Midweek Thought for Meditation 2/25/26
Hi Everyone,
Our topic this week is giving.
A young man traveling in South India found himself sitting on the steps of the Tanjore museum lost and miserable, with his face in his hands. There was a rail-thin old man nearby sweeping the courtyard. The young man was too sunk into himself to pay any attention to the old man. When he did look up he saw that the old man placed a cup of hot tea and two biscuits beside him. It likely cost this man half his daily wages. He disappeared without waiting for thanks. The young man realized that this act of compassion probably came out of the knowledge of great suffering. He felt joy and the sense of being loved.
The young traveler later reflected that although he had more money, he hardly noticed the old man. However the old man was much richer than he was in compassion. He not only noticed him, he saw his need and sacrificed to give without claiming recognition for himself. This act of kindness stayed with him for the rest of his life
Give
If you have a lot, give some of your possessions;
If you have little; give some of your heart.
African Traditional Religions. Nilitoc proverb
CHRISTIANITY
God loves a cheerful giver. II Corinthians 9:7
Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together
And running over will be poured into your lap. Luke 6:38
ISLAM
Allah’s Apostle was the most generous person,
even more generous than the strong, uncontrollable wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable gifts). Hadith of Bukhari
Give gifts to one another, for gifts take away rancor. Hadith ofTirmidhi
BUDDHISM
Even dust, given in childish innocence, is a good gift. No gift that is given in good faith to a worthy recipient, can be called small. Its effect is so great.
Jatakamala 3.23
HINDUISM
Giving, simply because it’s right to give, without thought of return, at the proper time, in proper circumstances is enlightened giving. Bhagavad Gita 17.20
Those who deeply know duty do not neglect giving, even in their own unprosperous season.
Tirukkural 218
JUDAISM
One gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; the one who refreshes others will also be refreshed. Proverbs 11.24&25
The righteous give generously without sparing. Proverbs 21.26
CONFUCIANISM
The gift is in giving. If the giving isn’t equal to the gift, it’s like no gift at all, for the gift isn’t invested with your good will. Mencius VI.B.5
TAOISM
It is the way of heaven to remove where there is excess and add where there is lack. Who can take their surplus and give it to people? Only ones who possess the Tao.
Therefore the wise act without expectation, do not abide in their
accomplishments, do not want to show their virtue. Tao Te Ching 77
*Musical links to help reinforce the concept and offer encouragement, helping to deepen our understanding of the theme and inviting us to reflect on God's compassion for us, as we are called to extend the same compassion to others.
“Thank You” hthttps://youtu.be/Jl5vi9ir49g
“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” tps://youtu.be/6kcPRSuGws4
“ Give A Little Bit” https://youtu.be/GNfdVg066co
Owen's pick!
“Don’t Waste Your Life” https://youtu.be/Drk0Tic_vBI
Thank you, Owen
Hi Everyone,
Our topic this week is giving.
A young man traveling in South India found himself sitting on the steps of the Tanjore museum lost and miserable, with his face in his hands. There was a rail-thin old man nearby sweeping the courtyard. The young man was too sunk into himself to pay any attention to the old man. When he did look up he saw that the old man placed a cup of hot tea and two biscuits beside him. It likely cost this man half his daily wages. He disappeared without waiting for thanks. The young man realized that this act of compassion probably came out of the knowledge of great suffering. He felt joy and the sense of being loved.
The young traveler later reflected that although he had more money, he hardly noticed the old man. However the old man was much richer than he was in compassion. He not only noticed him, he saw his need and sacrificed to give without claiming recognition for himself. This act of kindness stayed with him for the rest of his life
Give
If you have a lot, give some of your possessions;
If you have little; give some of your heart.
African Traditional Religions. Nilitoc proverb
CHRISTIANITY
God loves a cheerful giver. II Corinthians 9:7
Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together
And running over will be poured into your lap. Luke 6:38
ISLAM
Allah’s Apostle was the most generous person,
even more generous than the strong, uncontrollable wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable gifts). Hadith of Bukhari
Give gifts to one another, for gifts take away rancor. Hadith ofTirmidhi
BUDDHISM
Even dust, given in childish innocence, is a good gift. No gift that is given in good faith to a worthy recipient, can be called small. Its effect is so great.
Jatakamala 3.23
HINDUISM
Giving, simply because it’s right to give, without thought of return, at the proper time, in proper circumstances is enlightened giving. Bhagavad Gita 17.20
Those who deeply know duty do not neglect giving, even in their own unprosperous season.
Tirukkural 218
JUDAISM
One gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; the one who refreshes others will also be refreshed. Proverbs 11.24&25
The righteous give generously without sparing. Proverbs 21.26
CONFUCIANISM
The gift is in giving. If the giving isn’t equal to the gift, it’s like no gift at all, for the gift isn’t invested with your good will. Mencius VI.B.5
TAOISM
It is the way of heaven to remove where there is excess and add where there is lack. Who can take their surplus and give it to people? Only ones who possess the Tao.
Therefore the wise act without expectation, do not abide in their
accomplishments, do not want to show their virtue. Tao Te Ching 77
*Musical links to help reinforce the concept and offer encouragement, helping to deepen our understanding of the theme and inviting us to reflect on God's compassion for us, as we are called to extend the same compassion to others.
“Thank You” hthttps://youtu.be/Jl5vi9ir49g
“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” tps://youtu.be/6kcPRSuGws4
“ Give A Little Bit” https://youtu.be/GNfdVg066co
Owen's pick!
“Don’t Waste Your Life” https://youtu.be/Drk0Tic_vBI
Thank you, Owen
