While reading it, I'm feeling a sense of dismay that, any form of practicing manifestation can be in general classified under Takingness. Perhaps I am projecting my lack of experience with pure Givingness here. But can you expand a bit more on whether practicing manifestation techniques can be done without the act of taking?
Would you say that giving as a way to maintain my positive view of myself is also a sneaky form of taking?
Like, I've done lots of nice things for people when nobody except me saw, or would ever know I did it. So it couldn't have been for praise, reputation or because I wanted their gratitude. But it was so I could keep identifying as a good person to myself, the only personal gain would be my own approval.
Yes, that's still personal gain. It's the most productive and moral form of personal gain, no doubt, but it's gain nevertheless. Unfortunately, acting in pursuit of your own approval just isn't stable enough to compel selfless behavior in the long term. It'll be easy when life is easy, hard when life is hard, and impossible when life is really hard. Even if you can pull off generous actions when life is really hard, you'll suffer immensely for it; after all, there's still a personal self (the one who is seeking it's own approval) to suffer the consequences of the "generous" action in moments where it doesn't pay materially to be generous.
When you give without even seeking your own approval, it'll be a transcendent spiritual experience. Like I said in the post, it'll feel almost as if you've disappeared, even if all you're doing is a kind favor for a stranger (if, of course, there's no thought of even subtle or sneaky personal gain).
Hi Arthur. This is a great eassy!
While reading it, I'm feeling a sense of dismay that, any form of practicing manifestation can be in general classified under Takingness. Perhaps I am projecting my lack of experience with pure Givingness here. But can you expand a bit more on whether practicing manifestation techniques can be done without the act of taking?
Would you say that giving as a way to maintain my positive view of myself is also a sneaky form of taking?
Like, I've done lots of nice things for people when nobody except me saw, or would ever know I did it. So it couldn't have been for praise, reputation or because I wanted their gratitude. But it was so I could keep identifying as a good person to myself, the only personal gain would be my own approval.
Yes, that's still personal gain. It's the most productive and moral form of personal gain, no doubt, but it's gain nevertheless. Unfortunately, acting in pursuit of your own approval just isn't stable enough to compel selfless behavior in the long term. It'll be easy when life is easy, hard when life is hard, and impossible when life is really hard. Even if you can pull off generous actions when life is really hard, you'll suffer immensely for it; after all, there's still a personal self (the one who is seeking it's own approval) to suffer the consequences of the "generous" action in moments where it doesn't pay materially to be generous.
When you give without even seeking your own approval, it'll be a transcendent spiritual experience. Like I said in the post, it'll feel almost as if you've disappeared, even if all you're doing is a kind favor for a stranger (if, of course, there's no thought of even subtle or sneaky personal gain).
Thank you for the reply. "Hard when life is hard" and all of that has definitely been my experience!
I really appreciate your work
🙏