Helping Hands are better than Praying Lips

In times when we have an influx of information with being technologically advanced, particularly in times when we are facing natural calamities and global warming is wrecking havoc. We are forgetting the basic values we grew up with. When someone is drowning a straw is a huge help, however we are stopping people from extending that small insignificant straw to save the drowning person. To help someone is a instant act, it does not require thought. Being reluctant or thoughtful in that instant act takes away the essence of Charity. Charity is a selfless act of giving, however the attitude with which one gives makes it sattvik, rajasik or tamasik. The trigunas or the three gunas are called: sattva (goodness, constructive, harmonious), rajas (passion, active, confused), and tamas (darkness, destructive, chaotic).The Trigunas exist in every person in variying proportions, how you bring out or feed these gunas make your personality from who you are to who you really want to be. It is important to pursue positivity, because the intent is what counts the result will come, being judgemental does not help any cause. Charity should see the need not the cause or effect.

Charity is to give out of compassion, a desire to share, a need to help, a sense of duty towards society or being motivated by the sheer joy of giving. Sattvik charity is given with complete faith in the cause supported, with modesty and generosity, promptly and when needed, to the right people at the right time, for noble causes and with humility. The receiver is given due respect while giving and one feels privileged for being given a chance to serve and help others. Such an attitude gives a sense of fulfillment, purifies the mind, reduces our sense of possession towards objects, corrects our attitude towards hoarding and increases our compassion and sensitivity towards others.

Rajasik charity is to give after being asked or when forced to give. Many allow themselves to be pressurized into giving donations for charity shows. Some give with a selfish motive of expectation of future repayment or to maintain the goodwill of another. Examples are tipping servants, postmen etc. during festivals. Some only make promises or some give to gain publicity, power or position. Others give what is extra, useless or after being reminded many times. Some give little but talk of it endlessly. A rajasik person gives and regrets, gives with the pain of loss, gives out of compulsion or is miserly in giving. The person therefore does not gain the true joy and fulfillment of giving.

Tamasik charity is to give to undeserving or ignoble causes such as giving drugs to a poor friend. A tamasik person may give things which are useless to him or prove unusable or useless to the receiver, like winter clothes to children in the tropics. He or she disrespects, insults, scorns, makes fun of or looks down upon the receiver. He or she ignores all etiquette in giving. Such giving is not born from compassion or sensitivity nor does it foster these qualities – it is not even a meritorious act.

A good deed should be like the rain, it drops everywhere without any discrimination. Use your voice for kindness, use your ears for compassion, your hands for charity, your mind for truth and your heart for love.