Yogi: I was distributing extra half-boiled eggs at the retreat breakfast. A yogi asked for an egg when I had already finished distributing all and I decided to give him the one I kept for myself. It was okay to give.
Sayadaw: You could also consider giving half – 50:50. Giving all could be too much (for the mind to stay stable). You should consider both sides when you decide – don’t only consider the benefit of one party.
Wisdom mind considers an action where you’re okay and I’m also okay; then, there is no more problem. If only others benefit and you don’t, this is also not wholesome.
Yogi: Why is that so?
Sayadaw: When all parties benefit, then it is really wholesome. Where you get everything, and I don’t get anything is not the best solution because being worldlings (puthujanna) we may resist the action at a subtle level and regret later.
If you’re totally unattached, then it is no problem to give all away.