1. Is it right to expect something in return from someone who has received something good from you?

When you do something nice for someone or give a gift, do you expect something in return? Do you constantly remind the person of all the things that you have done for them? It’s something that I never understood about some people. They are always having to exclaim, “But I did this for you.” I feel that when one does something for someone out of goodwill, it should be done with no strings attached. By this I do not mean that everything should be charity. One should learn to be discrete about situations and act accordingly. Otherwise, it doesn’t mean you doing it sincerely, because sincerity at the first place is doing something without expecting something else. For instance, someone would do something for you. However, s/he would be extremely mean, always put you down, and make your life a living hell. When you got upset, she always rebutted with, “But I did that for you that one time, so you should be a little grateful.” It never stops the constant reminders. Shouldn’t they be content with the “thank you” they receive? Do they think that one nice thing makes up for the 1,000 bad things that they are going to do or have done? I have met people who are that way. They give and give, but then are so humble, that when you thank them, they behave the same. You don’t need to have constant recognition when you do something. Just know that you did something good, and that’s it.

2. What is sincerity? Can we measure it? How?

Sincerity is generally understood to be truth in word and act. Generally, in my opinion, sincerity cannot be measured. But, I believe that there are also different levels of sincerity according to the different parts of the being. There is mental sincerity, vital sincerity and the sincerity of the body. Mental sincerity means to understand and accept in the mind the highest ideals of the inner Divine. The mind has a personality of its own, its own beliefs, preferences, traditions, habits, etc. A person may want to dedicate himself to a very high ideal but the mind may not be able to accept. The nerves, otherwise known as ‘vital’, also have their own personality. The body has an equally powerful one, perhaps more powerful. Each of them have developed on their own and retain their individuality. There is a test for sincerity and its level of attainments. One who has achieved mental sincerity will not complain about anything. One whose vital sincerity is complete will not know any sadness of any kind. The man who has achieved sincerity at the physical level will not meet with failures of any kind in his work. One who achieves sincerity at the level of the Spirit will be able to evoke it successfully in others at all three levels, according to the intensity of his own attainment and the purity of the other receiving human being.