The Buddha rebuked him: "...Foolish man, how can you receive money? This will not give rise to confidence in those without it... And, monks, this training rule should be recited thus: 'If a monk takes, gets someone else to take, or consents to gold and silver being deposited for him, he commits an offense entailing relinquishment and confession.'" Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga, Nissaggiyā Pācittiyā 18

What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 1 Corinthians 9:18-19

The new-age spiritual chakra wellness meetup

About a year ago, feeling that I was stuck in a social bubble where somehow everyone I met was yet another tech/finance/science-type person like myself, I decided to check out this "new-age spiritual chakra wellness" meetup I'd heard about.

It was a culture shock, but not how I expected. What struck me about that group was how they seemed far more obsessed with money and "hustle" than anyone else I've met!

The event took place on a Sunday night in an otherwise-unused yoga studio. The plan was that we'd schmooze with other attendees a bit before going into the studio-proper, where we'd lie down on mats listening to the "music" they'd play for us: one person sitting in the center playing crystal bowls, and another walking amongst the audience playing various flutes. (That was just the premise for this particular event; the group does other events with different activities.)

The price of admission was $20, which I paid in cash to the guy at the door. (This momentarily threw him off his rhythm because most others bought tickets online or via Venmo.) In the lounge where we hung out before the music began, there was a bowl of hot cocoa to which you could help yourself. Only after I started ladling myself a cup did I see the sign saying "$5/cup" - certainly not worth it, but I supposed I had only myself to blame for not looking more carefully, so I finished filling my cup and dropped $5 in the till.

After the music (which was nice and relaxing), there was a chance for everyone to address the audience and share their thoughts. Some used the opportunity to talk about their philosophy of life, while a fair number (it seemed like almost half) found some way to plug th...

Bah-Humbug Sequence