Day 9  Power of Generosity! MN 142  Aug Retreat 2022  with David Johnson
Channel: David Johnson
Date: 2022-08-27

Day 9 Aug 19, 2022  MN 142  and various suttas from the AN and the fives

The basic talk is the #142 'Exposition of the Offerings' which explains the Karmic and other benefits of Dana or Generosity and Merit. Other suttas are quoted. And some personal anecdotes.

If you give then don't stop there, give again and again. If you know the benefit of giving there wouldn't be a meal that you would not share.

This talk is part of a retreat taught by Delson Armstrong from Aug 11-21, 2022.  The practice is TWIM or Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation with the object of Lovingkindness or Metta. Practicing in this way is based on the earliest Buddhist Suttas, and leads to the ultimate supra-mundane state, Nibbana.

Generosity can be developed bit by bit and gradually-How does it unfold?

1. Your gifts are small and very far between.
2. Then you notice its feels good to give-money, meals, help with things...
3. You start giving more frequently and it starts to snowball.
4. Then you notice more money is coming to YOU and somehow 
     the money you give starts ending right back up in your wallet.Emoji
5. Things that broke, like the car(!) stop breaking, and you have more money. You 
     might get a raise. More money to give away!
6. You give bigger gifts and then even compete with who can give the most! You pay for more and
    more lunches and dinners. You are the first to grab the bill.  Or send out a donation to a gofundme.

And then the successful completion of giving occurs:
1. You try to pay for someone's meal and someone ELSE already paid for it and YOURs.
2. Most of your bills and needs for money are already taken care.
3. Now the only way you give is ALLOWING others to give! to Pay!

And then the ultimate end goal:

You no longer need any money 

Everything comes to you.

Kind of like being a monk!

If the world knew the value of giving there would be no meal not shared with others.
(Paraphrased)

The Buddha

A complete guide to the meditation the way the Buddha taught:
https://www.thepathtonibbana.com/

Where: Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center
https://www.dhammasukha.org

How to practice Metta/TWIM Meditation
https://www.dhammasukha.org/beginner-lovingkindness

What are the 6Rs
https://www.dhammasukha.org/the-6rs

David Johnson
https://www.dhammasukha.org/david-johnson

Delson Armstrong
https://www.dhammasukha.org/more-dsmc-teachers

Donate
https://www.dhammasukha.org/shop-donations