Reflections in advance of the
December 12th Town Hall

Insight Meditation Community of Western Mass
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Reflections in advance of the December 12th Town Hall, December 2021

Ruth Folchman: "I’m aware of this third Town Hall being a little different, in that it touches on a topic that is complicated! On the one hand, Dana is so central to our spiritual path, to recognize how generosity opens our hearts and minds to sense into what we value and care about, to notice opportunities to give of ourselves in all the myriad ways that are possible in our lives as members of families and communities. On the other hand, Dana as money, as a concrete way that we support the Dharma and the teachings, touches on a sensitive issue, one that we don’t easily or openly talk about.

Our relationship to money is so personal, in a way. It’s potentially how we live our values, how we bring mindfulness into the everyday by where we spend it and how we share it with causes and programs that we believe in… unless, of course, we don’t have enough of it. Then we are juggling, potentially relentlessly aware of the need for more and fearful about what might (again) bury us in debt. Or we are somewhere in between, probably/possibly we have enough, and yet an attitude of scarcity and fear of the unknown/unknowable future prevails and keeps us from sharing freely what we have. The invitation in this Town Hall is to turn towards perceptions and attitudes about money that may be operating in the background… or if it is otherwise, to rest easily in knowing that you matter and your clarity and offerings are gratefully received.

These Town Halls are so rich! I look forward to continuing to investigate issues of power and privilege, exploring together all the ways in which we create and sustain our spiritual community, and are willing to have difficult conversations about what we need and hope for."

 

Dana quotes and articles for inquiry, inspiration and discussion
The full compiled list can be found
here.

 “The sheet by the dana bowl is entitled “freely giving, freely receiving”. This aspiration is 180 degrees from our societal conditioning where nearly everything has a price or comes out of duty, or obligation. We can practice looking for when the mind is inspired to be generous and then choose how to act on that inspiration.”
— Gail Iverson, Common Ground Meditation Center

Never underestimate the power of small gifts "Even if a person throws the rinsings of a bowl or a cup into a village pool or pond, thinking, 'May whatever animals live here feed on this,' that would be a source of merit."
— AN 3.57

"The quality of dāna, giving, is not dependent on materiality or even a charitable obligation. It’s a Dhamma practice that makes you stronger than you thought you were – it brings up your nobility. It’s a privilege to give because it makes you glad, and so the enlightenment factors arise in the mind. For the one receiving, giving brings forth integrity – one wants to live up to the offering. This is the dāna principle; everybody wins. This dāna is a step on the Path to awakening."
— Ajahn Sucitto

Article of Interest:

We invite you to read this article ahead of time: "The Dana Dilemma: Is It Buddhist to Pay for Teachings?"  However, we'd love for you to be part of the Town Hall even if you haven't read the article!

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  • Home
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