Listen to Gayle reading the blog aloud.
Hello my friend,
Come closer in for a twirl on the dance floor. We may get dizzy.
There’s a conversation I long to have with more people, but so far, I’ve only engaged with my spouse.
It’s a debate (some might say argument) we have about concentrated wealth in the hands of one person.
We name names. Gates, Bezos, Musk. We discuss the fringes of personal freedom, how much is enough, and generosity. I declare that this wealth, far beyond multi-generational need, inherently permeates our culture with practices and policies of “power over” and control. My spouse insists that we don’t solve wealth inequity and systemic financial problems by redistributing wealth.
Are your triggers flaring?
Is your breath stopping?
Are your jaws tightening?
There are big and bigger issues to consider. But I want to look at just one thing.
Look at just this: What happens when one person wields this much power and control?
Because we do realize that such financial wealth is “power over” and control, don’t we?
We can see this truth by looking at someone who handles immense wealth in a way that isn’t “power over” and control.
Mackenzie Scott, Bezo’s ex-wife, is my modern heroine rocking the boat on philanthropy. True, she fits the description of concentrated wealth, which comes from her failed marriage to the Amazon founder. As of late last year, she is the 22nd wealthiest person in the world.
But unlike most of the known mega-donors, she’s giving away differently – in a way that releases “power over” and control.
In November 2021, The Economist examined her gifting behavior after her marriage collapsed and she began to distribute her millions. Like many wealthy individuals, she signed The Giving Pledge, promising to give most of her money to charitable causes.
Instead of the typical bureaucratic, top-down approach-creating a foundation, with myriad rules and regulations, controls and restrictions, she follows a few simple principles, which I define in these three words:
Generosity, Trust, and Respect.
Her intentions are seen in her fresh way of giving:
- spraying large sums of money to many smaller nonprofits (fewer than 50 people)
- hiring a team of philanthropic advisors to help find worthy causes
- trusting the people on the ground to know more than her about the charity
- forgoing a “heavy hands” approach to organizations’ operations and funding allocations.
The recipients of her good fortune and generosity feel respected by her trust in the good work of the organizations and the wisdom of people who are trained to run them.
Generosity, trust and respect are experiences and feelings lacking in the world these days.
But surprisingly to me, her philanthropic methodology has been met with criticism.
Why? Because she forgoes transparency in the process.
Her philanthropic advisors are kept secret to avoid con artists. And since she is bypassing the typical foundation approach for these large sums of money, giving the way most mega donors do, she does not need to follow the typical reporting rules and regulations. A notable Stanford academic says her approach is insulting to democratic citizens because she wields such power.
What I see as unrestricted generosity held in trust and respect, others call secretive, undemocratic and masking power. How fascinating.
Both views are true, depending upon how power and control are defined.
Is it controlling to give away money without restriction on how funds are used?
Is Ms. Scott showing “power over” by giving away money outside of traditional foundations systems?
Could the systems and structures themselves be a form of control in the guise of transparency?
While time will demonstrate the results of her approach, Ms. Scott has become one of the most generous philanthropists in history. In 12 months, she’s given more money away than any other mega-donor.
I’ll keep slithering into the nuances of concentrated wealth. I’ll continue more conversations with my beloved, including how we accumulate wealth, where does wealth come from, what creates healthy wealth, and what constitutes entitled wealth.
If you are moved, please drop me a note revealing your thoughts about generosity, trust and respect in our charitable practices.
This conversation is expanding and not going away, especially as we feel the world’s suffering. Our lens for giving is changing.
What are we giving?
What gift has the most value?
How is this gift truly healing and helping? We all benefit from giving what we can, and asking for what we need. That’s one of my favorite lines from The Seven Whispers by Christina Baldwin.
Oceans of Peace,
Tiny Body Practice
Peace. Peace. Peace.
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
I don’t remember many lyrics from Church hymns, but I do this one. I sang these lyrics as a child often before going to my Sunday School classroom. Recently in a prayer circle for Ukraine and Russia, they returned.
Inspired by war, I offer a Tiny Practice encouraging peace. Peace within us creates Peace outside.
Begin with an intention to Be Peace. If it helps, picture yourself as a Peaceful Warrior. What does she/he/they look like? Say to yourself,
I am a peaceful warrior. I generate Peace within and Peace around me.
The Practice
Bring attention to the envelope of your skin.
Recognize the shape of your body.
[This is You.]
Take three breaths allowing your exhale to be longer than your inhale.
Recognize the rhythm and movement of your breath.
[This is You.]
Bring attention to your heart-space with your awareness and breath.
Recognize your special heart energy.
[This is You.]
Focus your attention on your heart-space imagining diamond light brightening.
Recognize your light as Peace.
[This is You.]
Beam your light in all directions, feeling sensations in your body.
Recognize the felt sense of your Peace expanding.
[This is You.]
Claiming Peace as You, generate Peace around you.
Recognize Peace. Be Peace. Generate Peace.
[This is You.]
Make a vow: Let there be Peace on earth and let it begin with me.
Reflect upon these Wonder Questions:
- Who represents Peace to me?
- What represents Peace to me?
- Where (in what location) do I feel Peace?
- Where (in my body) do I feel Peace?
- When is Peace flourishing?
- Why does Peace matter?
Deepening Practice
Peace. Peace. Peace.
by Gayle | Mar 24, 2022
Hello dear friend,
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
Two weeks ago in my blog I offered this line from the well know lyrics of a Church hymn. As the war rages on in Ukraine, these words remain strong in my belly, loud in my head and resilient in my heart – just as I perceive the Ukrainians fighting for their country and freedom for all of us.
Peace within us creates Peace outside. It’s true.
Have you ever noticed a peaceful person and felt calmer and more settled?
Have you ever been the peaceful person and noticed others softening?
Even if the above doesn’t make rational sense to you, I invite you to try this Tiny Practice for the next week, or month. Sometimes my guide for a decision is this: it won’t hurt, so why not?
Tiny Body Practice
Peace. Peace. Peace.
Practice Preparation:
The purpose of this practice is to generate Peace. Do this practice for a minimum of a week, and add weeks to your practice as you choose.
Begin with an intention to Be Peace. If it helps, picture yourself as a Peaceful Warrior. What does she/he/they look like? Say to yourself,
I am a peaceful warrior. I generate Peace within me and Peace around me.
Listen to the practice.
The Practice:
Bring attention to the envelope of your skin.
Recognize the shape of your body.
[This is You.]
Take three breaths allowing your exhale to be longer than your inhale.
Recognize the rhythm and movement of your breath.
[This is You.]
Bring attention to your heart-space with your awareness and breath.
Recognize your special heart energy.
[This is You.]
Focus your attention on your heart-space imagining diamond light brightening.
Recognize your light as Peace.
[This is You.]
Beam your light in all directions, feeling sensations in your body.
Recognize the felt sense of your Peace expanding.
[This is You.]
Claiming Peace as You, generate Peace around you.
Recognize Peace. Be Peace. Generate Peace.
[This is You.]
Make a vow: Let there be Peace on earth and let it begin with me.
Reflect upon these Wonder Questions after your practice:
- Who represents Peace to me?
- What represents Peace to me?
- Where (in what location) do I feel Peace?
- Where (in my body) do I feel Peace?
- When is Peace flourishing?
- Why does Peace matter?
Post Practice:
Grab a notebook at the end of your week and journal answers to these questions:
- How has Peace supported me this week?
- What have I noticed in my relationships and others this week that is new?
- Where does Peace abide in me?
- What am I willing to commit to in service of Peace for the world?