Sharing even the last mouthful

From the text

The passage says that if beings knew the fruit of giving and sharing as the speaker does, they would not eat without first giving, and stinginess would not occupy their minds. They would share even their last mouthful, as long as someone was there to receive it.

In everyday life

This is the first day of a week on giving, and the passage starts with something as ordinary as a meal. It does not tell you how much to give or to whom. It describes a person whose habit is to share before eating, and it names what gets in the way: a stain of stinginess. One way to recognise that stain is as a small tightening that says 'mine first'. You can feel that tightening in a queue, over a last biscuit, or when someone asks for a minute of your time. Giving here is not a duty or a payment; the text simply says the giver would act differently if they knew what sharing does. Today's sit is only about arriving and settling, so there is nothing to give during it except your attention to the breath. Afterwards, look for one small chance to offer something first. Time, a seat, or a share of a snack all count.

Arriving and Settling

Sit upright on a chair or cushion, hands resting in your lap. Read each cue as it appears; between cues you may close your eyes or lower your gaze.

Start the timer hereAbout this session

Before you eat or enjoy something today, offer a share, a seat, or a few minutes to someone nearby, without waiting to be asked.

Where did you notice the tightening of 'mine first' today, and what happened next?

Answer on paper, or in the app’s journal, which stays on your iPhone.