The True Present

[ More about Step 6: Give Ourselves ]

Each human relationship on Earth has the potential to be a present. Many of us do not realise this potential because we believe that a relationship is a means for us to get something from the other. When we think like this, we stop being (a) present to the other. Instead, we focus our attention on what we want.

When we give for the purpose of getting something from another person, we are trading. This is as dangerous as speculating in the financial markets, because we could lose our entire "investment" when the other person does not do what we expect him or her to do. We will then experience anger, resentment, disappointment or more. We may even do something bad to the person who "lost our investment". Hence, I make it a point not to give something that I could not sincerely give, no matter the social norms or peer pressure.

This also applies to people who have a relationship with the Divine. When they pray to ask for something in their life instead of being present to Creation, they lose touch with the deeper meaning of their faith.

[ More about Step 6: Give Ourselves ]