The everyday practice of generosity

Generosity gives rise to abundance, and by insuring that our practice
is complete, we create the right environment to use these resources
constructively. Sometimes when we give, people respond ungratefully. If we
can resist getting upset, we are practicing patience. Giving not out of
a sense of obligation or reluctantly nor with a wish to outdo others
but with joy is the practice of enthusiastic effort. Directing our full
attention to an act of generosity is concentration. Discerning and
understanding what is appropriate to give and what is not, and remembering
that the giver, the act of generosity, and the recipient are all
interdependent and empty of inherent existence are the practice of wisdom.
Including these different factors in our actions will bring many
excellent results such as a good body and mind, the resources we need, a
pleasant appearance, supportive companions, the ability to complete what we
undertake, and the focus not to be distracted by the disturbing
emotions and so forth. This is how to insure that we will enjoy many conducive
conditions in a future human life. On the other hand, our miserliness
or impatience now could make us face many difficult circumstances in the
future.
–from “How Karma Works: The Twelve Links of Dependent Arising” by
Geshe Sonam Rinchen, translated by Ruth Sonam, published by Snow Lion
Publications
The everyday practice is simply to develop a complete acceptance
and openness to all situations and emotions, and to all people,
experiencing everything totally
without mental reservations and blockages,
so that one never withdraws or centralizes onto oneself.
- Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche