What is Dana?
People in the West are used to a consumer system, but when I do spiritual mentoring, 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 that roughly means giving, or gift.
In the Buddhist tradition — and in the East in general — spiritual teachings and spiritual mentoring are given freely. It isn’t a commercial transaction, unlike what it has often become in the West. However, it is also the tradition that people generously offer dana in the form of money (or chickens or rice or land) as an expression of gratitude and reciprocity. The understanding is that the spiritual mentor has put countless hours into spiritual practice and study when they could have been building a business or otherwise making money to support themselves. Those requesting mentorship benefit from all this study and practice, and so in reciprocity, they want to offer meaningful support.
In the Buddhist tradition — and in the East in general — spiritual teachings and spiritual mentoring are given freely. It isn’t a commercial transaction, unlike what it has often become in the West. However, it is also the tradition that people generously offer dana in the form of money (or chickens or rice or land) as an expression of gratitude and reciprocity. The understanding is that the spiritual mentor has put countless hours into spiritual practice and study when they could have been building a business or otherwise making money to support themselves. Those requesting mentorship benefit from all this study and practice, and so in reciprocity, they want to offer meaningful support.
Because of the difficulty of translating this concept to those conditioned by a consumer culture, I've listed suggested amounts on a scale, which represent the basic income I need to make the sessions viable. Before I did this, people would often 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.
Perhaps it is a bit artficial, but I make a distinction between what I do as a spiritual mentor and what I do as a writing mentor, even though the writing sessions can be just as spiritual. I don't mind in the writing work for the payment to be thought of as transactional, because it is a practical offering as well as a spiritual one, and people at all levels of commitment to spiritual practice come to me there. In spiritual mentoring, the relationship moves to a different —and deeper — place for me, and this is why in my offerings as a spiritual mentor, I go to such pains to be clear about the concept of dana.
Perhaps it is a bit artficial, but I make a distinction between what I do as a spiritual mentor and what I do as a writing mentor, even though the writing sessions can be just as spiritual. I don't mind in the writing work for the payment to be thought of as transactional, because it is a practical offering as well as a spiritual one, and people at all levels of commitment to spiritual practice come to me there. In spiritual mentoring, the relationship moves to a different —and deeper — place for me, and this is why in my offerings as a spiritual mentor, I go to such pains to be clear about the concept of dana.
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, and this is how I could get to where someone might find my guidance valuable. 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 with access to fewer resources, there is no shame in being at the bottom of the scale, or talking to me about another arrangement. I make space for those who resonate regardless of finances when I have the means to do so. I very much want to freely 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
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 with access to fewer resources, there is no shame in being at the bottom of the scale, or talking to me about another arrangement. I make space for those who resonate regardless of finances when I have the means to do so. I very much want to freely 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
