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Charity Begins at Home
By Master Eric Sbarge
Everyone knows the expression, "Charity starts at
home." It's all well and good to give of your time and resources to
your friends, co-workers and community - but not if it means
neglecting your own family. In the conventional sense, this insightful
expression reminds us to love and be charitable towards our family
members first, and then spread our good will outwards.
Master Eric Sbarge
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But taken a step further, the expression can have a more profound meaning.
"Charity starts at home." What is home? Is home our house and family? If our
families left us today and took our houses with them, would we be homeless? Or is
home something deeper and more substantial than any footings for a house or
marriage certificate could ever be?
Home is that source from which we came and to which we will return. Home is the
center within each of us where we can feel rooted, secure and at peace. Home is
that state of being where we remain connected to that which is eternal and
universal. Home is God, Tao, Christ, Buddha - choose the language you are most
comfortable with.
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"Home is that source from which we came and to which we will return.
Home is the center within each of us where we can feel rooted,
secure and at peace."
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I firmly believe that charity must start at our real home. Our love, generosity
and sacrifice can't simply be on the surface, and can't be limited to our
familiar and mundane relationships. Our real love and devotion has to be to God,
or Tao, that which is eternal and universal.
As creatures of the Tao, we must first show love and charity towards ourselves
and care deeply about our own well-being. When we are well cared for from our own
inner wellsprings, there is no limit to the charity we can show to our families
and beyond. Remember that if your personal account is bankrupt, all the
charitable donations you make will be nothing but bounced checks.
When charity begins at our real home, it knows no bounds and has infinite
resources. Simply meditating, or praying, or practicing tai chi can be a
great act of charity at home - home being your inner self, a part of God,
a part of each of us.
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