Something radical happened in my coaching practice recently – I eliminated fixed pricing completely. Instead of the usual “packages and pricing” page, there’s now a simple message: “Pay what you want.”
Sounds crazy in today’s market-driven world, right? But this decision wasn’t born from modern business innovation. It’s rooted in something far older and deeper – the ancient Vedic tradition of knowledge sharing.
The Ancient Way of Teaching
In Sanatan Vedic tradition, knowledge wasn’t treated as a commodity you could simply purchase. Teachers (Gurus) never put a fixed price tag on wisdom. Why? Because they understood something profound about the nature of learning and value.
This isn’t just theoretical for me. I witnessed this philosophy in action through my father, a lifelong teacher who never charged fixed fees from his students. Instead, he asked them to pay from their first salary – a beautiful gesture that created a circle of trust and gratitude.
Why Fixed Pricing Doesn’t Work for True Mentorship
Think about it: How do you calculate the exact value of:
- Years of experience and learned lessons
- Prevented mistakes and saved time
- Transformed mindsets and expanded possibilities
- Personal guidance tailored to each individual
The truth is, you can’t. It’s like trying to put a price tag on transformation itself.
The Trust-Based Alternative
In the ancient system, the value exchange worked differently:
- The mentor shares knowledge based on the student’s readiness and dedication
- The student determines the value received and gives back accordingly
- This creates a natural feedback loop – authentic students who honor the exchange receive deeper teachings
Beyond Transaction to Transformation
This isn’t just about money.
The ancient system understood that education shapes the minds that will operate society. That’s why:
- Character and integrity were tested before advanced knowledge was shared
- Students were prepared to receive knowledge, not just acquire it
- Lifelong principles governed how knowledge should be used
- The focus was on personal transformation before teaching others
The Modern Application
Bringing this ancient wisdom into my coaching practice means:
- No fixed pricing barriers
- Emphasis on readiness and commitment
- Trust-based value exchange
- Focus on authentic transformation
- Long-term relationship building
Why This Matters Now
In a world obsessed with quick fixes and certifications, this approach might seem counterintuitive. But I believe it’s exactly what we need – a return to viewing knowledge as sacred, transformation as personal, and value as something determined by impact rather than market rates.
This isn’t just about making coaching more accessible. It’s about restoring the sacred relationship between mentor and mentee, between knowledge and transformation, between giving and receiving.
I’m committed to learning more from these ancient wisdom traditions while staying attuned to modern realities. This is just the beginning of integrating timeless principles with contemporary coaching.
Want to explore this approach? Let’s have a conversation about your journey and see if we’re a good fit for this kind of mentorship relationship.