Joy of Giving vs Returns on Investment

Many asked me, what are the 'returns on investment' or incentives for the common men if they contribute their earning or saving to a larger common good.

My answer is that world is still a good place as there are millions of people who open their hearts, minds and money to support the less privileged, devastated by natural calamities everywhere. In one day, NDTV raised 100 million for the flood response and relief in Kerala. Most of those contributed were not from Kerala.

Because there are millions of ordinary people who do not live by bread alone. They give to feel good, to say that they are a part of the larger humanity. I give a large chunk of my earning for the larger common good, and as a moral and political responsibility because I feel deep within that I am a part of larger humanity and this beautiful planet. When I decided to use my life's savings and my inherited property for the Bodhigram initiatives, many rich cousins and friends asked me 'what is the return on investment' in such 'dead investment'? I said "when you die, every investment is a dead investment and you are sure to die."

Instead of spending money on big comforts, a five star life or to buy an expensive BMW, one can also get simple joy by giving, sharing and caring. It is not merely about charity. It is about the simple joys of living simply. We need money for our need and not seek more greed or to consume endlessly till we reach our end. 'Bodh' means consciousness of freedom within. Bodhi is a tree of life. And gram means a community of life. Bodhigram symbolises my world view. A community of life driven by consciousness of freedom under the tree of life.

It is the symbiosis of life within, life around and life beyond. It is to make change happen within and beyond to seek freedom in life and live without fear or favour. Hence I give and share to feel the joy of life. Because you and I have two choices in life. One. Live every single day and see work as a creative expression of life and money as a means to have adequate food, clothes, shelter and other basic need (health, education etc). And there are those who see everything in terms of 'return on investment' and incentives for the self.

Both these people will die one day. And those who have millions of cash earned smartly through investing wisely with good cash returns on investment will get flowers on their funeral day from the Banks where they left behind millions of all their 'returns on investments'.

Human beings do not live by bread alone. You and I will surely die one day. And our life's worth is how much you really lived, how much you loved, how much you shared and how much you cared for others and what difference you made to the life, people and planet. You will not take millions of money or your huge mansions or gold to your grave. And if you live only for yourself, you are not living but you are existing simply, earning a livelihood and simply consuming, excreting and more insecure. Life is not an investment that seek returns on investment. Life is not merely about earning money for livelihood. It is much more than that.

Life is being a part of larger life of the people and planet, a sense of belonging to billions of manifestations of life in the flow of a river, in the song of a bird, in the flowers and fruits of trees, love of a dog, majesty of a tiger, in the fury of the nature and pulse of humanity. Hence don't be prisoners of the self by seeking returns on everything by reducing life, work and everything as mere 'investment'. Money is simply a means and delusions of money are illusions of life. Return on investments will not stop you from not being taken to the grave where you neither have anything to invest nor returns on investment because you will never return.

So, live, love, share, care and feel life everyday. Life is a blessing and share it with everyone and feel the joys of giving in the art of living. Be creative. Do commune and be a part of a community and make your life a blessing .