The 5th of September, is the UN International Day of Charity and also Father’s Day.
Charity means:
“Generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering“
“Benevolent goodwill toward or love for humanity”
(Merriam-Webster dictionary)
In essence then, charity is the act of giving, without the expectation of receiving a return.
After all, what return could we expect to gain from the needy or the suffering? Some of us perform acts of charity as a means of paying back to humanity. This in turn implies that we have taken something for us to then feel obliged to give back. Alternatively, we may perform acts of charity to pay it forward. Either way, charity is bound to a cycle of give and take.
This is nothing new to us.
It is deeply ingrained in our subconscious that we receive good fruit by performing good actions. This is why we perform the good karma (actions) of making donations and performing charity.
“Charity begins at home”
We have all heard of this age-old adage. But have you considered its true meaning?
A home is a place of ordinary residence (as opposed to a temporary residence), but perhaps more importantly,
“Home is where the heart is“
Have you checked in with your heart lately and showered it with benevolent goodwill and love? The heart is the centre of your being. It is your conscience. We should all have mercy on ourselves first.
Why not celebrate this International Day of Charity by learning how to look after this ‘moral muscle’ with some T.L.C. Take a 45 minute and break and tune in to the next live session of Relax, Restore, Recharge.
I used to think the heart and the intellect were two separate entities; the heart as the left hand and the intellect as the right hand. At times they wouldn’t talk to each other, causing confusion and doubt in my mind. But with gradual tender love and care through Raja Yoga meditation and positive self-talk, I have now come to understand that the heart and the intellect, together, is my conscience. When united in one direction, my consciousness, that is, my mind, is free to express my original eternal truth with conviction. Looking after your conscience is the greatest charity, because not only are you benefiting yourself, but you are also benefiting the lives of those around you with your new and improved energy, attitude and outlook on life. Charity truly begins at home.
