In Geneva, it was noted in the opening remarks that the theme of TheSpirit of Money and the Divine Circulatory Flow can be associated with two almost contradictory words: crisis and creativity. The financial crisis and global economic circumstances we live in is the materialization of the current global crisis of conscience. But today the human mind cannot remain imprisoned indiscriminately in the traditional shackles, financial and institutional, which not long ago seemed obvious and unconditionally acquired.
It was also noted that an individual who raises awareness of the human needs of his time thereby becomes receptive to higher vibrations and is able to resonate with spiritual energies. By questioning the validity of financial, cultural or religious behaviour, such individuals can take the path of creativity, presenting the opportunity to imagine and intuitively visualize a new framework of life that transcends the cultural field. Money is a symbol of material creation and the realization of desires, and is too often a crystallized energy. Raising the vibrational frequency of energy, we naturally produce a change in its expression. So this poses the question, what is the quality of the Spirit that may live in the new model of money?
The guest speaker, Mr Jean-Luc Roux, proposed that those who pioneered the investigation of, and exploitation of, the material world, have brought much material progress, but at the same time, extremes of inequality. There is therefore a need for a systemic approach in order to tackle this. And he suggested that we need to think about moving from material to immaterial abundance, leading to true human happiness.
Roux proposed that complementary currencies offer one part of the solution, especially those which devalue over time, thus stimulating exchange and discouraging hoarding. Two examples of complementary currencies are the Saber, proposed by Bernard Lietaer to facilitate learning in the Brazilian school system, and the Fureai Kippu, which makes healthcare for older people more affordable in Japan.
Roux ended by noting that, two years after the financial crash of 2008, since coming to the aid of the traditional banking system, the coffers of nation-states are empty. According to most governments, "traditional" areas where savings should be made first, are the non-productive areas: health, education, culture, environment, etc.. He felt that experiments with complementary currencies can be real and effective responses to possible collapse in the mechanisms for financing these sectors, and also, a basis for further social and spiritual ties.
In the concluding remarks, it was noted that the Benedictine monk Brother David Steindl-Rast has written the spirit of gratitude is the heart of prayer. Thus, gratitude is the key to any spiritual action because it leads us to treat every moment or situation as a gift which we welcome as fair and appropriate or because we have an opportunity to respond creatively to need.
