What is Dana?
People in contemporary Western countries are used to a consumer system, but when I do spiritual mentoring or hold space for deep spiritual work, I don't want our relationship to be based on me being the provider of a service. I want to enter into a human relationship with you and for financial support to be offered with an attitude of dana, a sanskrit word used in Buddhist contexts that roughly means gift. In traditional spiritual settings, spiritual teachings, gatherings and mentoring were never given as part of a commercial transaction, unlike what now seems to be the new norm in the West. However, it is also the tradition that people generously offered dana (or a tithe in the Abrahamic traditions) in the form of money (or chickens or rice or land) in an expression of gratitude and reciprocity so the work could continue.
Because of the difficulty of translating this concept to those conditioned by a consumer culture, I often list suggested amounts on a scale, which represent the basic income I need to make this work viable. Before I did this, people would get uncomfortable because they wanted to know how much was expected. Some thought the lack of a set price meant they could get a bargain or that what I offered must not be valuable because that’s our cultural conditioning (ie. if something is "by donation," you offer your spare change). Some thought of the dana as a kind of “tip” — I liked this session so I’ll give you more this time — the way you might tip a waitress for services performed well. All the transactional mind.
Dana is really about generosity based on spiritual friendship--recognizing that my energy has gone to spiritual retreat, study and practice rather than career building. I have made as deep a commitment to spiritual study and practice as a monastic—but without an institution to support me—and this is how I could get to where someone might find my experience valuable to their process. There is also the very practical consideration that I only have so many calls I can do each week, so many emails I can answer, so many slots for mentoring people if I want to keep up the level of presence and relationship I offer and the level of spiritual practice that I do.
So please consider all of this when you choose the dana you would like to share. Those abundant financially are invited to consider an amount above the scale. Those struggling financially or in non-western economies, there is no shame in being at the bottom of the scale or talking with me about another arrangement. I want to offer spiritual companionship to those who resonate with my approach, as my mentors have done with me, and I certainly don't want financial strain to be a barrier. Your sincere interest in the spiritual life is always the most valuable dana of all.
Thank you!
Jane Brunette
Because of the difficulty of translating this concept to those conditioned by a consumer culture, I often list suggested amounts on a scale, which represent the basic income I need to make this work viable. Before I did this, people would get uncomfortable because they wanted to know how much was expected. Some thought the lack of a set price meant they could get a bargain or that what I offered must not be valuable because that’s our cultural conditioning (ie. if something is "by donation," you offer your spare change). Some thought of the dana as a kind of “tip” — I liked this session so I’ll give you more this time — the way you might tip a waitress for services performed well. All the transactional mind.
Dana is really about generosity based on spiritual friendship--recognizing that my energy has gone to spiritual retreat, study and practice rather than career building. I have made as deep a commitment to spiritual study and practice as a monastic—but without an institution to support me—and this is how I could get to where someone might find my experience valuable to their process. There is also the very practical consideration that I only have so many calls I can do each week, so many emails I can answer, so many slots for mentoring people if I want to keep up the level of presence and relationship I offer and the level of spiritual practice that I do.
So please consider all of this when you choose the dana you would like to share. Those abundant financially are invited to consider an amount above the scale. Those struggling financially or in non-western economies, there is no shame in being at the bottom of the scale or talking with me about another arrangement. I want to offer spiritual companionship to those who resonate with my approach, as my mentors have done with me, and I certainly don't want financial strain to be a barrier. Your sincere interest in the spiritual life is always the most valuable dana of all.
Thank you!
Jane Brunette
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copyright 2019 by jane brunette