Amen!

  I had some cognitive dissonance for a while about money and dharma, but it was some time ago.  Thus, when I continue to hear about what a rampant problem it is, I am always somewhat surprised, since I consider myself to be a slow learner.  Thank you Ken for your erudite and yet humorous way of discussing this.  I can completely identify with the "fuck it or kill it" mode of the testosterone laden male, but fortunately have developed past that also.  Thus, I can sort of chuckle about this also, finally.

  It was easy (to me) to see why I had some issues initially about "money and dharma," because I tend to be somewhat of a perfectionist and to take things to their logical extremes.  However, in doing so with this particular issue, I noted the development of cognitive dissonance about "no money and dharma."  That did not fit either, since obviously dharma has value.  Plus coming from a Christian background, I was familiar with the parable that it is the "love" of money that is the root of evil, not money itself.  Later, as I further matured, I realized that if we really are going to raise the level of development of our country and world, it won't be for free.  It will take A LOT of money.  Think about how much suffering can be relieved by this.  I feel the cognitive dissonance about money and dharma wafting away as we speak....

  Anyway, I logic-ed myself into the money and dharma corner, but logic-ed my way back out.  I suspect part of it was that my perspective is not agrarian and was probably orange or perhaps green (value meme) at the time and so I did not have a lot of societal pressure to fight against.  Plus I've always been a hard worker and motivated to make things, as well as money, before I came into my spiritual maturity.  I guess I was lucky that way and so suspect that this made it much easier for me to reconcile this problem.  Plus, my goal was always making money to do something with it, usually some do-gooder thing, not just a BMW or a big home.  That has never turned me on, but lots of "stuff" does, such as tools and books, as well as classes on spirituality, as well as other aspects of my life.  I almost said "and the more practical aspects of my life", still tending to fall into the error of my old ways.  However, I also realize I have a way to go in this, since I still have somewhat of a problem with people with BMW's who are un-developed and enamoured with themselves.

  But to me, the real reason that I think that the people who have the money should be more than willing to pay for dharma teaching is because it is so valuable!  I find it ironic that many of us call enlightenment "priceless" and yet won't shell out the dough for it.  Without my spiritual learnings, my whole life would just be so much worse.  To be honest, it's saved my psychological ass many times.  I am approaching retirement age, yet have not had any of the mid-life crisis that many people have had by then.  I continue to try and make as much money as I can, since I don't see any harm in it or what I want to use it for, BUT I also know that if I don't get that money I'm still ok.  Thank you spiritual teachers!

  Thus, my spiritual learnings have paid off as my best investment and so I continue to reward spiritual teachers wherever I find them and continue to tell them how valuable the work they do is.  So, if you enjoy spiritual learning, please feel free to reward your spiritual teachers the way you would your dentist or physician.  Having been a physician for 25 years and a spiritual seeker for 30 years, I know that a high level spiritual teacher has probably put in as much or more time and effort as it took for me to be a physician.  So, next time you see a spiritual teacher, please acknowledge their expertise and pay them commensurrately....as you are able.

Yours,

Mike Breland, MD, PhD.

PS: I'm still waiting for the Integral Capitalism Arm of I.I. to step forward and be counted.  Maybe it is this "money and dharma" issue that is preventing this line of development.  I'll be asking Robb Smith about this on New Year's Day.  More than anything (IMO), I.I. needs an "income stream" generated by Integral Capitalists to support the I.I. related goals of world wide development (plus, of course, for "generous but reasonable" compensation of the IC's).  The developmental conveyor belt is running...what's coming out the end?  Amber?  Red?  Green?  Let's put our money where our mouth is (or fingers in this case) and get things moving along further.  How about an Integral Mutual Fund?  Doesn't that just make your mouth water?