The gift economy isn’t new. In fact it is so old that it is funny that we think about it as a new age phenomena.
Life has always been a gift. Ever heard of nature asking us to pay? Nature gives to whoever dares to take a chance, step forward, plan, create and do.
In fact nature is so flexible, so abundant and so colossally smart that it is able to take care of all of us. Provided we recognize the basic principles of life, we can apply the same principles to the problem of how to live on the planet. Let’s get clear on our purpose on this planet.
The basic purpose of our life in a holistic global sense is NOT to make money or conquer a problem, but to just live. Money must be defined in such a way that it recognizes the basic reason why it is needed. It is needed primarily as a medium of exchange. Therefore all other roles of money such as store of value are secondary to money being a medium of exchange.
Life is a gift. Therefore money should be seen as a gift. Money should be gifted to people to do cool things. When people are allowed to gift using their free will, they are often far more generous. They are also fair to themselves. At heart we all know that you and I and all of us are one. When we take away barriers to experiencing our humanity in our daily life, we give and receive equitably. This is also a basic yoga principle and as such, a principle of life. It works.
I do most of my work by donation. Instead of telling people how much it will cost, I ask them, how much would you like it to cost? how much is it worth to you? and also how much can you part with, without feeling like you wont have enough for your physical needs? I suggest a certain amount that helps me live, the rest is upto you.
Ideologically–or metaphorically even, how much is 1 hour of peace and calm worth in time of great suffering? how much is it worth to have a drink of cool water in the middle of the desert? how much is unconditional love worth, when you feel broken from the loss of love?
How much would you like to pay to spend a few minutes with your mother? or father? who have passed on? How much would you pay to talk to your most beloved teacher?
Human beings are priceless and worthy. Yet, I’ve heard this a lot: “I wish my own needs for food and water and shelter were taken care of, so I could spend my whole life doing the work I love.”..If you have ever thought that, know that you are not alone in that feeling of limitation–this feeling is shared by millions and this ennui or discontent of labour is one reason why the definition of money as well as the structures within which work becomes ‘paid work’ or ‘sellable good’ within which money is earned and spent are inadequate to solve the Happiness problem.
I know that one day we will have a deeper understanding of nature and how things work, that will change what we call work. Right now we are limited by our tools and ignorance about what is possible. There are however, cool alternative ideas cropping up. For example BITCOIN.
Bitcoin is a new kind of money, that challenges the structure of how money flows globally and how we exchange money, and ultimately Bitcoin changes which human activities can realistically earn money. Instead of imperialistic structures that were centralized for example like in India or Pakistan, forming colonial governments whose job is to MODIFY indigenous cultures so that they conform with the central authority’s cultural preferences, the new structure of money means that anybody can earn money anywhere, doing whatever they like to do, provided enough people want to buy it.
So, the change in the definition of money means a total and radical change in our values and what can earn livelihood and therefore the definition of education. Instead of conformity or adherence to a standard text, the new values will have to be self-empowerment and radical exploration of individual self. It is a bit scary. We will need different kinds of teachers. Our teachers will have to train differently, connecting with their heart, as well as their mind.
The role of government will have to change accordingly. The smartest governments can be proactive and change, so that they swing in harmony with the global shift.
“By its high decentralization, Bitcoin created a different form of payment network with an increased level of resilience and redundancy. Bitcoin can handle millions of dollars in trades without requiring military protection.”
Behind The Veil 