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November 2009 
Changing the world with Conscious Capitalism
Gaia Team
Siona (aka Synchronicity Coordinator) just had an interview with Axiom News. She talked about Zaadz and expounded on the concept of Conscious Capitalism.
Here's an excerpt:
AN: What can you tell me about conscious capitalism?
SV: We see conscious capitalism as being directly connected to that idea of living at your highest potential. Once you've found what it is you're meant to do--that constellation of talents and passions that make up your calling – the next step, obviously, is finding out how to get paid to do it. This – the idea of making a living doing what you love – is one of the easiest routes into the notion of conscious capitalism. Because doing what you love involves knowing yourself well enough to have a good understanding of your calling, and involves having the integrity to commit to that purpose. And conscious capitalism is about that very same insight and authenticity.
Of course, this has far-ranging implications: conscious capitalism includes everything from the current interest of spirituality in business to the incredible shift toward environmentally-friendly products to the increasing emphasis on values like transparency, accountability, and integrity in the marketplace.
AN: Where did the idea of conscious capitalism come from? How long have
you used conscious capitalism?
SV: It’s hard to say the idea came from anywhere. Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize winner who founded the Grameen Bank, used the term in the late 90s, but it’s
a movement that’s not owned by anyone. Instead, it’s started emerging in organizations and businesses and individuals all over. As to how long we’ve used the term, well, it's been at the core of Zaadz since the company began.
AN: What are some of the benefits that come with using a conscious capitalism model – both
from the standpoint of the business and the community?
SV: Conscious capitalism is sometimes described as being based around the notion of “enlightened self interest.” It has been said before that globalization means that we can no longer afford to ignore the impact our actions have on the larger world; if we don't have a healthy environment, we can’t possibly have a healthy economy; if we don’t have
a healthy community, we can’t possibly have a healthy market. The conscious capitalism
model understands how all these systems are interdependent, and how helping the larger good is not just a nice thing to do, but is essential to our collective survival.
Read more
All I can say is that, Siona is indeed a great communicator. It's a pleasure for me to work with her every day :)
posted by: ~C4Chaos
Access: Public
“Conscious Capitalism” is an idea who's time has come. What the majority of us do today to put food on the table is simply not in alignment with the world we are creating. A Spiritual life can't be left at home once we leave for the office.
Combining the innocence and sense of wonder that all children possess, i.e. play, with the energy and activities that sustain us … is definitely Spiritual.
Great article!!
K
The concepts of the triple P bottom line, and the win-win-win are clearly sensible. Good reading. Really inspirational.
One part of a Buddhist meal-time prayer that stopped my mind-still & has never let-go is:
…To think of the ways & means by which this food has come to us….
I multiplied that thought into every thing I buy, even the newspaper & at Thrift shops….
I think of the farmers who work the green fields amidst pesticides… I think of the truck trivers taking medication to stay awake to drive those long-hauls.. I think & I think of the many ways that my consciousness needs to grow to embody Conscious Capitalism…
Thanks for bring clairity to the statement “Finding what it is you love”
I understand the frustration and I admit I came to the IT profession for the money, not because I enjoyed the sleepless nights and the 2am phone calls from China because some server desided now would be a good time for a nap - it's the money. If I could give it all back I would…
What I know to be true: Consider first the prayer before placing it before the one who can provide your request.
I think my biggest question is, how do we promote the idea of “concious capitalism”? Is it something that can be taught in schools? Or must it be taught in communities and homes, because not all situations are different? This is the next step we need to figure out. Any suggestions?
Great post! Great Ideas! Although we don't use the term 'conscious capitalism' in our work I think we are certainly a part of the movement. The Sirolli Institute has been helping people for over 20 years to turn what they love to do into a way of feeding their family - and encouraging the local community to support this by developing volunteer panels who offer advice, guidance and other resources.
The methodology we use is Enterprise Facilitation® a social technology that has started to be recognized as a viable complement and, at times, an alternative to traditional top down economic development strategies.
Enterprise Facilitation is based on the passion, entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity found in every community, and the fundamental needs for love, respect, quality and beauty of every individual who lives there.
The “economy”, to us at the Sirolli Institute, is nothing less than millions of people doing beautifully what they love doing. The better they are at it, the better the economy! The difference between poverty and riches is the presence of civic society, i.e. the combination of social conditions and reciprocity which allow creativity and intelligence to blossom.
“Conscious capitalism is merely the process of paying attention to our economic activity in the world, and making sure our financial actions are in accordance with our personal values.”
Thats right on-target with whats needed for progress, yet the need to be more aware includes awareness of the actions of our government. If our tax dollars are being used for an unjust and illegal war that has killed tens of thousands of women and children, how can we be conscious capitalists about that? The answer is we need to become active activist citizens and not ignore what are government is doing, we need to speak out against the misuse of our money for tyranny, unjust war, etc. I expand on all this in my blog.
Peace
Hi Siona:
” Conscious capitalism as being directly connected to that idea of living at your highest potential. Once you've found what it is you're meant to do-that constellation of talents and passions that make up your calling - the next step, obviously, is finding out how to get paid to do it. This - the idea of making a living doing what you love - is one of the easiest routes into the notion of conscious capitalism. ” I'm really sold on this ::::::)
Nicely elaborated abt CC … If anybody's actions harm / hurt others in the business of living, surviving, any economic activity or any activity for that matter; Can it bring lasting peace, health wealth and success to the person …?
A Big Nooo …
This Nature Law is at the root of Right Living or art of living or CC; So taking care of our customers, employees, environment, ecology etc everything falls in place; we are not separate / isolated living beings and are united or inter-dependent species and affect others and ourselves by our actions / mis-actions, so while it is Conscious or awareful economic or financial activities, it is rooted in Laws of Nature governing the Universe. Operating from the field of Pure Consciousness is its operating principle and before doing that, we need to reach and live in that pure consciousness - field of right awareful / pure actions … Are we ready …?
Let us further explore with various models and tools for implementation, but ALL I can say is without holistic participation by all, it will remain a challenging proposition to implement and practise, but let us do to whatever extent we can; Better started and at least well began … let us hope for the best :)
I also draw your attention towards the following write-up :)
http://breathtaking-lifepositive.zaadz.com/blog/2006/12/right_education
Be Happy
a vish …