RE: Sufi Generosity
Thanks, Gilly.
Giving without any expectation of reward (of time, help, finance) is in Christian scripture and Buddhism too, of course. At least the words and theory.
On anonymous giving, I and others learned a bit of a lesson in that as recipients years ago. A friend, who was a friend like any other, came into a lot of money. It happened that for a big private project, four of us were in need of financial aid beyond our means. And he just gave to each of us. Well and good. But it tipped after about a year the whole tone of the friendship. As if we 'owed' him, and should do lots of things for him. Almost as if he'd bought us, and you felt as if you had to comply. I now see as I did not then that he was insecure and unconsciously buying friends. But friendship could never be pure and simple after that. Having learned that lesson, I later had a pal worth about two hundred mill +, but insisted on paying half the bill at any meal - though I did leave it for him to tip;) .
So the moral there is that there are many hidden motives in helping or giving; but anonymity so far as I can see gets rid of any such possibility.
RE: Sufi Generosity
I think friendship and companionship are worth way more than any amount of moeny, the best gift you can give,
Hal