The giving of shoes

Sjelefred · 09-24-2008, 06:58 AM

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help? I met an Indian lady who told me about this practise but I have been unable to have it verified anyone else and would be interested to hear more. I was told that in her religion (I thought at the time this was hinduism but could be wrong), if you receive spiritual support or guidance from someone at a difficult time of your life, you should make them a present of shoes and a hat. I found this odd as any research I have found indicates that shoes are considered unclean so it seems a strange practise. I would be grateful for any enlightenment!

justwannabe · 09-24-2008, 08:55 AM

Giving to others imo, is a good thing. if someone helps you show grattitude if it is in your heart to do so. It may be shoes, hat, shirt, fruit, etc....If you can see an area of their life where they may be lacking, I would suggest addressing that area of "need" Some people may call shoes good, some may call them bad find your truth in the matter. I do not eat meat but if a homeless person asked me to buy him a burger I would without judgement.

just my thoughts or more then thoughts
i am love, i am peace, i am joy
your brother
neil

suryadaya · 09-24-2008, 12:21 PM

I met a Swami once who told me a story about his guru. Upon his departure to the United States to spread his message of joy, she gave him the only pair of shoes that she had worn for years. He didn't want to take them from her but she insisted because she was so happy about his journey.

Just thought I'd throw that in.

louise molenkamp · 09-26-2008, 11:49 PM

Namaste,

I understand it to be like a protection for where he is going. The shoes protecting the feet and the hat for the rain or the sun, So no harm will come to the person.
figuratifly about the same as ; never bite the hand that feeds you?
with Love and light
Louise

Benjamin · 09-27-2008, 12:46 AM

I enjoy this discussion and would like to add that the appropriateness of this kind of gift might depend wildly on the cultural background and perhaps the relationship of those involved.

For example, my wife (who happens to be Chinese) warned me early in our relationship to never give her or any member of her family shoes, as it would be inappropriate thing to do to anyone you love or care about in Chinese culture. The gift would interpreted as if the giver "wanted the other person to walk away... to either physically begone or otherwise leave their relationship."

For that reason this topic initially left me somewhat bewildered, though I am happy to have learned something. I would never give them without verifying the would-be receiver's feelings on the matter, which might sadly take some of the fun and surprise away.

Namaste.

**Mirjana** · 09-27-2008, 03:48 AM

Sri Swami Satchidananda says in his commentary on Sutra II/39 that abstention from greed or hoarding is also not receiving gifts, because we mat stimulate the expectations of another person, or we may loose our neutrality. He says that we can accept gifts if we are strong enough to remain free of obligation.
I must admit that this commentary never completely resonate with me, I find it a little bit to radical.

09-24-2008, 08:55 AM	#2
justwannabe pañcashata Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 557	Giving to others imo, is a good thing. if someone helps you show grattitude if it is in your heart to do so. It may be shoes, hat, shirt, fruit, etc....If you can see an area of their life where they may be lacking, I would suggest addressing that area of "need" Some people may call shoes good, some may call them bad find your truth in the matter. I do not eat meat but if a homeless person asked me to buy him a burger I would without judgement. just my thoughts or more then thoughts i am love, i am peace, i am joy your brother neil __________________ I am light, I am love, I am peace, I am kindness, I am happiness, I am here, it is now. I am, and so are you

09-24-2008, 06:58 AM	#1
Sjelefred éka Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London Posts: 1	Hi, I wonder if anyone can help? I met an Indian lady who told me about this practise but I have been unable to have it verified anyone else and would be interested to hear more. I was told that in her religion (I thought at the time this was hinduism but could be wrong), if you receive spiritual support or guidance from someone at a difficult time of your life, you should make them a present of shoes and a hat. I found this odd as any research I have found indicates that shoes are considered unclean so it seems a strange practise. I would be grateful for any enlightenment!

09-24-2008, 12:21 PM	#3
suryadaya trimshát Join Date: May 2008 Location: All over. Posts: 39	I met a Swami once who told me a story about his guru. Upon his departure to the United States to spread his message of joy, she gave him the only pair of shoes that she had worn for years. He didn't want to take them from her but she insisted because she was so happy about his journey. Just thought I'd throw that in.

09-26-2008, 11:49 PM	#4
louise molenkamp shatá Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hoorn the Netherlands Posts: 111	Namaste, I understand it to be like a protection for where he is going. The shoes protecting the feet and the hat for the rain or the sun, So no harm will come to the person. figuratifly about the same as ; never bite the hand that feeds you? with Love and light Louise

09-27-2008, 12:46 AM	#5
Benjamin éka Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1	I enjoy this discussion and would like to add that the appropriateness of this kind of gift might depend wildly on the cultural background and perhaps the relationship of those involved. For example, my wife (who happens to be Chinese) warned me early in our relationship to never give her or any member of her family shoes, as it would be inappropriate thing to do to anyone you love or care about in Chinese culture. The gift would interpreted as if the giver "wanted the other person to walk away... to either physically begone or otherwise leave their relationship." For that reason this topic initially left me somewhat bewildered, though I am happy to have learned something. I would never give them without verifying the would-be receiver's feelings on the matter, which might sadly take some of the fun and surprise away. Namaste.

09-27-2008, 03:48 AM	#6
Mirjana Forum Facilitator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 306	Sri Swami Satchidananda says in his commentary on Sutra II/39 that abstention from greed or hoarding is also not receiving gifts, because we mat stimulate the expectations of another person, or we may loose our neutrality. He says that we can accept gifts if we are strong enough to remain free of obligation. I must admit that this commentary never completely resonate with me, I find it a little bit to radical.