Cost-sharing on a sliding scale model. What is the intention, motivation and how does it work?
In alignment with the values of creating The Garden of L.E.A.H. as a conscious and sustainable way of living, as an alternative to the current mainstream system, we open the space to support participants’ journey on a cost-sharing basis with a sliding scale model.
The intention is to invite value-aligned participants to co-create the space with everyone’s energies. Energies can be in the form of time, knowledge, experience, skills, positive attitude, and also seeing that money is just one form of energy that is needed to make this way of living sustainable. It is necessary acknowledge that it requires energy to train and hold space for participants to learn, share and grow. At the Garden of L.E.A.H., capacity-building of knowledge and personal growth is a priority, so there is opportunity to learn practical skills in the external physical world, and also to gain insights of our internal world.
At the same time, it is necessary to recognise that there is financial cost in creating the space which needs to be covered, and hence there is a ‘starting from’ amount that is asked for.
The sliding scale model allows for a circulation of energy whereby participants are asked to contribute generously and honestly within their means, in a way that allows for participation that is more inclusive. This is so that those who are able to contribute more can exercise their generosity to support the further growth of the space, and in turn support the participation of those who may not be able to offer beyond the nominal amount. As a point of reference, a conservative estimate of cost of living in Chiang Mai is between 150 to 350 baht a day. (An average ad-hoc manual worker is paid between 250 and 350 baht a day.)
The calculation of this cost is being adjusted as we continue to learn the many unpredictable or previously unobvious cost that arise during the learning process of creating this space. As we continue to learn to meet our needs directly from Nature and restore our most valuable currency of relationships with all beings, we can gradually minimise our dependency on the current fuel-dependent economic system that is not sustainable on many levels. This, of course, also entails a change in a consumerist and materialist lifestyle, which we will practice more together. With this intention in mind, we strive to minimise financial cost, practice contentment and creativity, while at the same time allow for a natural evolution of our priorities without compromising on the true quality of life.
With the perspective that money is only one form of energy, and one that has no intrinsic value, we shift our priority to value the energy of clean water, fresh air, healthy food from healthy soil, good sleep, fulfilling relationships, creative expressions etc. This practice helps to keep the financial need to a minimum as we explore ways to create an alternative economy of circulation and bring balance into the use of money as a form of currency in our social psyche today.
The financial contribution is not regarded as a fee (which is a payment made in exchange for a service or product or advice given) but a financial energy contribution for co-creation. Beyond the concept of a one-to-one exchange or transaction, healthy, resilient and authentic relationships of humanity and all beings can only be sustained upon a circulation of energy built on collective trust and genuine interdependence. Much like the concept of ‘pay it forward’, where the ‘beneficiary of a good deed repaying the kindness to others instead of to the original benefactor’. (Wikipedia) This form of circulation encourages the building of trust and an expansion of the sense of self beyond the concept of an individual to the larger collective.
After all, we are all in it together. 🙂
Garden of L.E.A.H. 