Comments on: Is Generosity the New Paradigm?

By: Mary Jaksch

Mary Jaksch — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 18:00:47 +0000

Hi Claudio! I”m glad you’re enjoying the virtual retreat too.

It blows my mind that 400 people have gathered from all corners of the world to bring more awareness into their lives!

By: claudio alegre

claudio alegre — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:29:24 +0000

Thanks Mary, took me a bit to get back here. Been keeping up with the virtual retreat...it's really cool and the topics are of great use. talk to you soon! claudio alegres last blog post..Advantages of Pay per Click (PPC) Marketing for Businesses

By: Mary Jaksch

Mary Jaksch — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:34:29 +0000

Hi Claudio!
You’ll be pleased to know that your question, “Do you ever wonder what it is that makes us give?” inspired this post.

Thank you!

By: claudio alegre

claudio alegre — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:18:04 +0000

giving is the only thing
to a child, a friend, a lover
whether a gesture, a smile, a clover
giving is the only thing
that keeps me alive and above all sin.

By: Mary Jaksch

Mary Jaksch — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:27:00 +0000

Hi Josh!
Thank you for your inspiring comment

By: Josh Gale

Josh Gale — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:55:31 +0000

Yes I agree, the world needs more generous hearts – people willing to forgo consumer based ego or status pleasure for the sake of others. There is nothing so transformational as volunteering one’s time to help a local city mission or help refugees get acquainted with the community. It teaches us to feel grateful for what we have got which makes each moment more precious when we feel that way. Also I’ve found that whenever I help other people with their problems my problems melt away or I realise they’re trivial and just let them go. Mary thank you for this post – the ‘communal’ spirit must not come from an enforced political system but organically come with love from the heart.

By: Mary Jaksch

Mary Jaksch — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:42:53 +0000

Hi Amber!
Thanks for the encouraging comment!

By: Amber

Amber — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:20:07 +0000

Brillant!!! This shift is absolutely occuring. People are realizing that our only hope in this world is to evolve our consciousness. We must evolve...start being in the moment if we want our world to not only be better, but exist at all. Very wise words..keep up the great work!! Ambers last blog post..On Simplicity

By: Mary Jaksch

Mary Jaksch — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:40:58 +0000

Hi Puerhan!
I want to let readers know that you are the author of the interesting Tweet I quoted in my article.

Thanks for your thoughtful suggestions!

By: Puerhan

Puerhan — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:29:39 +0000

Dear Mary,

Lovely article, glad to see twitter interaction proving useful!

I guess giving is directly related to the relationship between fear and connection / intimacy.
- Feeling fear, I feel separate, that which is mine I don’t want to give.
- Feeling free, I feel connected, that which is mine is already yours too and I give freely.

Other ways to consider running retreats by donation:
1. Offer a suggested sliding scale of Dana related to income/means (people often wonder what is the right amount to donate)
2. Offer information on the costs of running the retreat and dependent on how many people attend what the per person cost is (A UK monastery I have stayed at has a notice up with approximate daily cost of accommodating guests, very useful guidance!)
3. Require payment of a base cost then suggest people add Dana on top based on their means / sense of value. (A Dharma camp I have attended charges cost price for attendance but nothing for the teachings, i.e. teachers don’t get paid from camp fees, they get a proportion of the Dana.)
4. Suggest that people with the means to might like to make ‘sponsorship level’ Dana to help cover cost of other participants.

~gassho~

Puerhans last blog post..Mountains Swim