In many metaphysical materials, I often come across the statement: “The more you give, the more you receive.”
Recently, I’ve spent a great deal of time reflecting on this idea, and through that process, I’ve identified several paradoxes embedded within it. I’d like to share some of these here, in the hope of hearing your thoughts and insights.
paradox 1
First and foremost, it is evident that this theory does not hold true in the mundane, material realm of human existence. There are countless examples where material giving bears no relation to material receiving—in some cases, the relationship is even inverse. Therefore, this theory can only be understood from a metaphysical perspective, where it is said that the more one gives, the more one receives.
Here we arrive at the first paradox: from a metaphysical perspective, all is one—all spiritual beings are essentially complete, they are everything, they are one, they are Unity. So from this viewpoint, what kind of “return” could a perfect being possibly receive? Such a being lacks nothing.
paradox 2
I understand what statements like these are trying to convey. Such theories attempt to encourage people to serve others rather than be limited by immediate gains and rewards. They try to tell us that on a metaphysical level, there will be returns. In fact, this return is quite evident—it is the polarity of service-to-others (STO).
First of all, this polarity should not be considered a “return,” because all metaphysical beings are already complete. This polarity is their inherent potential, something that needs to be manifested rather than an external object to be received.
Here lies the second paradox: such theories attempt to encourage people to serve, to serve more and better, by using a vague and unclear notion of “return.” However, this effectively turns unconditional service into conditional service. By promising an ambiguous metaphysical reward, it, to some extent, even compromises the purity of service.