In India, if a holy man comes up to you and requests food, (or anything), it is almost considered a necessity that you give it to him. Not only does it help the person walking the holy path, but it is believed that the Giver will receive good karma for doing so.
 
This practice is known as, “Bhiksha,” in Sanskrit.
 
Now, this is not to say that there are some who take advantage of the process. I’ve seen Westerners there, dressed in the clothing of a holy man, following that path. But, I’m sorry, they come from a wealthy nation. They should not be there putting more stress on an already strained populous. This, no matter what path they think they are walking. It is not helping. Go home and get a job!
 
Of course, this practice of begging is totally looked down upon in the West. Though some people go out of their way to help these people out, many immediately rebuke them.
 
I had to go to the dentist this AM. As I was driving home, I realized I hadn’t had anything to eat. It came to me to go to my local Starbucks and get one of their tasty grill cheese sandwiches and I latte—non-fat, of course.
 
I ordered it on the app, so it would be ready when I got there. Went inside. Grabbed it. And, decided to go and eat it out on the back of the shop, on their patio that overlooks the Pacific. All good.
 
As I was sitting there, I noticed his one lady come up to an elderly gentleman. She began to give him a spiel about how she had to wait a week or so for her son to get to her and she was in need of money, and stuff like that. It just made me smile…
 
The backstory to all of this is that this woman is in the large parking lot of this shopping center, where Starbucks is located, all the time. It was like six months ago, or more, that she came up to me asking for money. Same chatter, different day.
 
This lady is probably in her late thirties or early forties. I believe she is of South Asian descent, due to her slight accent.
 
But, the thing of the thing is, I can’t image how profitable that parking lot is for her. I mean, if I recognize her, I’m sure a lot of other people do, as well. I’ve seen her ask a lot of people for money. But, just like that elderly gentleman of today, I’ve never seen her receive anything. So, what is the point? It’s not some holy quest so she can eat so she can meditate. I guess she’s getting something out of it, or she wouldn’t be coming back. But, her entire process leaves me in question. Why???
 
And, I guess that is the ultimate question in life, “Why?” Why does anybody do what they do? Why do they do it if is somewhat off of the norm? What do you do? And, why do you do it? What does what you do give back to society and the world, and what does it take away?
 
Do you ever question this question? If not, maybe you should.