Beth, thank you for taking the time to read and share your thoughts. I really do appreciate it.

I have often thought about what it means to give for free and what that does for others who are trying to earn a living from teaching meditation, healing services, intuitive guidance, etc. Am I not undercutting their efforts? Maybe, maybe not. It's a question I keep present as I ponder this topic.

Like most practitioners, I still provide some of my services for free. I've led meditations and held workshops with no cost. I write here on Medium and provide friend links. I've given my books away. And I think it's a beautiful perspective to see the gifts as flowing for free and therefore offering them to others for free.

What I hear you saying most powerfully is how you feel unencumbered by money -- what you describe as "sincerity." I get that. There's something about not having to deal with payment that can be refreshing. Whenever I encounter that, I personally have to look at why I should find an exchange of energy to be something that feels out of integrity.

One last question: do you feel that your gifts as a musician or teacher are not gifts given to you freely?

Thank you for such thought-provoking response. It's a topic well worth pursuing for more answers and new perspectives.