questions. What drives you when you automatically pull out money when you walk out of a grocery store and stumble upon an old woman at the door with an outstretched hand? Was your heart pounding when a photo of a little dog who urgently needed money for surgery appeared on your Facebook feed, and you at least shared this photo on your page, urging everyone to help as much as they can? Have you given money to the poor at church, even though you are not a devout believer? Have you donated money for the treatment of children unknown to you, and never bothered to check whether they really exist? Did you feel relieved after doing this?
Then I have to upset you. This is not charity and a good heart, but the satisfaction of the shadowy aspects of your personality, weak nerves or excessive emotionality. Because the first law of charity reads: "The main feature of charity is the voluntary choice of type, time and place, as well as the content of aid." And in all these cases you did not choose. You just got caught up in pity, guilt, fear. And these feelings are not combined with charity.
And if you are altruistic and want to do really good deeds, first of all protect yourself from this trap. Any practices that raise your awareness can be the best way to do this. Knowledge of your shadowy sides, the usual pitfalls, what you buy, what and for how much you are willing to sell, what psychological needs you want to satisfy. You must know all this about yourself so that your benevolence is pure and truly brings good.
And then charity will become your spiritual practice, leading you to the wealth of the Soul. And a step towards not falling into the second trap set in the way of all sincere altruists.
And here comes into force the second law of charity, which states - "We can be benefactors only in the area in which we do not feel the need." And this is true. Only by gaining abundance in something do we have the right and opportunity to give. Honestly, expecting nothing in return. Because we know that our resource will not be exhausted and we will not become needy ourselves. And those who do not know this law are ambushed by a second trap. And this is the wrong field in which you can show altruism.
Remember, in terms of the laws of the world, you are entitled to
charity only in the sphere in which you have attained abundance. And it can be anything! If you have so much money that you can afford luxury and extravagance - do good money. If you have a profitable cafe and you do not make ends meet, counting the revenue - give some of the food to those in need. If you have a lot of free time and tulips have grown in the country - plant them on the lawns around your house. If you are emotionally stable and happy, your charity will be appropriate where people need only moral support.
And this is very wise. Because the well-known phrase "Let not the hand of the giver be poor" has another message to all who seek to give. Doing any charity - do not give yourself away! Your source should not be poor. This is not selfishness. This is following the laws of nature.
Stop for a few minutes now - calm down, freeze, staring into the depths of yourself. Where is your source? What riches is it filled with? What are you rich and abundant in? In what area of your life do you have a source that you can easily replenish by supporting its growth? And only when you find it, the source of your wealth, ask yourself, "Do I feel the need to give?"
Charity is a spiritual practice. Start practicing it this week. And every day you will become more aware of your personal involvement and responsibility for the world in which we all live. And a sincere desire to share with him what you are rich in.
I sincerely believe that you will find your source this week. And that the good deeds you will consciously do this week and beyond will make our world a little better. And they will become your favorite spiritual practice.
Author Lev Katkov
So what is charity? The answer is self-evident - it is to provide selfless help to those who need it. It would seem that it could be clearer and easier. Armed with this obvious knowledge, thousands of people, originally driven by the altruism inherent in every normal person, rush to do good deeds. And very quickly fall into two classic traps.
In the first of them, I’m sure, and you came across more than once. To find out if this is the case, answer a couple of simple questions. What drives you when you automatically pull out money when you walk out of a grocery store and stumble upon an old woman at the door with an outstretched hand? Was your heart pounding when a photo of a little dog who urgently needed money for surgery appeared on your Facebook feed, and you at least shared this photo on your page, urging everyone to help as much as they can? Have you given money to the poor at church, even though you are not a devout believer? Have you donated money for the treatment of children unknown to you, and never bothered to check whether they really exist? Did you feel relieved after doing this?
Then I have to upset you. This is not charity and a good heart, but the satisfaction of the shadowy aspects of your personality, weak nerves or excessive emotionality. Because the first law of charity reads: "The main feature of charity is the voluntary choice of type, time and place, as well as the content of aid." And in all these cases you did not choose. You just got caught up in pity, guilt, fear. And these feelings are not combined with charity.
And if you are altruistic and want to do really good deeds, first of all protect yourself from this trap. Any practices that raise your awareness can be the best way to do this. Knowledge of your shadowy sides, the usual pitfalls, what you buy, what and for how much you are willing to sell, what psychological needs you want to satisfy. You must know all this about yourself so that your benevolence is pure and truly brings good.
And then charity will become your spiritual practice, leading you to the wealth of the Soul. And a step towards not falling into the second trap set in the way of all sincere altruists.
And here comes into force the second law of charity, which states - "We can be benefactors only in the area in which we do not feel the need." And this is true. Only by gaining abundance in something do we have the right and opportunity to give. Honestly, expecting nothing in return. Because we know that our resource will not be exhausted and we will not become needy ourselves. And those who do not know this law are ambushed by a second trap. And this is the wrong field in which you can show altruism.
Remember, in terms of the laws of the world, you are entitled to
charity only in the sphere in which you have attained abundance. And it can be anything! If you have so much money that you can afford luxury and extravagance - do good money. If you have a profitable cafe and you do not make ends meet, counting the revenue - give some of the food to those in need. If you have a lot of free time and tulips have grown in the country - plant them on the lawns around your house. If you are emotionally stable and happy, your charity will be appropriate where people need only moral support.
And this is very wise. Because the well-known phrase "Let not the hand of the giver be poor" has another message to all who seek to give. Doing any charity - do not give yourself away! Your source should not be poor. This is not selfishness. This is following the laws of nature.
Stop for a few minutes now - calm down, freeze, staring into the depths of yourself. Where is your source? What riches is it filled with? What are you rich and abundant in? In what area of your life do you have a source that you can easily replenish by supporting its growth? And only when you find it, the source of your wealth, ask yourself, "Do I feel the need to give?"
Charity is a spiritual practice. Start practicing it this week. And every day you will become more aware of your personal involvement and responsibility for the world in which we all live. And a sincere desire to share with him what you are rich in.
I sincerely believe that you will find your source this week. And that the good deeds you will consciously do this week and beyond will make our world a little better. And they will become your favorite spiritual practice.
Author Lev Katkov