In spiritual life, to give is to receive. Bhakti yoga teaches you how to give to the highest. All major religions teach their followers the law of donating 10% of one’s earnings. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj calls this ‘spiritual income tax’.
The Importance of Giving
In Hinduism, seva is considered synonymous with surrender. When done with the right intention & feelings of servitude ‘seva bhavna’, it enhances ones devotional experience and becomes the cause of their spiritual progress.
There are essentially three types of spiritual services (seva) one can do – physical, mental and financial:
- Physical Seva: Spending time, effort and utilizing the physical body to do tasks in service of God
- Financial Seva: Spending money in service of God
- Mental Seva: Performing any service from the mind, while remembering them lovingly.
In essence, seva done with mind is considered the highest form of seva and can be done by all. However, seva with physical body and wealth should also be done according to one’s individual capacity. If done for the pleasure of God seva provides the aspirant with exponential spiritual benefit.
How Much Should You Give
The 10% law as taught by every religion is the essential minimum that has to be given. The reason is so that one should not become overly attached to the material world. Charity will cause you to undergo one of four kinds of consequences, depending on the quality of the recipient it is given to:
1. Charity given for God, produces a divine consequence;
2. Charity offered to a sattvik person produces a sattvik consequence;
3. Charity offered to rajas person produces a rajas consequence;
4. charity offered to a tamas person produces a tamas consequence.
So, wherever you will make a donation, accordingly you will reap the fruit.
The Vedas say, “Give with faith.” If you say you have no faith, then the Vedas say, “Give anyway. Give without faith”. “Give out of fear. Give out of shame. No matter how you give, just give.”
Giving to the charitable mission of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
The charitable works of JKP’s worldwide mission are done to to improve the material welfare of society, by serving the poor and the underprivileged. Lack of education, poor medical facilities, and malnutrition are problems humanity faces in every part of society. Whether it is in the impoverished rural villages of India, or in the underdeveloped areas of America, JKP’s organizations around the world humbly strive to alleviate these needs by providing a helping hand wherever possible.
Make A Difference And Contribute
JKP Radha Madhav Dham is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that conducts religious, educational and charitable programs throughout the year. Our charitable activities are supported through generous donations received from individuals like you. If you would like to make a tax exempt donation today, please click the button and give from your heart.
