A few weeks ago, I informed some friends that I had decided to stop teaching meditation. Financially, it wasn’t working out, especially since I couldn’t attract enough participants to my online courses. My plan was to gradually wind down Wildmind and seek a regular job, so I began updating my résumé for the first time since 1993 and started looking for job opportunities.
Making this decision was tough and brought about mixed emotions. I felt sad about giving up something I loved and found deeply fulfilling. At the same time, I was anxious about re-entering the job market but also excited about the stability of a steady paycheck and relief from financial stress. Overall, I felt a sense of acceptance and even relief at letting go of something that hadn’t been financially viable.
I drafted a lengthy blog post to explain my decision, but I never published it. Just a few days later, I had a change of heart. I realized that Wildmind’s supporters had always been there for me and that we could transform Wildmind into a Community-Supported Meditation Initiative.
With the help of a few people, I refined the key concepts. The initiative would be community-supported, where people could sponsor shares to provide enough income to sustain Wildmind. Instead of charging for courses, which I was never comfortable with, we would make them freely available to everyone. In gratitude to my sponsors, I would develop new courses to support their practice.
Two weeks ago, I launched the initiative, asking the Wildmind community to sponsor 1,500 shares at $4 each. [Note: Shares are now $8 each]. Sponsoring shares would allow supporters to feel good about sustaining a website that has reached millions of people since it started in November 2000. This year, we expect over 800,000 unique visitors. Additionally, I will be making the 30 or so courses I’ve already developed freely available, which should provide a warm sense of accomplishment for supporters.
As a sponsor, you’ll get access to various benefits that we will roll out as we become fully funded. Shares are priced at $8 each, and every sponsor receives the same benefits, regardless of the number of shares they sponsor.
If you can afford to provide more support, it greatly helps our mission. Click here to subscribe to the meditation initiative.
Your support means the world to me. Already, I feel uplifted by the contributions and love expressed by the community. I’m eager to focus more on sharing my meditation practice with all of you, my community of sponsors, and extending the benefits of meditation to more people.
Thank you for your generosity and encouragement. It truly makes a difference.