The Gift of Giving.

My goodness, what a lovely story this morning – shared graciously from Service Space. The author, I’m sad to say, is presently unknown – though, isn’t their message an absolute blessing?

Indeed, what does it mean to truly give? Is it a matter of action or sentiment? And, how do we disentangle the act of giving from the attachment of outcome?

In this beautiful story, famed warrior, Arjuna faces this challenge as he questions Krishna, who is the noblest giver in the land.

“Karna is without doubt the finest example of generosity in all the kingdom,” Krishna shares.

Of course, the answer is upsetting to Arjuna, as Karna is one of his biggest rivals on the battlefield. Noting Arjuna’s upset, Krishna devises a skillful test.

“Do you see those two mountains ?” Krishna asks. As Arjuna turns his gaze, the tall peaks in the distance begin to shimmer and reflect the light. Incredibly, the two mountains before him had turned into solid gold.

“Now Arjuna, I have a task for you,” says Krishna, ” You must distribute these two mountains of gold among the poor villagers who live in the foothills. Let me know when you have given away every last pebble of it.”

Excited by this opportunity to impress Krishna and the world with his philanthropic abilities, Arjuna summons all the villagers together and addresses them grandly. “Listen,” says Arjuna, “For I bring glad news. I will be distributing these two glorious mountains of gold amongst all of you.” A gasp of wonder and delight rises from the audience, as the air filled with song in praise of the great warrior Arjuna. Energized by their admiration, Arjuna set forth a master plan for the collection and distribution of this new found wealth.

For two straight days, he shoveled tirelessly – but, to no avail. To his dismay, the mountains remained unchanged. And, the more he shoveled – it seemed, the more remained. Forced nearly to the brink of exhaustion, he declares – “I must take a few days of rest before I dare to continue.”

In response, Krishna summons Karna into his presence. “Do you see those two mountains?” Krishna asks of Karna. “Yes,” returns the noble warrior. “You must distribute them among the poor villagers who live in the foothills. Let me know when you have given away every last pebble of it.”

Without a moment’s hesitation Karna calls out to two villagers who happen to be passing by at that moment. “Do you see those two mountains?” Karna asks them. “Yes,” comes the response. “Those two mountains of gold are yours to do with as you please,” says Karna with a smile bright as the sunrise.

And just as easily as he utters these words, he bows to Krishna and walks away.

Arjuna sat dumbfounded by this turn of events. How could something of such value be so easily distributed?

“Arjuna,” offered Krishna, his voice warm with wisdom. “in your mind the gold occupied a place of high value, and sub-consciously you were drawn to it. In doing so, you diminished the true essence of giving – that is to say, to give without expectation of return.

You had a muddied approach to giving. You tried to strategize and divide up the gold according to who you thought was most worthy of the gift. But these petty calculations tired your spirit, and over time, you were forced to realize that the mountains’ abundance is far beyond the capacity of your individual head, heart and hands.”

Arjuna silently absorbed the truth of these words into his being.

“And what about Karna?” he finally ventured to ask.

“The gold meant nothing to Karna,” returned Krishna easily, “For him the true gift was not the gold but the act of giving in itself. He had no calculations to make, nor was he seeking anything in return by way of acknowledgement or praise. He offered everything with a clear heart and a pure mind, and having given he moved on to meet the next moment. And that, dear Arjuna, is a true sign of a person on the path of Awakening.”

Indeed, to offer of heart with no expectation of return – my darlings, this is the greatest gift we might ever share.

And, in time, becoming the blessing within the present.

About

Tara Lemieux is a mindful wanderer, and faithful stargazer. Although she often appears to be listening with great care, rest assured she is most certainly‘forever lost in thought. She is an ardent explorer and lover of finding things previously undiscovered or at the very least mostly not-uncovered.

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