Mar 11 (edited) • Program Q&A
What is Dana
Dana (pronounced “DAH-nah”) is a Sanskrit/Pali word meaning generosity, giving, or offering. It’s one of the foundational practices in Buddhist traditions, but this is not about handing over a few bucks to a good cause and calling it a day.
Dana is about giving as a practice, the kind of generosity that expands you, stretches your heart, and rewires your relationship with abundance. It’s not just charity; it’s an expression of who you are, a way to step into the flow of giving and receiving instead of clinging, hoarding, or feeling like there’s never enough.
If mindfulness is about awareness, then generosity is what we do once we’re aware. Once you truly see what’s present in your life—the kindness, the support, the resources—you can’t help but want to pay it forward.
Generosity trains you to live from a place of “enough” rather than scarcity. When you give, you affirm to yourself:
✅ I have something to offer.
✅ I trust that more will come.
✅ I am part of something bigger than just me.
When you give freely, you create the very conditions that make gratitude inevitable. You can’t help but notice what’s already flowing in your direction.
In traditional Buddhist settings, monks and teachers don’t charge for teachings. Instead, they rely on Dana—the voluntary generosity of students—to support their work. The idea is that the teaching itself is priceless, so instead of slapping a price tag on it, people give what they can from the heart.
That’s a radical idea in today’s world, where everything has a price, and we’re conditioned to evaluate “worth” in dollars. But Dana reminds us that value isn’t transactional—it’s relational. It’s about recognizing that we’re all in this together, supporting each other in ways beyond money.
The best guidance I've ever received on Dana is this:
"The student is encouraged to give the amount that would cause them no regret."
Your contribution, of any amount, is an act of generosity, and the amount is yours to determine. The program was given freely, and there is no expectation of a gift.
Suggested Dana amounts are listed on the linked page to give participants an idea of what a traditional offering might be for a course, but this is simply a suggestion and is in no way a required fee.
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What is Dana
skool.com/living-a-grateful-life-1910
The home of Living a Grateful Life in a Fcked Up World mindfulness meditation course. A place where all your resources, videos, links, etc. will live.
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