Clean
giving and receiving is simply being able to give to another or receive
from another without personal investment or expectation. It is giving
without any strings attached, or receiving without feeling an
obligation. This concept goes both ways. If you can give cleanly, you
can receive cleanly. If you cannot give cleanly, you cannot receive
cleanly. However, if someone gives you something uncleanly, you can
still receive it cleanly.
Compliments are a good example in
which the dynamics of clean giving and clean receiving are played out.
If someone says, "Hey, you look great today", can you simply receive
that or do you think, "No, I don't. My hair's a mess."? Do you start
to invalidate yourself, or can you simply have the moment?
People
often give gifts with strings attached. The strings or messages might
be: "I'm one up on you. Now you owe me." or "I give you such fine
gifts - now you are required to love me more". They are attempting to
buy love. Remember, if a gift is given uncleanly, you can still
receive it cleanly (cut off the strings). Giving cleanly and receiving
cleanly is powerful, karmically clear, and the way of the Spiritual
Warrior.
