The Eight Levels of Giving + My Sevā Project Launch

Agapē, Tzedakah, Alms, Danā, Zakat…and Sevā…all of the holy names for giving in various faiths.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” - Jesus

As a theologian, I have been deeply and wildly curious about the common thread of giving woven throughout all faiths. My studies have gifted me wisdom, stories, and experiences that touch me deeply - giving is holy.

But first, if we extract ourselves from what Spirit (or Soul) knows to be true about giving, and we focus on the nature of a giving energy, the frequency and vibration that creates all things, the natural laws of the universe and Source…then we might find ourselves sitting with one of the most primal laws: The Law of Cause and Effect. This law says that for every action there is a consequence; this law is based on the idea that everything in the universe is interconnected and that nothing happens by chance.

The secret magic to this law is that it is multiplicative.

This means that what you cause others to experience, comes back to you in multiples.

“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”― Mother Theresa

In David Cameron Gikandi’s book “A Happy Pocket Full of Money,” he says “If you wish to be happy, make others happy. If you wish to be free, make others free…” I love knowing that it comes full circle, by natural law, automatically.

And, Spirit is also at work with the giving that we do.

I began my study of Kabbalah during the pandemic (Did you have a pandemic project too?), I studied with The Kabbalah Center in London. It was during this study, of a faith that I’ve been wanting to study for some time, that I learned about “Tikkun Olam.” In Kabbalah, giving is often seen as a fundamental spiritual practice that aligns with the concept of Tikkun Olam, or repairing the world. It emphasizes the importance of giving without expectation of receiving something in return, as a way to elevate oneself spiritually and contribute positively to the world’s harmony and balance.

“You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”― Kahlil Gibran

I’ve always known that the way that we give matters. In a science-vibration-natural law-kind-of-way, as well as a heart-centered and spiritual way. I was on one of my early morning walks recently, and as I approached a new corner with a boulangerie I noticed a woman sitting on the street just outside; she was asking for “pièces,” or coins. Without even thinking, feeling the hands of God on my shoulders, I went into the boulangerie and ordered several things for the woman’s full day of eating. I slipped outside and handed her the sack, bowing my head to her.

As I finished my walk, I felt into the nuance of what I had just experienced: how careful I was as I selected the things for her. I noticed her head was covered and I guessed that she may have a thoughtful diet for example, so I selected a safe sandwich. I also assumed having a healthy juice instead of something sugary was a good idea, and I added a few yummy splurges that I thought might make her day brighter…it wasn’t the most practical of situations, but it was the best I could do on the spot.

It was the care, the way my giving was different because it was for her.

“You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” ― Amy Carmichael

I remember learning about The Eight Levels of Giving by Maimonides (a 12th century Jewish scholar), who defines eight levels in giving charity (tzedakah), each one higher than the preceding one.

On an ascending level, they are as follows:

8. When donations are given grudgingly.

7. When one gives less than he should, but does so cheerfully.

6. When one gives directly to the poor upon being asked.

5. When one gives directly to the poor without being asked.

4. Donations when the recipient is aware of the donor's identity, but the donor still doesn't know the specific identity of the recipient.

3. Donations when the donor is aware to whom the charity is being given, but the recipient is unaware of the source.

2. Giving assistance in such a way that the giver and recipient are unknown to each other. Communal funds, administered by responsible people are also in this category.

1. The highest form of charity is to help sustain a person before they become impoverished by offering a substantial gift in a dignified manner, or by extending a suitable loan, or by helping them find employment or establish themselves in business so as to make it unnecessary for them to become dependent on others.

“Give freely to the world these gifts of love and compassion. Do not concern yourself with how much you receive in return, just know in your heart it will be returned.”― Steve Maraboli

While I love every aspect of giving, my very favorite giving and way to give is commonly called “Random Acts of Kindness.” Have you seen the viral post about the “hanging or suspended coffees?” The post comes from this blog post story, and it reads:

There is a little coffee shop, where two people arrive and approached the counter.

“Five coffees please. Two for us and three hanging.”
They paid, they took their two coffees and left.
I asked the waiter. “What’s this about hanging coffees?”
“Wait and you’ll see.”

Some more people came in.
Two girls asked for a coffee each, they paid & left.
The following order was for seven coffees and it was made by three women – ‘three for them and four hanging coffees.’

I was left wondering…what is the meaning of the hanging coffees, they leave.

Then, a man dressed in worn clothes, who looks like he might be homeless, arrives at the counter and asks sincerely…
“Do you have a coffee hanging?”
“Yes we do, sir.”

They serve him a coffee…. I got my answer.

People pay in advance for a coffee that will be served to whoever can’t afford a hot drink. This tradition started in Naples. Amazingly, it has spread throughout the world’s cities and towns. It’s also possible to order not only “hanging coffees” but also a sandwich or a full low cost meal.

“I shall give you a song, and you fill melody in it.”― Suman Pokhrel

This brings me to my launch…

I’ve been working on a giving project for many months; the truth is my entire business has been beautifully built on the principles and beliefs of giving, and many of you reading this have likely been on the receiving end of this giving in some way. I’m incredibly proud of this, I am a Bhakti after all.

One of my very favorite spiritual teachers, Sri Anandamayi Ma said, “……this body has lived with father, mother, husband, and all. This body has served the husband so you may call it wife. It has prepared dishes for all so you may call it cook. It has done all sorts of scrubbing and menial work, so you may call it a servant. But if you look at the thing from another standpoint you will realize that this body has served God, for when I serve my father, mother, husband, and others, I simply considered them as different manifestations of the Almighty, and served them as such. When I sat down and prepared food, I did so as if it were in a ritual, for the food cooked was, after all, meant for God. Whatever I did, I did in the spirit of the divine service. Hence, I was not quite worldly, though always engaged in household affairs. I had but one ideal, to serve all as God, to do everything for the sake of God.”

This is what giving is to me, it is a holy and sacred act…in and of itself, a prayer.

A big part of this giving project won’t be ready for awhile as big giving projects often take lots of time (stand by though because I may need your help to bring it all the way through), but I’m happily launching the smaller version today on April 5th, during Laylatul Qadr (the last ten days of Ramadan), and intentionally on The Night of Power…as a prayer, my prayer, to the world and offering of giving to The Greatest Giver of All.

“Sevā gives you radiance.” - Yogi Bhajan

I’ve been calling this project “Sevā.” In Hinduism, sevā means selfless service and it is often associated with karma yoga, disciplined action, and Bhakti yoga, disciplined devotion.

As a Bhakti this feels fitting for me.

As I return to the dharma of sharing my yoga practice, and of bringing my expression of the Bhakti practice to open hearts in Paris, I realize that the cost of practicing yoga today makes it a luxury rather than easily accessible for most if not all of us - this is heartbreaking for me.

When I began teaching on Sundays in February, I found a beautiful private studio in the center of Paris to rent by the hour to keep the personal cost to a minimum. And, I started to invite women to a complimentary, gifted class as my own personal sevā, giving, and karma yoga.

The classes have been full each week, with eleven open and happy hearts. So many of these women (so far it’s all women, but I hope men will join me too) are saying yes to their very first yoga class, to singing and moving and breathing in a new and different way.

It feels so, so good - for all of us.

As I feel into the beautiful gifts of my own giving, and into the powerful effects of the receiving, I feel inspired to open this invitation for others to feel it and know it too. Today, I am officially launching my “Sevā: Sponsor a Bhakti Class” offering.

“Sevā is infinite giving. Sevā is not finite giving. If you do some service and say, ‘I served,’ then you have totally missed the point. Service is when you feel honored by doing something. You don’t feel honor in the company of many. You feel it within your own self. That is service – sevā. Sevā is when your inside is honored, when you honor yourself. When I am honored in my consciousness for doing something, it is sevā. When I stand before my consciousness and feel good and say, ‘I am so blessed that I could do it.’ That’s sevā.” - Yogi Bhajan

This is a personal and intimate invitation of sevā for you.

This is an invitation for you to sponsor the space, the hearts, and/or the teacher (me) for a Sunday Bhakti Yoga Class in Paris. Bhakti Yoga is the yoga of devotion, I have practiced and studied Bhakti for ten years with my teacher Rusty Wells in San Francisco. Bringing my expression of this practice to Paris is a great honor, and I do not take it lightly. We sing together, and move together, and breathe together in a beautiful private studio in the heart of Paris…and I never want it to be hard for anyone who feels called to join me to join me.

You can get a feel for our space and this class by watching a little video HERE.

I will continue to invite students in my own giving, my karma yoga days are far from over, and I would be so grateful to you if you joined me in this giving project so that together we can support a bigger community of open hearts.

All of the details can be found RIGHT HERE, and even though I know your ability and capacity to give is unfathomable, there is only a limited number of classes available for sponsorship (for now). Your gift can cover the cost of the space, the cost of the students in the space (think of it as a “hanging class” from our story above), or the cost of my time (which at the moment I am giving away gladly). And, even though I know you will likely not ask for anything in return, please note in the details that there are several sweet things you may wish to receive as a thank you…

“You know what love is? It’s kindness and generosity.” - Rumi

Thank you, I love you.