“The heart that gives, gathers.” ‒ Lao Tzu (ca. 531 BC)
British political icon Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a living by what we give.” Most people would not equate the ancient Taoist philosopher Lao Tzu and Churchill, but both expressed a perception of the same truth: the dynamic of giving brings something greater to the giver.
A gift is usually something tangible. We can give our best friend a sweater, donate money to charity, hug someone who is feeling down, or spend time at a local soup kitchen. These things are related to the physical world in which we live. If our intentions are pure, we expect nothing in return.
Usually the recipient reflects something back to us, such as a smile, a reciprocated hug, or a simple “Thank you!” On one level, this makes us feel good. Studies show that the reward center in our brain is activated by the giving process. Yet there is something much bigger going on.
When we give, we reflect the universe. In its constant source of giving, life shares with us every nanosecond we are on this earth. And we don’t have to do anything to earn this gift; it is our birthright.
Grandmaster Nan Lu puts it this way: “The Universal Source does not discriminate. It continually pours out its love for every living being. The promise is that it will always support us. It does not base its love on gender or race, on age or sexual orientation, or on any other factors. It doesn’t say, because you’re beautiful, I’ll give you ninety percent of my sunlight. Or, because you’re a criminal, you only earn ten percent. It unconditionally showers everyone with the same amount of warmth.”
This connection to the Universal Source is a key component in all forms of authentic TCM treatment: acupuncture, acupressure herbal therapy and Qigong – a self-healing energy practice. At the deepest levels of our reality, everything is energy and everything is connected. The purpose of TCM is to restore balance within the individual, bring that person into harmony with nature, and strengthen this innate connection with Universal Life – the source of true health and healing.
When we give, we connect with the energy of Universal Life itself. This connection is a channel that can bring us into balance and make us whole. It is the connection that can create miracles in our reality. Giving from your heart places you on a profound path that is aligned with the source of life and its healing power.
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