The Value of Generosity

Generosity feels good. To receive spontaneously without asking, to give without being asked, to even witness acts of generosity feels good. This alone might be reason enough to cultivate generosity.

If we go a little deeper, we discover that value of generosity can be more subtle, profound and deep reaching. For example, it is impossible to suffer with stress, anxiety, depression or anger, and be generous at the same time. To two cannot co-exist. They are diametrically opposite in experience. Generosity then, becomes an antidote to our personal mental suffering.

When we focus our attention on the question, “How can I be more generous in this experience?”, and we practice joyful giving, it has a way of cultivating genuine confidence, easefulness, and an ability to see through our attachments. It reveals a depth of interconnectedness, community and a sense of belonging that nourishes this human experience. After all, we enter this life empty handed, leave this life empty handed, and all we have in the middle are a series of experiences. From this perspective, generosity becomes very valuable for living a truly rich life.

This is the calling of our times. We are all aware of the negative impact that the global amplification of stress, fear and greed is having on our planet. It is simply unsustainable. It would not be an overstatement to say that cultivating generosity is no longer a luxury. It has become vital for the survival of the human species. The same mindset that created the suffering, will not get us out of it. Now is the time to create this mindset paradigm shift.

Here is the good news: This is so simple, fun and totally doable! With daana, the ancient Sanskrit word for ‘generosity’, we imagine together what it would look like to co-create a practice ground for generosity. To collectively steward an eco-system where we share our unique gifts, learn, support each other, and together, uplift our human condition. Daana is an invitation to collaborate in this heroic cause of designing thriving societies for generations to follow.

Here is the better news: It is already happening. Hundreds of people are currently benefiting from anonymous contribution based uplifting daana activities in readily available spaces. As the cool kids say, daana is a game changer, a social disruptor, a genuine unicorn. Join us! globaldaana.org.

__

Bhaskar Goswami

YOGIPRENEUR: From Assam, India, Bhaskar was born into the yogic tradition. He comes from the lineage of Vasishtha, who is considered to be one of the founding fathers of this ancient practice. He has been trained at the Transcendental Meditation School in India, by Yogacharya (Master of Yoga) Nandakumar in Kuwait and by Yogacharya Sriram, the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta and Vipassana Meditation Center in Canada.

He has a Masters Honors in Electronic Engineering from the University of Nottingham in England, and a 10-year international engineering career in petroleum, audio and microelectronics. In 2007 he founded BODHI (bodhiprinciple.com), a multiple award-winning company dedicated to offering genuine wellbeing to people in workplaces, schools, special care places and communities. In 2015 he founded daana (winner of CBC Media Prize), an organization offering contribution-based wellness worldwide (globaldaana.org). He has led several international retreats and is an acclaimed speaker, having presented in prestigious events like COP22 (UN Global Climate Change Summit, Morocco). He is a certified Naturopath and a father of three children Jai, Eva and Uma. The foundation of his teaching is to cultivate awareness and equanimity, empower the body and calm the mind. For more information: bhaskargoswami.com