Sharing Love I

So, now that we are all “doubt free” from a previous series of lessons, we can have the confidence to start sharing the love and the care and compassion we receive from our benefactors with others. Except if you now have any new doubts about why we would want to do that. What is the value of “sharing with others?”

Scientific research has shown (and the historical records from meditative traditions confirm) that activities that involve extending love and care to others (generosity, volunteering, caring for others in emergencies, sharing our knowledge to help others, etc.) lead to greater happiness and less suffering for ourselves. The Dalai Lama calls this “Wise Selfishness.” We do something for others and find that we benefit from our generosity with positive feelings and contentment.

In fact, one of the recommendations, from mental health professionals, for people who are experiencing some periods of depression is to get involved with a volunteer activity that helps others in a variety of ways. These types of activities tend to take our thoughts off of our problems and turn the mind’s attention toward the joy we see in others, who are benefiting from our help.

The additional benefit is that involvement counters the loneliness that often accompanies bouts of depression. We see that we are not alone in our suffering. We also see that there is a community of people who are willing to help each other in times of need.

Our practice of Extending Love and Care is a mental practice only. However it serves to prime the mind to be more kind and more generous in our life “off the cushion.” It can also let us see where we might be resistant to sharing and help us to ease in, past that resistance, in a safe way. We can experience the extending of love in the space of our Field of Care, with the support of others who have cared for us.