And I am out of about 100k dollars. I'm starting to think it would've been better to stick with free spiritual systems. And another thing, is I am a Taurus, so I dont take orders very well. Therefore, I really dont belong in systems where I have to follow someone else's directions/therapy/instructions. That is, unless a massage therapist is telling me to turn over. Now, that I can tolerate.

So, there are two basic money models for a spiritual system. It can be free or you can pay for it.

There are two basic self-determinisms for a spiritual system: you do it yourself or you depend on another person to help you.

This leads to four groups of spiritual systems:

1 - free and by yourself - my own laughter psychology system is a prime example of this. Just go somewhere and laugh to re-associate negative tendencies with laughs instead. Van Morrison's "No Guru, No Method, No Teacher" comes to mind. Another good one is Subud, a system of Indonesian origin with powerful healing and awareness gains.

2 - costs money and by yourself - the isolation tank (aka Sensory Deprivation Tank) is the classic example of a system where you practice all by yourself. Yet, you have to pay to build a tank. 

3 - free and relies on external help - since time is money, it is hard to expect someone to give you their time without money. But there are a few such systems. Johrei (http://www.johrei.com/) is an energy healing system that has achieved many miracle cures. And in all cases, the "miracle healer" received no money for his services and in fact probably donates regularly to the church. Technically Johrei and Reiki are doing the same thing. But one is considerably cheaper to be involved in, given that some people charge as much as 5,000 for Master Level Reiki attunements.

4 - costs money and relies on external help - in the United States (less so in poorer nations), this is the prevalent model. Metaphysical bookshops, weekend workshops, therapists, etc all fall into this category. 

Now, there are some systems which are mixed mode. A prime example of this is p3y (paramji's papr param yog - http://www.facebook.com/pages/paramji-p3y/195129014195). The full instructions for the system are free and you are invited to try them. However, part of your daily spiritual practice involves promising to pay the guru once it works and to teach it to someone else when it works. So, the system starts off in mode 1 and ends in mode 2. This is a pretty fare deal (pun intended) if you ask me.

REFLECTION:

Paying money for spiritual services can make you feel robbed. 

Depending on someone else for spiritual service is sort of like game we used to play as children where a person would fall back and expect the kids behind him to catch him. You are hoping that the other person is skilled and dedicated to your rapid well-being. And once money enters the picture, the likelihood of that can plummet severely! Not only that, but time lag and communication barriers can come up between client and therapist. But then again, you have to admit, you cant see the back of your head as well as someone else can, right?

Ah, decisions, decisions. One thing is certain. There are enough free systems to explore before re-entering the commercial market. I have to give my wallet a breather. I have a closet full of books, crystals, amulets,  and not a single bit of heightened awareness. Just think of all the weed I could've bought with that money (grin).