It's funny thing, this karma business.  Last year, the founders of Bioneers gifted us two tickets to the big event and when they heard that those tickets were paid forward, they gifted Guri and I with two more that couldn't be paid forward. :)  Completely unrelated to last year's event, this year we were tagged in an even grander way -- some philanthropists paid for nine tickets (theatre passes, meal tickets and the rest) and asked us to pay-it-forward to whomever we pleased!

Why us?  Well, it turns out that they dig the "ripple effect" and think that CharityFocus serendipities have got a flavor that they want to amplify. :)

So leading upto October, we got to play philanthropists and in a very unchoreographed way, nine remarkably diverse people go to roll out to the romp of inspiration:  two b-school grads from Berkeley's Haas, one "illegal" immigrant from Mexico, one nuclear phsyicsts turned carpenter, an educator in Oakland who is experimenting with innovative curriculum, a naturopath who is starting gift-economy health clinic, an executive from a 135-staff nonprofit agency, a fresh college graduate who was disillusioned by the climite crisis, a Greek powerhouse working at a non-violence center. 

The thing with the ripple effect is that you can't plan it.  You just sort gotta trust, and trust we did.  Prior to the conference, two of these nine candidates were entirely unknown to any of our coordinators!  Friends of friends, you know how it is. :)

Lo and behold, the unsolicited notes of gratitude started coming in right after the October event.  And bunch of them even got together to share notes, reflections and ideas ... and ways they can support each other in their be-the-change journeys.  I sense that we'll keep hearing of the ripples for a long time to come.

Before the event even ended, though, I got a "Hot Off The Press" email from Mariette -- French student who just graduated from Haas, who comes from a "world of capitalistic business" and who was "shaken to the core" by these three days:

Nipun,

I am profoundly and eternally grateful to the wonderful person who gifted my attendance to Bioneers.  I would be curious to hear his or her intention behind the gift.  I am the humble recipient of a gift of immeasurable and unexpected value to me: a gift of discovery, eye opening discussions, a deep dive into a world I know little, a definition of future path…

I come from a world of capitalistic business.  My parents worked like no other to achieve their American dream after moving from France with close to nothing to create a winery in Napa.  The values I was brought up with are those of hard work, success, profitability…  My parents also inculcated in me a high sense of responsibility, respect and morals.  Furthermore, as crazy as it sounds, I strongly feel that I've been put on this world to save it (or do as much as possible in that direction).  I have a profound love for people and the world that surrounds us (which also fuels my cultural exploration around the
globe).

Within the above seemingly mutually exclusive elements and additional personal challenges, I've been searching in the past few years for my calling.  While challenging, the search is full of rewarding discoveries.  Today, I am in a space where I have given this search to the universe and have opened myself up to hear what it is telling me. What better place exists from which to discover Bioneers?

The past three days at Bioneers have – most times strongly – pushed the limits of my beliefs and values.  Where is the line between nonviolence and violence?  Is the destruction of the profits and possible ripple risk of job loss considered a violent action?  When does activism become aggression?  Can activists and business leaders sit at the same table and be deeply open to listening to each other? Does change have to come from a place of protest and resistance?  Do the technologies for climate change really exist already?  At adequate cost?  Who is the judge of what is moral and ethical?  What is sustainable?  How can we translate, more directly and wholly, nature into financials?  What turns capitalism into 'disaster capitalism' as coined by Naomi Klein?  How can business impact sustainability and sustainability impact business?  On and on…  These questions have opened my eyes and heart to the stronger left and I have gained a much greater respect.  As my mother says, understanding breeds respect.

The past three days have also enlightened my 'calling'.  Maybe I have to be working at the intersection of business and sustainability.  I strongly believe the two can greatly impact each other positively. Seeing the weariness and unease each side has for the other as well as my deep respect for both and ability to translate between them, I could be a catalyst.  That seems like a daunting order.  And it sounds fascinating too.  May the universe continue to send me its intentions.

Over the past three days, I have been shaken to my core.  I cannot thank you enough for, in this unsettledness, I have rarely felt so settled and ready to receive.  I would love to see this chance provided to others who have the curiosity and open-mindedness but not the exposure.

Nipun, please send my deepest appreciation and gratitude to my friend, the graceful donor.  What a gift I have been blessed with.  I embrace the responsibility I feel coming with it.

My heart opens to all of you who have paved my path with joy and gratitude.  All my deepest love and thanks,

Mariette