Comments on: How Spiritual Teachers Make a Living

By: Akemi - Yes to Me

Akemi - Yes to Me — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:25:08 +0000

Very thought provoking article.
The way I see it is — it really boils down to value. If a “spiritual teacher” is just rehashing some books, there is little value because I can read the books myself. But if someone can offer insights how to apply the teaching to my life from the kind of perspective that is hard for me to find (because, well, it’s about me, myself), and therefore enables me to change my life in a meaningful way, I’m all ears. No, I will run to that person to hear him or her.

And I understand that, at this time, we are in a money based economy. If that person can offer such valuable insights, they must be in great need. Because their time is limited, I understand the only way I can realistically secure their time for me is to pay them. Pay them well.

I don’t really believe in money. It’s just a way to make value exchange convenient. Right now, we are still using this money based exchange system.

So, practical or more abstract, if there is value, it makes money. If it’s just some rehash or wishful thinking, no. Plain and simple.

Akemi
Akemi – Yes to Me´s last blog ..My eBook On Spiritual Entrepreneurship

By: Mark Silver

Mark Silver — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:54:44 +0000

@Steven- I like the distinction between “good living” and “intention.” Nice.

By: Steven Handel

Steven Handel — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:27:32 +0000

Very interesting blog post. I tend to agree. Spiritual teaching comes from everyday living. Wealth is a byproduct of good living, not an intention.
Steven Handel´s last blog ..Six Aspects Of A Well-Balanced Person (Part 1)

By: Mark Silver

Mark Silver — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:00:35 +0000

Hey Samantha

I hear ya- and I guess you’ll find out if it’s enough. It’s not too late, however, to find a context and connect it. I mean… why do people want/need the spiritual stuff you’re teaching?

By: Samantha

Samantha — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:29:02 +0000

Mark, this is such an interesting post.

I think your advice about channelling the spiritual into a specific, worldly context is very valuable. But then I come back to the fact that actually, my field of expertise is the spiritual, not the physical. I don’t know how many options there are for me to ‘package’ what I offer in a practical way. I’m not a business expert, and I’m not really expert in another clearly defined field. I was a high school teacher once, but not anymore.

Maybe some of us have to teach the spiritual simply as it is. I aim, in my teaching, to guide people towards using their spiritual path to live life more fully and to be completely grounded in the physical, but my emphasis can only be on spiritual knowledge and techniques. I hope that is enough.

Bright Blessings

By: Mark Silver

Mark Silver — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:15:50 +0000

@Marilyn- helpful, eh? Me, too.

@Jen- I do believe that there are spots open for community leaders/spiritual leaders to make a living- holding a community is a real gift to those involved.

So many people, however, launch themselves out there as wanting to do “spiritual work” and they aren’t holding a community, they aren’t grounding their work in the physical, and then they wonder where the clients are…

Sounds like you have a wonderful teacher- and I bet she considers herself blessed to have you there as well.

By: Jen M.

Jen M. — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:08:32 +0000

This is an excellent post, Mark. This is a hot point of debate within my own spiritual community. It is really hard to quantify that kind of knowledge/energy.

I happily pay my spiritual teacher, who gives of her time, energy, and personal space in order to hold our classes. She has knowledge that she’s gotten from people who are not accessible to the rest of us, for various reasons: geography, not alive, etc.

I have no problem with people making a living as spiritual teachers, as long as they are doing so with strong ethics and are offering a real takeaway.

WTG!

Jen M., Maryland
Jen M.´s last blog ..Another reason to be angry:Knowledge is Power.

By: marilyn

marilyn — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:43:48 +0000

I wish I had knowledge of this years ago. Thank you so much
Gentle Winds
Marilyn

By: Mark Silver

Mark Silver — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:45:43 +0000

@Scott- Patience is a wonderful and necessary virtue on any path, I believe. And, that’s an inspiring story to share, so thank you! I honor people who walk that road, and pull it off.

There are different ways forward, and I’m glad folks are doing it all.

By: Scott

Scott — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:26:47 +0000

I know a spiritual teacher who does not charge a cent. He worked hard and practiced a program from a book called your money or your life, became financially independent so he could teach for free and use his time volunteering and helping people. So it is possible, it just requires time and patients, something most people do not want to work on. I know that everyone that meets this teacher has the up most respect for him and is baffled that he never charges for his service. I know many other teachers that do charge and they always have people calling the fakes or think they are into it for only the money. So for me the long slow approach seems to be the best. Plus living life as most people do before you teach makes you all the better at teaching people and helping them live a better lifes.