--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The giving and receiving is the tricky…" description: "\"The giving and receiving is the tricky thing. It's not the gift. It's what the heart says in giving the gift, and from my point of view, one doesn't gi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/581/ram-dass-784_generosity_the-giving-and-receiving-is-the-tricky-t_2615395.png" --- # The giving and receiving is the tricky thing. It's not the… ![“The giving and receiving is the tricky thing. It's not the gift. It's what the heart says in giving the gift, and from my point of view, one doesn't give or receive - that's a role we have to play. But the gift - it's God's gift. I think that it's better to be souls than roles.” quote by Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/581/ram-dass-784_generosity_the-giving-and-receiving-is-the-tricky-t_2615395.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/581/ram-dass-784_generosity_the-giving-and-receiving-is-the-tricky-t_2615395.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/581/ram-dass-784_generosity_the-giving-and-receiving-is-the-tricky-t_2615395.png) > “The giving and receiving is the tricky thing. It's not the gift. It's what the heart says in giving the gift, and from my point of view, one doesn't give or receive - that's a role we have to play. But the gift - it's God's gift. I think that it's better to be souls than roles.” [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Giving and receiving are roles; the true gift is divine, transcending roles. **In simple terms:** Roles are temporary; the gift is divine. Key Takeaway Embrace the divine gift beyond roles. Themes spirituality selflessness divine purpose Mood contemplative serene hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - charitable acts - spiritual practice - mindful giving Key Concepts gift theory role theory heart intention Questions to Reflect On - What role do you play in giving? - How can you recognize the divine in everyday gifts? A Different Perspective May romanticize divine aspects. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Generosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generosity/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Giving and receiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-and-receiving/) [God Gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-gift/) [God's Gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods-gift/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Point of view](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/point-of-view/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [“Successful friendships are established on both giving and receiving. Develop a heart to give not only to receive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arthur/successful-friendships-are-established-on-both-giving-and-receiving/) [John Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arthur/) > [“Water that’s not moving becomes stagnant. And if there’s not someone pouring into you, the pitcher gets dusty. A person is most satisfied and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-fabry/water-that-s-not-moving-becomes-stagnant-and-if-there-s-not-someone/) [Chris Fabry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-fabry/) > [“It is by degrees of love that we wither or blossom—and I suspect that this holds true in both the giving and receiving.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hearne/it-is-by-degrees-of-love-that-we-wither-or-blossom-and-i-suspect-that/) [Kevin Hearne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hearne/) > [What I know for sure is that what you give comes back to you. That's not just my theory or point of view, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/what-i-know-for-sure-is-that-what-you-give-comes-back-to-you-that-s/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [Service or giving is the other side of receiving. Giving and receiving is a full circle: a full circle feels more natural than a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-huxley/service-or-giving-is-the-other-side-of-receiving-giving-and-receiving/) [Laura Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-huxley/) > ["It's better to give than to receive." Let me put this as elegantly as possible: "What a crock!" That statement is total hogwash, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-harv-eker/it-s-better-to-give-than-to-receive-let-me-put-this-as-elegantly-as/) [T. Harv Eker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-harv-eker/) > [The intention behind our giving and receiving is the most important thing. When the act of giving is joyful, when it is unconditional and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-intention-behind-our-giving-and-receiving-is-the-most-important/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Acting is communication. It's giving and receiving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-layne/acting-is-communication-it-s-giving-and-receiving/) [KiKi Layne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-layne/) > [Giving and receiving love is vital to human existence. It is the glue that binds couples, families, communities, cultures, and nations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-frank-lawlis/giving-and-receiving-love-is-vital-to-human-existence-it-is-the-glue/) [G. Frank Lawlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-frank-lawlis/) > [Giving and receiving are at bottom one thing, dependent on whether one lives open or closed. Living openly one becomes a medium, a transmitter;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/giving-and-receiving-are-at-bottom-one-thing-dependent-on-whether-one/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [“The Law of Reciprocity both includes giving and receiving.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arthur/the-law-of-reciprocity-both-includes-giving-and-receiving/) [John Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arthur/) > [Giving and receiving are different expressions of the same flow of energy in the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/giving-and-receiving-are-different-expressions-of-the-same-flow-of/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [I have come to believe that giving and receiving are really the same. Giving and receiving - not giving and taking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-grenfell/i-have-come-to-believe-that-giving-and-receiving-are-really-the-same/) [Joyce Grenfell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-grenfell/) > [Giving and receiving love can make life so beautiful!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/giving-and-receiving-love-can-make-life-so-beautiful/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What are we going to get out of life? This can understandably be a question of fundamental importance to us. We begin with certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-templeton/what-are-we-going-to-get-out-of-life-this-can-understandably-be-a/) [John Templeton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-templeton/) ## More by Ram Dass > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [This is the pathless path - returning to where you were initially before you got lost. The deepest truth in you is where the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/this-is-the-pathless-path-returning-to-where-you-were-initially/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Souls love. That’s what souls do. Egos don’t, but souls do. Become a soul, look around, and you’ll be amazed-all the beings around you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/souls-love-that-s-what-souls-do-egos-don-t-but-souls-do-become-a-soul/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion--and where it isn't, that's where my work lies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/i-would-like-my-life-to-be-a-statement-of-love-and-compassion-and/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [The spiritual journey is individual, highly personal. It can't be organized or regulated. It isn't true that everyone should follow one path. Listen to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/the-spiritual-journey-is-individual-highly-personal-it-can-t-be/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [The person who says, 'I'm enlightened' probably isn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/the-person-who-says-i-m-enlightened-probably-isn-t/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Accidents are just from where you're looking; to the ego, it looks like it's miracles and accidents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/accidents-are-just-from-where-you-re-looking-to-the-ego-it-looks-like/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Fear of death only comes through the brittleness of the ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/fear-of-death-only-comes-through-the-brittleness-of-the-ego/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Just because you are seeing divine light, experiencing waves of bliss, or conversing with Gods and Goddesses is no reason to not know your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/just-because-you-are-seeing-divine-light-experiencing-waves-of-bliss/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Along with faith comes the requirement for dogged persistence. At first meditation may bring you mild highs or some relief from suffering. But there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/along-with-faith-comes-the-requirement-for-dogged-persistence-at/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [I help people as a way to work on myself, and I work on myself to help people ... to me, that's what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/i-help-people-as-a-way-to-work-on-myself-and-i-work-on-myself-to-help/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Old age spiritualizes people naturally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/old-age-spiritualizes-people-naturally/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [The ego is a tool. You don't separate it. It's a tool for the spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/the-ego-is-a-tool-you-don-t-separate-it-it-s-a-tool-for-the-spirit/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [It's very hard to grow, because it's difficult to let go of the models of ourselves in which we've invested so heavily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/it-s-very-hard-to-grow-because-it-s-difficult-to-let-go-of-the-models/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [All that you seek is already within you. In Hinduism it is called the Atman, in Buddhism the pure Buddha-Mind. Christ said, 'the kingdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/all-that-you-seek-is-already-within-you-in-hinduism-it-is-called-the/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) [Explore all 369 Ram Dass quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) ## More Generosity quotes > [The greatest charity you can contribute to is yourself. Instead of spending a dollar to help feed hungry children, why not spend that dollar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-greatest-charity-you-can-contribute-to-is-yourself-instead-of/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [I would have none of that rigid circumspect charity which is never done without scrutiny, and which always mistrusts the truth of the necessities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baptiste-massillon/i-would-have-none-of-that-rigid-circumspect-charity-which-is-never/) [Jean Baptiste Massillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baptiste-massillon/) > [I'm publicist, patron of nine charities, creative director, food consultant, recipe developer - and mum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-monroe/i-m-publicist-patron-of-nine-charities-creative-director-food/) [Jack Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-monroe/) > [The next time you're looking at a charity, don't ask about the rate of their overhead. Ask about the scale of their dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-next-time-you-re-looking-at-a-charity-don-t-ask-about-the-rate-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Businesses acting as businesses, not as charitable donors, are the most powerful force for addressing the pressing issues society face(s)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-elumelu/businesses-acting-as-businesses-not-as-charitable-donors-are-the-most/) Tony Elumelu > [Both fact and logic seem to me to support the view that savings invested in privately owned economic tools of production amount to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-a-harper/both-fact-and-logic-seem-to-me-to-support-the-view-that-savings/) F. A. Harper > [Capitalists have done more good for society through their charitable giving, philanthropy and generosity than all their critics combined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cook/capitalists-have-done-more-good-for-society-through-their-charitable/) [James Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cook/) > [I think more and more people are becoming much more sensitive to what they do with their money when they die, especially if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-rippon/i-think-more-and-more-people-are-becoming-much-more-sensitive-to-what/) [Angela Rippon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-rippon/) > [Children must early learn the the beauty of generosity. They are taught to give what they prize most, that they may taste the happiness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/children-must-early-learn-the-the-beauty-of-generosity-they-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [(I)f we are going to be kind, let it be out of simple generosity, not because we fear guilt or retribution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-f-we-are-going-to-be-kind-let-it-be-out-of-simple-generosity-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was always clear that I didn't want to just do pure charity. My thinking was definitely about looking at the levers in society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/i-was-always-clear-that-i-didn-t-want-to-just-do-pure-charity-my/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [Love doesnt stake claims. It is free for the giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-minagar/love-doesnt-stake-claims-it-is-free-for-the-giving/) [Melody Minagar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-minagar/) > [“THE UNFORGIVEN Tell me if you've ever had to deal with these kinds of people: The kind who take and don't give. The kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/the-unforgiven-tell-me-if-you-ve-ever-had-to-deal-with-these-kinds-of/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [“Secure-attachment 7Rs show more generosity than average. Thus 7R has something to do with generosity—but its effect is entirely context dependent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/secure-attachment-7rs-show-more-generosity-than-average-thus-7r-has/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) [Browse all 3,867 Generosity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generosity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The giving and receiving is the tricky thing. It's not the gift. It's what the heart says in giving the gift, and from my point of view, one doesn't give or receive - that's a role we have to play. But the gift - it's God's gift. I think that it's better to be souls than roles.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ram Dass" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/the-giving-and-receiving-is-the-tricky-thing-it-s-not-the-gift-it-s/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Generosity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/the-giving-and-receiving-is-the-tricky-thing-it-s-not-the-gift-it-s/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/581/ram-dass-784_generosity_the-giving-and-receiving-is-the-tricky-t_2615395.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/581/ram-dass-784_generosity_the-giving-and-receiving-is-the-tricky-t_2615395.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/581/ram-dass-784_generosity_the-giving-and-receiving-is-the-tricky-t_2615395.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The giving and receiving is the tricky thing. It's not the gift. It's what the heart says in giving the…” — Ram Dass", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ram Dass", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The giving and receiving is the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/the-giving-and-receiving-is-the-tricky-thing-it-s-not-the-gift-it-s/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/the-giving-and-receiving-is-the-tricky-thing-it-s-not-the-gift-it-s/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```