Interdisciplinary Psychology:

I didn't focus on one project for one two-hour period of time.  Instead I engaged in several activities that all told probably added to more like three or four hours.  I don't really like to talk that much about acts of kindness done for others, because I never want to come from an ego place in helping others. I guess it's okay to do it to make yourself feel better, but I find my reasons are usually different than trying to make myself feel better.

What I realized through this process is that I fairly routinely engage in acts of philanthropy and activism in order to help others.  I do this because I feel it is my duty as a human being.  The writer Alice Walkers says activism is the rent she pays for living on Planet Earth.  I agree with her.  But this is just one aspect of gemeinschafsegefuhl to me.  The other aspect is more difficult, and that is my ongoing work around training my mind to be altruistic.  For this, I recite a Buddhist prayer.  I either do this aloud while using my prayer beads so that I say the prayer 108 or 216 times (depending on if I go once or twice around my mala).  I also recite my prayers when I'm stopped in traffic, or waiting in lines.  I will often recite them silently at night while falling asleep.  The prayer is: May all sentient beings be happy and endowed with the causes of happiness.  May all sentient beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.  This prayer is also referred to as the four immeasurables.  My goal is to recite the prayer 100 times a day, but I don't always meet that goal. 

I notice philanthropic/activistic activities don't impact my mood much because I feel a responsibility to do these things, like I feel a responsibility to brush my teeth.  I'm happy to do it, but I don't have tons of money so I just contribute to positive actions along with other people.  I think if I were able to support someone building a new dharma center or could afford to sponsor a Habitat for Humanity build my mood would be affected, but at my level I just feel like I'm doing the right thing.

However, I did go through my wardrobe and pull out a bunch of kick ass clothes to give to a friend of mine who has nothing.  She doesn't even having running water or electricity!  I didn't give her junky old clothes I don't want anymore, and we are the same size.  I gave her really great clothes because I recognize that I have too much stuff.  I did notice my ego said, "I hope she appreciates this!" and then I told my ego, "Who cares if she appreciates the clothes!  Once you give them away, they are no longer your concern."  But it did make her happy when I gave her two shopping bags full of great clothes.  She is a musician and told me there is a joke in Nashville:  It doesn't matter how you feel, as long as you look good.  I don't know that the clothes will make her feel good, but at least she'll look good!