I don't know if you're still around, bix, as you started this thread over 2 years ago now and your latest post on the forum is a while ago too. I liked what you said and support you in sharing your feelings, and I am saddened that so many replies demonstrate a failure to listen and a readiness to tell you to go away if it's not for you. I differ from you in that I love all the deep mysterious questions, and that is one thing I like about some of Steve's stuff. But I share your sadness that he has 'gone pro', if that is what has happened. I am new here, so I don't know the history.
I guess, for me, if someone wants to sell practical advice, that's great. As so many have pointed out, we need to live and there's nothing wrong with making a living, but if someone starts getting all spiritual and deep, I distrust their motives if they charge for it, at least if that starts to appear to be important to them, or more important than the help. It is true that you can teach spiritual stuff and charge for it, or stick loads of adverts on the site to make money as it happens, and people are right to say that this does not logically equate with ripping people off or being false or greedy, etc. On the other hand, if you want to share important spiritual ideas and decide to do those things, it is a very natural reaction for your audience to become wary, and if you don't it is a sure sign that you can be trusted not to be in it for the money. Since Steve has developed quite a reasonable passive income already, it seems even less advisable to start making the site a money-spinner, and manifesting money is a big turn off for those who are, like me, sick of the love of money I see all around me....whoops - edit - and in myself!
If someone is supposed to be as advanced as some people round here think Steve is, they could manifest their next meal anytime they wanted, and would not need any money at all. In fact, he has developed such a big fan base that he's never likely to need for anything ever again. Hence, it follows that one possible motive is his ego, his fears of being hungry and lonely and poor or (my theory) stopping. Looking at his background, his obsession with success and efficiency (to the point of advising that men read while shaving so as not to waste 2-3 minutes of the day - I lose that again arguing with librarians about the blood on their books), it is hard for me not to conclude that he is deeply materialistic, and perhaps can't even see it himself, thinking himself ever so evolved. Certainly he doesn't remind me much of the great spiritual teachers (even though they might have ended up being carried around and showered with gifts anyway). He seems to take no heed of warnings about camels getting through needles (even if the kingdom is within rather than behind the clouds). He gives a greedy world the message that you can have your cake and eat it. You can be really evolved, spiritual, loving, helpful to others, and you're better at it the more you get what you want first. And the followers will say "he must be right, look how many clicks he's getting".
It's probably not a great big problem to get all heated about. If you don't click to donate or hand him a cheque, there aren't too many ways he can rip you off, are there? I'm enjoying this process here a lot, and it's cost me nowt yet. Paradoxically, I have grown a helluvalot. You see, I don't think there are evil people to avoid, or that if someone is caught in material stuff or their fears it means you can't learn from them. We're all caught in something (at least I haven't found anyone who isn't yet). I guenuinely believe that Steve is doing his best, like the flawed rest of us. What wise (as opposed to smart) people might take from bix and this is that it's very easy to label someone "good for me", "great", "master", and then forget that they're flawed and take everything he says uncritically (despite him earlier saying not to do that).
NoelKohl, I think it was, said:
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I can't believe there are still people who believe lightworkers should be poor and make no money and give of themselves for no return whatsoever.
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No, it's a miracle, isn't it, but we're still here.