Tithing Can Become a Primary Way of Not Identifying with Your Personal Challenges

Dear Friends,

Swami Kriyananda recorded a series of videos based on the book, The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita Explained by Paramhansa Yogananda. One talk is entitled “Don’t Identify with Your Mistakes.” In this talk he states:

“We have to get rid of the consciousness of identifying ourselves with any stage in life. If you’ve made a mistake, don’t identify yourself with the mistake. Just acknowledge that you have not yet succeeded.”

I’ve heard him give council to friends that are going through life threatening illnesses to not identify with the illness. This is a challenging thing to do, but when it is accomplished, you have put something behind you that has been blocking your growth and you have made a great spiritual gain.

I’ve been going through a very challenging period during the past two years. But even at the onset of this test, I could feel God’s grace. I know my karma and the people in my life are giving me the opportunity to be free of something that has blocked my progress toward God for many lifetimes. I am grateful for this opportunity. I don’t want to identify with this old “self-definition” any longer.

I have to admit, the test seems so big at times I become discouraged. Learning to not identify with this challenge is taking me years to establish. I’m using everything I have learned on the spiritual path and I am putting these teachings to good use. This has given me a tremendous opportunity to more firmly give my life to Master, and deepen my identity with Him. This is the essence of the spiritual path.

A common stress during these challenging times is financial in nature. I will be 60 years old this November. Yikes. What about retirement? If you have put your faith in God and rely on Him as your sole retirement plan, He will be there for you. Don’t think of the money you have as yours. If you have any trepidation around giving, try not to identify with that thought or feeling. Identify with the fact that God’s abundance is always there for you to draw upon. Think of money as a flow of energy that moves through your life if you don’t block this flow with fears.

Regular tithing back to God has been an excellent way for me to identify with God as my sole provider. As a spiritual practice, tithing can become a primary way of not identifying with your personal challenges.

Joy to you!

Dave Bingham
For Ananda’s Thank You, God Tithing
thankyougod@ananda.org