From Money to Meaning
A Grand Dance and Journey to Inspire True Wealth
Dear Honest Men and Bonnie Lassies,
This is an attempt to inspire better writers than I (wid’nae be hard 😉😘) on a quest to tell the most epic of stories to transform our understanding of value and worth.
A long time ago, a Brother-from Another Mother (BfaM) asked me an intriguing question, “What is the most successful story of all time????..................”
The below is an image of this BfaM (produced by DALLE3).
Some more credit for the inspiration for this wee story is provided hereafter.
Once upon a time……
….there was a concept called money, and the vast majority of beings living on a wee rock floating in space believed it had intrinsic value.
One day, a bairn [Scots: small child] asked his Pure Parents (PP) before they set out from the house, "You always tell me that to give attention to something is the most epic gift, so why do you have to leave me every day if you say I am the most important thing in the world to you?"
The adoring PPs looked at each other, took a deep breath and PP-1 asked in return, “Are you being discontent without recognition?”
The bairn breathed deeply, recognizing the temporary uprooting, "I am here.” And nodded reaffirmingly, “I am curious."
"Guid!” PP-1 said smiling and explained simply, “We have to go to the center to earn money."
"What is the center anyway?"
"The bygone beings,” PP-2 interjected, “that were here before us (well-intentioned, or not) set up a system that we are all now bound to."
"It sounds evil."
"Evil is just a concept, and just like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder," chimed in PP-3. "Know that each time we go to the center, we stay true to our values and bring a wee piece of the center home with us so that we can spend more time with you, dear bairn."
"Eehhhh," the bairn responded, noggen clog’s churning, "do you like the center better than me?"
Shocked and chuckling, "Of course not!" exclaimed the PPs, stooping for the bairn affectionately.
"But considering the time we spend away from you, it is a fair question." PP-1 pondered.
Pleased and encouraged, the bairn asked, "Well, how long will it take for us to get enough of the center for you to be able to stay here?"
"The center is super-dense, but the story goes that money was meant, among other things, to be a tool to grant beings more time, freedom, safety, and security. However, the tool has, if you will, been bent over time. It was perhaps misdirected to pay for things like materials of death1 and other malevolent or useless things." PP-3 said thoughtfully. "But thankfully, the industries supporting the materials of death have long been dismembered, and it is said that the beings that served in them find it nigh on impossible to reach Nibbana2."
The bairn nodded knowingly.
"We trust our actions will relax the center over time, allowing you to spend more time with your children, and them with their children, and so on, until loving attention is realized as a vitally valued thing."
"But why do you all three of you spend your attention at the center and need so much money anyway?"
"Ahhhh, great questions, never stop asking them please!" PP-1 said lovingly, impressed.
"We actually don't need so much money," stressed PP-2, "but the system is set-up, so we have to give our time and attention to pay for things we use, like energy and the interstellar network to visit our families and friends and trade goods with our fellow beings."
PP-3 smiled wryly and said, "Money is actually just another concept."
"I am so grateful the bygone beings, at least, dismembered the industry supporting materials of death,” chimed the bairn.
“Aye, a regular entry for the gratitude journal, nae doot!” declared PP-1 with enthusiasm and continued, “poor fools wanderin’ aimlessly though - never findin’ their way tae Nibanna — like gaun’ roon-n-roon-n’roon wi’oot a place tae call hame.”
Shuddering visibly, taking a breath and bringing it back, “But, what exactly is a concept?" the bairn enquired.
“Nibbana’s another concept, by the way,” PP-2 continued. “A concept is like a magical idea that helps us understand how things work. If you can envision a secret code unlocking the mysteries of the multiverse, think of it as a treasure map leading to exciting adventures. Essentially, a concept can be language we use to communicate and explain things, enabling collaboration and the realisation of ideas. When used correctly, concepts become powerful tools for those on a quest for meaning, knowledge, and wisdom.”
"Ok, cool, but why did the bygone beings do this, and on purpose, and why do we continue down this path!?" the bairn asked perplexed. "Why not use another concept so we could be with our friends and families more — one that doesn’t take you away from me all the time?"
“Prudent, cautious self-control is wisdom’s root. Mibbe he’s aye, an’ mibbe he’s no.” offered PP-1.
The bairn screwed his face, "Whit?"
"Dinnae confuse the bairn." PP-2 said reproachfully before continuing, "Many beings are frustrated with the system because it requires spending attentive time at the center, taking away precious moments from being together with our loved ones.”
"Unless the one center is balanced, there is always a counter on the other side of the scales," PP-3 flashed his eyebrows with a mock-devious smile, "Concepts can also be manipulated to serve some beings' ideas to control the center."
Echoing frustration, "Aye, so why is it happening?" the bairn said.
"Probably for many reasons," PP-2 said caringly and thoughtfully. "Some beings before us were maybe told scary stories, were indifferent to others, believed the stories, and were driven by such fear."
"What do you mean?" the bairn asked clearly a little confused, but enraptured
PP-2 continued, ‘Perhaps these beings listened too closely to the voices in their heads or blindly followed other fearful souls, lacking the courage to question norms. Fear and ignorance might have driven them to seek false security by fixating on gaining favour, power, prestige, or wealth—losing touch with the source, their true essence and, or forgetting what truly mattered.’”
“They probably clung to thoughts without questioning their utility or examining their impact on behaviour.” PP-1 suggested and continued with further insight, “Unaware they were in a hall of mirrors, where the countless reflections distorted their self-image - no realising the trick was their true spirit was the clear space beyond the reflections.”
"They forgot to glow with the flow, man!" PP-3 made waves with his arms.
PP-1 chortling and continued, "Aye, right enough, that and they definitely didn't ask enough good questions or share time writing a gratitude journal like we do….” Doing their secret high-5s, they all chuckled together.
PP-3 continued his fluid movements, as if caught in a delightful current. “….and they forgot the most important things, " musing and releasing a wee, “laaaa-doo-dee- dooooooo….” From his mouth, jigging shoulders. In a final flourish offered, "They lost the rhythm of life, the ability to dance to tunes and enjoy a Shindig3”
"Aye, the art of inquiry appears to be dying, as is the ability to communicate awfy-weel, and therefore ideas couldnae be shared wi’ equanimity, which led to monoculture and a lack of knowledge and trust, but quite likely it was a wee bit of everything," PP-2 concluded.
PP-3 raised his arms and with feigned spooky magic fingers, "Mibbe long-gone beings put limitations on field consciousness and blindsided the Grand Architect spreading untruthful stories." Winking at the bairn.
"Aye,” PP-2 responded despondently. “Truthful or not, whether we like it or not, money is the most successful story there is - binding us to the center.”
“It is like an unyielding current.” PP-1 agreed, continuing, “Money sweeps us along, a story more potent than any myth or collective consciousness. We have clung to its shore for eons, unable to break free.”
"Why can't we tell a different story?" exclaimed the bairn exasperated. "When you get your instruments out, we dance and sing - there is nothing else!"
"Well, there is the challenge," PP-2 tabled kindly. "Someone has to be courageous and engaging enough to tell a story more compelling than money."
"Maybe we should write more songs about it - nudge the center and change others' consciousness," offered PP-1. "But aye, a different story wid’ huv tae, be wan that everyone wants or agrees to believe."
The bairn paced a bit, opened his mouth, closed it, strolled, and turned to face the PPs.
"There were Pure Parents that instilled their virtuous values in their bairns. The world was safe because the bairns showed their values by the way they lived and the stories they told, so trust and love flourished.
At the same time, over generations, Pure Parents brought pieces of the center home, wee bit by wee bit, until eventually the home and the church4 became the center.
The church [again, please refer to footnote 4 😍💙] and the home were where the Shindig flourished. By taking part in the Shindig, money was replaced as everyone's needs were met by one another through the supply of what is truly valuable."
"What of those that aggressively cling to the story of money?" asked PP-2 clearly impressed.
PP-1 tagged on a query too, "And what is truly valuable?"
The bairn had response in an instant, "We have to have empathy for those that act with hostility due to ignorance; otherwise, we will never rid ourselves of the nature of blame. True value is an abundance of attention for friends, family, and nature. Having to be tied to the center to get money is an awful story."
"Who taught you?!” with a little unabashed pride responded PP-1 smiling, “To me, that sounds like a much better story than money, but I am interested in how you would describe your idea of the Shindig concept, because money as a tool, bent or not, cannot be replaced by the Shindig as I know it."
Again, without a moment’s pause, the bairn replied, “We all need safety and unity, don’t we?” and continued, “With the wisdom inherited from our ancestral Pure Parents, and a deep understanding of the magic of field consciousness, perhaps we can gift the Grand Architect more lit paths.”
“Interesting,” PP-3 mused, “If the eye symbolizes omniscience, how do you suggest we enhance the vision of the Divine?”
“Perhaps if more beings were intrigued by the Shindig, the boundless celebration of shared values and stories, we could build trust,” the bairn pondered. “I don’t trust the center, but I trust you three with my life. Can’t we, with those we trust, fulfil each other’s needs and guide all beings to examine life? This is the only route to gain insight into the true nature of existence and liberation, to tap into field consciousness - so ye telt me ony’wie - and embark on a journey, on a path too slippery for clinging.”
"How auld uh’r ye wee yin?!” PP-3 poked, eyes wide, disbelieving.
“Seeking examination is monumental, and perhaps that’s the most we can hope for," thoughtfully pondering, PP2 continued. "Even though when Pandora got oot her box, it could be argued that hope's path offers something to cling to…." Shaking one’s noggen… "Regardless, true transformation lies within oneself, it is only through self-action that change," asserted PP-2 firmly.
"Aye, but life surely should be spent with loved ones or doing things we love!" the bairn said adamantly, with a calm and clear conviction only found tapping into present resoluteness. "To build a meaningful world together, I have witnessed each of you as C.H.I.E.F.(5)t’ains help strengthen bonds - I have seen it." With sparkling eyes the bairn went on, "When we pass, those who shared in the Shindig will continue the dance knowing they are free, limitless in their boundless imaginations - mibbe!?” Chin cradling, looking into the distance, “Mibbe doing so can shunty-shunty-punty their Pure Parents' into new, loving dimensions of Nibbana to explore."
"Nibbana has dimensions, does it? Sounds like you want meaning and flow, similar to what some might refer to as Nibbana, here, and now for us? Wee-C.H.I.E.F aw’reddies?!" PP3 tilted with raised eyebrows.
"Well, what else is there?”
The PPs started absolutely guttin’ themselves laughing.
Smiling with the joy he brought forth in his PPs, the bairn asked, “Well what is Nibbana to you?"
The PPs shared their insights, adding the most magical and loving embers to Prometheus’s fire6. This act illuminated a new path for Turiya7, also known as Bairn. Turiya-Known as Bairn (Turiya-KAB) became a torch bearer and C.H.E.I.F in the making.
Pure Parents, acknowledging Turiya-KAB with clear silence, gathered their instruments and, under a starlit sky, with a fire crackling, they turned their attention to their Shindig anew. They played, with stillness and darkness, their true colours shining through, crafting a narrative of a new center - home.
Blazing light dancing and songs resonating, rebirthed C.H.I.E.F.'tain Arahant8 Pure Parents focused their attention where it naturally flowed. Together, sharing one spiritual Shindig, shaping intense loving energy back into field consciousness, the story of Turiya-KAB was thus woven tightly into a boundless center of ineffable emptiness.
THE END(?😘)
There are, thankfully, many great story tellers. Can they please spin us up a story better that money? 🙏
Close to this post’s energy, I recommend the following exceptional storytellers:
Another BfaM (DALL E3 picture below) recently nudged this long-time-coming-post along by bringing government backed currencies back to my attention through a book recommendation, The Bitcoin Standard. The book, and the BafM’s brilliant wee post on Bitcoin, is definitely worth a read.
Mentioned in this Value Life Substack post, the Bitcoin BfaM also labelled
a Prophet. I would posit that Charles Eisenstein, at the very least, appears as one of the most genuine storytellers of our time.Mentioned before too, Dr Steven Greer is tremendous. He illuminates in his documentary The Lost Century: and How to Reclaim It. (And actually, Charles Eisenstein features prominently 🤔)
But arguably the greatest story tellers - I, to be honest, know very little about, but have reasons to believe - are the Freemasons ⚖
Major kudos and sincere thanks to the shortlisted. Compliments - aye! But perhaps a wee challenge an’aw 😉
Love
💙
Footnotes:
Materials of Death: As mentioned in this Value Life Substack post, this idea is meant to tackle anyone (knowingly or unknowingly) contributing to making a weapon that has any possibility to kill children.
Nibbana (or Nirvana in Sanskrit) is a Buddhist concept and essentially a state of perfect peace and liberation from suffering.
“Shindig”, mentioned in the Mini-series Finale Part 1.
In a previous a Value Life Substack Post, I hinted at an opportunity to redefine churches. To me, a church should transcend a mere physical structure and be both, an indoor, and outdoor “home”. A safe, inclusive center, where friends and family gather, all are accepted and loved and bairns have ample safe space to be free to inquire, all under the caring eyes of a community.
It’s a weekly haven of peace and a place to connect. A place to recharge, explore spirituality, celebrate life, recreation and sing songs — or, whatever the community may consciously arrange.
So, I guess it is another wee challenge of sorts to all beings and the Grand Architect: If “church” could be whatever one imagines it to be, given that imagination knows no bounds and is limited only by perceptions, what would an ideal church look like?
C.H.I.E.F.: The acronym stands for Ceremonial Host Invoking Everyone’s Fìor (pronounced: FEE-ohr, and is Scottish Gaelic primarily meaning: "true" or "real”). The C.H.I.E.F. concept will, inshallah, be further explored in the upcoming VL Mini-Series Finale. One who embodies a C.H.I.E.F. will nurture more trust and love in the world and this is, in short, the purpose of a “Shindig”. Open to anyone with a story to share, it is intended as a continually evolving concept that aligns with VL’s mission statement aiming to celebrate commonality, shared values and / or inspiration.
Prometheus’s Fire: In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity - the act symbolises enlightenment and knowledge.
Turiya: Another name for the true self. Deeply rooted in ancient texts from Hindu philosophy (like the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and the Chandogya Upanishad).
Arahant: A worthy one. One who has gained insight into the true nature of existence, achieved "enlightenment" and is liberated. The term is thought to derive from pre-Buddhist contexts in India.