Here is the secret to get what one wants. It is just giving. The reasons for it are based on the well-known philosophical dictum "Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?" The egg, and the chicken that is born out of it, create the circle of life, and form the basis for a profound comparison for attaining and giving what one wants: the circle of joy. This brilliant concept is analyzed in the clear voice and lucid prose of Masami Sato, the author of the book named ONE.
As humans, most of us naturally have endless desires for all kinds of things. And of course, the traditional principals of economics tell us that while wants are unlimited, resources are limited. This induces us to think, the more and more resources we have, the more and more desires we will be able to fulfill. We become very protective of our resources. We then think sharing or giving these resources will reduce the portion that can be used to get what we want. This is the traditional win-lose game that is being played.
Then, is it true?
What if the answer turns out to be "no"? What if it in fact contradicts the secret of attaining more? What if the secret of attaining more is in itself simple - by giving more?
You can get something simply by giving. Just like you can have eggs by breeding chickens. Just like that. Natural. Automatic. And it's an absolutely joyful experience.
First, let us start with a little analogy to explain more.
Chicken and Egg: the Cosmic Circle of Life
Many a philosopher has come out with this question from the beginning of time, "Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?"
The answer to this riddle is simple. It actually does not matter which came first, as both eggs and chicks are already here. Still, if we want to get better results, we can choose to start somewhere.
Giving and Receiving: the Cycle of Joy
What if we asked the question in a different manner? "Which comes first, giving or receiving?"
Again, for better results, we have to begin somewhere. Giving away things to others is definitely far simpler than attempting to get it first!
What happens when we try to get it first?
If we hope to have something, surely we would try to acquire it. And once we get it, we would cling on to it. This is surely natural - it makes sense rationally.
But the actual result of 'trying to get' is mostly not ample and actual long term benefits.
For example, wanting to see others being happy is not about getting the joy from them or controlling them to become happy. It is about how much joy we can give them and share with them. Period.
So how do we start to get what we desire?
By starting from the reverse end - by giving generously!
When we give first before we actually fully have what we really want - what we dream of - we send a very powerful message to ourselves that says, "there is enough, and more will come". It allows us to experience the joy today - the joy of giving.
All we need to do is give out the love in ample measures to others. It just returns to us. Giving love is the only way to be fully loved. When we acknowledge the greatness of others' achievements, and their great qualities, again, that recognition comes back to us. They recognize us, because we are ready to recognize them.
In much the same manner, if we want to have enough of everything in our lives physically, financially, and emotionally, we must share these things in ample measure with others.
Some are ready to give more physical things like time. Others opt to give what they can spare financially, like money. Those who give more (time, money, compassion, love, thoughts) have these things in abundance because it is the surplus. And surplus is the natural law of life.
Just keep in mind the rule of the game
One rule: never expect a return when we give.
When we have the expectation that giving should create 'getting' something back, we get upset when we don't see the result coming back immediately to us. We may even hold unpleasant feelings towards the recipient of our gift. And clearly, holding a negative feeling for someone is not a pleasant or kind thing to do! So we can feel the real joy of giving when we're doing something for others knowing that we're simply doing it for ourselves-we're doing it for our own joy!
Losing to win, giving to receive
In the beginning it may look as if we are losing. However, at some stage we recognize that taking things without giving is not an acceptable life pattern. And we have been aware of it all throughout. That is why tithing has been a normal part of the lives of many people who were leaders. And they did not do it with any fanfare so it was not done to gain popularity. It was done because it was a way of life.
Look around yourself. 'Lesser' creatures do it naturally. The bumblebees take the honey of the flowers and in return pollinate the flowers, thereby making them bloom. They do it in accordance with the laws of nature. They do not do it as a part of any law of justice. That is why they create permanence, without even making an attempt to do so.
Giving to another is just a role of who we are, it is the same as having; nothing more, nothing less. No confusion, no strings attached, just letting go easily.
The real secret of getting more can be summarised in two steps: Give first, and do not expect anything in return.
When we let go and give open-handedly, what we require would come to us. On its own.
As humans, most of us naturally have endless desires for all kinds of things. And of course, the traditional principals of economics tell us that while wants are unlimited, resources are limited. This induces us to think, the more and more resources we have, the more and more desires we will be able to fulfill. We become very protective of our resources. We then think sharing or giving these resources will reduce the portion that can be used to get what we want. This is the traditional win-lose game that is being played.
Then, is it true?
What if the answer turns out to be "no"? What if it in fact contradicts the secret of attaining more? What if the secret of attaining more is in itself simple - by giving more?
You can get something simply by giving. Just like you can have eggs by breeding chickens. Just like that. Natural. Automatic. And it's an absolutely joyful experience.
First, let us start with a little analogy to explain more.
Chicken and Egg: the Cosmic Circle of Life
Many a philosopher has come out with this question from the beginning of time, "Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?"
The answer to this riddle is simple. It actually does not matter which came first, as both eggs and chicks are already here. Still, if we want to get better results, we can choose to start somewhere.
Giving and Receiving: the Cycle of Joy
What if we asked the question in a different manner? "Which comes first, giving or receiving?"
Again, for better results, we have to begin somewhere. Giving away things to others is definitely far simpler than attempting to get it first!
What happens when we try to get it first?
If we hope to have something, surely we would try to acquire it. And once we get it, we would cling on to it. This is surely natural - it makes sense rationally.
But the actual result of 'trying to get' is mostly not ample and actual long term benefits.
For example, wanting to see others being happy is not about getting the joy from them or controlling them to become happy. It is about how much joy we can give them and share with them. Period.
So how do we start to get what we desire?
By starting from the reverse end - by giving generously!
When we give first before we actually fully have what we really want - what we dream of - we send a very powerful message to ourselves that says, "there is enough, and more will come". It allows us to experience the joy today - the joy of giving.
All we need to do is give out the love in ample measures to others. It just returns to us. Giving love is the only way to be fully loved. When we acknowledge the greatness of others' achievements, and their great qualities, again, that recognition comes back to us. They recognize us, because we are ready to recognize them.
In much the same manner, if we want to have enough of everything in our lives physically, financially, and emotionally, we must share these things in ample measure with others.
Some are ready to give more physical things like time. Others opt to give what they can spare financially, like money. Those who give more (time, money, compassion, love, thoughts) have these things in abundance because it is the surplus. And surplus is the natural law of life.
Just keep in mind the rule of the game
One rule: never expect a return when we give.
When we have the expectation that giving should create 'getting' something back, we get upset when we don't see the result coming back immediately to us. We may even hold unpleasant feelings towards the recipient of our gift. And clearly, holding a negative feeling for someone is not a pleasant or kind thing to do! So we can feel the real joy of giving when we're doing something for others knowing that we're simply doing it for ourselves-we're doing it for our own joy!
Losing to win, giving to receive
In the beginning it may look as if we are losing. However, at some stage we recognize that taking things without giving is not an acceptable life pattern. And we have been aware of it all throughout. That is why tithing has been a normal part of the lives of many people who were leaders. And they did not do it with any fanfare so it was not done to gain popularity. It was done because it was a way of life.
Look around yourself. 'Lesser' creatures do it naturally. The bumblebees take the honey of the flowers and in return pollinate the flowers, thereby making them bloom. They do it in accordance with the laws of nature. They do not do it as a part of any law of justice. That is why they create permanence, without even making an attempt to do so.
Giving to another is just a role of who we are, it is the same as having; nothing more, nothing less. No confusion, no strings attached, just letting go easily.
The real secret of getting more can be summarised in two steps: Give first, and do not expect anything in return.
When we let go and give open-handedly, what we require would come to us. On its own.
About the Author:
Contents are extracted with minor modification from 'ONE', a book written by Masami Sato. Visit Buy1GIVE1 for updates.
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