Seller's Of Enlightenment?
What I adamantly object to is that most organizations whether non-profit or
not, have the bold audacity to claim enlightenment on the one hand while placing
something as un-spiritual as a common "price tag" on what they have to
offer the sincere seeker in the other hand. The two are diametrically in
opposition. And this widespread practice appalls me. It speaks of self-serving
intentions, of personal gain at the hands of innocent seekers of light.
The fact that there are teachers of spiritual truths and/or teachers of
innovative environmental living who are actually "charging" exorbitant
admissions, fees and/or dues for seminars, symposiums, courses and the like is
in direct opposition to the very basic premise of spirituality! To create
a common "commodity" or "purchased product" out of
enlightenment is to vulgarize the total concept of spirituality! True and
pure spirituality has been taken out of the "sharing" of enlightenment
to transform it into what is now disgustingly seen as the "selling" of
enlightenment.
What this converts to is a stomach-turning statement that goes exactly like
this: "Unless you come up with the money, you don’t get spiritual
enlightenment."
Do these outrageous price tags mean that only those who can afford
them are entitled to enlightenment, wisdom, information, or help? Is
enlightenment then only for the wealthy? Is the majority of the
population barred from such knowledge of light simply because the seekers
cannot afford it? It certainly appears so and with the approach of such
critical times when so many, many are reaching out for spiritual meaning, this
situation is totally unacceptable!
In the beautiful tradition of the Indian Way, the concept of the Great
Give-Away should be uppermost in the minds of today’s teachers of new
learning. The Great Give-Away is simply the humble giving, the sharing, of what
we have to offer others. Whether this offering be spiritual wisdom, enlightened
philosophy, life guidance, ecological environment innovations or just plain
human comfort to one in need, makes no difference whatsoever. To give freely
is the Indian Way. It is the way of human spirituality. To give without
expectation of recompense of any kind is the true Indian Way. It is the way of true
human spirituality. To give just because that is the human spiritual thing
to do is the Indian Way.
Look to nature. All the magnificent gifts of nature are given free to
man. It is natural to give. Enlightenment, no matter on what subject it is
given, is only vulgarized by the clinking of coins into the palms of the giver.
This horrendous practice must cease. It must be turned around if
true spirituality is to flourish upon the land. The organizers and founders of
these learning and informative centers must seek other means of gaining
their monies than from the pockets of these sincere and innocent seekers. A
great travesty is being perpetuated upon those who wish to gain some measure of
expanded awareness. It must cease if man is to experience true and pure human
spirituality in a united bond of living together with the sweet earth.
Peace. Love. Giving. Spirituality. Humanness. Enlightenment. These gentle
words are simply mere shells without the absence of expectation on the
part of the giver.
Empty rhetoric. Verbosity. Hypocrisy. Greed. False leaders. At best, the
"price tag beings of enlightenment" are well-meaning but sad,
misguided individuals.
Please, this timeframe is far too critical for the earnest seeker to have to
"pay" for that which he so desperately is seeking. It is too important
to veer off your spirit’s path only to end up listening to lectures, seminars,
courses, or symposiums that require your money to maintain its very existence.
Hear me, please. The blood of the seeker must never nourish the veins of
the teacher! The teacher must be nourished from within rather than drain
that which is without! A true One of wisdom, a high teacher, never takes
… but rather gives! Keep this tenet in mind – enlightenment is a universal
entity of itself; therefore it is owned by no one, therefore no one can sell
that which he owns not.
So many people feel so alone. This is a time when all of us, as members of
the family of man, must open our hearts and let our beautiful compassion flow to
others. We are all drifting on the warm current of life and together we must be
fearful to hold out our hands and give companionship along the way. We must not
be fearful to touch.
For me, there are not and truly cannot be "any ulterior
motives of self-gain" in what I am doing. For indeed, that is not my way.
That is not in keeping with the beautiful Tradition of the Great Give-Away that
lives within my heart. That is not in keeping with the true light of human
spirituality that pulses within my spirit.
Perhaps when this ugly subject of "paying" for enlightenment,
simple guidance and/or help really hit home with me was when an elderly Hopi
wiseman appeared unexpectedly upon my doorstep. At the time I wasn’t home, but
when he later called, what he asked me plunged my heart to the ground. He softly
said, "How much do you charge for a consultation appointment?"
I was so taken aback by the shocking question that I was entirely speechless
for a few seconds. "Why nothing!" I said.
The man on the phone chuckled lightly under his breath. "Well, you know
how much everything costs in the white man’s world," he added.
© Mary Summer Rain / from her book "Phoenix Rising"
