The Art of Receiving

On the trip to India in 2019, anh Thien Tanh taught me about receiving. He said not only do we have to learn how to give compassionately; we also need to learn to receive compassionately. This lead me to reflect and helped me realise giving and receiving are one. He told me the story of Maha Kassapa received alms food from the poor to build up their merits.

We often place the importance of giving and forget that receiving is also a practice by itself. Receiving is not easy to attend because of our ego. Can we happily accept people’s helping hand? Can we easily accept people’s kindness such a complement, a smile, a hug? At times we may question the giver’s purpose. Do we deserve all these good complement? We ponder upon the goodness we receive. This is our old habits that lead us to all these negative thoughts. When someone complements us why can’t we receive it with a gratitude and smile?

Why not try to welcome people’s smile, hug, complement and helping hand from others in a way of appreciation. Try to open our doors to people who bring joys into our life. Whatever situation we are in, we just receive with a smile and gratitude. In a mind of wishing that person is happy. Receiving is not only a lesson to open our heart but also honours the giver. It makes them feel that they made a difference in our life. This is a win-win situation. We can make the giver happy and us happy.