A Form of Exchange

Donation creates a relationship of exchange in harmony with the laws of nature, of inter-dependence and of inter-relationship. It is a relationship of "give and receive" between human beings, based on conscious awareness, personal responsibility, sensitivity, mutual respect and wisdom towards all.

We exchange with our Hearts. We receive and therefore we should give something in return; we receive something with our Heart, and so we should give something back from our Heart. What is received and what is given may be different, but in essence the same, based in the Heart. We relate with each other on a pure, free, human level, from one Heart to another.

When we buy something, our mind already thinks of it as ours, ours to do with as we please. We can treat it respectfully and with care, or we can disregard it or throw it away. When we decide to receive with our Hearts, we are personally committed and involved; we decide to receive fully, with appreciation. Thus, we awaken a sense of respect and responsibility towards ourselves, towards what has been given to us and towards the one who has given. This will help us to give back with our Hearts. In an exchange based on donation, we are all in a partnership, where there is mutual respect and an understanding that both sides have active roles and responsibilities.

When we buy, the price is set in advance and we tend to put an expectation on what we have bought, according to that price. We formulate pre-conceived ideas about what this product should give us, in terms of service or enjoyment or what we deserve to get from it. This may create a judgmental and demanding attitude. It also closes our mind and heart to whatever we may receive, since we have locked ourselves on a specific idea. Donation allows us to receive unconditionally, without pre-conceptions. First we receive in an open manner and only afterwards we can appreciate and value what has been given to us. This also allows the giver to give fully and without regard to what will be given in return. What is given is not dependent on a price; it is done freely and willingly, unconditionally.

The donation concept gives us the opportunity to become aware of how we relate with others on a human level, through the idea of exchange. It allows us to work on our personal integrity and honesty, towards others and ourselves. In the context of inter-relationships, if we "cheat" we are actually cheating no other but ourselves.

It's helpful to remember that even if some one gives to us willingly, with his/her heart, still, in order to do so, this person has put in personal effort, time, expenses and energy (in the past and in the present). Therefore, it is perfectly natural that this person will receive something in return. As the one who has received, it is up to us to be aware of this and to value it appropriately. This evaluation can be done with wisdom; it can be one of the factors to be considered when we decide on our donation.

We may realize that the reason we are able to receive now, in the present, is due to the fact that others, in the past, have given. It is them who in the past have created the conditions that allow us to receive now, in the present. In the never-ending cycle of nature, we are active participants; we have a chance to assist in the continuation of this process. By giving a donation we are not only putting a value on what we have received, not only covering expenses; we are also creating the conditions to allow others to receive in future.

Self-responsibility

In life, we tend to project the parent-child or teacher-student patterns in various situations, such as a treatment or a course we are taking. In a donation-based relationship, we are made aware of the fact that the more effort we put the more we will get from it. What we will receive is in direct proportion to our personal involvement. The depth of the relationship is dependent on the receiver's involvement. There is no rigid framework. Donation gives an element of flexibility; the therapist/teacher will be able to give as much as the patient/student will need or ask for.

In the past, a Master would put a disciple to the test before beginning the actual teaching - testing perseverance, determination and readiness to fully commit - making the disciple prove that he/she is really worthy of receiving the teaching. Today, here and now, we are our own Masters, and we must go through this process by ourselves. We reflect on our priorities in life, on what is valuable for us, what we believe we should put our efforts, time and resources into, for our personal growth and development.

The donation symbolizes our personal choice, our true prioritization, our honesty and respect towards those who have given to us and towards ourselves. Through this approach, according to our feeling and resources, we can value what we have received, how it has affected us and what we feel it will bring us in the future. We are all individuals and only we can know our selves, our needs, our desires and choices.

The Money Concept

Usually, the word donation and the concept of giving something in return for services rendered are directly connected to money. In fact, 'exchange' leaves the door open to many forms of giving, such as an exchange of services, products, etc. Nevertheless, in this day and age, in the existing socio-economic order, money is a widely accepted and practical unit of exchange. Sometimes we have a concept in our mind that money is "dirty', impersonal, devoid of sentiment, but in fact it is just another form of energy, just as legitimate and "clean' as any other. It is the way you give a donation, your intention, which will make it personal. If it comes from your heart it will be received as such.

Sliding-Scale Pricing

I have been working on donation, partial or full, since the year 2000. It has been a very interesting journey, an intense learning experience, a source of personal growth and understanding. It has also been a very joyful and beautiful way to connect with others on the common ground of sharing from the Heart. A short while ago, due to various circumstances and personal considerations, I began to work with a sliding-scale system, in which each course has a range of payment, a form of suggested donation, allowing for the minimum of expense coverage.

I understand the existing difficulty we all have in estimating costs and evaluating expenses (even more difficult when being in a foreign country). I can assist in this by explaining in short what is the nature of the expenses involved in maintaining a teaching/healing space and running courses. In general, the calculations for the minimum of the sliding scale are based on an overall look at yearly activities, considering an average number of courses per month/year, an average number of students per course, and an average number of working days per month/year. Since each course differs in length and number of hours, the sliding-scale is a helpful tool. The minimum of the sliding-scale is more of a reference to daily/monthly expenses for maintain the existing facilities and activities (in other words "breaking even"), and does not include anything needed for future improvement/growth of the center (i.e. the place, the courses, teaching materials, booklets, library, clinic, support of local activities, etc.).

The fact that I am still teaching and working as I am is living proof of the kindness and open-hearted attitude of all those that have received treatments, studied and worked with me. They have expressed their appreciation by giving generously and thus allowing me to continue doing today what I enjoy so much. I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience this beauty. In future I hope to be in a permanent place, working in a space that will be designed to accommodate various activities of a therapeutic nature with a common goal. Therefore, any donation that is above the minimum for covering daily expenses would be "in trust", directed towards the future development of such a place (for more on this see about Oda). Your donation can reflect a personal appreciation and value of what you have experienced in a course/treatment, as well as assist in creating future experiences like these for others.

Just before closing, I would like to add that if some one sincerely finds that he/she is unable to afford the minimum in the sliding-scale range, there is always a possibility for personal consideration. In this case please contact me personally and we can try to find a solution together.

Having said all this, donation still remains your own personal expression.

The beauty of the sliding scale concept is that it still leaves plenty of room for personal expression, as mentioned above. Needless to say, any donations beyond the sliding-scale range will always be appreciated. There is no limit to Heart, is there?