Give and Take - Yoga Journal Newsletter

Give and Take

In one sense, generosity is natural: We can no more help giving than we can live without the support of everything we receive. Verses in the Vedas describe the generosity of the natural elements, the way the earth supports us without ever demanding thanks, the way the sun shines and the rain falls.

But if our essence is naturally generous, the ego fears not having enough, worries about getting hurt or losing out, feels anxious at the thought of looking silly or getting ripped off, and, above all, looks for a payoff. So for most of us, there's a continual push-pull that pits our natural generosity and genuine desire to share against the ego's feeling of lack and its desire to drive a bargain.

Use your daily meditation, or just put aside a few minutes every day, to practice offering blessings or prayers for another's welfare. Then mentally touch each person with your awareness and ask that he or she be blessed. As you do this, also observe your own state. Notice whether reluctance or smugness arises. If so, don't judge yourself; simply see whether you can hold these feelings in awareness. Often, that awareness will allow them to change.

If you common with yoga try to do this every morning, after you wake up, take time to sit in a proper posture, breathe, let the oxygen run through your whole body.

Think about generousity, think positive and try to throw all the negative or bad thought of your mind. Yoga is not only about being physically health but for a mentally and purist inner self.

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