Generosity of Spirit
A generosity of spirit is symbolized by trust, mutual aid, kindness, respect for others, and a commitment to do as little harm as possible and assist others in their journey through life. In short, generosity means giving and is often synonymous with charity. The Buddhists believe that even the smallest act of charity can yield great merit, either the moment it is performed or in the future. For example, King Ashoka reportedly avoided any suffering associated with his death because before dying he had shared a portion of a piece of fruit with the priests who were tending him.
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. — 1 Corinthians 13:11–13
Three Great Virtues
Charitable acts, in which the giving is unconditional and self-sacrificing, are often equated with agape, the Greek word translated to mean “love.” In the New Testament, the apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians that of the three great theological virtues — faith, hope, and charity — the last is the greatest.
Show Generosity of Spirit
Cultivate generosity if you want to powerfully express and implement the Law of Attraction in your life. Give generously to receive generously. Be like the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, whose prayer states that the goddess is “generous to everyone.” Her devotees rise early at dawn to chant the thousand names of the goddess with the intention of drawing her blessings of wealth into their lives. Attracting wealth into your life does not mean you are depleting someone else's reserve.
Law of Attraction teachers and practitioners say that the power that brings something to you out of infinite potential can deliver the same thing to another. There is no corresponding loss to infinite potential. When you give from a place of loving kindness, your gift, some say, returns in a magnified form.
Harmony
In Chapter 6, Taoism's concept of not doing, or wu-wei, was introduced. In a discussion of generosity of spirit, wu-wei has a place because of its emphasis on living life from the spirit and expressing harmony and love in all you do. Andrew Carnegie demanded his employees work together in a spirit of harmony because he believed it was a critically important factor in achieving success. The power behind wu-wei's “action without action” is synchronicity. When you set forth an intent or desire in your mind and are harmoniously aligned with the energy of the Tao, your power, invisible and strong, works with the laws of the universe.
