DESCRIPTION

In recent years, we have seen more and more people beginning to wake up to the reality that our current capitalist, market system of economics is unsustainable and the source of much suffering and destruction. Yet, it is so pervasive that one community member once reflected that “it’s easier to imagine the end of the world than it is to imagine the end of capitalism."

The competition that leads to fractured relationships, the hyper-individualism that leads to isolation and the hoarding mentality that leads to poverty and the destruction of earth’s ecosystems are no longer tolerable. And yet, it seeps into our communities, nonprofits and social movements because it is all we’ve ever known.

At the same time, communities all over the world are reclaiming ancient practices that are rooted in earth’s natural systems of reciprocity, generosity and sustainability. The Gift Economy is one such model.

The Gift Economy is an experiment that has taken root in many individuals, communities and organizations throughout the world with many different manifestations. For many, it is a way to help bridge the gap between the reality of the world we live in, and the vision of the world we want to create.

Come join us for this two-part exploration. Participation in both sessions is encouraged, but not mandatory.

Please register for each session individually.

Register for the workshop at the bottom of this page. 

Register for Part 2 HERE.

Part One: Workshop
Tuesday, January 25th, 2022 - 4PM-6PM PT

In part one of this series, we will explore the model used by the East Point Peace Academy, which has been building an organization grounded in the Gift Economy since it was founded in 2013. Thousands of people have come through our doors, and we have done so without ever charging a fee for any programming. 

East Point founder Kazu Haga will share the principles and practices of the Gift system as interpreted by East Point Peace Academy, and facilitate small group discussions on how you can bring the Gift Economy into your life and work.  

Part Two: Panel Discussion & Conversation
Saturday, January 29th, 2022 - 4PM-6PM PT

In part two of the series, we will hear from three people who have woven the Gift Economy into their work. We will hear about their understanding of the principles and values of the Gift, the nuts and bolts of how they have used the system, and it’s benefits and challenges.

We will hear about how this system is being utilized to support an individual practice, a nonprofit organization, and a community driven yoga studio. Panelists will include Cassandra Shaylor from East Bay Meditation Center, Pranidhi Varshney from Yoga Shala West and Astrological Counselor LiZhen Wang.

Click here to register for the panel.

Workshop Facilitator:

Kazu Haga
Born in Japan, Kazu has been engaged in social change work since participating in the Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage at the age of 17. He would go onto spend one-year living in Buddhist monasteries throughout South Asia studying the relationship between nonviolence and Buddhist dharma. He has over 20 years of experience in nonviolence, restorative justice, trainings and organizing and has been trained by elders such as Dr. Bernard Lafayette and Rev. James Lawson.

He spent over 10 years working in social justice philanthropy while being directly involved in many social movements, from the Global Justice Movement of the late 1990s to Occupy Oakland. He has been a Kingian Nonviolence trainers since 2009, is a Core Member of the Ahimsa Collective, a board member at PeaceWorkers and is the author of Healing Resistance: A Radically Different Response to Harm.

This event will happen virtually using the Zoom online conferencing platform. If you are not familiar with this platform, click here for instructions.

THIS IS AN EVENT BEING OFFERED IN THE GIFT ECONOMY. NO FEE IS BEING REQUESTED, BUT DONATIONS TO EAST POINT PEACE ACADEMY ARE WELCOME.