 Creative Giving  |
Sat Nam.
'Tis the time of giving. Before even the Halloween decorations have been dug out, the buzz of the holidays is already in the stores, in the media and on our minds. This year we invite you to look deep inside while meditating on the subject of giving and, especially, to give some thought to the following:
1) Just like we have to love ourselves first, in order to be loved, we need to give to ourselves first, in order to have something to give to others. Do you give to your own Infinity? Is tithing and giving back a regular part of your life? If not, now is an excellent time to initiate it. Start a sadhana program or daily spiritual practice. Choose a temple, church or other institution and begin your tithing program today. There is some excellent information about tithing and giving to your Infinity on the Dasvandh website: www.dasvandh.org. Also, Dasvandh welcomes your donations and has a number of excellent tithing options.
2) This year, give gifts of meaning for you and your recipient. Are you all for recycling for a better world? Buy gifts made only with recycled materials. Don't want to go too mainstream? Buy products from smaller companies which specialize in organic, individual, hand-made or all natural products. Want your dollars to go even further? Buy products that support the causes you are into. Many dharmic offices have included their favorite ideas for gift-giving in this issue and each gift benefits these great organizations (3HO IKYTA, Sikh Dharma, Guru Ram Das Institute for Health and Healing, IKYTA, Aquarian Times, and more).
3) Consider what you really need at this time in your life. If you feel there is little you really need, ask your friends and family to donate to causes you feel are important. Have them give donations to relief organizations or charities, or donate gifts to local organizations such as Toys for Tots or shelters for women, children, and homeless. Or ask them to donate in your name to other organizations that support your lifestyle.
We wish you every joy in this season of giving and thanks. Our prayer is that we may all make manifold the glories of the gift of life, that we may share the blessed technology of the Attitude of Gratitude all around us. May our hearts dwell in compassion, may our words be prayer, may our intention be the happiness of all, may our actions be of grace and dignity, and may we continue to become the forklifts for humankind.
Take care of yourself this season. We look forward to another fantastic year with you next year!
All blessings from your Dasvandh Office!