We often hear that it is better to give than to receive.  In many spiritual traditions giving is seen as divine.  It is often said that we must give our love to those whom we say we love and that the more we give, the stronger our love grows.  Indeed, when we truly give of ourselves, the divine spark within us grows stronger.

Studies link giving with better health, decreased risk of mortality, increased cooperation, and feelings of gratitude.  Giving is good for both the giver and the receiver.  And giving would begin the reversal of what The Fuji Declaration states is “humanity[’s] . . . material gain beyond necessity, taking from others and depleting the Earth’s natural resources.”

There is so much need in the world.  Yet, quite often we don’t give because we are afraid.  We are afraid that if we give then we will not have enough for ourselves and those we care about.  Possibly we are afraid that the one to whom we are giving does not deserve our gift.  Or maybe we are afraid that we will be perceived as weak because of our giving.  We must let go of our fear and trust the divine spark within us.   When we can give without fear, we begin to strength and fuel the divinity within us and those around us.

To achieve a culture of oneness, we must give freely of ourselves without regard to nationality, borders, and even species.  We must give in an effort to promote all life and through that giving the divine spark itself will be nurtured not only in ourselves, but also in those with whom we interact.

The more we give, the more we will be able to give.  As we give, we become more attuned to the needs of those around us and additional opportunities for giving develop.  We discover more about ourselves.  We build our own self worth, our confidence, and we discover that the material consciousness in which we were living is replaced by a new universal consciousness with the divine spark at its heart.

Through giving, we grow more grateful.  We begin to feel true gratitude for what we have and for our ability and capacity to give.  We also come to be grateful for those who are able to receive our gifts.  And as we are able to help others, so those others in turn become empowered to help and ignite the divine spark within themselves.

“For it is in giving that we receive.” —Francis of Assisi.  How true that statement is.  We cannot begin to receive until we begin to give.  Only in true sacrificial giving can we receive a peaceful and harmonious existence on a world where we live consciously and responsibly.  In giving without fear we can “overcome the hold of obsolete ideas and outdated behaviors in today’s unsustainable world.”  Through giving we can reconnect with the divine spark in each one of us and achieve the The Fuji Declaration.

Sign The Fuji Declaration