RE: Should mediums/readers charge a fee?
Beyond mediumship once more, it's quite a complicated subject actually. Have discussed it at length with Ramakrishna Order friends who never ask for money - but it seems to come to them anyway. However it is never for their personal use, and they'd use it to upkeep a monastery or help tsunami recovery.
Again, I vaguely know a major New Age-style figure who makes a lot from her books and workshops - but has almost nothing as she ploughs it back into good works.
I'm also part of a group who are really seeking serious money and often are - but this is for the building of huge temples.
So it's a question not only of how much comes in, but how it is used.
astra and I elsewhere have discussed a highly "fave" spiritual teacher we know of. He's a true expert. But he mainly teaches groups in his (crowded!) flat, and so far as I recall there may not even be a collection box around. He's just giving.
Which is true beyond all spiritual groups, and mediumship as well...in the world at large.
RE: Should mediums/readers charge a fee?
Hi All,
it seems as with everything there is difference of opinion here...such is life.
I particularly like Venetian's view, more to my way of thinking and opinion.
To me, being able to ''read" , to be " spiritual", should be classed as a "gift" that the possessors have been blessed with.
I have encountered so called spiritual people that are anything but spiritual and make a living preying on the gullible, the desperate and those in search of healing, not to mention they are quite nasty types also.Extremely money orientated, materialistic,promotional websites..(full of falseness), building homes in Spain..(where at times they go to "recharge the batteries" i.e..have a fun in the sun at the expense of the gullible, etc.) before returning to the source of income.Just seems anything but spiritual to me, more a calculated rip off.
As Venetian states, in the East it appears much more trustworthy and honest and they haven't fallen for the Western mode of money grabbing.
Yeah, we all have bills to pay and so on but, and not making a saint out of myself here, I run a business here in Oz and had some Afghan refugees staying on my property for a while. One of them wanted to learn English, I spent an hour in the evening and more at the weekends teaching him. Didn't charge him, just felt I was helping someone in need, simple.
As I said, seems a "gift" shouldn't be abused for financial gain.
Have always been curious as to how, for example at SNU, people can be trained to be platform mediums.....is it a gift or can anyone train to do it?
If anyone can train to do it then it seems odd.....not eveyone can be a salesperson but with training they can be, but then that's not being spiritual or professing to be, that's genuinely training for a job in the real world. So, are they "gifted" or not?
And, as for being able to contact the dead, well.....[sm=eeeK.gif]
Hey, not intending to offend here, just my thoughts and observations........
RE: Should mediums/readers charge a fee?
Hello David,
When I used to run my development circles from my home, I never, ever charged for my time or teaching.
Love,
Patsy.
xxxxx
RE: Should mediums/readers charge a fee?
Hello seekingpeace,
The charging element of spiritual readings really depends on circumstances. Not everyone who charges for readings is ripping off. It is easy to say that to plough the fees back into good works is what should be done, but not when one has to give a reading in order to buy food, a position which I have personally been in. The readers whom you describe are obviously out for the cash and anyone with a modicum of sense would give that lot a wide berth. Higher fees don't necessarily mean a better reading, as I have said before. Employing a medium is like employing any other professional. If someone calls me and requests my services, then I tell them how much it will be. They are employing me and my time, and paying for my skill and training. Having a gift is one thing, but I worked hard and trained hard to perfect the art of giving a reading; just like I worked hard at becoming an accountant and geologist, both could be argued as being 'gifts.' I expect to be paid for my accountant's skills, in the same way that I would expect to be paid for the work I put into training to become a competent medium. There is no difference, in my view. If one has had an excellent reading and is prepared to pay the medium's asking price, what does it matter what the medium then spends his/her honest wages on? When I receive my salary each month, I often spend some of it on new clothes, meals out, etc. Why should earning a wage when a working as a medium and spending it on things that the medium needs when doing readings be any different?
Although everyone has a psychic ability, not everyone is suited to platform work. I am a trained platform medium, and it really is an art form. One has to have an element of showmanship, delivery and personal confidence. Even though people possess a spiritual gift, not everyone has the ability to deliver it properly. This is what Spiritualist churches pay for when they employ a platform medium. Being a medium per se is a trained art, not everyone can do it.
Contacting the dead? How can anyone contact a dead person? Lol!
Love,
Patsy.
😀
RE: Should mediums/readers charge a fee?
seekingpeace,
I forgot to say that not everyone in the East is honest and trustworthy, just as not everyone in the west is moneygrabbing. You can't make sweeping statements like that.
Human nature is human nature.
Patsy.