Generosity Starts with Ourselves

Central Park, December 2021. Nature so generously offers us many opportunities to pause and reflect on how lucky we are.

In order to cultivate an awakened mind, the Buddha taught that there were virtues we should try to perfect. He called them paramis, which translates to “perfections.” The first of these qualities is dana or generosity. According to Buddhist meditation teacher, Gina Sharpe: … The path begins there because of the joy and openness that arise from the generous heart. Pure unhindered delight flows freely when we practice generosity. We experience joy in forming the intention to give, in the actual act of giving, and in recollecting the fact that we’ve given. …

Recently, I watched a PBS Newshour segment about formerly incarcerated individuals trying to regain a foothold in society. It’s a difficult process, as many businesses, entities, and people will hold that they committed a crime against these people. One woman said something that made my ears perk: What if you were only known for the worst thing you would ever done?

This made me stop and realize – we’ve all done things that we aren’t proud of. Sometimes my mind is filled with regret over something I did or said in the past. And sometimes I get to thinking: how could I have been so stupid! Feelings of self-hatred arise. 

But truly, we are far more than the worst things we’ve ever said or done. And I have to counter those thoughts with remembering that I’ve done many things to make my and other folk’s lives better. I have to stop myself in these moments and remember – I’ve been enormously generous at times in my life, and truly I am far, far more than the worse things I’ve done in my life.

So, while dana or generosity is usually thought of as something we do for and to others, I think it’s also important to practice generosity toward our own selves too. 

In this season of giving, can you remember to give to yourself along with giving to others? Can you be generously compassionate, patient, forgiving, kind, and loving towards yourself? If you do, the whole world will benefit.

May you be happy, …
May you be healthy, …
May you practice dana toward both yourself and others, …
For the benefit of ALL Beings everywhere.

Aloha, Metta, Peace, and Joy,
Paul Keoni Chun

What a generous gift Nature gave me and my husband when we happened upon this sight in Everglades National Park.