Giving and Receiving: Laughing at the Idea of Sacrifice [STAFFCLS]

Dr. Jeffrey Seibert and Dr. Rosemarie LoSasso

One of the Course’s central teachings is that giving and receiving are the same. As students, we may pay lip service to the idea, but it can be helpful to ask ourselves just how deeply we in fact accept this equivalency. For if we did know and experience it, we could never evaluate our brother’s response to anything we may believe we are doing for him, never judge whether he appreciates what we do and whether we should continue in the face of his apparent lack of gratitude. In fact, we could never see anything we do for anyone else as having any cost to ourselves, nor any gain for ourselves that would not also be for our brother.  As Jesus explains, “Never forget you give but to yourself. Who understands what giving means must laugh at the idea of sacrifice” (W-187.6:1-2). It may seem to require a dramatic shift in perception to experience what Jesus is asserting here, and that of course is exactly what is asked of us. These classes, through readings and discussion, explore what is involved in this shift from “giving to get” (T-4.II.6:5) to grateful giving-to-keep, from giving from the perspective of the body to giving from the perspective of the mind. The classes also examine what sustains our continuing belief in the value of sacrifice.