Buddhist Geeks Dojo - Discussion
Buddhist Geeks Dojo
Causes & Conditions, modified 7 Years ago at 5/26/16 1:27 AM
Created 8 Years ago at 9/17/15 9:19 PM
Buddhist Geeks Dojo
Posts: 48 Join Date: 2/27/15 Recent Posts
I was wondering what people think of the BG Dojo. Part of me wants to join, but part of me is a little put off by certain things. Like you have to give them a credit card to sign up for a free trial, and then you're on that auto-renew preset. Or they say the price is 75 dollars a month, but when you click the button it is actually 100 and 75 is the scholarship price.
Is anyone a member? If so, do you find it worthwhile?
Edit: They've actually changed the way they describe the pricing now. They clearly state that the cost is $100 and that $75 is the scholarship price. I thought that it was worth mentioning because it was one of my criticisms, and is now no longer relevant.
Edit: I mentioned that I would report back on my experiences with the Buddhist Geeks Dojo, so here it goes.
Overall, it was a very positive experience. I'm still a member, and I think I will remain one for the foreseeable future. So why?
First a little exposition: I signed up as a core member. That means I had access to the main forum, which was mostly used for peer to peer group meditions and teacher led sessions. In addition, I had access to their library of previously recorded teacher led sessions, and a once a month one on one session with a teacher.
My two favorite things about the Dojo and my major reasons for staying a member were the one on one sessions with a teacher and their archive of classes/dharma talks.
I chose to work with Emily and found her to be an excellent and knolwedgable guide. Having an outside point of view really helped deepen my practice. She helped me see my practice in ways that I wouldn't have on my own.
Their growing archive of teacher lead sessions was also of huge benefit to my practice. They have sessions from outside teachers like David Loy and Daniel, as well as their own series on the topics like mindfulness. My favorite was a series on mindfulness that Vince did.
Personally, I'm not attracted to meditating with a large group of people, so I didn't do any peer to peer meditation sessions. But it did seem like plenty of members enjoyed that facet of the Dojo.
The user experience (the design of the dojo, exerience of using it) of the Dojo is pretty good, but can be a little bit confusing. Though I will say that is has been improving steadily. Since this is a first generation product, I think it's something they will work out.
If you're looking for a way to deepen your practice, I'd reccomend giving the Dojo a shot.
Is anyone a member? If so, do you find it worthwhile?
Edit: They've actually changed the way they describe the pricing now. They clearly state that the cost is $100 and that $75 is the scholarship price. I thought that it was worth mentioning because it was one of my criticisms, and is now no longer relevant.
Edit: I mentioned that I would report back on my experiences with the Buddhist Geeks Dojo, so here it goes.
Overall, it was a very positive experience. I'm still a member, and I think I will remain one for the foreseeable future. So why?
First a little exposition: I signed up as a core member. That means I had access to the main forum, which was mostly used for peer to peer group meditions and teacher led sessions. In addition, I had access to their library of previously recorded teacher led sessions, and a once a month one on one session with a teacher.
My two favorite things about the Dojo and my major reasons for staying a member were the one on one sessions with a teacher and their archive of classes/dharma talks.
I chose to work with Emily and found her to be an excellent and knolwedgable guide. Having an outside point of view really helped deepen my practice. She helped me see my practice in ways that I wouldn't have on my own.
Their growing archive of teacher lead sessions was also of huge benefit to my practice. They have sessions from outside teachers like David Loy and Daniel, as well as their own series on the topics like mindfulness. My favorite was a series on mindfulness that Vince did.
Personally, I'm not attracted to meditating with a large group of people, so I didn't do any peer to peer meditation sessions. But it did seem like plenty of members enjoyed that facet of the Dojo.
The user experience (the design of the dojo, exerience of using it) of the Dojo is pretty good, but can be a little bit confusing. Though I will say that is has been improving steadily. Since this is a first generation product, I think it's something they will work out.
If you're looking for a way to deepen your practice, I'd reccomend giving the Dojo a shot.
The Poster Formerly Known As RyanJ, modified 8 Years ago at 9/17/15 10:10 PM
Created 8 Years ago at 9/17/15 9:57 PM
RE: Buddhist Geeks Dojo
Posts: 85 Join Date: 6/19/15 Recent Posts
The baseline price is $15 dollars and $75/100? if you want one-on-one teacher training on top of the rest.
I'm not a member, but having been on BGeeks in its previous incantations it was an extremly high quality community, all things considered, when dealing with Homo sapiens sapiens. I'm floating around with lots of changes in my life so maybe someday I'll sign up, maybe I won't, I'm at a crossroads in my life, so I have no idea.
If you want to be like this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP3MFBzMH2o
But for the mind instead of the body, I'd recommend them and pay $15 dollars, or $75 dollars. I'm split between getting on this debate train of why there being money involved (Which it will no matter what) is not a huge issue and why Vincent Horn is not a manifestation of Mara and the great Satan of Capitalism, destroyer of liberalism, harbinger of ignorance, progenitor and causal factor for the downfall of The Dharma and forboding of Meitrya.
In other words, to someone looking for a community that's less of a wild west than the DhO, in the spirit of open discussion of meditation, with a mature dialogue of community and world class leadership and teachers and the mosts absolute cutting edge ideas, I'd recommend it and personally value the offer far above what they put the price at. Their time is worth vastly more than that imo, which is why I see it oppositely than many more diehard Buddhists who reject anything besides strictly donation based models.
I'm not a member, but having been on BGeeks in its previous incantations it was an extremly high quality community, all things considered, when dealing with Homo sapiens sapiens. I'm floating around with lots of changes in my life so maybe someday I'll sign up, maybe I won't, I'm at a crossroads in my life, so I have no idea.
If you want to be like this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP3MFBzMH2o
But for the mind instead of the body, I'd recommend them and pay $15 dollars, or $75 dollars. I'm split between getting on this debate train of why there being money involved (Which it will no matter what) is not a huge issue and why Vincent Horn is not a manifestation of Mara and the great Satan of Capitalism, destroyer of liberalism, harbinger of ignorance, progenitor and causal factor for the downfall of The Dharma and forboding of Meitrya.
In other words, to someone looking for a community that's less of a wild west than the DhO, in the spirit of open discussion of meditation, with a mature dialogue of community and world class leadership and teachers and the mosts absolute cutting edge ideas, I'd recommend it and personally value the offer far above what they put the price at. Their time is worth vastly more than that imo, which is why I see it oppositely than many more diehard Buddhists who reject anything besides strictly donation based models.
katy steger,thru11615 with thanks, modified 8 Years ago at 9/18/15 5:34 AM
Created 8 Years ago at 9/18/15 5:19 AM
RE: Buddhist Geeks Dojo
Posts: 1740 Join Date: 10/1/11 Recent Posts
There's no mara
One who needs to get something in return (e.g., status, money, role) for teaching these things has one type of learning.
One who gives freely understands the unconditioned, knows to share that in action.
Imagine being a kid in elementary school (you know, with civil rules). At one table some kids say, "If you give us your chocolate (soy =) milks, in exchange we'll tell you ways to use the playground." Maybe another person at the table gets an extra chocolate milk as they are nearly authorized to have their own table for organizing groups to use the playground. On the play ground people may collect up around their table group, "Is this how they said to explore the playground?" "We'll group up tomorrow and give our milks and discuss." The teachers receive their milk payments, listen and may weigh in on their plaground experience or advise the group to share as they listen; perhaps they discuss how their teachers played. Okay.
At another table (same school, prosocial rules) there is a group of people collected around eating their lunches together, drinking their chocolate (soy ;) milks, describing how they play on the playground; among them different levels of playground experience sharing equally, listening. A person who really knows the playground well and what can't be known/beyond playground is learning with a group of explorers on the playground. Next day, chatting over lunch together, drinking their drinks together the one with a lot of experience on the playground listens/ shares, too. Lots of ideas, no vetting, perhaps they discuss how other generations played, how a parent or aunt or someone who was really playful use to come up with the most-of-the-blue ideas. Each person understands, "We're all really looking for ourselves and sharing as a group." Eat lunch, drink beverages. Okay.
(Both groups can pitch into the school effort to plant a sustainable garden, protect wilderness areas, and to use less gasoline and use solar from responsible manufacturers. Maybe one group has learned 'we charge for things of this utmost value'. Maybe another group pitches in because they understand that what's beneficial is really great to share and encourage.)
One who needs to get something in return (e.g., status, money, role) for teaching these things has one type of learning.
One who gives freely understands the unconditioned, knows to share that in action.
Imagine being a kid in elementary school (you know, with civil rules). At one table some kids say, "If you give us your chocolate (soy =) milks, in exchange we'll tell you ways to use the playground." Maybe another person at the table gets an extra chocolate milk as they are nearly authorized to have their own table for organizing groups to use the playground. On the play ground people may collect up around their table group, "Is this how they said to explore the playground?" "We'll group up tomorrow and give our milks and discuss." The teachers receive their milk payments, listen and may weigh in on their plaground experience or advise the group to share as they listen; perhaps they discuss how their teachers played. Okay.
At another table (same school, prosocial rules) there is a group of people collected around eating their lunches together, drinking their chocolate (soy ;) milks, describing how they play on the playground; among them different levels of playground experience sharing equally, listening. A person who really knows the playground well and what can't be known/beyond playground is learning with a group of explorers on the playground. Next day, chatting over lunch together, drinking their drinks together the one with a lot of experience on the playground listens/ shares, too. Lots of ideas, no vetting, perhaps they discuss how other generations played, how a parent or aunt or someone who was really playful use to come up with the most-of-the-blue ideas. Each person understands, "We're all really looking for ourselves and sharing as a group." Eat lunch, drink beverages. Okay.
(Both groups can pitch into the school effort to plant a sustainable garden, protect wilderness areas, and to use less gasoline and use solar from responsible manufacturers. Maybe one group has learned 'we charge for things of this utmost value'. Maybe another group pitches in because they understand that what's beneficial is really great to share and encourage.)
CJMacie, modified 8 Years ago at 9/28/15 3:22 PM
Created 8 Years ago at 9/27/15 8:58 PM
RE: Buddhist Geeks Dojo
Posts: 856 Join Date: 8/17/14 Recent Posts
re: katy steger (9/18/15 5:34 AM as a reply to The Poster Formerly Known As RyanJ.)
Thanks, katy, for the milk-image; along with the buttered-brot (from bernd), that fills-out cherished memories of kindergarten-days.
(Minor qualification: the kindergarden memory was warm milk with graham crackers to dip in it; it was in elementary school that they served fresh buttered french bread daily with lunch. These being the only vivid memories of those times.)
The whole dana thing – I guess the modern way is to have your cake and eat it too? A new take on the 'middle-way'?
[edited for reference clarification]
Thanks, katy, for the milk-image; along with the buttered-brot (from bernd), that fills-out cherished memories of kindergarten-days.
(Minor qualification: the kindergarden memory was warm milk with graham crackers to dip in it; it was in elementary school that they served fresh buttered french bread daily with lunch. These being the only vivid memories of those times.)
The whole dana thing – I guess the modern way is to have your cake and eat it too? A new take on the 'middle-way'?
[edited for reference clarification]
katy steger,thru11615 with thanks, modified 8 Years ago at 9/30/15 6:04 PM
Created 8 Years ago at 9/30/15 4:27 PM
RE: Buddhist Geeks Dojo
Posts: 1740 Join Date: 10/1/11 Recent Posts
HI Chris,
There was currency and commerce in the time of Siddhatha Gautama.
People could spend panas in Magadha, the Indian kindgom in which Buddha/Buddhism arose, for example.
I don't know why people think that charging for a dharma is new, modern or cultural thing.
The cake expression you raised is an apt one for consumer societies: consumer, buy-sell.
We can look up the zipcodes of various consumption-dhamma/mindfulness teachers and see how many consumers they need to consume to have the average spending power (and to feel as economically capable as most of their neighbors) of their community:
Here are two Consumer-Vendor models for mindufulness/awakening/dharma/meditation coach in, say, ...
The whole dana thing – I guess the modern way is to have your cake and eat it too? A new take on the 'middle-way'?
There was currency and commerce in the time of Siddhatha Gautama.
People could spend panas in Magadha, the Indian kindgom in which Buddha/Buddhism arose, for example.
I don't know why people think that charging for a dharma is new, modern or cultural thing.
The cake expression you raised is an apt one for consumer societies: consumer, buy-sell.
We can look up the zipcodes of various consumption-dhamma/mindfulness teachers and see how many consumers they need to consume to have the average spending power (and to feel as economically capable as most of their neighbors) of their community:
Here are two Consumer-Vendor models for mindufulness/awakening/dharma/meditation coach in, say, ...
Sole proprietor dharma-vendor | |
$53,403 | Median household Income Los Angeles, California (90043), 2013 |
(131.9 | Mar. 2013 cost of living index in this zip code; high, U.S. average is 100) |
365 | days in year |
104 | weekend days in a 52-week year |
21 | ~three week vacation (21 days) |
240 | Working days (8 months) |
$222.51 | What needs to be earned per day for 240 working days |
$125 | coaching session (45 min to an hour?) |
2 | Number of Consumers vendor needs per working days in a year (240 working days) |
$250 | Vendor earnings from two Consumers per working day (1.75 hrs - 2 hrs of vendor labor per day) |
$60,000 | Annual income if vendor has two Consumers per 240 working days |
40 | The number of monthly consumers the dhamma vendor needs if selling all buyers a once per month coaching Where each Consumer pays $1,500/yr and buys 12 services/products @ $125/45 min-hr) |
20 | The number of monthly consumers the dhamma vendor needs if selling all buyers a twice per month coaching Where each Consumer pays $3,000/yr and buys 24 services/products @ $125/45 min-hr) |
Dharma-Vendor Subscription | |
$42,558 | Annual median household income Asheville, NC (home of the BG dojo) |
5.7 | % cheaper cost of living than average U.S. cost of living (=100-94.3) |
365 | days in year |
104 | weekend days in a year |
21 | ~three week vacation (21 days) |
240 | Working days (aka: one could work 8 months without break and take off 4 months without work) |
$177.33 | What needs to be earned per day for 240 working days |
$5,319.90 | Earnings vendor needs per month to earn median household income for Asheville, NC (there are 8 months in a 240-day work year) |
$100 | Consumer cost (Vendor earnings) for one "Go deeper"ADD TO CART subscription 1 teacher meeting and group activities ($75 for coupon students) |
$30 | Consumer cost (Vendor earnings) for one "intensify..." ADD TO CART subscription of group activities ($15 for coupon students) |
53 | The number of monthly consumers the dharma vendor needs if all buyers are "going deeper" for 12 paid months (8-month year) |
71 | The number of monthly bargain consumers the dharma vendor needs if all buyers buying "going deeper" for 12 paid months have a 25% coupon (8-month year) |
178 | The number of monthly consumers the dharma vendor needs if all buyers are "intensifying" for 12 pd. months (8-month year) |
355 | The number of monthly bargain consumers the dharma vendor needs if all buyers buying buying "intensifying" for 12 pd. Months with % 50 coupon (8-month year) |
(30) | The approx. number of Consumers the dharma vendor currently has "going deeper" ADD TO CART as of 9/30/15 screen view |
(12) | The approx. number of Consumers the dharma vendor currently has "…hair on fire" ADD TO CART as of 9/30/15 screen view |
(25) | The approx. number of Consumers the dharma vendor has in "establishing a practice" ADD TO CART as of 9/30/15 screen view |
$4,950 | estimated earnings for 10/2015 (as of screen view 9/30/15) from the |
((=42*$100)+(25*$30), without accounting for Consumers with coupons and tipping/sponsoring Consumers) | |