Where we put our resources matters

By Deniece Smith

We have so many resources with which to benefit others. We have time, money, mental energy, belongings, and so much more. When we take the mental standpoint of knowing these resources have been given to us to use as tools to benefit others, our Western-minded perspective changes from thinking that the resources are for showing others and ourself that we have succeeded. We take on a less self-cherishing perspective which creates feelings of isolation and mental agitation, to one of cherishing others and connecting with other people and beings.

The action of benefitting others is sometimes called bodhicitta (bow-dee-chee-tuh). Bodhicitta is always thinking of how to benefit other sentient beings in the wisest, most extensive way. The benefits of bodhicitta are profound and prolific. All beings benefit. I like to turn it into a logical question using a simple math reference. Would you rather benefit one being or many? Then, ask yourself, "How would I effect the world if I focused on benefitting many, rather than one (myself)?" And also ask yourself, "What would happen if the majority of people decided to help many, rather than one?"

The pure thought of bodhicitta is the complete opposite of the self-cherishing thought, which is only concerned for oneself, which always thinks of how to take care of oneself, which doesn’t care about other sentient beings, which causes other sentient beings to suffer. 

Let's do a contemplation- 

If we have $30 and we want to be generous, we might give this to a homeless person on the street. 

We ask ourself: 

What is my intention for this? (What do I want to do?)

What is my motivation for this? (Why do I want to do it?)

Am I doing it to help this person?

Am I doing it to look good to someone else?

Am I doing it because I want to feel good?

What is your motivation? Ask again.

Then look at your motivation.

Is it selfish or altruistic?

Would you give money more readily if your name went up as a donor than if you got no recognition? 

Will this money be spent for a positive result?

Take a breath here.

Ask, "Why do I want to be generous?"

Now, when you give that $30 to one person, who may use it to buy alcohol, ask yourself, "How else could my $30 potentially be better used?"

"Is there someplace where more than one person, or being (like animal in a shelter, etc.), could benefit?"

"Is there a place where it would be a cause for more joy than helping someone get drunk?"

When you get past the reasons that might be self-serving, and arrive at an "other-serving" or altruistic reason like, “I feel that my giving (in the case of donating to eyeglasses for the underprivileged or other altruistic cause) to this person or cause will help several beings see better,” notice how you feel.

You may be aware of a lightness.

Why might this be?

End contemplation

There is a lot of responsibility in being aware of our choices. It can take time. The time it takes might take too much contemplation and encourage you to spend the $30 on yourself and you go get drunk. How would you feel then?  Would that be a cause for that light feeling?  Would you be making the world a better or worse place? 

The responsibility of being aware of our motivation is a lot. And it brings great results when it’s altruistic. Altruistic motivation is the cause for positive karma.

The responsibility of generosity is enormous. Generosity is the cause for abundance. When you do give, you cause your mind to know that you have enough to give. The idea of having enough to give minimizes attachment or neediness.  It allows for a more content and peaceful mind. 

When you need not to tell anyone that you gave something, you get to know in your heart that it

was altruistic. It wasn’t to impress. It wasn’t so that you look good. It was 100% for others.  This inner knowing of goodness is the cause for confidence. 

While this example uses money as the main resource, I want to mention that time, effort and our presence are also amazing resources. When we keep in mind that using any resource in a manner that benefits the most people in the best way helps deter us from giving everything we’ve got into a bottomless pit of receiving. Checking on who we are benefiting and how we are benefiting helps block our own burnout. When we are altruistic for a great cause we will get energy, rather than spend energy.

So, would you rather serve yourself, or create positive karma, abundance, a content and peaceful mind, and confidence?

The choice is yours.

Love always,

Deniece