Charity
Modern society shows many signs of a lack of real humanity amongst people. One of the worst of these signs is the complete lack of charity and compassion. There is a saying in the East, that the wise man knows no happiness while there is any one being that is in sadness. The meaning of this, is that the wise man feels, and shares in, the pain of other. Seeing anguish on the face of a stranger should be felt deeply in your heart, as in essence you are different parts of the same being. They are you. Which makes the heightened violence against other humans for monetary or political gain utterly despicable.
There are various paths along the yoga way. While you will find one that appeals to you the most, you should practice all of them to be balanced, and to make your practice complete.
Bhakti yoga – devotion to God. No advanced being can help being filled with a love and wonder of God, and a duty to serve.
Hatha yoga – physical yoga. This path understands the importance of your body, it is the temple of your spirit. It helps you to make your body strong and clean, to provide the platform for the rest of your balance.
Gnani yoga – yoga of philosophy. This path helps you to come to an intellectual understanding of the concepts and workings of the Universe. It uncovers grand mysteries to the aspirant. It is based on deduction.
Raja yoga – king yoga. The yoga of mental development. By going inward, one understands ones Self, and then understands All. It is based on induction. This is my path.
Karma yoga – the yoga of service. This yoga is simple. By doing numerous good deeds, your improve your karmic balance sheet. Bad karmic debts are wiped away and you build up a good record in the universe. And you help others.
It is this that I wish to speak of today. Most people I know pay almost no attention to it. What they don’t realise is that even from a selfish perspective, it advances your lot to help others. And from a compassionate perspective – there is nothing better.
People often say that they first have to look after themselves. Fine. But it costs a hundred bucks for yourself to have a meal at a restaurant. That hundred bucks can give an under-privileged child a chance at a prosperous and valuable life (that is what I pay to sponsor a kid). Now sit back and think what is for the greater good – you having your meal, or once a month staying at home and having a sandwhich, and changing someones life forever.
It is because people think of themselves – Me. The “I” is incredibly important, but it is a centre around which your Universe turns. But it is not separate from the Universe.
Make an effort to be kind and do good, and one day be deeply thankful when the Universe is kind to you in return.
Support causes that mean something to you. I support the following:
World Vision: Sponsor a kid for 100 bucks a month. For that he gets food, clothing and education until he is finished high school. Give birthday presents and see amazed joy at a child actually owning their own new jacket. Deeply satisfying.
http://www.wvi.org/wvi/home.htm
Eco Access: It is extremely important for me to get out into Nature. Be away from “civilisation” and be tuned in by sitting in harmony. This charity helps bring disabled kids out into Nature.
http://www.eco-access.org/
Animal Welfare Organisations: It is a telling blotch on our record, how we treat animals. Some people are committed to righting these shameful situations, I try to support them.