The Mindfulness Attitude of Generosity by Jon Kabat-Zinn
The Mindfulness Attitude of Generosity 9
Jon Kabat-Zinn
What is the Mindful Attitude of Generosity?
The mindful attitude of generosity is another quality which, like patience, letting go, non-judging, and trust. It provides a solid foundation for mindfulness practice. You might experiment with using the cultivation of generosity as a vehicle for deep self-observation.
As an inquiry as well as an exercise in giving. A good place to start is with yourself. See if you can give yourself gifts that may be true blessings. Such as self-acceptance, or some time each day with no purpose. Practice being generous with the feeling of beening deserving enough to accept these gifts without obligation. To simply receive from yourself, and from the universe.
See if you can be in touch with a core within you. A core that is rich beyond reckoning in all important ways. Let that core start radiating its energy outwardly. Through your entire body, and beyond. Experiment with being generous with this energy—in little ways at first—directing it toward yourself.
Later be generous toward others with no thought of gain or return. Give more than you think you can. Trusting that you are richer than you think. Celebrate this richness. Give as if you had inexhaustible wealth. This is called “kingly giving” to yourself first for a while. Then you might try giving others a tiny bit more than you think you can. Consciously noting and letting go of any ideas of getting anything in return.
Practicing generosity
Initiate the mindful attitude of generosity by giving. Don’t wait for someone to ask. See what happens—especially to you. You may find that you gain greater clarity about yourself and about your relationships. As well as more energy rather than less. You may find that, rather than exhausting yourself or your resources. You will replenish them.
Such is the power of mindful, selfless generosity. At the deepest level. There is no giver, no gift, and no recipient.
Only the universe rearranging itself.
Source- Jon Kabat-Zinn: Where you go there you are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life, Page 61-62
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Respectfully,
Heidi & Ross
Please, Book Mark. 🙂
G Ross Clark C.C.P.,
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada,
Email- TheMindfulCoach@gmail.com,
Training- MBSRtraining.com