Q: Why is it that so many spiritual gurus charge so much for access to them and their products? This makes them inaccessible to those without financial means to pay. Shouldn't spreaders of the light not limit their message to the financially viable? The great spiritualists like Jesus and the Buddha did not charge for their services - they displayed supreme confidence that the universe would provide.

A: Of course, that is relative: “charge so much.” Do you mean me? I receive more emails thanking me for my inexpensive World Tour than I do from people telling me it is expensive. In fact, no one has told me it is expensive, but numerous thank-you’s arrive every month, as they do for the free website and daily mailings.

There are a lot of angles to the answer. I partly agree with you, and at the same time I don’t. One thing to consider for me is that my website is free, the daily Notes are free, both of which require about 75% of my daily time. And I often reply to emails like yours, for free. Ironically, the busier I get, and the more sales I have, the more people I reach for free – and vice versa. For years I did it all for free, had no real products, although nothing is really “free,” it cost me a great deal financially to get this started. There will always be costs in reaching people, it’s just a matter of where the payments come from – whether donations, sales, or thin air. (Incidentally, I used to accept tithes that people just send on their own, however they never came close to the covering the cost for the website and free daily mailings. Today I could solicit for donations, but instead I've opted for creating products and giving presentations for those who can pay. (Which is more spiritual?). BTW - it is not uncommon for us to give away materials when people ask.

Q: Though I wasn't specifically targeting you with my questions (it was more a general observation of those who seem to ply their trade in this territory), I acknowledge the thoroughness and unequivocal nature of your response.

The reason that I put the questions to you, is that I have a great deal of respect for what you seem to be about. Most of the types whom I put these questions to, don't bother to respond. You did, which in mind confirms my high rating of you.

If you have the time, could you reply to the portion of my original email that mentioned Jesus and the Buddha? If you don't have the time, thanks for your response thus far, and keep up the good work.

A: Jesus had a very small following. Perhaps the same was true for Buddha. It was only long, long after their passing's that their message spread around the world. If they spoke today, there would be enormous costs in getting their word out in print, on the airwaves, and on the Internet. Someone would pay. They might not charge a fee, but massive money would have to be raised to cover their costs.

Yes and no about confidence. They obviously had massive confidence, and the Universe did provide, but again, such provision came from other people who paid (through donations) for their existence and their ability to continue with their ministries. Which is exactly how the Universe has been providing for me.

And does the fact that others paid for their efforts through donations diminish their insights? And how does it differ to depend upon charity and alms (as they did), versus, to depend upon voluntary purchases (as I do)? Incidentally, during their times selling products, books, CDs, DVDs, obviously wasn't an option!

I believe if you have something to say, and if there are those who want to hear what you have to say, you just do what you can with what you have. If it means you sell books and tickets, fine. If it means MGM sends their private jet and Ted Turner broadcasts you on his nickel, just as fine. Neither is more elevated, nor less spiritual.

It seems that some people think that if you have to do it yourself, versus rely on donations, you are down a rung on the ladder. And many also still think that if someone is prospering from their efforts, there must be something unspiritual going on. But I've received far too many profoundly grateful emails, written by people who claim that tears of gratitude are falling on their keyboard as they type, to think I should either stop what I'm doing, or begin relying on donations in lieu of optional product sales.