For decades, I have worked in social change organizations and groups. There was often an unspoken divide: the activists or the staff, and the donors or funders. Even when everyone cared about the same mission, it could still feel like an “us and them” dynamic. The people with the money often carried more power and influence.
When I first encountered Wisdom & Money, I was intrigued, especially by the idea of engaging money as part of personal and spiritual transformation.
But I also thought: “This really isn’t for me.”
Three years later I found myself on the Wisdom & Money board and this year stepped in as chair… but that’s a whole other story. Here I want to share my experience of our March Board & Staff Circle Retreat, where I experienced something new.
Transparency across differences
During a guided meditation as part of one of Wisdom & Money’s transformative money practices, we were invited to speak openly about our giving. People shared honestly—across very different financial realities—about what they could contribute and why.
I shared that I gave $35 a month. At times I felt that amount was small. But in our circle, I did not feel that way. My contribution mattered because I was genuinely part of the “we.”
I was so moved by being in a space where the power of people’s voices was not tied to the size of their bank accounts. There was a real sense of partnership even across financial differences.
The experience of working together across social constructs such as race, gender, power, and class is indeed transformative. For me, this sense of deep partnership is made possible by Wisdom & Money work, which intentionally creates a strong foundation of relationship.
We went deeper into all of the practices: contemplative—deepening our connection with the Divine and with one another; money—building clarity, transparency, and shared responsibility; and the BPEM—supporting our ability to listen consciously to each other.
Each practice promoted self-awareness, creating the conditions for us to work together and relate to one another with greater alignment and mutual understanding.
Recharged for the work ahead
That experience stays with me.
After 50 years of social change work, I know how rare it is to find spaces that truly work across differences, not just in theory or what we envision, but in practice.
Experiencing that kind of collaboration and true partnership gives me energy to keep “doing the work.” I continue to see that something different is possible for the world.
It reminds me that lasting social change requires something internal: consciousness of how we see ourselves, each other, and what we can create together from that sight.