amra@ihuxj.UUCP (02/07/84)
After reading the discussions on feeding the worlds hungry
over the last few days,I decided to add my views to those already
posted. To accomplish this,I have chosen a section of The Prophet
that,in my opinion at least,may help clarify some points. It will
also aid me in presenting my views in a clear concise manner.
For those of you who aren't familiar with this book I will give a
a brief description before gettinng to the main text I've chosen.
The Prophet was written by Kahill Gibran in 1923. The publisher is
Alfred A. Knopf (N.Y.). It has been translated into more than 20
languages;the U.S. addition has sold well over 3 million copies.
Kahill Gibran was born in Lebanon in 1883,he was a poet,philosopher,
and artist. He moved to the U.S. and lived here for the last 20 years
of his life;he passed away in 1931. Gibran considered The Prophet to
be his greatest achievement. Quoting the author, "I think I've never
been without The Prophet since I first conceived the book back in
Mount Lebanon. It seems to have been a part of me....I kept the manuscript
four years before I delivered it over to my publisher because I wanted
to be very sure,that every word of it was the very best I had to offer."
The Chicago Post said of The Prophet: "Cadenced and vibrant with feeling,
the words of Kahill Gibran bring to one's ears the majestic rythm of
Ecclesiastes. ...If there is a man or women who can read this book without
a quiet acceptance of a great man's philosophy and a singing in the heart
as of music born within,that man or woman is indeed dead to life and truth."
The main character in the book is Almustafa who is a prophet of God. He has
been in the town of Orphalese for twelve years waiting for his ship to
come and return him to the isle of his birth. The story takes place on
the day his ship has finally arrived,and the people of the town turn out
to bid him farewell. They begin asking him various questions in order to
pass Almustafa's teachings on to their descendants. The book can be read
in one sitting, as can it's companion volume The Garden of the Prophet.
Well so much for backround information. It's time to get to the main
course, which is the section on Giving as it applies to the discussion
currently raging on the newsgroups. I hope you find some value and
meaning in this,but if you don't that's okay too. I don't expect
everyone to agree with my opinion,but hope they will give this posting
some consideration. After all no one I know,including myself, has
achieved omniscience yet.(Although some on the net would like you to think
otherwise. They know who they are.)
...."Then said a rich man,Speak to us of Giving.
And he answered:
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
For whaat are your possessions but things you keep and guard for
fear you may need them tomorrow?
And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog
burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrams to
the holy city?
And what is fear of need but need itself?
Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, the thirst that
is unquenchable?
There are those who give little of the much that they have--and they
give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts
unwholesome.
And there are those who have little and give it all.
These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their
coffer is never empty.
There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.
And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their
baptism.
And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do
they seek joy, nor do they give with mindfilness of virture;
They give as in yonder valleyy the myrtle breathes its fragrance
into space.
Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind
their eyes He smiles upon the earth.
It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked,
through understanding;
And to the open-handed the search forrr one who shall receive is
joy greater than giving.
And is there aught you would withhold?
All you have shall some day be given;
Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not
your inheritors'.
You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."
The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your
pasture.
They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.
Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights,
is worthy of all else from you.
And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves
to fill his cup from your little stream.
And what greater desert greater shall there be, than that which
lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving?
And who are you that men should rend their bossom and unveil their
pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?
See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument
of giving.
For in truth it is life that gives unto life--while you, who deem
yourself a giver, are but a witness.
And you receivers--and you are all receivers--assume no weight of
gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.
Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings;
For to be overmindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who
has the free-hearted earth for mother, and God for father."
they seek joy, nor do they give with mindfulness of virture.
The above is meant to be food for thought, as well as expressing
my views on this subject. I believe this gets to the heart of the
matter, hopefully those on both sides of the issue can gain some insight
also. As always,send views, opinions, critisims,etc.. to IHNP4!IHUXJ!AMRA
or post to the newsgroup.
PEACE & BEST WISHES
From the ever curious mind of:
Steve Aldrich (ihnp4!ihuxj!amra)