that is,
just not to attach to anything is to give.
This excerpt comes from
Shunryu Suzuki’s book Zen Mind Beginner’s
Mind and from my perspective really deepens the whole notion of what it
means to give, to be generous.
When we practice not
attaching to anything, our acts of giving, do not derive from
familial or societal scripts, but a place as inevitable as the warmth and light of
the sun—being, an organic process, simple.
I think the implication here, is that generosity is embedded in our original nature, much as it is in the nature of the sun, which simply shines, does not expect anything in return, does not moralize, it just shines.
I think the implication here, is that generosity is embedded in our original nature, much as it is in the nature of the sun, which simply shines, does not expect anything in return, does not moralize, it just shines.
Our existence derives from the same universe as the sun, so our genius is really a gift from the universe to us—it does not exist as a personal achievement except in the small ego-driven sense. Therefore, as an expression of our original nature, it must manifest like the rays of the aforementioned sun, as a source of inevitable light and warmth—a true act of generosity.
To become burdened by attachment to the products of this genius, to start grading and evaluating their worth, is to pollute an otherwise inevitable, joyful process.
We seem to have a tendency
to warp the whole idea of giving too, by layering it with self-interested, anxious
ideas such as a right to entitlement or reciprocity, but as I have outlined
above, the origins of true generosity stem from a deeper place.
By definition a gift cannot have any strings attached to it or it isn’t a gift, is it?
By definition a gift cannot have any strings attached to it or it isn’t a gift, is it?
When we are centered in
non-attachment or being, any actions arising from this place are as natural and
simple as the wind blowing, the rain falling or the sun shining. We create because
it is in our nature to do so—the nature of the Tao.
This might be designing the next Taj Mahal, cleaning the house or walking the dog--any action that comes from the deepest recesses of one's spiritual core. Perhaps related to talents and abilities, but not to any desire for fame, money, recognition, or success.
This might be designing the next Taj Mahal, cleaning the house or walking the dog--any action that comes from the deepest recesses of one's spiritual core. Perhaps related to talents and abilities, but not to any desire for fame, money, recognition, or success.
So, being (non-attachment) is the origin of
generosity—part of the art of doing nothing.
We just need to relax, be here now and breathe—that’s freedom!
We just need to relax, be here now and breathe—that’s freedom!
