This article originally appeared on Charles Eisenstein’s Substack website. “They’re just not jaded.” That’s how someone described the people he encountered during his recent visit to a hospital in Costa Rica. The doctors and nurses were so warm, friendly, and genuine; they even gave him their personal cell phone numbers. “Call us if you need anything.”
In 2008 I started a project to create a buddhist retreat centre in the UK. Along the way we researched and then deeided to trial a 'total generosity' business model, which we implemented when the centre, Land of Joy opened in 2014. None of the staff is aid. All are volunteers who receive accommodation, food and household necessities, to support their service to the centre and retreatants. No retreatant is charged for anything, retreaaats, food accommodation etc, but all are welcome to donate. The experiment worked. Nine years later it is still working. as a result, there is a special energy to the place, making it truly a land of joy. It took courage to set this in motion and there were many skeptics, but it works. Those with wealth often give moresometimes much more than usual, and those with little, can feel free to attend without making a donation. The experience of particiating in a gift economy leaves a positive impression on everyone.
When I first read this I thought it was an absolutely perfect fit for The R-Word, so I asked Charles if it would be okay to republish it here. He agreed. And now he's an official member of The R-Word's contributing writers. Hopefully, Charles will soon-ish contribute something original to The R-Word, which he can then republish on his own Substack space. I encouraged him to consider writing a piece about E. M. Forster's science fiction story, The Machine Stops. If he did, I'd publish it here in The R-Word, but also at https://themachinestops.substack.com ... and Charles can publish it on his own Substack. Why not spread it around!?
Speaking of which, dear readers, please read The Machine Stops, and then, if so inspired, share with us your thoughts at The Machine Stops? at https://themachinestops.substack.com I believe this short story provides us with a lot of food for thought.
I have lived at least two weeks a year in Guanacaste Costa Rica for the last 30 years.. four months this time. It has kept me sane, inspired, healed by the presence of the more than human world and the ocean and able to recognise community and gift/based initiatives. What Ed O'Sullivan and I did with this is run six Spirit Matters non profit initiatives from 2004 to 2014. Yes we lost money and yes we eventually left the increasingly corporate University of Toronto. More importantly we started a community of transformative educators, activists and artists working with indigenous peoples around the planet. It is still vibrant. Deep enough non profit initiatives ripple out in effects.. and are not dependent on social media but on life long relationships and commitment to radical change now.
In 2008 I started a project to create a buddhist retreat centre in the UK. Along the way we researched and then deeided to trial a 'total generosity' business model, which we implemented when the centre, Land of Joy opened in 2014. None of the staff is aid. All are volunteers who receive accommodation, food and household necessities, to support their service to the centre and retreatants. No retreatant is charged for anything, retreaaats, food accommodation etc, but all are welcome to donate. The experiment worked. Nine years later it is still working. as a result, there is a special energy to the place, making it truly a land of joy. It took courage to set this in motion and there were many skeptics, but it works. Those with wealth often give moresometimes much more than usual, and those with little, can feel free to attend without making a donation. The experience of particiating in a gift economy leaves a positive impression on everyone.
When I first read this I thought it was an absolutely perfect fit for The R-Word, so I asked Charles if it would be okay to republish it here. He agreed. And now he's an official member of The R-Word's contributing writers. Hopefully, Charles will soon-ish contribute something original to The R-Word, which he can then republish on his own Substack space. I encouraged him to consider writing a piece about E. M. Forster's science fiction story, The Machine Stops. If he did, I'd publish it here in The R-Word, but also at https://themachinestops.substack.com ... and Charles can publish it on his own Substack. Why not spread it around!?
Speaking of which, dear readers, please read The Machine Stops, and then, if so inspired, share with us your thoughts at The Machine Stops? at https://themachinestops.substack.com I believe this short story provides us with a lot of food for thought.
I have lived at least two weeks a year in Guanacaste Costa Rica for the last 30 years.. four months this time. It has kept me sane, inspired, healed by the presence of the more than human world and the ocean and able to recognise community and gift/based initiatives. What Ed O'Sullivan and I did with this is run six Spirit Matters non profit initiatives from 2004 to 2014. Yes we lost money and yes we eventually left the increasingly corporate University of Toronto. More importantly we started a community of transformative educators, activists and artists working with indigenous peoples around the planet. It is still vibrant. Deep enough non profit initiatives ripple out in effects.. and are not dependent on social media but on life long relationships and commitment to radical change now.