How to give?

In all transactions in the world, when one thinks one is giving something, the mind should be checked and it should reflect on how to give.

There is in truth nothing that is mine to give, for who is this I?  Individuated it feels that its mind is its own and that it owns this attention that it will give to someone. But the mind is itself impermanent. It fluctuates. But because it attached to the concept of another as a potential receiver of attention, it expects attention in return.  When that attention is not forthcoming it feels rejected. Then the mind may feel that the giving was spurned or that the effort invested was a waste.

Note that all minds are impermanent and highly fluctuating. It is not wise to yoke the mind to any impermanent thing, however attractive. So the mind should be yoked to the only Eternal and permanent thing, which is its Source the Self. The Self is not seen by the outgoing mind unless it is in sahaja samAdhi.

Until that state is permanent, it is wise to remember the Tolstoy story of the three questions. Act to enable the success of those in your immediate presence. By karma yoga you can navigate the external world skillfully. Do not attach to the fruits of the action but submit those to God.

In truth for one endowed with samyagdarshaNa, loving and giving should be equally directed towards all beings. No one should be special.