If you’ve been following this blog over the past three weeks, you’ll know that all of the thoughts of the week have been an evolving thread. Thus far, I’ve spoken about Give-olutions, Collective Energy, and a Call to Action (click here if you need a recap). With all that I’ve been experiencing through these thoughts and then seeing how they’ve been manifesting has led me to think about generosity. It feels as though the willingness, particularly within my local community to give, has been not only humbling but simply astounding.
With respect to our upcoming yoga day of raising money for fire relief in Australia, we hit the fundraising target ($5,000) within three days. And as it’s continued, we are likely to come close to doubling the initial goal. I’ve put out many threads through social media and other means of promotion, which has been shared and acted upon. The rapid and abundant response has me feeling deeply grateful and privileged. I’m sitting in an optimal position to be the catalyst for this particular call to action, as both an Australian and American citizen, standing comfortably with one foot in each county and sharing my sadness and grief at such destruction that has motivated people to act.
In thinking about generosity, I’ve been asking the question all week of “How does generosity show up in your life?”. Generosity is not only a financial offering but takes many forms. Being generous can look like being fully present when in conversation with somebody; offering up skills and giving time to something; or holding a non-judgmental space for people to express themselves. On Monday, it was Martin Luther King, Jr Day here in the States and I reflected on how Dr. King’s generosity of spirit and faith took great courage which also eventually took his life.
When the news of the Australian fires made its way to our local community, people came up to me asking how they could help, what could they do? People here and around the world have seen the vulnerability unfolding in Australia and on some level know that this could happen here or anywhere else. In fact, on a smaller scale, it has happened in California with massive wildfires wiping out towns in the past couple of years. In essence, this connection is moments of “Namaste'”, seeing the light and spirit within others and connecting it to their own hearts. When we have this connection, we realize no separation exists between us. We are all part of the entire global family and see ourselves in those undergoing tragic times.
As HH The Dalai Lama says:
“Generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving-kindness.”
In other words, what we are cultivating within our own hearts is what is revealed to the world around us. So when I experience such a massive and rapid response, I am also seeing the compassion and caring that is within people. It shores up my belief in decency and humanity, particularly at times of such division and discontent.
As it relates to our yoga practice, each time we step onto the mat, practice loving-kindness, or sit in meditation…when we do our work, it becomes a natural response to growing our own compassion and it ripples out into the world. One of my most frequently spoken phrases is that “our practice begins within” and so it is. I’ve seen this outpouring of generosity-financially, energetically, skillfully, and with hearts-wide open. I can see the often unseen cultivation of our inner attitude moving outward.
Wow. And thank you for your generosity!
