Unpacking bulging suitcases after a long trip is something that most of us don’t approach with enthusiasm. As you probably know, Jyotish and I recently returned from nearly four months of traveling and sharing throughout Ananda centers in Europe and India. Upon arriving back home at Ananda Village, we were accompanied by our faithful traveling companions: two very large suitcases, two small suitcases, and a duffel bag.
As we began opening them and digging down layer upon layer like a pair of archeologists, we actually had a wonderful experience of “unearthing” beautiful presents given to us by friends along our journey. Holding each gift, whether large or small, we tried to feel the love that was being expressed to us by the giver, and to send love back to each one of them in return. It was quite an uplifting experience.
In the Western world the holiday season has now begun, with people excitedly (and sometimes frantically) shopping for gifts and eagerly anticipating what they themselves might be receiving. Thus it seems like a good time to remind ourselves of the deeper aspect of giving and receiving. Ultimately, gifts are only symbols of love: sharing our heart’s love is the true essence of gift giving.
I remember a difficult time in our life in 1976 during the first winter after the forest fire which had burnt Ananda to the ground. We hadn’t yet begun rebuilding, so we were all living in whatever dwellings we could find. Money was very tight for everyone. Jyotish and I had saved a little and had one hundred dollars in our checkbook with which to buy gifts for friends.
We had planned our shopping outing, but when the day arrived, I realized that I’d made an error in the checkbook. Instead of one hundred, we had only ten dollars with which to buy presents. Rather than getting discouraged, we stayed positive and realized that we could buy the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies to give to everyone.
With love we made the cookies, and with love we placed two for each person in little plastic bags tied with ribbons. We felt happy in doing what we could, and in doing it with love. This was true for the whole community, and it was one of the best Christmases we’d ever had.
Swami Kriyananda taught us another aspect of the art of giving. Being of an extremely generous nature, he was always gifting others for their birthdays, or weddings, or just because he wanted to share something beautiful. He told us, “When I’m choosing a gift for someone, I ask myself two questions: ‘Would it make the person happy to receive it?’ and ‘Would it make me happy to give it?’ If the answer is ‘Yes’ to both of these questions, then I’ll buy it and give it to them.”
Swamiji also said: “Whenever I find something especially beautiful or unusual, rather than thinking, ‘I must have this for myself,’ I buy it with the thought of giving it to someone else. This reduces any tendency towards attachment or greed.”
Then there is the art of receiving gifts. If we focus on ourselves and our own likes and dislikes, when we open a gift it’s easy to think, “It’s the wrong size,” or “I already have one,” or, “It’s not the color I wanted.” Instead, try to pause before opening a present, and feel the love and care that went into buying and wrapping it. Be grateful for the love that someone is offering you.
Swami Kriyananda receiving a gift of a mala from Ananda Moyi Ma in 1960.
On an even deeper level, try to see beyond the individual’s love to feel God’s love coming to you through your friend in the form of their present. Swamiji has given us a beautiful affirmation: “I give thanks to the giver behind each gift, and to the one Giver behind all that I receive. My gratitude rises with devotion’s incense to the throne of Omnipresence.”
So, give with love and receive with gratitude, but also give with gratitude and receive with love. Experience this season of gift giving as an opportunity to go deeper in your awareness of God’s unifying love, which brings all things—giver and receiver—together as one. In a beautiful prayer, Swamiji says, “I thank Thee, Lord, for all Thy blessings. But most of all, I thank Thee for Thy love.” This is the greatest gift any of us can ever receive.
With joy and blessings in God, Christ, and Guru,
Nayaswami Devi
Listen to Devi as she first reads the blog, then expands on its meaning and messages for readers with behind-the-blog commentary. Subscribe to the podcast or download the audio recording by right-clicking here. Or listen to it here (10:42):
22 Comments
The only essence of giving is to give and never speak of it again. The speaking of our giving, regardless of how grand or pathetic we choose the explanation, only serves the need of ego to extract from another human their praise or sympathy. A multitude of words with no purpose.
Thank you Devi ji for this beautiful blog. Filled my heart with love.
Thank you Nayaswami Devi ,beautiful message ,wishing you and everyone a great period of rest and joy over the coming festive season .
🙏🉑P.J
Thank you, dear Devi ji!
Beautiful blog on the perception of feeling, behind giving and receiving gifts. This helps a lot to overcome ego and be more loving, cheerful and kind. Thanks for this truly wonderful blog!
And, We recently received the greatest gift – you and Jyotish ji and many other Acharyas being with us in Chennai! 💕
Welcome back home after your long journey aboard. I’m ever grateful for the gifts of the messages you Devi and Jyotish share every week with our community. Each message fills my soul with joy and love…the gifts that keep on giving – timeless, boundless and eternal.
Thank you Devi to remind us about what is behind the “gifts season”. I have the tendency to find it too commercial, so your words are helping me to put it into a broader perspective and to tune into the Energy behind it. Many blessings, in Joy, ilse
Thank you. ❤️ Love is the gift. It’s always great to give from the heart. 💜 One day Love will permeate the entire planet💙
Thank-you Devi and Jyotish for your special words! I love receiving them! May you both have a wonderful holiday season!
With Love and Light
IDF
Holy Season blessings to you both and to all at Ananda!
Thank you Deviji for the wonderful gift. I began crying right about the same time when you began to cry while narrating the story of the littlest angel, and I had never heard the story before. I guess that’s proof how we’re all connected so strongly, in Guru and God. Wish you a very good Christmas.
Perfect timing for this beautiful reminder. I will join you in putting into practice
feeling the love behind each gift, even before opening it and also feeling gratitude.
I will re-read this blog to absorb the reminders that you so thoughtfully have shared
with us.
Gratefully,
Prem-Shanti
Ananda Village
Thank you, N. Devi. So beautiful, so touching. What a wonderful reminder of the Omnipresent love in giving and receiving. Many blessings to the Ananda community, during this joyous time of year.
Thank you, Devi! Just right to hear now. 🙏❤️
But most of all, I thank Thee for Thy love.
So beautiful, and filled with love. Thank you for this!
A blog straight from the heart 💝
Thank you for the sharing the Light, Devi
Thanks Devi ji,
We learnt that giving respectfully makes us ready to receive respectfully. Seeing the Giver’s love behind the giver.
Thank you dear Devi ji for the beautiful experience of your travel. The feeling behind giving and receiving gifts so well put. Yes indeed a joy to give a gift and also to receive one. But your last lines sum up everything so correctly. Love is the best gift which even money can’t buy. Of course what tangible gifts we give are a token of our love. So let’s spread love also by saying a kind word and being compassionate. Thank you.
Merry Christmas
Dear Nayaswami Devi Ji,
Thank you for sharing this blog. Very beautiful.
Feels happy and light to read how to receive gifts.
As Sharmila mentioned we had the greatest of all gifts ~ New Temple and all of your presence and blessings :)
Hope you both got some good rest after a long trip
Joy,
Prem
Thank you Devi for sharing your love and your wisdom. I received the gift of the Christmas ornament with Jyotish’s painting and placed it on my altar, the “tree of Master’s love”.
Thank you Devi ji for explaining the inner meaning of the gifts.Your explanation touches the heart !