Book Club: Post Capitalist Philanthropy: Healing Wealth in the Time of Collapse
“Post capitalist philanthropy is a paradox in terms. A paradox is the appropriate starting place for the complex, entangled, messy context we find ourselves in as a species.
– Anloor Ladha and Lynn Murphy
Key Details
This series will meet for four weeks on Saturdays from 8:30-9:30 a.m. PDT (UTC-7) beginning May 10th.
All meeting dates are: May 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st.
This offering is shared on a tiered based contribution scale. No one will be turned away due to financial need.
This course will be recorded and recordings will be shared with all registered participants.
Series Description
In this four week series we will read and reflect together on the book Post Capitalist Philanthropy: Healing Wealth in a Time of Collapse.
In the text authors Alnoor Ladha and Lynn Murphy help readers to first understand the history of wealth accumulation and the logic of late-stage capitalism, including philanthropy. Then, through alternative ways of knowing, sensing, and being, they offer life-centric models on how we might change the ways we perceive our relationship to a dynamic, animistic world and cosmos. For example, in the case of capitalism, systemic change goes beyond mere redistribution of wealth, but is dependent on a fundamental shift in relationship. Instead of relationships being shaped by transaction and trauma they must be based in recultivation of life force, creative collaboration, compassionate care, and authentic being.
Although centered on the systems of capitalism and philanthropy, the structure of the text (recognizing paradox, moving into possibilities, shifting the mode of logic, and walking into the unknown) is a helpful framework for investigating and shifting other systems for which we are entrenched.
Participating in this book group would serve as a nice foundation for the Revolutionary Dharma for These Times series, hosted by Thanissara and Sumedha with guest facilitators that will begin in June, which will explore more deeply the systemic roots of our times and the potential for paradigm shifts.
Order the Book
Available from Darajapress in PDF, EPub and print version
Facilitators
emerson (they/them) is a staff member of Sacred Mountain Sangha. In addition to their love of dharma, they have a background in environmental stewardship and creative writing. Their queer, ecological, dharma, and writing interests are currently being expressed in an ongoing project exploring the liberation possible when an eco-queer lens is applied to the Jataka Tales.
Shani Jayant (she/her) is an Indian-German American based in the Bay Area, a trained Buddhist chaplain and eco-chaplain, former radio DJ, and researcher exploring disability and technology. She practices with Insight Meditation Center and Sacred Mountain Sangha, where she completed the Dharmapāla training and now serves on the board. Her work and practice center on deep belonging—to each other and the natural world.