Principles of True Economy - Jeff Vander Clute

by Jeff Vander Clute

1 April 2020 (Rev. 27 March 2021)

The last time I was inspired to write about money and economy (See: Money Is Alive and Well) was two weeks before the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak to be a pandemic. Now that much of the world has shut down economically, with serious consequences for millions of people, the concept of humanity’s Great Transition has suddenly become very real. At the same time I have been receiving visions in meditation with a new level of clarity, and I have a sense that these “downloads” offer clues that can help us to navigate through this turbulent moment in history.

Here are two of the powerful questions that I have been meditating on:

• What is a true economy, and what are its principles?
• What is money, and how does it support a true economy?

Humanity’s answers to these questions, and our often-unconscious beliefs about money and economy, greatly influence how we relate to one another, to other life forms, and to life itself. Now that the world economy appears to be faltering, a window has opened up during which we can reconsider our foundational assumptions, definitions, and beliefs about value and how society is organized. This is a golden opportunity to source different answers to the above questions by listening to the wisdom that exists within us. The responses we receive can provide a roadmap for thriving in the post-Coronavirus world. As we listen deeply and upgrade our notions of money and economy, we will co-create new economic and governance models that are better suited for life in the 21st century and beyond.

What follows is a set of interconnected understandings that came when I went still and invited the most awakened version of humanity to be revealed through the lens of economy and money.

What Is a True Economy?

The most successful economy will be an awakened economy, in which businesses and individuals interact with unprecedented levels of consciousness and love. When I asked the question “What is an optimal name for such an economic system?”, the phrase that came to me was “true economy.” Then, as I contemplated the nature of a true economy, I could see and feel that it has certain characteristics:

• Activities that benefit all and harm none are naturally supported.
• People and communities have immense freedom to develop their creativity.
• Human communities and ecosystems are uplifted by economic activity.
• Businesses prosper without compromising the web of life.
• People are supported in realizing their true nature.

In addition, I received a set of 11 principles for co-creating such an economy.

11 Principles of True Economy

1. Anchor Assets: The foundation of economy for each community, and each bioregion, is the health of its ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems attract and sustain life.

2. Leveling Out: A true economy keeps value flowing, eliminates unhealthy inequalities, and ensures that everyone’s basic needs are met ongoingly.

3. Generosity: The participants in a true economy always give more of themselves than the minimum because it feels good to do so. This quality of interacting increases the well-being of all.

4. Value Yourself: When you appreciate your own immense value within the web of life, you can more easily appreciate the value of others and their contributions.

5. Do What You Love: In a healthy ecosystem, there is abundant energy available to create everything you need by doing what you love to do and sharing the results.

6. Life = Value = Life: Life is the source of value and life experiences are what people value. There are countless forms of value, and they all contribute to increasing the quality of life. (What does not increase the quality of life has no value.)

7. Measure Health: By continually measuring, tracking, and improving the health of nature, people, and communities, it is possible to incentivize human activities that increase true wealth.

8. Money Spirals: The circulation of money through webs of reciprocity and beneficial interaction stimulates people’s creativity, adds life energy to the economy, and lifts everyone with each iteration.

9. Cultivate Wealth (in a deep sense): Grow and nurture assets, intentionally, that rise in worth as the well-being of people and nature increases. Harvest the wealth, consciously, distribute it fairly, and continue the cycle.

10. Protect People and Ecosystems: Conserve, enhance, and celebrate the upward spiral of healthy interactions amongst the natural environment, the built environment, and humans.

11. Mutually Assured Thriving: The structures of a true economy strongly favor activities and interactions that benefit all and harm no one. The thriving of one requires the thriving of all, and a healthy whole requires healthy individuals.

What Is Money, and How Does It Support a True Economy?

In a future article, we will explore a multi-part answer that came in response to the question “What is money, and how does it support a true economy?” Here are the key points that emerged from the inquiry:

1. A true money system is an expression of our ultimate interrelatedness.
2. Money is an agreement to care for one another and life.
3. The nature of money is unenclosable. Money finds ways around borders and other limitations.
4. Money channels unlimited creative energy into manifestation.
5. Money is the relational consciousness of the planetary superorganism, under the supervision of life.

Acknowledgement

The articulation of the 11 principles has been greatly inspired by LOVE TO, a leading-edge incubator and funder of regenerative businesses and business clusters. The LOVE TO group of companies is quietly pioneering the implementation of the new economy with partners who have understood these principles for a long time. Special thanks to Tim Bennett, founder of LOVE TO, for his co-creative assistance.

Related Resources

Money Is Alive and Well
Foundational Alignment: The Teaching of Money