MORE THAN PROFIT: Network Economies

3. Gift Economy

In the realm of building a gift economy culture, the seven rules articulated by the German/Brazilian Dragon Dreaming Trainer, Ita Gabert, offer a profound guide for fostering a society based on generosity and mutual support. These rules encapsulate the essence of social permaculture, where the interconnectedness of individuals and communities is nurtured, much like the delicate balance of a thriving ecosystem.

Social permaculture, at its core, encourages us to cultivate harmonious relationships and design systems that benefit all members of our communities. Ita Gabert's rules align beautifully with this concept, emphasizing principles such as honesty, care, and selflessness. They remind us that in a gift economy, the act of giving is not solely about material exchanges but also about recognizing the inherent worth in what we share and fostering genuine connections.

SEVEN RULES FOR GIFT-ECONOMY:

1. Be honest, just ask for or accept what you need.
2. Be aware, of how much lovely work is in the things you got - honour and care for it accordingly.
3. Pass on as a gift to another, all that you don’t need anymore.
4. Whatever you make or do, put your lifeblood in it and give it - let it go.
5. Look to the eyes when you give something, look to the eyes when you get something, and make of it a real meeting.
6. Be aware that when someone is giving, she or he is already getting something very precious - don’t over-celebrate (effusive-exaggerate) if you get it, but honour it appropriately.
7. Watch your emotions. If you find some greed, envy or egoism in you in either giving or getting - send these feelings in yourself, a smile.

The true gift is not merely a back-and-forth between individuals. A Buddhist tale tells of two who did this, and after their death, they were transformed into poisoned wells. A true gift is given selflessly as a result of fostering compassion through assisting in meeting the needs of others – a gift of time, money or even just attention. Ultimately gift giving is the source of all scientific and technical progress, where rather than “intellectual property” to be sold to the highest bidder, we community our discoveries by giving them away through meetings, conferences or publications. A true gift is given by the giver out of gratitude, not out of obligation, it is a part of celebrating who I am and who you are.

As we delve deeper into the discussion on key staff members involved in projects, it becomes evident how these principles can guide the competencies and experiences of individuals, enabling them to create meaningful and sustainable initiatives that resonate with the essence of a gift economy.