What is a debt-based currency?

A currency is a medium of exchange between two parties, while debt is the idea that one party owes something to another party. A debt-based currency is a medium of exchange between two parties, based on the assumption that something is owed to the other. All of the world’s fiat currencies are easily identifiable examples of debt-based currencies — though the idea of debt has for centuries served as a driver for human behavior.

At its root, debt is a cognitive construct.

How does a debt-based currency affect human behavior?

Debt-based currency creates relationships between two parties that exist solely for the purpose of repayment of a mutually acknowledged debt. Party A believes it is owed something from Party B. Party B believes it owes something to Party A. This mutually held belief keeps both parties engaged in relationship. Debt becomes the reason for relationship. When debt is the reason for relationship, a great amount of energy may be focused on the repayment of a perceived debt; as a result, focus may shift away from the fulfillment of basic needs for humanity and nature.

There are many reasons to be in relationship. Some of those reasons include: mutual enjoyment of shared interests and activities; a project of mutual interest and benefit to all parties involved; collaboration on a shared goal.

When two or more parties come together to work toward a shared goal — such as the construction of a series of houses — the strength of each and every member of the group supports the goal. Similarly, when two or more parties come together to enjoy a shared interest, the experience is most enjoyable when all parties genuinely enjoy the shared interest.

When two or more parties come together with the purpose of repaying a debt, or receiving a debt, disparate interests among group members can lead to behavior that creates unpleasant experiences. For example, the party repaying a debt may engage in activities that are not enjoyable — or even painful — in order to repay a debt. The party receiving the payment on a debt may believe that the repayment of the debt will lead to fulfillment of joy and happiness, though this is never the case.

Why?

As one human genome, it is biologically impossible for one human to benefit from the pain or suffering of another human. One human cannot receive genuine fulfillment due to the suffering of another.

Why do we continue to use debt as a currency?

Humanity has used debt as a currency for as long as the concept of exchange has existed. Even when currency was backed by physical gold, the basis for exchange was still debt. The idea of debt is deeply entwined with the cognitive process that serves as a basis for not only who we are, but how and why we live our lives.

The moment a debt is repaid, it no longer exists. When debt is the basis for our currency, and therefore our perception of wealth, the repayment of debt means the end of the currency itself. The idea of wealth and of control over one’s life circumstances, has become immeshed with the idea of debt. The holding of currency is equivalent to the holding of many, many, future promises to pay. The cessation of debts means the cessation of debt-based currency.

Giving up debt-based currency, and/or releasing all debts, is deeply rooted with the loss of one’s wealth, security, and sense of self. Moreover, many who have suffered to repay debts believe that others should repay debts as well. This concept is rooted in the idea that another’s suffering can validate one’s own suffering.

In order to move to the other side, we have got to process the pain at the origin of suffering itself. We have got to process the pain of believing ourselves to be separate to one another. We have got to put our differences aside in favor of a new form of relationship.

What is the new currency?

Our new currency, is collaboration. The purpose of collaboration is enjoyment. In order to reach enjoyment, our first order of business is to ensure that all of humanity and the earth itself, are thriving. While we cannot single-handedly shift the cognitive-emotional processes of humanity, we can instill a new relational template that honors the health and well-being of all parties as its basis for existence.

In order to truly do this, we have got to view currency through a new lens. Currency is not a medium of exchange between two parties. Currency is a flow of energy that emanates from one person to another. While the currency of the mind, operating in the idea of separation, will find reasons for another to suffer — or even die — in order to satisfy a perceived debt, the currency of the body, of the heart, which only knows union, will rush to another’s side in order to save the life of a stranger. The currency of the heart and of the body is instinctual, while the currency of the mind operating in separation consults belief prior to acting.

And so consider currency that looks like a group of humans coming together to achieve a common goal. The currency is the energy that each and every human brings to the common goal. It is by nature, amorphous and non-linear. The investment of our energy to rehabilitate polluted land in southeast Africa will result in abundance for not only future generations of inhabitants in and near that land — but for all of humanity. When one piece of humanity and earth are empowered to thrive, so too is the whole of humanity.

There is no need to model the monetary return on investment of a project like this, as we are not seeking a monetary return. We are investing in the health and well-being of humanity and earth. If earth and humanity were one shared project, we each are dividend holders who benefit from the flourishing of the shared project. Initially, this looks like: clean water, abundant nourishment, healthy plant and animal life, a humanity that is supported to thrive through the provision of basic resources.

Why is debt-based currency ending?

Debt-based currency is ending because it cannot functionally provide for the needs of humanity and earth. When debt is the basis for survival, energy is diverted away from our true survival, which is the health and well-being of humanity and earth. The compounding nature of debts results in a similarly compounding need for fuel; the only real source of fuel for debts are the resources of earth and humanity. This is why debt is a derivative. A derivative derives energy from something else, in order to exist.

Debt-based currency requires debtors, as well as creditors. Creditors need debtors, in order to remain creditors. Debtors need energy, such as physical strength and raw materials, in order to fulfill debts. A new cycle of debts must always exist, in order for the existing system to continue. The greater the debts become, the greater the next cycle of debts must become, in order to prevent the debts from collapsing on themselves. Debts require raw energy from humanity and earth. The greater the debts outstanding, the greater the raw energy required. This is why human and earth health is suffering at this time.

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