Day 51 and we begin to explore generosity (dana). The ‘far-reaching’ attitude of giving is an intention to give that is grounded in an understanding of the interdependent nature of things.

What does that mean?
Well, firstly, generosity is an intention to give. Just the wish or thought to give is an action (karma) of giving. This means we can practice giving even if we have little to give. See if you can notice and enjoy the resonance of a generous heart, just in imagining giving.

For example, imagine giving clean water and nutritious food to those lacking them, imagine giving peace to those struggling with fear and confusion, etc.

Based on this heartfelt resonance with the wish to give, begin to take action wherever you can. Giving your time and attention, giving resources, giving people the benefit of the doubt.

Secondly, the ‘interdependent nature of things’ means we begin to see that generosity involves a giver, a gift and a receiver. The act of giving can only be completed when all these conditions are present.

There is not a singular, isolated thing anywhere, including an act of generosity, a giver or receiver. These things come into existence in dependence on each other. (In the same way that the birth of a child makes a mother.)

Our experience is an unfolding process of interdependent causes and conditions.

And so the practice of ‘the perfection’ (parami) of generosity—training ourselves to see interdependence within the endless potential field of giving while we give and receive—leads us to deepen our understanding of ‘the perfection’ of wisdom.

This wisdom of inter-being is the key to our freedom. Seeing that we are not an isolated self, but a facet of the whole of all that is (like a wave in the ocean), we can relax from our struggling to become and just be.