在创建这个博客之前，我曾在我的伯克利社区针灸诊所的Facebook页面上发布过这篇文章。反响非常好，所以我想在这里重新发布一下：
今天，在我值班期间接受针灸治疗后，一位病人问我，为什么要把这么好的治疗“免费”提供。她问：“你不珍惜自己的技能吗？你不想让别人也珍惜你的技能吗？你不想让他们尊重你，支付你应得的报酬吗？” 然后她看到我一脸困惑，又补充道：“哦，我明白了，你是在努力改变世界。你在帮助那些需要帮助的人，因为他们缺乏资源。你真好。” 她等着我回答，但我却哑口无言。她的话让我感到困惑，不知从何说起，于是我只是微微点头表示同意。她笑了笑，往我们的捐款箱里放了5美元，然后离开了。从那以后，我一直在思考她的话。
我做我该做的事，无论别人给我多少钱，都无法让我觉得这能与我所提供的价值相匹配。5美元不行，5000美元也不行。因为我所提供的价值无法量化。我所提供的就是我自己，这不仅体现在我的中医实践中，也体现在我的经营方式中。这是我16年来对医学和健康的思考，以及我希望如何影响和被我所生活的世界所影响的体现。它反映了我对健康以及我们彼此之间联系的理解。
我的行医实践体现了我对我们所处世界的富足、信任和联结的信念，以及我对中医深远疗愈能力的信念。我被它的简洁、温和、谦逊、平易近人、深邃和静谧的疗愈所深深吸引。在这个时代，我尤其感到欣慰的是，能够提供一个让五位素不相识的人并排躺下，共同休憩、放松、疗愈的环境，没有任何附加条件。令我惊叹的是，每天都有人前来寻求这样的疗愈。这就是信任。这就是疗愈。
基于这种理解，价值和意义有了截然不同的视角。正因为我深刻理解自己所做之事的价值，我才心甘情愿地奉献出来。不是免费，而是真心实意。我这样做并非为了修补破碎的世界，也不是为了救济贫困之人。世界并没有破碎，人们需要什么，我根本无法理解。我这样做，仅仅是因为这是我如今的自我，是我本真的最自然表达。
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To give for free or give freely - the most brilliant distinction ever made is here in your beautiful prose. Thankyou.
I offered yoga for free for two years while I became a better teacher. I loved to share my experiences with yoga in making people feel better. Many people asked me these same questions and told me that I would have better attendance and more reliable students once I started charging. I am charging now, a nominal fee, but was just as happy teaching for free except that it became embarrassing only after someone told me it should be. The weight we place in others opinions is enormous. When we come from our hearts, it feels good. Keep coming from your heart. When it's time to charge, you will be more than entitled to charge. We have to work in a culture that places value on everything in the form of money. But you can not place a value on generosity and love. The woman likely felt guilty, wanted to tell you that you were worth more than she was about to pay you, and in turn took your peace of mind. Don't let the opinions of others guide you, follow your heart.
I am reminded of Jesus' words...
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Amen! So beautifully stated. Freely giving does not devalue it ADDS Value! Hugs to you and thank you for the healing you share through your work. As a Storyteller, I also Freely Give in order to offer people the chance to share their stories, often previously voiceless or powerless. It is an Amazing world we live in. Grateful!
Thank you. I needed to read this too. I am a newly licensed acupuncturist and have been lectured about under-valuing myself because of what I choose to charge patients. Your blog explains exactly why I do what I do and why I charge what I charge. Thank you.
Lovely and loving ideas. Thank you for sharing this outlook on giving. Very heartening.